Is This the Lightest Backpacking Shelter on the Market?

This fall, I had the joy of testing out the Zpacks Hexamid Pocket Tarp. The shelter is just about as ultralight as you can get without simply cowboy camping — it’s a single-person tarp requiring only one trekking pole to pitch.

While I’m very familiar with both cowboy and tent camping, I had never before tested out a tarp and found myself oddly intimidated by the idea. However, the shaped tarp design made the jump from tent to tarp feel a little easier, as the setup and shape mimic a standard trekking pole tent, just without the bug net and floor. 

Zpacks Hexamid Pocket Tarp At a Glance

MSRP: $379
Weight: 5.5 oz.
Length: 100″ (about 8’4″)
Number of Needed Stakes: 6-10, depending on the type of pitch
Sizing: One Person

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Intended Use

The Zpacks website sums it up well, describing the Hexamid Pocket Tarp as “for all you gram weenies cutting tags and planning FKT’s.” Weighing just 5.5 ounces, it’s designed for ultralight enthusiasts who prioritize minimalism and speed over features like full weather protection or convenience.

This tarp is best suited for fast-and-light trips where every ounce counts rather than for those times when you want a comfortable and cozy home-away-from-home with all the bells and whistles of a standard tent.

Circumstances of Review

I tested the Zpacks Hexamid Pocket Tarp on an overnight autumn backpacking trip in Colorado, where I experienced mild weather with no significant rain or wind. The trip provided a good opportunity to evaluate the tarp’s setup process, weight, packability, and overall performance in typical backpacking conditions.

Zpacks Hexamid Pocket Tarp Features

Overlapping, Zipperless Doors: The design of the Hexamid Pocket Tarp allows both doors to open independently of each other and uses a neat metal hook attachment instead of a zipper. Removing zippers eliminates a common point of failure in shelters and makes this tarp much more durable — to say nothing of the weight savings.

Optional Bathtub Groundsheet: For those not entirely willing to leave behind some of the comforts of a tent, Zpacks sells an optional bathtub groundsheet ($129 | 3.2 oz) as an add-on to your order. The waterproof material and raised edges offer protection from rain spray and groundwater.

Stuff Sack Hanging Loop: Yet another feature that makes this tarp feel a little more comfortable! There is a little loop near the peak of the tent that allows you to hang a flashlight or stuff sack from it. I found this to be a great way to keep some of my gear off the ground, and it scratched the organizational itch that a vestibule in a standard tent usually satisfies.

Single Trekking Pole Setup: I had never understood the excitement surrounding single trekking pole setups. After all, I always hike with two. However, after a rock slide in the Wind River Range shattered one of my trekking poles on the CDT, I began truly appreciating the failsafe that is a single trekking pole setup. And, if you don’t want to carry a trekking pole, Zpacks offers a tent pole that will serve the same function.

Usage

Features are great to nitpick, but let’s talk about how the shelter actually performs as a place to sleep and live while in the backcountry.

Liveability

The Hexamid Pocket Tarp strikes a balance between ultralight design and functionality, but it’s not for everyone. Its minimalist construction prioritizes weight savings over comfort, meaning you won’t find amenities like full coverage or a built-in bug net. That said, for ultralight enthusiasts, the trade-offs can be worth it.

One notable adjustment for tarp newcomers is the openness of the setup. Without a floor or full enclosure, you feel more exposed to your surroundings, which can be either liberating or unsettling, depending on your preferences. While the optional bathtub groundsheet can help create a cozier, more tent-like experience, those looking for the security of a traditional tent may find the tarp a little spooky.

As a notorious cowboy camping lover, I found myself very comfortable in the spacious shelter. 

Setup

The tarp is quick to pitch, but there’s a learning curve if you’re new to tarps or shaped shelters. The six-stake minimum setup is straightforward, but adding extra stakes can increase stability and expand usable interior space. Adjusting tension with the guylines is easy, making it possible to refine your pitch as conditions change.

Basically, if you’ve ever set up a trekking pole tent, you’ll be able to pitch this tarp as well. No complaints from me!

Interior Space

While the Pocket Tarp is compact, its design maximizes available space. The 100-inch length accommodates taller hikers, and the shape offers enough clearance to sit up in the middle of the tarp. That said, space is tight, especially when compared to fully enclosed tents.

When I first pitched the tent, I was blown away by the amount of interior space — but then realized how much of that space was gobbled up by my gear. Unlike in a tent, there are no vestibules and limited storage options, so my pack, shoes, and anything else I wanted dry had to fit inside with me. However, the hanging loop made a difference and allowed me to hang my ditty bag of toiletries and camp necessities separate from my other gear.

Weather Resistance

This tarp is designed for fair-weather trips and excels in mild conditions. On my test trip, it shed dew and light condensation easily, thanks to its non-absorbent material. However, without a built-in bug net or floor, it’s less equipped to handle environments with persistent rain, biting insects, or muddy terrain. While the optional bathtub groundsheet can improve weather resistance, it adds weight and cost, potentially reducing the tarp’s ultralight appeal.

I got this tarp with the hopes of bringing it on an Appalachian Trail thru-hike, and while I absolutely loved it, I’m not sure it’s the shelter for extended hiking out east. That said, it would be absolutely perfect for a stint on the CDT, PCT, AZT, or any slightly drier trail.

