This might be the first page you check out on the website as you never know, there could be a bargain to be had, either 'deals', 'bundles', 'sale', 'clearance' or 'end of line'.
Either way we hope to be able to keep this page updated as a central place to see all the special offers together, along with the latest items added to the website and the most popular sellers. After all ........ ‘save money - be happy’
If you have a bivvy bag, how big a tarp do you 'really' need?
In an effort to keep things light, but practical just enough to cover the head and torso is usually enough, especially during the 2-3 seasons. Enough to keep the cold wind from troubling you, enough to keep the stove effective and somewhere to store your small pack and gear. It allows you to sit up and pull on some clothing and can be erected and dropped down in less than a minute.
Using a pair of walking poles or sticks, this micro tarp can be configured in the the traditional 'A-Frame', 'Flying-V' and 'Lean-To' format. However it really comes into its own when pitched in the latter two of the three styles.
Just big enough to get your head and torso under cover with your bag and cooking gear, with the rest of your body in the bivvy bag. Once out of the wind and rain, you can perform most activities needed to make your outdoor experience more pleasurable.
The 1.45m x 1.2m (approx) micro tarp is made from siliconized nylon and weighs in at an incredible 150g (lighter than previous models). It is double stitched around the hem, with reinforcements on every tab support so the tarp will take a variety of pressures from all angles. On the centre ridge line of the tarp there is a 'lifter'. These are not for central support from a line when pitched as an A frame', but for a 'lifting' cord, to pull back the flat surface area and provide more useable space underneath the tarp. (See gallery)
Extra tabs have been attached so that when in 'lean-to' format a natural 'drip' is formed which acts both as a drip and as a 'beak' from heavy rain. (See gallery)
Optional extras include titanium ultralight pegs, a 15m length of 3mm paracord and 3m of 3mm shockcord. Depending on which method you use and of course how bad the weather may be, a tarp can be pitched using as little as 4 pegs and as many as 12. Once you find a pitching style which suits your needs, shockcord may be a permanent attachment to certain tabs for swift pegging out.
The bag which comes with the tarp is a loose fit to be able to accommodate cords, pegs and shockcord.
Plus of course every tarp we sell, arrives with a free digital download of The Tarp Video which explains in video form, how to tie all the knots you need to know, how to hank cordage and erect your first tarp in the 3 main configurations. As pitching a tarp may be new to your outdoor experience, we suggest you take your time practicing with the various configurations in your back garden before you head out into the wilds!
Using a tarp with a bivvy bag is a great way to see more of the outdoors and feel 'part' of your environment. These tarps are designed to support the lightweight backpacker and bivvy user. Of course there's many ways they can be used, including extending the vestibule area of a tent, as a windbreak on the beach or a 'hide' for photographers.
NB: These tarps are custom made in our workshop, so please use the 'notify me when back in stock' button. It allows us to make to order.
Colour: Olive
Specifications:
Size: 1200mm x 1450mm
Weight: 150g
Material: 40D/230T nylon with silicon treatment +PU2000mm
Colour: Olive Green
Attachment points: 10 exterior and 1 central
Construction: Double stitched reinforced hem with reinforced attachment points
Edge and lifter webbing: 15mm polypropylene webbing
Supplied with bag: Loose fit to accommodate pegs and cord. Free CD-Rom (PC and Mac) video explaining how to pitch your tarp with all the associated knots.
As I’m getting older I find that reducing weight where ever I can is the way to go. This little tarp provides enough coverage for my head and gear and the bivvy bag takes care of the rest. The service from BPL UK was fast and everything was as described.
Bought to bring down weight and increase pack space. Used it last weekend in conjunction with snugpak bivvy on a mild but wet night. Walking pole and 4 pegs were enough to keep it taut and it served it's purpose very nicely. I had a good night and stayed dry. Also it's pouch is a very handy size. Bit pricey though.
I bought this to shelter my head when I use a bivi bag on the rain. It does this well - short stick for a pole on one corner and stake down the other three. Gives you good cover from wind and rain. You still have the usual issues of getting in and out without drenching you bag but it makes the sleeping bit so much nicer.
Combined with a bivy bag this tarp makes a really good al fresco sleeping setup. It packs down to hardly anything but with five pegs, two cords and two poles you can quickly rig it in a flying v configuration which provides enough space to cover your head and shoulders at least.
Fantastic service from BPL too - received the tarp next day and I appreciated the DVD (very useful for a tarp novice like me), handwritten note and the sweets! Would definitely recommend buying here.
Great for 'proper' bivvy nights out. And small, so easy to handle. One great use I found lately - with a 'mid or hex tent you can make a wee porch cover. Fix one corner to the tab on the outside of the tent (assuming it has one...) and use the other trekking pole on the diagonal corner. With 3 guys you can make a fabulous little covered area over the tent entrance, a kind of flying diamond configuration. Cool. Only reason for 4 stars is the price - there are cheaper, bigger tarps out there for less, but this is perhaps more specialist than those, BPL touches of thought given to applications. For only a few grams you can stuff this in your pack and have some fun playing in camp. Yogabob.
Excellent speedy service and the DVD was very useful. I'll be testing the micro tarp for a month in Scotland solo backpacking and I'm sure it will hold out just fine. I will definitely use backpackinglight.co.uk again, and thank you for the sweets a nice touch
The exact opposite of my Afghanistan-issue tarp - this is light, small and quite delicate.
It has, however withstood wind and rain, so its delicacy isn't an issue. The fact that it's SO small and light makes it perfect for my kind of adventuring. (8lb base-load.)
I'd give it 5 stars if it were a few quid cheaper, but I understand why it's priced the way it is.
This a super little tarp, does exactly what it says on the tin, don't expect anything covered beyond your mid thigh if you are very lucky. But you can stow boots and rucksack and cook under cover. You should have your sleeping bag in a bivvy bag anyway. Great for lightweight Thompson with minimal kit.