HILLEBERG TARP 5

The Tarp 5 has an unusual shape and is designed for solo use. It’s five-sided but the sides are not of equal length. At one end, which would be the front in many configurations, there are two equal length sides coming to a point. The other end is straight with the two longer sides angling away from it. There are eight long guylines attached to metal rings. Each guyline point is reinforced. The tarp is made from Kerlon 1000: Hilleberg’s lightest silicone nylon and the same fabric as used in its Yellow Label tents.

The shape means the obvious way to pitch it is with the pointed end at the front and the flat end at the rear. Like this, the front gives protection from the sides while being open for views, ventilation and easy access. This is the case even if the tarp is pitched down to the ground except at the front to keep out storms. The latter can be done by inserting pegs through the rings. Fairly narrow pegs are needed for this. Wide V-shapes won’t fit. No pegs are provided with the tarp. A minimum of eight are needed. There are no attachment points on the fabric, which I don’t think is a drawback in a tarp of this size. Grip-Clips could be used if you wanted to experiment.

The Tarp 5 can be pitched in other ways. One side can be pegged to the ground to keep the wind out with one or two poles on the other side, creating a semi-pyramid or a lean-to. In any configuration altering the height if the weather changes is quick and easy with a little practice.

The Tarp 5 is very light and compact, compressing to the size of a grapefruit. A little stuffsack sewn into a seam is provided. This forms a pocket when the tarp is pitched.

The Tarp 5 is quite expensive but it is very wellmade and very light. For solo use it’s ideal.