Robens 3 x 3 Trail Tarp
When I visited the Outdoor Show, Robens was the only tent manufacturer on show. It was disappointing that not more of the tent companies had chosen to show their latest 2013 tents at the show, but Robens had a great stand. Today though I thought I would write about tarps, not tents. Last year I spent a very wet weekend camping in the Wye Valley. A friend had brought a tarp and this proved to be a great lifesaver. Whether you're with a group or out on your own, you don't want to spend the whole day or evening hiding out in your tent, so being able to sit under the tarp in the dry with a mug of tea in my hand while the rain poured down was relaxing.
Robens neatly split their range into Xtra Lite, Lite, Trail, Adventure and Outback — once you know what your needs are it's easy to pick your products from the relevant range. The tarp pictured is the Robens Trail Tarp.
Robens describe the Trail Tarp as measuring 3 x 3m and offering versatile shelter whether used with telescopic poles, walking poles, or any of the many other ways tarps can be rigged. Light, durable guylines are attached to strong webbing loop hangers along the straight sides, reinforced to take punishment in the most trying conditions.
There are 5 loops on every side of the tarp (3 plus the corners, to be precise), giving a great amount of flexibility in how you pitch it — whether it's a classic even amount of shelter on each side, or pitching one side long and the other shorter for the view. The Trail Tarp weighs 1.1kg, so if you're carrying a tent too, this is probably more of a basecamp model, but if you want something lighter Robens offers those too. I just felt the Trail Tarp was the right mix of functionality and price.