Hunting gear/Kifaru shelters

I am very familiar with the paratarp.

Its a very functional design, but intended to be put up with internal framing (sticks, poles, etc) rather than external hanging (guy lines).

The Supertarp is heavier, but designed to accept any collapsable treking pole for support. If you use hiking poles, you save the weight of carrying seperate tent poles (or having to cut your own), but you also have a larger tarp than you may be looking for. However, if you can find a hiking pole that collapses to the minimum pole length for the para (26in) like some ultralight Leki poles……. then its a moot point.

Heres a page showing the Paratarp (named the Parahootch on the military side of the company) http://www.militarymorons.com/equipment/kifaru/kifaru3.html

Good stuff.

On top of this, they also offer the paraponcho. Its designed to function as a poncho, as a bivi shelter (ive never seen it set up for this use), and as a “front” for the paratarp. Im not a huge fan of this ponchos design, but some people really are, and it adds a new demension to using the paratarp.

I’m a big Kifaru fan, both of my packs are Kifaru. I’m probably going to be ordering a Supertarp in the near future. The stuff is quite bombproof, particularly considering the weight. The only criticism I’ve ever heard is regarding cost, but when you bear in mind that everything is made in the U.S. and that they are FANTASTIC about backing up their product, it becomes much more of a bargain. Patrick Smith (founder of Mountainsmith) is the owner and designer and an all around great guy. If you have questions just call them up as they are happy to help. Yes, I’m biased.