The 3m x 3m Tarp – Field Guide: A comprehensive guide to essential shelter configurations.

Picture this. In your go-to camping spot, dense bush gives you plenty of ridgeline options and you’ve got your shelter setup downpat. But now you’re in a new area, that's really exposed, and the weather’s starting to turn fast! You’ve got your tarp, but can’t remember the best setup for full-coverage in open terrain. That’s where our pocket-sized field guide comes in handy.

With essential shelter instructions, every knot you’ll need, and tips for finding the right configuration to suit your setting, the 3m x 3m Ultralight Tarp – Field Guide is the most comprehensive tarp manual available. The guide features our 3m x 3m Ultralight Tarp, one of the most popular products in our range. Designed with 23 tie-out points and durable, reinforced nylon, the 3m x 3m Ultralight Tarp provides endless configurations.

22 Effective Configurations

From A-Frame to Lean-to and C-Fly to Plough Point, we’ve covered 22 of the most useful tarp configurations, with options for a range of conditions. Whether you need a standalone shelter, room for open flame cooking or protection from the elements (mud and moisture), each setup comes with a clear profile, purpose and setting for quick reference in the bush. Download the PDF Guide to get started.

Easy to follow instructions

Each configuration comes with clear instructions and labelled diagrams so you can build your shelter fast. With additional notes around room, capacity (sleeps 1-4, etc.) and level of coverage, you can easily compare shelters and set up what’s right for your current setting.

Bonus knot guide

For handy knots on the fly, we’ve included a section on every knot you’ll ever need when setting up your tarp. Each comes with clear instructions and benefits, so you can quickly secure tie-out points and modify tension where needed. Grab a hard copy of the Field Guide and never be caught out with knots again.

Get the most from your ultralight tarp

Ultralight tarps are the ultimate all-weather shelter solution for lightweight camping. Simple, reliable and compact, they require minimal equipment to set up and are incredibly versatile. However, without the right knowledge, they can be difficult to pitch correctly. After numerous suggestions from our community, we’ve spent countless hours crafting this guide so that you can get the most out of your ultralight tarp – no matter what the wild throws at you.

We asked our community to put our Field Guide to the test:

“Love the guide! Was actually looking for something just like this early this year when I came across and bought one of your tarps. It’s incredibly well put together, comprehensive but clear and covers everything that I needed/was curious about in regards to variations of set ups and knots required to do so.” - Rubin, Volunteer Field Guide Tester

“Honestly the guide is epic. Played around with quite a few of the setups over the last week. It was all really comprehensive. The guide is easy to follow and I think with this in hand any of the configurations are possible pretty quickly.” - Connor, Volunteer Field Guide Tester

 

What’s included?

In addition to 22 shelter configurations and 6 knots, this guide includes tips to help you get the most out of every adventure.

How to store and care for your tarp

How to set up your guylines

Pro tips

Whether it be choosing the right shelter for certain conditions, setting up your configurations correctly or tying the right knot - this guide covers it all.

Download the PDF Guide or order a hard copy for your kit today.

We’d love to hear your thoughts and see how your shelter turns out. Share your tarp setup photos with us on Instagram @alton_goods using the hashtag #AltonTarp.