Tarps vs. Tents: A Brief Overview

While a tent functions as a home — a bedroom in the middle, one vestibule as a kitchen, and the other as a bathroom (I’m kidding!) — a tarp serves as more of a bare-bones approach to shelter. The walls protect you from rain and some wind, and that’s just about it. 

However, when you sacrifice bug protection and a bit of warmth, you also gain some pretty clear benefits. Tarps are — generally — far lighter than tents and don’t suffer from the same condensation issues that plague many trekking pole tents. Tarps also have a better space-to-weight ratio since there is no bug net dividing up the usable space of the interior. 

Tarps simply aren’t for everyone. If you know you’ll get a better night’s sleep with a bug net separating you from the elements, tarps may not be your jam. Personally, I loved the Hexamid Pocket Tarp, but I would hate to convince someone to try the shelter only to realize that they’re far happier in a tent. I did find this pyramid-shaped tarp to feel like a halfway jump between a tent and a flat tarp, but make sure you understand the differences between a tent and a tarp before taking the plunge into this shelter.

Zpacks Hexamid Pocket Tarp Pros

Ultralight: Shelters don’t really get lighter than this. For trails where you plan to mostly cowboy but want a backup in case of rain, or trails where every ounce really matters, I cannot recommend this tarp enough.

Packable: The tarp’s minimalist design and lack of bells and whistles make it incredibly packable. It compresses down to the size of a Nalgene bottle, freeing up precious space in your pack for other essentials.

Spacious: Despite its compact weight and size, the Hexamid Pocket Tarp provides ample interior space. The 100-inch length accommodates taller hikers comfortably, and the shaped design optimizes headroom, allowing you to sit up without feeling cramped.

Waterproof Material: Constructed from high-quality Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF), the tarp is fully waterproof and sheds water effectively in light to moderate rain. DCF also resists sagging when wet, keeping your pitch taut in damp conditions.

Intentional Design for Durability: Features like zipperless doors reduce failure points, and the single trekking pole setup enhances simplicity and reliability. While I would never use this shelter as a groundsheet while cowboying, I don’t anticipate it ripping or failing on me any time soon.

Shaped Tarp Leads to Easier Pitch: The shaped tarp design bridges the gap between flat tarps and traditional tents, making it an excellent entry point for those transitioning to tarping. Its setup feels familiar to anyone who has pitched a trekking pole tent, while offering the minimalist benefits of a tarp.

Zpacks Hexamid Pocket Tarp Cons

Lacking Features: The Hexamid Pocket Tarp is stripped down to the essentials. While this minimalist approach appeals to ultralight hikers, it lacks features many consider standard, like a built-in floor or bug net. For those used to the comfort and convenience of traditional tents, the absence of these elements might feel limiting.

Setup Complexity: While the shaped tarp design makes setup easier than a flat tarp, it still requires more effort and precision compared to a freestanding tent. Achieving a taut pitch demands proper staking and adjustment of guylines, which can be tricky on uneven or rocky terrain. For new tarp users, the learning curve can feel steep.

Also, the six needed stakes feel like a lot, as I’m used to a tent that only requires four stakes. Perhaps I’ve just been spoiled by that, but it was somewhat annoying to have to pack the extra stakes.

Rain Spray Potential: The lack of a floor leaves you more exposed to water pooling or spray during heavy rain, especially if you’re camped on uneven ground. While the optional bathtub groundsheet mitigates this issue, it’s an extra cost and adds weight — detracting from the tarp’s ultralight appeal.

No Bug Protection: Without an integrated bug net, this tarp offers no barrier against insects. This can be a significant drawback in areas with high bug activity or during warm, humid seasons. While you can pair the tarp with a separate bivy or netting, doing so increases cost and pack weight, which might defeat the purpose of going this ultralight with your shelter choice.

Value

At just shy of $400, this tarp is not an insignificant purchase by any stretch. However, for a well-constructed, spacious, durable, and incrediblylightweight shelter, $400 really doesn’t sound ridiculous. I’ve certainly spent more than that on heavier tents. However, you’re really paying for the walls and not much else. This is not a shelter with really any bells and whistles. 

Would I Recommend This Shelter?

It really boils down to this: If you like tarps, this is a pretty freaking incredible option. If you hate the idea of a tarp, this likely will not change your mind.

The pyramid shape of the tarp does mimic a tent more than a typical, flat tarp, making this a really great option for those who have previously gravitated to tent camping but are looking to dip their toes in the world of tarps.

While I would genuinely recommend the shelter, I think the bathtub floor groundsheet is a pass for me, despite being the feature initially drawing me to this shelter. In any weather where I’d feel the need to use a bathtub groundsheet over my normal Tyvek, I probably would prefer to just be in an enclosed tent. It was a pain to attach to the tarp during setup, weighs almost as much as the tarp itself, and, in my opinion, didn’t add much value.

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Comparable Shelters

Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 1

• MSRP: $479
• Weight: 8.8 oz

Six Moon Designs Deschutes Ultralight Backpacking Tarp

• MSRP: $190
• Weight: 13 oz

Gossamer Gear The DCF Whisper

• MSRP: $499
• Weight: 9.8 oz

The Zpacks Hexamid Pocket Tarp was donated for purpose of review