Tarp Shelter
You trust your gear with your life. Whether you’re heading into wild stormfronts, hiking the long trail, setting up at a festival, or crafting a bushcraft shelter, your tarp shelter must be more than good enough. AquaQuest’s Tarp Shelter collection delivers. From ultralight pack-friendly models to rugged, heavy-duty behemoths, we’ve engineered each tarp with field-proven materials and coatings that keep you dry, safe, and comfortable—no compromise. Our range blends high waterproof ratings, reinforced stitching, versatile pitch & coverage sizes, and safety features like high-visibility trim. With a legacy since 1994 and a lifetime warranty on every tarp, you’re covered—wherever, whenever.
Not all tarps are the same. Choosing the right one depends on what you’ll ask of it: ultralight speed through the backcountry, heavy rain through storms, standout safety in emergencies, or wide-open shelter for crowds. We’ve grouped our models so you can see where each excels and pick the tarp that fits your route.
camping tarp earns its keep in the wild.
SHOP CAMPING TARPS
- Designed with ultralight 40D ripstop nylon and dual Sil/PU coatings, our Guide Series tarps strip out excess weight without sacrificing real-world durability.
- Sizes begin around 3×2 m, compress small stuff into your pack, yet provide enough tie-outs to rig versatile shelter shapes—lean-tos, tarp tents, or over-top tents.
- Even the bigger Guide tarps give coverage without bulk—perfect for those who hike far, fast, and light.
Ultralight Portability (for backpackers, thru-hikers)
SHOP GUIDE
- The Defender is built different. At 70D nylon with a 20,000 mm waterproof rating, reinforced ridgelines, tough tie-outs, and bombproof stitching—it’s made for brutal weather and long seasons.
- Available in many sizes (10×7 up to 20×13), it delivers serious coverage, room for groups, and flexibility in pitching—ridge-line, lean-to, or open-front shelters.
- Lifetime warranty ensures that investment holds up, year after year. You don’t need to replace this gear every season.
Heavy-Duty Protection (for bushcraft, harsh weather, long stays)
SHOP DEFENDER
- The Survivor Series adds hi-vis materials and reflective trim so you’re seen by day or night—essential in emergencies, remote terrain, or large group settings.
- Waterproofing is strong (exceeding industry norms) so you stay dry even when visibility drops and storms roll in.
- Sizes large enough to cover communal areas, festival camps, medical staging, etc., without compromising the rugged durability you expect from AquaQuest. AquaQuest
Safety & Visibility (for rescue, festival, remote zones)
SHOP SURVIVOR
- Waterproofing: Dual coatings (Silicone + PU or TPU + DWR) deliver hydrostatic heads from 5,000 mm in lighter models up to 20,000 mm in heavy duty builds.
- Fabric weight / Denier: 40D ripstop nylon for ultralight Guide; 70D for Defender & Survivor to resist abrasion, snow load, wear.
- Tie-outs & structure: Numerous reinforced tie-outs, center ridgelines, geometry options (square, rectangle, XL) allow multiple pitches for snow, wind, and shelter style.
Specs That Matter: Waterproofing, Geometry, & Pitch Options
SHOP TARPS
FAQ
For ultralight backpacking or mild weather, a tarp with ~5,000 mm hydrostatic head does well. But if you expect harsh storms, snow, or prolonged exposure, go for our heavy duty tarps—rated up to 20,000 mm—such as the Defender.
Solo hikers usually do well with sizes like 3×2 m (Guide) which offer shelter without excess bulk. For 3-4 people or communal gear, go with 10×10, 13×10, or the XL 20×13 tarps. Bigger also gives you more pitch options.
Yes. All AQ tarp shelters come with many reinforced tie-outs and versatile geometry. Use trekking poles, stakes, or improvised anchors. The square, rectangle, and XL dimensions give you flexibility in lean-to and ridgeline setups.
Many budget tarps cut costs with low-denier fabrics, weak coatings, or minimal tie-outs—which means they rip, leak, or fail when you need them most. AquaQuest tarps use premium ripstop nylon, dual waterproof coatings, reinforced stitching, and up to 20,000 mm waterproof ratings. Add in versatile geometry, lifetime warranty, and nearly three decades of field use since 1994, and you’ve got a tarp that protects you in real-world conditions—not just on paper.
