Ultralight Pyramid Tarps for Backpacking Adventures

April 22, 2025

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Pyramid tarps for ultralight backpacking, usually referred to as “mids”, quick for pyramids, can be found in a number of types starting from one-person ultralight monopole tarps to multi-person winter tipis, full with inside tents, range jacks, and wooden stoves. Regardless of their variations, all pyramid shelters share a couple of widespread properties. They’re exceptionally wind and climate resistant, they’ve a single peak, and strong partitions. This makes them a good selection for tenting in uncovered terrain that doesn’t have quite a lot of pure windbreaks like timber or vegetation, and for winter tenting, the place the steep sidewalls of a pyramid can assist shed snow.

Listed below are the highest ultralight pyramid tarps that we suggest.

1. Mountain Laurel Designs Solomid XL

The Mountain Laurel Designs Solomid XL is a single-person pyramid able to dealing with sturdy winds and average snow hundreds. It has an uneven design that will increase the quantity of area behind the one middle pole, permitting the entrance for use as a coated vestibule. This offset design permits entry and exit in wet circumstances to assist hold the sleep aspect of the shelter dry. The Solomid XL is out there in silnylon and Dyneema DCF. A companion inside tent can be out there.

2. Six Moon Designs Deschutes Tarp

The Six Moon Designs Deschutes Tarp is a spacious 1-person pyramid tarp that solely weighs 13 oz. It has a aspect entry and boasts 44 sq ft of inside room with a 49″ peak top so you’ll be able to actually stretch out and retailer your gear inside. The Deschutes Tarp is made with silnylon and requires a trekking pole to arrange. A carbon fiber pole can be out there as an add-on buy. Learn our Deschutes Tarp Overview.

3. Zpacks Hexamid Pocket Tarp with Doorways

The Zpacks Hexamid Pocket Tarp with Doorways is a 6.1 ozpyramid tarp made with Dyneema DCF. It’s designed for quick journeys the place you wish to carry a minimal quantity of substances and anticipate pretty temperate climate. The 2 doorways will be rolled again utterly or partially opened for higher airflow. You should utilize it with an ultralight footprint, bivy sack, or an add-on bathtub flooring (proven above). An inside tent isn’t out there as an choice, however Zpacks sells a really comparable single-wall tent referred to as the Plex Solo, which has completely hooked up noseeum netting, a tub flooring and simply weighs 13.9 ounces. Learn our Pocket Tarp Overview.

4. Mountain Laurel Designs Duomid

The Mountain Laurel Designs Duomid is a two-person pyramid that may also be utilized by one particular person as a palatial shelter. Moreover being bigger, it’s a considerably totally different sleeping expertise than within the MLD Solomid XL. It has a big peak vent with a foldable wire that can be utilized to restrict airflow or block snow. It has 8 ground-level perimeter tie-outs all with LineLocks for straightforward adjustment and three panel-guyouts. Inside loops are supplied to hold lights or an inside tent. It pairs effectively with the one-person Solomid inside tent if you need a screened-in sleeping space with a big open space for cooking or gear storage. Learn our Duomid Overview.

5. Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2

The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 2 is a rugged two-person pyramid tarp made with Dyneema DCF that’s seam-taped and extremely waterproof. It has a water resistant zipper as a entrance door with two peak vents backed by noseeum mesh for inspection safety. The Ultamid 2 comes with 8 strengthened perimeter tie-outs with line locks, 4 middle panel tie-outs, 1 tie-out on the cone for hanging below timber. Hyperlite has a lot of appropriate add-ons for it together with a Ultamid 2 Half Insert (nice for one particular person), UltaMid 2 Insert No Flooring, UltaMid 2 Insert with DCF11 Flooring and a DCF Floor Fabric.

6. Search Exterior Silver Tip 2.0

Seek Outside SilverTip Pyramid Tarp

The Search Exterior Silvertip 2.0 Pyramid Tarp is out there with or with no range jack, making it excellent for prolonged journey in colder climate. Sized for 2 folks, or one when used with an ultralight titanium range, it’s out there in Nylon 66 (26 oz) and Dyneema DCF (16 oz)…add 3 ozwhen used with an ultralight titaium range. It has one door and requires a single trekking poles to pitch. The height is 54″ an lined with 2-ply XPac or Dyneema DCF for added sturdiness, relying on the mannequin.

7. SlingFin Cinder Cone 4P

The SlingFin Cinder Cone 4P is a four-person pyramid tarp that can be utilized for ultralight backpacking, packrafting or winter tenting. It has a novel venting system that features two drawstring ceiling vents and base venting so you’ll be able to scale back inside condensation or cook dinner beneath it with out worry of carbon monoxide poisoning (very helpful in winter). It additionally comes with pitching guides that nearly assure an ideal pyramid form every time you set it up. Weighing 1 lb 11 oz, the Cinder Cone is made with sturdy ripstop Nylon 66 coated with silicone on each side.

