Sea to Summit Escapist Tarp $320

Used by: Happy camper Hazel Phillips

Used for: 10 months

Sometimes, when things get too in-tents, you need to fly camp. I was sold on using a fly after camping under the Sea to Summit Escapist tarp shelter whilst on the slopes of Ruapehu.

I bought the large size, which is best for sheltering two happy campers. When set as an A-frame, there’s room to cook meals and swing a cat (BYO cat). It weighs 350g, which beats many bivvy bags, such as my OR Helium at 459g, and offers 3x3m cover. And it packs down close to the size of a Nalgene bottle.

The genius of this fly is that guylines can be adjusted from inside, from the comfort of your sleeping bag. It can be pitched in a multitude of ways, including using two upside-down walking poles – the tarp comes with ideas and instructions. I’ve stuck to pitching it as an A-frame, but I can see it being handy as an awning, particularly for an existing tent or as a separate cooking space for groups.

It’s admirably waterproof – I’ve used it for shelter from persistent rain overnight – and sturdy when getting hammered by wind. My only criticism is that getting it back into the bag it came in requires a postgraduate degree in spatial awareness; best to find another receptacle.

Note that it doesn’t come with pegs – so you’ll need to budget extra for these.

Verdict: Good for summer fly camping, ideal as an emergency backup shelter.