The 8-foot pole is more suitable for larger groups, and the set of 4-foot poles is ideal for solo camping, but 5 feet is a workable size for most people and situations. The downside is that you don’t get any kind of bug protection unless you add your own, which can be a bit of a hassle. With two shorter tarp poles, you can create pitched roofs, A-frames, and lots of other lean-too-type shelters.

They are significantly heavier than some of the shorter poles on this list, and that is because the longer they are, the sturdier/thicker they need to be. Hammocks, for me, offer the most comfort and the best night’s sleep of all three options listed here.

Thermarest is more well known for its sleeping pads, but these tarp rods for camping make a great addition to your bushcraft kit. They provide excellent rain and bug protection but are very limited in what they can do compared to a tarp, and if a pole or zip breaks in heavy wind, replacements are expensive.

They come in a nice fabric roll bag with 3 x stakes and guy lines, which weigh an additional 140 grams, but you can leave that at home if you wish. VERDICT: The Aluminum Alloy Tarp Poles by Azarxis are extra durable and reliable for heavier tarps made from canvas or for use in bad weather. Thanks for reading right to the end of this article about the Best Tarp Poles for Camping, be sure to like us on Facebook and subscribe to stay in the loop.Whatever way you look at it, it is still far lighter than most tents and far cheaper than a Hilleberg! Fifty grams is absolutely nothing, and if the aim of the game is to travel light, then these are the best tarp poles for you. If you are used to carrying a tarp that weighs around 500 grams, for example, a set of hiking poles that weigh anything over that will seem like too much. You will learn about the different types of tarp poles and how to use them correctly to get a taut rain fly sheet.

For other people, the length and/or pack size may be more important than weight, as this often dictates whether you would be better with 2. If you want to set up a central pole to lift the middle of your roof up then this is a great choice.Tents are great if you don’t mind carrying a big heavy backpack or forking out hundreds on the most lightweight one person tents. That being said, they are tough and reliable for any kind of shelter building and also come in a foot version.

VERDICT: The Kelty Staff Pole is a favorite of wild campers and backpackers around the world who like to get closer to nature with a tarp tent. They are fairly thin but sturdy nonetheless and will hold up to strong wind or pools of water on your tarp in heavy rain.

Tarp poles are essential for pitching a rain fly, but should you be looking at tents and hammocks instead?