[For Beginners] Features of Shade Tarps, Selection Tips, and Recommended Products

What Exactly Is a Shade Tarp?

A "tarpaulin" is highly recommended for creating a comfortable campsite during solo or family camping trips.

By setting up a tarp in addition to a tent, you can create your own outdoor living space and relax freely.

Among these tarps, “shade tarps” have been gaining particular attention recently. As the name suggests, a shade tarp is a product equipped with light-blocking and heat-blocking functions.

Even when the sun is strong and temperatures are high, these tarps block intense sunlight and UV rays to create deep shade, keeping the area underneath cool and comfortable. You’ll be able to enjoy camping without worrying about sunburn or the sweltering heat.

Shade tarps are available from various outdoor gear manufacturers, so it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when trying to choose one. Companies release a wide variety of products, featuring their own unique treatments or using “TC fabric” with high light-blocking properties.

So, we’ll explain the appeal of sun-blocking tarps, the different types available, and key points to consider when choosing one. We hope you’ll find the sun-blocking tarp that best suits your needs.

The Appeal of Tarps

Simply put, a tarp is a “large piece of fabric used as a roof outdoors.” At a campsite, while a tent serves as a “bedroom,” a tarp serves to create a “covered outdoor space.”

Attraction #1: Protection from Rain and Sunlight

There are various types of tarps, but regardless of the type, they can create a “comfortable, covered outdoor space” outside your tent where you won’t be bothered by strong sunlight or sudden rain.

Shade tarps, in particular, are made with materials or treatments that excel at blocking sunlight and heat.

They block the intense summer sun and UV rays more effectively than standard tarps, creating deep shade underneath. This allows you to enjoy a comfortable outdoor living space even during the hottest seasons.

While there are no standardized metrics for a tarp’s light-blocking or heat-blocking capabilities, be sure to check the product specifications when purchasing to confirm whether it features a light-blocking or heat-blocking coating.

If the product lists terms like "Solar Block" or "Solar Block coating," you’re in good shape.

Shade tarps made from “TC fabric”—a blend of polyester and cotton—are also popular.

Advantage #2: Easier to Set Up Than a Tent

Setup methods vary depending on the shape, but the main appeal is that they can generally be set up more easily and quickly than tents.

With a simple model, even beginners can set it up smoothly without any trouble.

For day trips, you don’t need to bother bringing a tent—simply setting up a tarp will ensure a comfortable experience.

Also, during good weather, you can even camp overnight by setting up a hammock or cot under the tarp!

Since they can be set up quickly and pack down more compactly than tents, they’re ideal for solo camping when you want to keep your gear to a minimum.

Attraction #3: It serves as a living room

As mentioned earlier, one of the attractions of a campsite is that by setting up a tarp in addition to a tent, you can create your own private outdoor living space.

Some tents come with a canopy over the entrance, allowing you to create an outdoor vestibule by extending it, but a tarp still offers a much more spacious area.

By setting up chairs, tables, shelves, and a kitchen unit under the tarp, you can create a comfortable, private relaxation area just for you.

You can spend time away from the daily grind—enjoying meals, sipping coffee, or taking a nap—while gazing at the surrounding scenery, feeling the breeze, and listening to the rustling of the trees.

Since you’ve gone to the trouble of coming camping, you’ll want to spend your time outdoors feeling nature firsthand, rather than staying cooped up inside your tent.

By setting up a tarp to create an outdoor living space, you can relax freely even when camping with small children or pets. A shade tarp is especially reassuring because it creates deep shade on hot days, allowing you to stay cool.

It’s also convenient for storing your precious bicycles or motorcycles—which you wouldn’t want to leave out in the open and exposed to the rain—as well as luggage that you want to keep out of direct sunlight and away from the rain.

Points to Consider When Choosing a Shade Tarp

There are many different types of shade tarps, so it can be difficult to choose.

Think about your camping style and

• what shape of tarp to get
• what size is best
• and what your budget should be

Here are some key points to consider when making your selection.

Point 1: There are mainly 5 types of shapes

There are five main shapes for shade tarps. Since each has different characteristics, make sure to understand the differences before deciding which one is best for you.

Hexa Tarp

As the name “Hexa” (Greek for “six”) suggests,

a tarp with a hexagonal canopy.

It is typically set up by placing two poles on either side and using ropes to secure the sides, making it relatively easy for a single person to set up. Another feature is that it’s easy to arrange, allowing you to enjoy creating various shapes.

When set up, it takes on a pointed, sharp form, and its stylish, cool appearance is likely another reason for its popularity.

While the shaded area is smaller, the sense of openness is another advantage.