8. MSR Entrance Vary

The MSR Entrance Vary is a surprisingly light-weight and roomy 4 particular person pyramid tarp with a 5’ 4” peak top. Whereas it’s excellent to be used as a ski mountaineering shelter or winter eating tarp, it additionally packs down sufficiently small for fair-weather use by {couples} wanting further room to unfold out or as a substitute for a traditional double-wall tent. The Entrance Vary is made with the identical PU/Sil coated nylon discovered on all MSR tents. There are strengthened line loc tensioners on the corners with added guy-out factors alongside the seams. A ski strap is included so you should use trekking or ski poles to arrange the tent. A mesh insert can be out there.

9. Mountain Laurel Designs Supermid

The Mountain Laurel Designs (MLD) Supermid is 4 particular person pyramid tarp 9’2″ x 9’2″. It incorporates design options to strengthen its bigger dimension and enhance livability, not discovered on MLDs different mids, together with an outsized peak vent to reduce inside condensation, mid-height door snaps, and triple rolled seams. The Supermid is a good selection for ski mountaineering, winter tenting, and base tenting for 2-4 occupants. It’s out there in silnylon or Dyneema DCF, with add-on choices together with an inside tent or a flooring. A 6′ lengthy carbon fiber middle pole can be out there.

10. Black Diamond Mega Lite 4P

The Black Diamond Mega Lite 4 has been within the Black Diamond product line for over a decade however has been designed and up to date up to now 12 months. Whereas it has all the time been a preferred selection for winter and ski mountaineering, the up to date mannequin is now seam-taped and made with sag-resistant siliconized polyester. The Mega Lite 4 comes with a carbon fiber middle pole and has a complete of 12 guy-out factors. It has a entrance zipper with a buckle to take strain off the zipper and line loc tensioners on the corners, making setup a breeze. An inside tent can be out there.

Pyramid Tarp Information – Crucial Issues

We’ve used pyramid tarps and tents fairly extensively for backpacking in quite a lot of climates and terrain. Listed below are some hard-earned insights into how one can use them and what to search for when buying one.

Monopole Shelters

Pyramid tarps are referred to as monopole shelters as a result of they solely require one pole to arrange. The pole is normally positioned inside the height within the middle of the pyramid, though it may also be slanted with the bottom off-center to supply extra inside room. The height itself is normally strengthened so the middle pole doesn’t puncture it. Most peaks additionally embrace an air vent to launch the water vapor and heat air that may trigger inside condensation.

A pole is usually included with the shelter or out there as an choice. Most smaller capability pyramids (1-3 folks) will be arrange with a trekking pole as an alternative of a separate tent pole, which is widespread with the ultralight pyramids made by cottage producers. In case your trekking pole isn’t lengthy sufficient, you’ll be able to lash it to a second trekking pole with a Voile ski strap to create an extended pole or lengthen it with a pole jack, which is actually a tent pole restore sleeve that matches over your trekking pole tip to make it longer.

Inside Tents, Nests, Internet Tents, And so on.

What’s the distinction between a pyramid tent and a pyramid tarp? Pyramid tents are normally simply pyramid tarps with an optionally available add-on inside tent that has a flooring and mesh netting to guard occupants from floor moisture, bugs, and creepy crawlies. When you use an inside tent with a pyramid tarp, you’ve successfully turned it right into a double-wall tent, with the entire benefits and downsides generally related to them.

On the plus aspect, many pyramids’ inside tents will be arrange after the outer tarp when it’s raining, in order that they keep dry. They’re additionally optionally available, so you’ll be able to go away them at residence if you wish to save gear weight or bulk. That is significantly advantageous in winter when insect safety is pointless.

Golite Shangri-La 3 (now available as the Pyramid 3 from My Trail Company) pitched with its inner tent. While comfortable, the inner tent significantly increases the shelter weight. — Whereas comfy, an inside tent can considerably enhance the shelter weight.

When you decide to not use an inside tent in a pyramid tarp, you should use a light-weight footprint, like Tyvek or window wrap, as a water-resistant groundsheet, or an ultralight bivy sack with a mesh hood for added insect safety.

One other widespread different is to buy a half-sized inside tent that solely fills a part of the pyramid to avoid wasting weight so you’ll be able to safely cook dinner within the floorless half in dangerous climate. Most of the producers listed above promote half-mids inside tents that can be utilized for this objective. When buying a pyramid, be sure that to search for ones which have inside gear loops or attachment factors so you’ll be able to conveniently droop equipment within the inside.

You can use a pyramid like you would any single wall tarp, with a UL groundsheet and UL bivy sack. — You should utilize a pyramid as you’d any single wall tarp, with a UL groundsheet and UL bivy sack.

