Deschutes Ultralight Backpacking Tarp

Good, but Durability?

I already own the Lunar Solo, which has a very similar design in many ways. I love my Lunar Solo and have used it pretty extensively in lots of different conditions, with great success. The only problem with that general design is that it requires pretty even ground to achieve a taut pitch, but that's a common issue with trekking pole tents. I haven't used my Deschutes out in the field yet, but I was a bit disappointed that it lacks a lot of the reinforcement features that the Lunar Solo has at the apex. This is a critical and high-wear area of the tarp, and I'm at a loss to understand why they didn't put a similar Hypalon pole-tip pocket there to reinforce it. It only has one extra layer of durable-looking fabric there, which a pole-tip would probably wear-through very quickly. We'll see how it does holding my pole handle. I don't want to have that kind of doubt in the back country. I inquired with SMD about the issue but never heard back.

High quality

Good quality, Good design. No see um skirt is no brainer. Upgraded from a tarp + bivy setup. This is same weight as tarp+bivy. More protection, similar footprint, more comfort.

Solid, functional, and light

What I Got: The Deschutes tarp I received (2/2025) weighed only 11 oz without seam sealing or stuff sack. Build quality appears very good. Pitching is easy enough after practicing 4 or 5 times to figure out how you like it best. For now I like it 6-8 inches off the ground (as high as my trekking pole will go) although in cold and windy conditions I will probably stake it down to the ground. I am 5 ft 8 in and there is lots of extra head room for a taller person when sitting but only fairly close to the peak. Horizontal coverage is large enough that water splatter onto the sleeping area seems unlikely except in very windy conditions. Even then it appears that only the ends of the sleeping area are vulnerable to water splash (my ground cloth is 7 ft long). Everything works well out-of-the-box. Why I Got It: Compared to flat tarps, pyramid tarps appear to have decent wind and splash protection from all sides and mid-entry doors are easy to live with. Two-pole tarps or tents offer a ridge with good head room compared to a pyramid which has only a peak with good head room. But I only carry one trekking pole for the occasional sketchy crossing, and I anticipate needing the tarp for not much more than sleeping. Consequently, I think as long as I have one comfortable spot to sit under the tarp I’ll be happy. Compared to tents, tarps allow me to see out between the ground and the bottom of the tarp in any direction when I’m trying to sleep and I hear a noise. Also, I can more easily use a tarp as a rain cape over myself and pack for occasional rain, even if it isn’t a poncho-tarp or Gatewood cape. Tweeks: The only seams over the sleeping area seem to be the reinforcements for the optional end tie-outs, so I intend at first to seal only those seams and see if that is good enough. I found a 7 ft guy line and lightweight stake at each of these tie-outs to work nicely. Adding a stick to pull up on the tie out did not seem necessary. As shipped the small grosgrain loops at the door bottom corners were attached to a metal hook to hold the doors closed. I found the grosgrain loops to be difficult to attach to the hook when closing a door. A Grosgrain loop likes to flatten out and close up. By comparison, a loop from stiff cord likes to stay open. I will either use the cord loops on the zipper pulls or add a similar cord loop to each of the grosgrain loops and attach the cord loops to the hook. One counting grams will likely consider a smaller hook and removing the instruction sheet and SMD label. Shelter System Integration: The Deschutes tarp has small plastic rings at the appropriate locations for convenient ground cloth or net tent floor tie-out attachments. I have a DIY net tent of very lightweight fabric that weighs 5.6 oz for a total fly + inner weight of just under 17 oz plus stakes and trekking pole.