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Although the Kelty Noah's Tarp won't shelter two of each animal in the forest, it's certainly spacious enough to shade a couple of weary hikers from the mid-day sun and offer protection from unexpected rain showers. Whether you stretch it between two trees in an alpine meadow or utilize a couple of extended trekking poles in a sparse desert landscape, the Noah's Tarp provides versatile sun and weather protection you can count on.

  • Taped seams and tough polyester material protect you from the sun and rain
  • Multiple guyout points provide versatile set-up options
  • Guyline adjuster helps you keep the tarp taught
  • Poles not included

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Kelty Noah's Tarp

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Here's what others have to say...

5 5

Fantastic tarp all around.

  • Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer

I bought the Kelty 12 to use in conjunction with my hammock. Instead of hanging it on the diagonal, I hang it "taco" style with it draped over my ridgeline. With the tarp hung this way, I can close the ends of the tarp in if it is windy or cold and make a fairly good shelter.

I used this tarp in the mountains hammock camping one night and it did a great job keeping the snow off of me. Many times it has done an excellent job keeping the rain off and working as a wind break.

Getting it back into the case is not a problem if you fold it and don't stuff it. The case is nice because it keeps the tarp small and carries the stakes, guylines, and the paracord that I've added for more guylines.

I don't go camping without this tarp because it is handy to have and a breeze to set up. If you want a great tarp that keeps the rain, snow, wind, and sun off, this is the tarp to get.

5 5

Awesome Tarp...and it's not gray!


For once I'm glad something wasn't as advertised. This tarp isn't gray at all, but more of a brown color which means the giant Kelty logo doesn't stand out so much. That being said, I think the tarp is great. The 9 is the perfect size for the hammock and it seems really well put together. Mine came with stakes rather than the figure 9 guy-line adjusters which was disappointing. I see a lot of other comments saying they got them, so I was kind of expecting them. Other than that, I'm pleased with the purchase.

5 5

16 footer is surprisingly strong.

  • Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer

Carried the 16x16 on a boy scout trip--their first "backpack" style outing, so I brought the tarp as a backup. Glad I did: the sky absolutely OPENED UP. Hardest rain I've ever seen... and the tarp took it like a champ, channelling gallons of water. (No joke: at any given time it might have have 5-8 gallons of water weighing it down because of my not-terribly-neat-but-oh-no-the-sky-is-falling pitching job. Impressive.

Around town, I've strung it up in my backyard to provide shade during cookouts and large family gatherings.

Bottom line: this tarp is surprisingly strong and though heavy, not too bad for its size. The 16x16 is HUGE and only about 3lbs. Lots of tie down spots, solid stitching, taped seams. The cordage is extra thick/strong and there are tensioners on all lines. And I even like the color.

4 5


  • Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer

I use this in The BWCA in northern mn...and it gets rainy up there alot..Great wind break on dry days as poles. but has eyelets for some pcord and a figure 9 around a tree.. great product...just keep up on re applying waterproofing!

is this waterproof? i.e. all day/night...

is this waterproof? i.e. all day/night rain?

Best Answer Responded on

Yes, this is a waterproof tarp and will keep you and your gear dry underneath, unless there is flooding at which point I suggest finding a boat.

Responded on

Its waterproof for a while. if you don't keep up on spraying campdry on it it will slowly become water resistant...i have it and i use it every trip..i have never gotten wet under it but it does get damp!

3 5

error in description

  • Familiarity: I've used it several times

Good shelter, a little heavy though. Used it a couple times and my only major gripe is the description lists figure 9 for the guy lines. Doesn't actually come with any.

Responded on

How long ago did you get it? This tarp DOES come with figure 9 tighteners. If you can exchange it I would highly recommend you do.

5 5

9ft is just about perfect

  • Familiarity: I've used it several times

I just picked up the 9 foot and it is pretty sweet. Great sunshade/rain protection. Lot's of set up options and styles. Tons of guy points.

5 5

Great for just about anything

  • Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer

I take this tarp backpacking and it works great. If you are in a wooded area you don't need any extra poles. I usually hang this from 4 trees if available. I have the two main ends (the ones with poles) over my head and the other two ends about low face level. It gives me a nice big usable space underneath and does a great job letting rain run off. It is nice and lightweight for backpacking.

You can see in the picture the dry ground underneath.

Great for just about anything
4 5

Good entry level tarp

This is a good entry level trap. I've used the 9x9 as a bivvy shelter on a few occasions now. On one of those occasions it was for three days of non-stop rain and it behaved just as expected (dry).
There are much more expensive tarps, but unless you are counting grams and not dollars this is a fine option.

Anybody use the 16x16 for base camp tarp?...

Anybody use the 16x16 for base camp tarp? How sturdy are the poles on this size tarp in moderate wind?

Responded on

Poles are not included on this tarp, you have to buy them separate if you want to use them. I personally just tie mine to some trees and it is pretty stable. If the wind starts to kick up you can add some additional guy wires and stakes. As you can see from the picture this tarp has several other places to add additional lines to keep it in place.

Best Answer Responded on

I have a 12x12 and a 16x16. I've used the 16x16 tarp about 8 times last year. It's amazingly strong for it weight. Had 3 days of strong cold wind that broke several tent poles in the camp with up to 35 MPH. I folded it in haft " like a taco" and used if for a wind break in front of my tent. It held up great. The other camper were amazed. It was no big deal with all the optional guy points. I'm on line now thinking of getting a 8X8.

5 5

My kitchen/playroom/bivouac

When I set up camp this is our kitchen. When the weather's a bit undesirable the boys, 3+6, love to play under it. Which is cool cause me and mom can go play in the tent. Plenty of connection points so set up is only limited by your imagination. It comes in a great little pouch with its own stakes and lines. Good piece of gear. This is not the lightest but to get that spend another hundred (or two) and enjoy the 4-5oz weight loss. Ken

4 5

Kelty Noah's Tarp 12'

This is the 2nd Noah's tarp I have owned. I typically use the tarp as a summer shelter used in conjuction with a bivvy in place of a tent (though I have seen at least one example of the tarp being used as a winter shelter with a Ti-Goat stove!). The polyester material stands up to UV radiation much better than nylon...and after applying a PU coating to the underside the 1st tarp proved to be an excellent shelter for those not looking to shave every ounce and who want a more durable shelter.The first tarp lasted 6 years...and would likely still be serving my purposes today had I been more careful when pitching it in high winds (used a trekking pole as a center support in a pyramid pitch without some form of insulation between the pole and tarp...resulting in a tear in a particularly nasty wind-storm). Things to consider before purchasing 1) it is not waterproof...but a PU coating can be easily applied 2) the tarp is heavier than nylon tarps...but if you regularly camp in sunny locations (as I do in the summer) the added UV protection will increase the life of the tarp at the expense of a few additional ounces 3) the "cat" cut of the tarp makes for a tight and easy pitch...and the shape does not hinder its use when pitched as a lean-to or pyramid 4) in the pyramid configuration three people less than or equalt to 6' + 200lbs HAVE slept in the shelter through stromy conditions with room to spare for gear.

5 5


  • Gender: Male
  • Familiarity: I've used it several times

I have the 9ft version of this tarp. Firstly, the 9ft version is actually 10ft x 10ft so I'm not sure why they call it their 9ft model. Other than that it is well made and offers many different option for setting up, the included stakes are about as basic as you can get but the figure 9 guyline adapters are a really nice addition.