Kelty Rover Tarp has appeared on the market recently as a completely new item in Kelty’s collection of these camping tools. The tarp can be nicely combined with Kelty’s newly released Rover tent.
Key benefits
- Versatile tool.
- Very good price.
- Easy to use.
- Can be used in combination with some of Kelty’s new tents.
Rover Tarp – description
Kelty is famous for many of its great products, and those also include tarps. They have many of them on the market and in various styles, like Noah Tarp series in various sizes, Kelty Range Tarp, and Kelty Upslope Tarp. The Rover Tarp is a new item that joined the family recently.
In the specifications, you will see that the floor surface is 3.25 square meters (20 ft²), so the tarp is not particularly big if used alone. But in combination with the Kelty Rover Tent, it provides a nice and very useful awning, so it is definitely worth the investment. See how such a combination looks like:
The tarp comes with two steel poles that allow for various ways of setting up the tarp, dependent on the environment and your own imagination, see more below.
In this short video by Kelty you can see how the tarp combines with their Rover tent, have a look:
Pros & cons
Here is my short summary:
Pros:
- Simple design.
- Sturdy materials, steel poles.
- Easy setup.
- Very reasonable price.
- Great combination with Rover tent.
Cons:
- Not so large as a standalone tool.
- A bit on the heavier side.
Specifications
- Seasons: 3.
- Poles: 2.
- Weight: 3 lb 5 oz (1.5 kg).
- Floor surface: 20 ft² (3.25 m²).
- Size (L x W x H): 75 x 85/82 x 63 in (190 x 216/208 x 160 cm).
- Packed size (L x D): 27 x 5 in (69 x 13 cm).
- Materials:
– Poles: Steel.
– Walls: 68D Polyester, 1800 mm. - Add-on awning for Rover tent or standalone tarp
How to use a tarp
There are many ways of using a tarp, this all depends on the environment and on your own imagination. Here are a few:
- You can use it as a makeshift shelter.
- It can be used as a footprint for your tent.
- You can use it as an extra roof above your tent in case of a very strong rain.
- Need something to block the wind while you are cooking in the camp? Use the tarp.
- Use your tarp to cover equipment.
- Have you ever tried to make a fire with a wet wood? Yes? Then you know. Keep your woodpile dry by covering it with the tarp.
- Need a shelter for your hiking 4-legs companion? Use the tarp.
- I normally hike in the Alps, above the tree line. After a long walk in the sun, the most important thing I need in the camp is a shade. So naturally, the tarp works here as well.
- Need some privacy in the camp, to take a shower perhaps? I use some of these portable camp showers. So, here again the tarp comes as a great tool.
This is not a complete list, of course, just some ideas.
Conclusion
From the data in the table and from all the features presented above, you may conclude that the Kelty Rover Tarp is perhaps not a perfect backpacking tool, there are clearly more suitable tarps for such a use, but it can be used for such activities a well. Though, I do not think its designers have had this activity in mind as its primary purpose.This is more a tool for camping with a car access, and for use in an urban environment, like in open air festivals and concerts, in a home garden, etc.
In my view, the tarp’s best use is in combination with the beautiful old-style Kelty Rover tent described in my separate text. In such a use, it can be added as an awning which doubles the covered space in your camp.
If you need something much bigger in the same style, please check my text about the Kelty Noah Tarp. You have several sizes available.
Thank you for reading, I love to hear from you, so do use the comment box below and let me know what you think about this new tool from Kelty. I wish you a pleasant day.
Mae says
Thank you for the information you have shared on how to use the tarp.
Jovo says
Most welcome Mae, thank you for visiting my site.