Entrance Door

Most pyramid tents and tarps have a single entrance door, which will be problematic relying on its place and the variety of folks sharing the shelter. Whereas not a difficulty for solo use, you’re in all probability going to get up a accomplice if it’s a must to get out of a multi-person pyramid at evening. When evaluating multi-person pyramids, attempt to discover ones that allow you to orient your head dealing with the entrance wall so that you and your accomplice(s) have equal entry to the door, moderately than pyramids the place you’re mendacity perpendicular to the door. Another choice is to get a pyramid that’s bigger than crucial so you will have extra room inside to maneuver round.

Wide air gap between the bottom of the tarp and the ground. — Huge air hole between the underside of the tarp and the bottom.

Inner Condensation

Pyramid tents and tarps are susceptible to inside condensation identical to another single or double-walled tent and shelter. One of the simplest ways to cut back or eradicate any inside condensation is to keep up as a lot airflow as doable. Whereas many pyramid shelters have a vent within the peak, this isn’t normally adequate by itself to vent moisture build-up. Whereas sleeping with the entrance door rolled open in truthful climate will be fairly useful, the easiest way to make sure good airflow is to keep up a large air hole between the underside fringe of the tarp and the bottom so breezes can cross by the tent. Lengthen the middle pole a couple of inches to lift the height, and stake out the bottom as regular.

The least amount of overhead clearance is at the head and foot ends under the slanted walls. — The least quantity of overhead clearance is on the head and foot ends below the slanted partitions.

Inside Quantity

Whereas the headroom on the middle of a pyramid tent or tarp is normally fairly good, letting you sit up with ease, the inside will be awkward to make use of relying on the slope angle of the partitions and their distance out of your face and the highest of your ft. Whereas elevating the middle pole can assist enhance the space between the tarp and your face, there’s all the time going to be much less clearance on the edges of the tarp farthest away from the middle pole. If this bothers you, search for pyramids with a better peak top and steeper sidewalls. The form of the footprint – round versus sq. or rectangular – can even have an effect on the quantity of edge clearance you will have. Edge clearance is normally much less of a difficulty in winter as a result of you’ll be able to dig a pit into the snow below the pyramid to create extra headroom.

It can be challenging to wedge a pyramid in between trees in dense forest — It may be difficult to wedge a pyramid in between timber in a dense forest

Campsite Choice

Pyramid tarps and tents have a pretty big footprint, which might make it troublesome to pitch in closely forested terrain the place it’s worthwhile to wedge them between timber. Additionally they work greatest on flat and even floor, not like a flat tarp, the place you’ll be able to pitch one aspect significantly increased than the opposite and nonetheless get a viable shelter. If the one floor you’ll be able to set a pyramid on is uneven, you’re in all probability going to get some “wall sag” as an alternative of a drum-tight pitch on the excessive aspect. This may scale back the quantity of useable area you will have inside, however is unlikely to have a severe purposeful affect.

When tenting in uncovered and windy terrain, it’s greatest to arrange your pyramid with the door dealing with away from the wind or at an angle. Whilst you can stake out the sidewall guy-out factors to forestall wind strain from bowing the partitions into your dwelling area, a very powerful stakeout factors for prime wind are across the base of the shelter. Contemplate bringing longer, thicker, and heavier tent stakes when anchoring your shelter in windy terrain.

It best to pitch a pyramid with the door facing opposite the wind — It’s greatest to pitch a pyramid with the door dealing with reverse the wind

Dyneema DCF Vs Silnylon

Many pyramid tarp producers supply their shelters in a number of cloth choices, together with Dyneema DCF and silnylon. Whereas a DCF shelter shall be lighter weight (the bigger the shelters, the larger the burden distinction) than one made with silnylon, will probably be bulkier to pack. DCF shelters are additionally considerably hotter inside when the solar is shining, which might make hanging out in a single throughout the day unbearable.

Moreover being lighter in weight, DCF shelters are normally seam-taped, so that you don’t should seam-seal them. The fabric additionally doesn’t stretch when it will get moist by rain or morning dew. Each supplies are prone to have an analogous lifespan, though many individuals want utilizing Silnylon over DCF in winter as a result of snow slides off its floor extra simply.

Abstract

Pyramid tarps are a preferred ultralight backpacking shelter choice as a result of they’re comparatively light-weight and wind-resistant. If sleeping on the bottom doesn’t attraction to you or should you want insect safety, you’ll be able to add an inside tent to a pyramid tarp to create a double-walled tent. Inner condensation is greatest addressed by encouraging loads of airflow by a pyramid, by retaining the entrance door open or pitching them so loads of air can blow by, low down close to the bottom. Most ultralight backpacking pyramids will be arrange utilizing a trekking pole(s), however you’ll be able to normally acquire and carry a separate tent pole should you don’t use them.

Pyramids work greatest on flat floor with pretty open campsites as a result of they require a good quantity of area to arrange and stake down. Whereas headroom is sort of good within the middle of a pyramid, the ends will be fairly low above your face or the tops of your ft. This may be addressed by getting a bigger capability pyramid that gives extra dwelling area, though will probably be heavier to hold.

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