Best emergency shelter?

[Dodgeis4me]

I am looking for a tarp of some kind to leave in my hunting/hiking pack for times that are unexpected. Something that does not take up to much room and weighs little would be best. I was looking at the kifaru megatarp but I think it may be too big for my needs. Now I am looking at the Para Tarp because I think the Sheep Tarp would be too small. I am planning on getting the Sawtooth for the over nights that are planned. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[muleman]

I carry an Intergral Designs SilTarp 3, stakes and guylines all the time in the bottom of my pack. This is big enough for me and two hunting age kids. It can be used for an unexpected storm or overnight, or shade for butchering etc...

 

[squeekieslayer]

I have a go lite poncho tarp with line and some ultralight ti stakes from hyper lite that I bring everywhere. Very handy, just over half a pound.

 

[Trr15]

I've been carrying a paratarp as my emergency shelter. There are probably lighter options, but it's light enough and doesn't take up much space.

 

[colonel00]

I carry an Adventure Medical Kit double survival blanket. At around $5 it has many different potential functions. Obviously as a blanket but you can also easily rig it up to be a shelter. It can be a ground tarp for cleaning game. I have used one to collect rain and melt snow. I need to do a video on its uses as the one that used to be on Youtube is now gone.

 

[RCA Dog]

I have just started carrying a Siltarp 2. Was playing with it out in the yard the other day, I am pretty impressed. Lots and lots of uses. It will be living in my pack from now on, with some light tent stakes and paracord.

 

[Ramshead]

I have a go lite poncho tarp with line and some ultralight ti stakes from hyper lite that I bring everywhere. Very handy, just over half a pound.

+1 Golite Poncho Tarp. Very versatile.

 

[luke moffat]

My emergency shelter that is always in my pack is a Pyratent from bearpaw designs. Its 20 oz with stakes, but so worth it knowing I can puffy up and get myself and my wife and even a 3rd person out of the weather if we have to. Also works great to setup while glassing away from camp for a long period of time and the rain starts.

20 oz all up (16 oz for just the fly) for a fully enclosed nearly 60 sq ft out of the elements is worth it for me, especially when it allows you to pull the trigger on an animal late in the day camp bivy right there rather than have to worry about heading back to camp in the dark. Just gives me more options.

 

[dotman]

I sold my Golite poncho tarp and picked up a Borah 5.5x9ft tarp at 7.5oz (haven't put it on my scale yet). The Borah seems like a very quality item and during his last sale was only $35 or something but it's retail price of just under $50 isn't bad at all. It stuffs very tightly into a small kifaru pullout.

Borah has larger options as well but for one person the small size is perfect http://borahgear.com/tarps.html

 

[Dodgeis4me]

I cant find the golite poncho for sale online....

 

[dotman]

I cant find the golite poncho for sale online....

They went out of business, can only get used and it usually sells used for $70+. It is 5x8 tarp essentially.

 

[BroodBuster]

I've used my Integral Design Siltarp 2 more than any of my other shelters. It's always in my pack even when I carry a tent or on a day hunt. It's super versitle and is holding up great after 7 or 8 years of pretty hard use.

I was eyeballing the Hilleberg tarp when the guy at the mountaineering shop talked me into the Siltarp. Not only did I save a $100+ but it has become one of my favorite pieces of gear.