Do I really need a tent/tarp in my bugout bag?

Quiet Storm

Quiet Storm

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May 17, 2002
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I'm currently in the process of compiling a B.O.B.

I did a lot of reading and I think I have all bases covered now, I just need to purchase a quality sleeping bag and a few relatively minor items.

Now I'm wondering if I need a tent or tarp. I think a good sleeping bag is much more valuable and since my pack includes a few emergency blankets, rain poncho and a couple of heavy trash bags, an improvised shelter would be a workable alternative, saving me weight, bulk (and money).
If I decide to get one, it will not be a high-end item anyway, more likely just a lightly used military model.

I designed the bag without a specific scenario in mind. It includes enough water/water purification tablets and food to stay reasonably comfortable for a few days if the SHTF. I intend to store quite a lot of extra water and food in a seperate large bag, so I have the option to extend that to a few weeks.
As far as non-food equipment is concerned, I think it's diverse and high-quality enough for me to survive for extended periods of time under adverse conditions.

The crux is that I want to keep this bag fairly lightweight and easy to handle, so the extra weight and bulk of a tent is indeed a concern here.

Opinions?
 
Do yourself a favor and at least finda way to keep a tarp in there. Save your poncho and bags for other uses, a tarp will also help your other equipment in the long run, a sleeping bag will last 2x as long if its not getting wet as much.
 
I'd go with the tarp.
A little creative ingenuity will keep you as dry as a tent will. Wind will play a factor, of course - the tarp won't have 4 walls unless you build one or two once the shelter's been erected.

As an alternative, I've found the larger one-person bivy bags to be a decent compromise between weight and weatherproofing.
 
Seems like I should get a tarp.

trout, that lightweight tarp sure looks cool, but I'm not gonna spend that kind of money on a waterproof blanket. ;)
 
I have tried at least three types of progressively lighter tents, sleeping bags with gore tex covers, bivy sacks, and tarps.

The best product I have ever used is a Black Diamond Beta Light. One pound if I want a tent like tarp. Two pounds if I want a floor. Easily a three season solution and a four season solution if you use it with the right sleeping bag and rest pads.

Is it the lightest thing I could keep as a shelter in my bugout backpack? Not by a long shot. However, it is the most versatile and will shelter two people in really decent comfort along with all of the gear. I make up for the weight by using an alcohol stove, which in addition to being lighter than even my MSR stoves, is silent and features way better light security for bugging out anyways.

Anyone who really wants to bug out and depend on location for natural shelters, luck with the weather, or a mere tarp to do the trick for shelter, ought to really try it when the weather is foul, not just when it is easy. One night in a downpour or in high wind with a tarp is doable, but three will drive most to upgrade to something a little more bombproof.
 
QS, why "a few" emergency blankets? One would make a ground sheet to keep the sleeping bag dry.

A nylon tarp with grommets is more likely to survive wind and keep you dry.

The poncho will be keeping you dry when you venture out of your shelter.

Remember that a sleeping bag offers almost no insulation under you. Your weight forces the air out of the filler material, and the air otherwise trapped in the filler creates the insulation. I would consider at least a minimal foam pad. Even a thin foam pad offers some insulation.
 
Here's my 1.5 cents.

I do a lot of camping without a tarp or tent so I figure I'd be okay in most bugout situations without one also. Of course the keyword in that last sentence is "most".

Now having said that, in my BOB I have a large, thick blue plastic tarp with metal eylets along the sides (you know the one... we've all seen them). This is in addition to a 30 degree bag, two mylar blankets, 3 ponchos and two Storm Shelter Instant Pocket Tents, which is (for those not familiar) basically a big thick plastic tube.

The two main reasons for my tarp are: (1) Unlike when I'm camping I may end up bugging out in totally miserable weather and maybe even while fatigued and/or injured. (2) Also I may not be bugging out alone. There is a chance I would have a 3 year old boy with me and I figure with him around the more shelter the better. If I found a tent that was a light as that tarp (never gonna happen) I would pack it instead for the same two above-mentioned reasons.
 
If you can fit a tent/tarp in, hey, why not. I packed a "hiking shelter" in my BOB bag. Its a kinda half-dome shape, almost looks like a lean-to survival shelter, I packed a small groundsheet, too & figured I could fabricate an awning of sorts or use the tarp to seal the open side of the shelter. I think they also make something similar for anglers. Only cost me about £8.00 & it weighs 1kilo.
 
Heck , throw one in and when you bug out if it seems too heavy throw it to the curb. Bet you won't.:D
 
Nope, you sure don't have to put either in your kit. But yeah, you really do want at least a tarp. I carry a USGI poncho and I'm going to add a small ripstop basha. Having a versatile and durable temporary shelter with you is the only way to go in my opinion.
 
I'm not a great believer in BOBs because I have a home and family so mine are BIBs. That is Bug In Bags, meant to sustain me or another family member for 3 days or so. That isn't because I think 3 is a magic number its just I know I have several alternative places to live. If we have warning I have a "pallet" ready to load in the back of the truck. It is our basic camping gear, with several camo tarps.

If you're going to travel solo for a few days you might want to add some giant plastic bags from SOS survival. They are light and small and can be vacuum packed even smaller. We all carry 1 large and 1 small SOS bag. I'm a real fan of the tarp shelter. Where I live we have a HUGE transient population and working as FF I've seen some very inovative tarp setups. You can learn alot from watching hobos and others who live on the street.

http://www.survivalandoutdoorsafety.com/cus.html
 
I like Cabelas XPG Bivy Sack. Weighs 13 oz and has waterproof breathable shell. You can put your sleeping bag inside and be warm and dry. Not as versatile as a tarp, but probably lighter. Sometimes I carry one for winter hunting along with extra clothing.
 
I would also vote for a Tarp, will help you out if you have to stay outdorrs for a while.
 
I think a tarp is good idea for anyone planning to cope with being outside for any length of time. Bivy sacks might work well, but imagine being stuck inside one for 3 days of rain. Give me a tarp anyday. Here is a link with some good ideas for what you can do with one:
http://www.equipped.com/tarp-shelters.htm
Some of examples are not very useful for what you're talking about but there's a few that are. By all means, try them out before you need them. I've set up the "diamond fly" in the yard. It was very easy and stable. I think with the peak set up low would be very serviceable.
 
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