Tarp pitches for wind and rain: A-frame, lean-to, diamond, C-fly, closed end and Adirondack compared

Which tarp pitch do I choose for the weather that is coming?

Six common pitches using a single tarp compared – from the open lean-to to the tent-like pitch with a closed end. They are compared on how they cope with steady and shifting wind, driving rain, space, condensation and pitching effort. No pitch insulates against ground cold, and none replaces a storm-worthy tent. Dimensions are deliberately not given – they depend on tarp size and body height.

Starting situation

Legend
Method	Protection from wind from one direction	Copes with shifting wind	Protection from driving rain	Plenty of room to sit and lie	Little condensation	Simple pitch, few anchor points
Tarp A-frame	Partly	Partly	Partly	Partly	Yes	Partly
Tarp lean-to	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Tarp diamond / plow point (one corner raised)	Yes	No	Partly	No	Partly	Yes
Tarp C-fly (lean-to with built-in groundsheet)	Yes	No	Partly	Yes	Yes	Partly
Tarp tent with a closed end	Yes	Partly	Yes	No	Partly	No
Tarp Adirondack (lean-to with side walls)	Yes	Partly	Partly	Yes	Yes	Partly

Legend:● Yes◐ Partly◇ Depends○ No* = note available

Tarp A-frame

Effort:: Low to moderate
Needs:: Tarp, ridgeline between two trees or poles, four pegs or anchors

Protection from wind from one directionPartly
Turn the narrow end into the wind; the open ends remain weak points.
Copes with shifting windPartly
Protects on both sides and copes with shifts better than a lean-to.
Protection from driving rainPartly
Rain can be driven in through the open ends.
Plenty of room to sit and liePartly
Less usable area than a lean-to of the same tarp size.
Little condensationYes
Airflow through the open ends.
Simple pitch, few anchor pointsPartly
Needs a ridgeline and four stake-out points.

Open guide →

Tarp lean-to

Effort:: Low
Needs:: Tarp, ridgeline, pegs on the weather side

Protection from wind from one directionYes
Only as long as the wind keeps coming from the expected direction.
Copes with shifting windNo
If the wind turns to the open side, the protection is gone.
Protection from driving rainNo
Plenty of room to sit and lieYes
Little condensationYes
Simple pitch, few anchor pointsYes
One of the simplest pitches; it does need a ridgeline.

Open guide →

Tarp diamond / plow point (one corner raised)

Effort:: Low
Needs:: Square tarp, one tree or pole, three pegs

Protection from wind from one directionYes
With the low point facing the wind.
Copes with shifting windNo
The entrance is exposed when the wind shifts.
Protection from driving rainPartly
Good protection from the weather side; the entrance stays open.
Plenty of room to sit and lieNo
Only for one person, little headroom.
Little condensationPartly
Open entrance; the lower it is pitched, the more condensation is to be expected.
Simple pitch, few anchor pointsYes
Only one high point and few stake-out points.

Open guide →

Tarp C-fly (lean-to with built-in groundsheet)

Effort:: Moderate
Needs:: Large tarp, ridgeline, pegs

Protection from wind from one directionYes
Shields the back; the floor stays dry because the tarp is folded underneath.
Copes with shifting windNo
Open to the front.
Protection from driving rainPartly
Good from behind, open to the front.
Plenty of room to sit and lieYes
Lots of room for sitting.
Little condensationYes
Simple pitch, few anchor pointsPartly
Needs a large tarp and some practice with the fold.

Open guide →

Tarp tent with a closed end

Effort:: Moderate to high
Needs:: Tarp, ridgeline, several pegs, practice with the fold

Protection from wind from one directionYes
Closed weather side, entrance in the lee.
Copes with shifting windPartly
If the wind turns onto the entrance, it gets draughty.
Protection from driving rainYes
Much better than the open A-frame – but not a storm tent.
Plenty of room to sit and lieNo
Shorter than a normal A-frame.
Little condensationPartly
More condensation; leave the entrance or a vent open.
Simple pitch, few anchor pointsNo
More complex and error-prone.

Open guide →

Tarp Adirondack (lean-to with side walls)

Effort:: Moderate
Needs:: Large tarp, two trees, ridgeline, pegs

Protection from wind from one directionYes
From behind and from the sides.
Copes with shifting windPartly
Good in side wind, ineffective with wind from the front.
Protection from driving rainPartly
Front open.
Plenty of room to sit and lieYes
Little condensationYes
Simple pitch, few anchor pointsPartly
Needs a large tarp and two suitable trees.

Open guide →