Tarptent Rainshadow 2

The Tarptent Rainshadow 2 sits in the tarp category but functions closer to a lightweight tent: a shaped cat-cut silnylon canopy paired with an integrated insect net and an optional bathtub floor, rather than a bare open tarp. TarpTent, founded in 2002, built the shelter around a hybrid pitch — a single aluminium hoop at one end plus two trekking poles — so hikers who already carry poles for the trail don't need to pack dedicated tent poles. At roughly 1160 g and 5.5 m² of covered area, it lands in the lighter end of 2-person shelters, trading some of the wind resistance and headroom of a fully enclosed tent for lower pack weight and faster setup. Guylines are included, which matters given the non-freestanding, catenary-cut design needs proper tensioning to hold its shape in wind. It suits thru-hikers and backpackers targeting a lean base weight who are comfortable pitching with trekking poles and don't need a fully freestanding structure.