Are you looking for the best survival tarp to add to your outdoor gear collection? Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or just starting out on your survival journey, having a reliable and versatile tarp is essential.
An amazing survival tarp can protect you from harsh weather conditions, provide shelter in emergency situations, and serve multiple purposes beyond its primary function.
In this guide, we have compiled a list of the 7 best survival tarps available that are trusted by experienced campers, hikers, backpackers, and other wilderness enthusiasts.
Let’s dive in.
1. Arcturus Heavy Duty Survival Blanket – Insulated Thermal Reflective Tarp
The Arcturus Heavy Duty Survival Blanket is an excellent choice for outdoor enthusiasts and emergency preparedness. Its versatility makes it a must-have item in any survival kit.
Made with thick materials, it can withstand rough handling and extreme conditions without tearing easily. This makes it ideal for long-term use, especially when compared to thinner thermal blankets.
The Mylar reflective side of the blanket is highly effective at reflecting heat back toward you, making it essential for maintaining body temperature in cold weather or creating a radiant barrier around your shelter. The other side consists of two layers of polypropylene, which provide waterproof protection against rain or snow.
This versatile tarp has multiple uses – as a ground cover during camping trips (protecting from wet surfaces), as an emergency roof over a shelter to keep out moisture and enhance insulation, or even as beach-changing mat cloth!
It weighs only 1.5 lbs and comes with its own carry bag, so you can conveniently bring it along on hikes or store one in your car’s trunk for unexpected situations.
Another great feature is the four reinforced tie-down grommets that allow easy hanging or securing to create customized setups according to specific needs – whether signalling help by attaching high up outside vegetation or creating a waterproof shelter by tying it down securely.
Pros:
- Durable and resistant to tearing.
- Reflective Mylar side helps retain body heat and create radiant barriers.
- Waterproof polypropylene side provides protection against moisture.
- Versatile usage for camping, hunting, emergency situations, etc.
- Compact and lightweight design with its own carry bag.
Cons:
- Maybe bulkier compared to thinner thermal blankets.
2. Core Tarps Extreme Heavy Duty 20 Mil Tarp Cover
The Core Tarps Extreme Heavy Duty 20 Mil Tarp Cover is an excellent choice for those in need of a durable and versatile tarp. It offers superior protection against the elements, making it suitable for various outdoor applications.
With a 20-mil thickness, this tarp is incredibly strong and resistant to tears or punctures. This makes it ideal for heavy-duty use, such as covering roofs, boats, or machinery that require extra durability.
Additionally, the Core Tarps Extreme Heavy Duty Tarp Cover features reinforced edges and metal grommets placed every 18 inches. These provide added strength and make tying down the tarp securely quick and easy with bungee cords or ropes.
Another notable feature of this tar cover is its resistance to UV rays, water penetration, and overall weatherproof construction.
No matter what season you’re facing – windstorms, rain showers, snowfall- pound on your shelter worry-free, knowing this robust protective layer has got you covered, making it perfect for long-term outdoor storage needs during all four seasons
Pros:
- Made from pure virgin polyethylene material.
- Strong reinforcement at edges along with metal grommets spaced every 18 inches.
- Exceptionally thick (20 mil).
- Resistant to tears, punctures, and rotting.
- Waterproof and weatherproof design that can withstand UV rays.
Cons:
- Limited colour options available.
3. FREE SOLDIER Waterproof Portable Tarp
The FREE SOLDIER Waterproof Portable Tarp is a fantastic option for outdoor enthusiasts looking for a versatile and durable shelter solution. Made from 210T ripstop polyester fabric, it offers excellent waterproofing with a rating of 2500 PU, ensuring long-lasting protection against rain and moisture.
The material effectively blocks ultraviolet rays, making it ideal for sunnier climates where you need to protect yourself from harmful sun exposure.
The tarp’s construction is solid and stable thanks to heat sealing and melting processes used on the puncture-resistant fabric. This ensures that water does not penetrate through seams or weak spots in the material, giving you peace of mind during stormy weather conditions.
With dimensions measuring at 118″ × 126″, this tarp provides ample coverage for two people. When not in use, it can easily be folded into the included lightweight stuff sack – perfect portability without adding excessive weight to your backpack.
Setting up this camping awning is simple, with four nylon guy lines featuring tensioners included in the package.
There are multiple reinforced ridgeline seam points along with five strengthened grommet points for added stability when pitching your shelter configuration as a groundsheet or hammock cover.
Pros:
- Made waterproof, ensuring excellent protection against rain and moisture.
- Offers UV protection, blocking harmful rays from the sun.
- Strong and stable construction
- Large size (118″ × 126″) provides ample coverage for two people.
- Easy setup with included nylon guy lines and tensioners.
Cons:
- It may be too heavy for ultra-light backpacking trips.
4. Bearhard Heavy Duty Emergency Blanket, Emergency Tarp
The Bearhard Heavy Duty Emergency Blanket is an excellent survival tarp that offers multiple uses and superior performance in any emergency situation.
It is made with the innovative 3.0 Duralix material, which combines a reflective aluminum lamination, non-woven fabric, and ultra PE lamination to provide exceptional heat retention (93%), tear resistance, and waterproof/windproof properties.
With a size of 59″x 82″, it can be used as both an insulated blanket for warmth or as an emergency shelter due to its reinforced grommets and included iron stakes. This makes it suitable for various outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, climbing, boating, or hunting.
Another great attribute of this product is its compactness and lightweight design – weighing only 1 pound! When folded down into its carrying case (11″×9″×2″), it takes up minimal space in your backpack or car trunk, making it perfect for unexpected emergencies while on the go.