Square Tarp

As the name "Square Tarp" suggests, this is a tarp with a square-shaped fabric.

Rectangular ones are called "recta tarps" (recta = rectangle).

Since both have square fabric, they can create a wider canopy than hexagonal hexa tarps.

They are easy for beginners to set up, and if you choose a square tarp with many grommet loops, you can add ropes and poles to enjoy various configurations.

Wing Tarp

A wing tarp is a small tarp with a diamond shape and pointed corners.

Compared to other tarps, the fabric area is smaller, so it packs down compactly and is lightweight.

Since it can be easily set up by one person, it is ideal for motorcycle camping or backpacking where you want to keep your gear to a minimum.

You can enjoy various setup arrangements depending on the number of poles and how the ropes are strung.

While its portability is a major appeal, the small surface area means it provides limited shade and shelter from the rain, making it suitable for solo or duo use but not for large groups.

Screen Tarp

Unlike other tarps that only have a roof (also known as open tarps), a "screen tarp" features fabric on the sides (walls) as well. This allows you to create a private space that not only blocks sunlight and rain but also shields you from the gaze of others.

With both a ceiling and walls, it looks similar to a dome tent.

However, the key difference from a tent is that it lacks a "floor" (floor sheet).

If you want to sleep or lounge inside, you’ll need to lay down a floor mat or similar.

Another advantage is that if the fabric on the walls is mesh, it provides protection from the sun and rain while also keeping insects out, allowing you to stay comfortable in the summer. However, because it has "walls," it lacks a sense of openness, and the price is higher.

One-Touch Tarp

"One-touch tarps" are easy to set up, even for beginners. They feature a freestanding structure with four poles, and their appeal lies in how easily they can be set up with a single action.

Unlike a tent, there’s no need to stake it down; it stands on its own simply by pulling the frame taut.

One of its main attractions is that it can be easily set up not only on dirt but also on asphalt or concrete.

This type is useful not only for camping but also for various occasions such as barbecues, flea markets, and picnics.

However, since one-touch tarps aren’t anchored, they can be blown around on windy days, and they also have drawbacks such as being heavy and bulky.

Point 2: Choose a larger size for comfort

The purpose of a shade tarp is to serve as a roof to block sunlight and rain, or to create walls for privacy, so a tarp that is too small is pointless.

Generally, choosing a slightly larger size allows you to fit both people and gear under the tarp, giving you plenty of room to relax.

• Solo to 3-person camping: About 3–4 meters per side
• 4–6 people: About 5–6 meters per side

If you want a tarp larger than that, keep in mind that standard campsites are typically 10×10m, so it’s best to choose a size that fits within that area.

Point 3: Decide based on your budget

Shade tarps tend to be more expensive the more high-performance materials they use.

For camping beginners, there are many other items to purchase besides a tarp, such as a tent and a fire pit, so deciding on your budget in advance will help you make a choice without hesitation.

TOKYO CRAFTS Tarp Lineup

"TOKYO CRAFTS" plans, develops, and sells original camping gear under the concept of "A sense of satisfaction that defies words."

Here are some of the brand’s popular sun-blocking tarps.

Machaon TC

The Makaon TC is a tarp designed for 2 to 4 people, offering ample space and easy setup.

Its hexagonal shape creates a beautiful silhouette, and the stylish gray color makes it stand out at any campsite.

Made from durable, high-shade-blocking TC fabric, it creates a "deeper shade" than standard tarps, allowing you to stay cool even during the intense summer sun.

It folds down compactly and fits neatly into the included bag, making it easy to carry.

▼ Machaon TC Reviews

Rugged yet stylish and cool

I set up my Macaron for the first time. I bought it mainly because of the color, but as expected of TC fabric, the construction is sturdy and I’m very satisfied. It didn’t rain this time, but I’m looking forward to seeing how the Macaron performs on rainy days.

One Tarp

The One Tarp is characterized by its star-shaped design. It features a unique structure where a frame is attached to the center of the tarp’s outer edge—an area that tends to sag when set up—causing the frame to lift the center of the tarp.

It uses "ripstop fabric," which is resistant to fraying and tearing and resists deterioration. The surface also features a UV-blocking finish, protecting you from strong sunlight and UV rays.

Protect yourself from the summer sun and wind and rain with a sun-blocking tarp!

Having a tarp that lets you create your own open living space in the great outdoors makes camping life even more comfortable.

In particular, a "shade tarp" made with or treated using light-blocking materials will cast deep, dense shade to protect you even on hot days or when the sun is strong.

Using the tips for choosing a shade tarp introduced here, we hope you’ll find the perfect product that suits your camping style.