The durability factor cannot be overlooked – not only does reinforcement stitching enhance toughness along all sides, but duct tape can easily fortify grommet areas if desired, ensuring long-lasting use even under harsh conditions like hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, wildfires, and more.
Pros:
- It can be used as a blanket, tarp, or emergency shelter.
- Excellent heat retention (93%) to keep you warm in extreme conditions.
- Tear-resistant material for durability and long-lasting use.
- Waterproof and windproof properties provide protection against the elements.
- Compact and lightweight design for easy storage in backpacks or car trunks.
- Reinforced grommets with included iron stakes offer stability when used as a tarp/shelter.
Cons:
- Duct tape reinforcement may be necessary on the grommet areas for added strength.
5. Heavy Duty Waterproof Canvas Tarp by CCS CHICAGO CANVAS & SUPPLY
The Heavy-Duty Waterproof Canvas Tarp by CCS CHICAGO CANVAS & SUPPLY is an excellent choice for anyone in need of a reliable and durable tarp. Made from 10oz cotton duck canvas, this tarp is incredibly sturdy and can withstand even the harshest conditions.
One of the biggest advantages of this tarp is its versatility. It can be used for various purposes such as camping ground cover, shelter, tent or pergola covering. In addition to that, it’s also great for protecting outdoor equipment like construction materials or firewood.
The rustproof brass grommets placed every two feet provide a strong hold when securing the tarp into place using ropes or bungee cords – making sure everything stays secure during high winds while being tear-resistant thanks to double stitched seams with rot-resistant thread.
Its water-resistance capability is due to both breathable material coating, which allows moisture vapor to escape during wet weather without causing damage to the tarp.
Pros:
- Heavy-duty 10oz cotton duck canvas construction for supreme durability.
- Rustproof brass grommets every 2 feet for a secure hold and easy installation.
- Double-stitched seams with rot-resistant thread to prevent tears.
- Water-resistant coating allows it to protect against light rain and moisture while remaining breathable.
- Its versatile design makes it suitable for various applications, such as camping, construction, farming, and more.
- Backed by the expertise of CCS CHICAGO CANVAS & SUPPLY with over 70 years in the market.
Cons:
- Some customers have reported that it can be difficult to fold and store due to its heavy weight and stiffness.
6. UST Survival Blanket/Tarp 2.0
The UST Survival Blanket/Tarp 2.0 is a versatile and durable tarp that can serve multiple purposes in survival situations. It measures 60″ x 83″ and weighs only 13.6 oz, making it convenient to carry in a day pack or emergency kit.
It can be used as a lean-to shelter by lashing ropes through the grommets, providing protection from rain and wind while allowing for optimal ventilation. Additionally, it works well as a ground cloth to reflect heat upwards when sleeping outdoors or as an insulating wrap around cold/frozen food during transportation.
Durability is another strong point of this tarp due to its construction: three-ply polyethylene material with reinforced fabric ensures resistance against tears and punctures even in rugged outdoor conditions.
The metalized polyester on one side also adds further reinforcement. Its waterproof properties make sure you stay dry during heavy rains. If visibility becomes crucial, the high-visibility reflective surface facilitates easy emergency signaling.
Pros:
- Versatile uses such as shelter, ground cloth, and insulation.
- Durable three-ply construction with reinforced fabric.
- Waterproof capabilities keep you dry during rainy weather.
- High-visibility reflective surface aids emergency signaling.
Cons:
- Tarp starts to rip and tear after extended use, potentially reducing its lifespan.
- Not as sturdy as desired by some, requiring additional reinforcement with ropes or cords in some cases.
7. Rain Fly by NoCry 12×10 Lightweight Survival Camping Tarp
The Rain Fly by NoCry is a 12×10 camping tarp made out of heavy-duty Diamond Ripstop polyester coated with TPU. It offers reliable protection against rain, wind, and snow due to its 100% waterproof design. Additionally, it provides full UV protection for those sunny days outdoors.
It can be easily set up as a hammock cover or used as a tent groundcover, windbreaker, backpacking tarp, or even just providing shade at outdoor events like festivals. The lightweight material makes it easy to carry on hiking trips without adding much weight to your pack.
What sets this rain fly apart from others on the market are the included accessories that come with it: six aluminum stakes with orange reflective paracord ties for secure anchoring in any terrain; six carabiners for quick attachment; seven adjustable ropes; one sack specifically designed to hold all these items together.
Pros:
- Made from heavy-duty Diamond Ripstop polyester coated with TPU, it offers durable and reliable weather protection.
- 100% waterproof design ensures you stay dry in rainy conditions.
- Provides full UV protection, shielding you from harmful sun rays.
- Versatile uses as a hammock cover, tent groundcover, windbreaker, backpacking tarp, or shade provider at outdoor events such as festivals.
- Comes with a variety of useful accessories, including aluminum stakes with reflective paracord ties for secure anchoring and carabiners for quick attachment.
- Easy to carry due to lightweight material.
Cons:
- Lack of information on the durability over time.
Final Words
Investing in a high-quality survival tarp is an absolute must for any outdoor enthusiast or survivalist. The 7 best tarps we’ve featured in this guide offer exceptional weather protection, versatility of use, and durability.
Whether you’re camping in the mountains, hiking through rugged terrain, or preparing for emergency situations, the right tarp can make all the difference.
Consider your specific needs and preferences when choosing among these top-rated options. Determine which features are most important to you, such as water resistance, durability, portability, and ease of setup.
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