BUSHCRAFT ON A BUDGET.....Gimme Shelter!

Continuing the “BUSHCRAFT ON A BUDGET” series , we look at what your options for a reasonably priced shelter are.
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[@ashleycoups3922]

I think one of your best - brilliant and exactly what bushcraft is all about. Legend mate super appreciated.

[@thomasmusso1147]

Good Morning Neil .. 👍👍👍. Agreed, the DD 3 x 3 m Tarp would be an excellent 'starter' (and keeper) for any budding Outdoorsman. I bought the Särmä Erakko Tarp, 2.5 x 2.5 m from Varusteleka. It what was I could afford at the time and so far, it has served well. Quality is very good as it is, I believe, manufactured by DD. The only drawback is that it only has nine tie-off loops. If one is prepared to work within that and the smaller dimensions, then all is good. Ground Sheet .. I use an old vinyl Shower Curtain .. waterproof and very light. Ok, it's colour Blue .. but then, one cannot win them all 😏. Been mulling over getting a dedicated Ground Sheet but since what I have works fine, 'Mull' it shall remain. Some 'useless information' .. 'Mull' in German means 'Rubbish' 😊. 'Brand Names' .. especially linked to the 'famous' .. jawelnofine 🤔. No disrespect to the Individuals lending their names to the products being marketed but one must then be prepared to pay for it. All too often, another 'Generic' product will be available, made under the same roof and with the same specs. 'Bushcrafting' has become Big Business. Keep them coming please. Posts like yours give those who would like to spend more time in the Outdoors .. and who perhaps get overwhelmed by the plethora (and cost 😳) of 'stuff' out there, options regarding good quality but still affordable gear. Take care .. Tommy

[@yoiyomismo]

"free, my favourite price" 😂😂😂 Mine too!! 🤣🤣 Great content, thank you!

[@MrWildWales]

I do like a tent for the security and tend to just be in there when it's time for bed 👍 The poncho looks pretty awesome

[@ceri1796]

Some great advice there for everyone.

[@peterhoughton474]

Great stuff mate - loving your videos, the best bushcraft site I've found. Your consideration for people without heaps of cash is great. Camping out is one of the great things you can do do when you're not flush with your family, and lets us enjoy ourselves with those we love without stressing about expensive motels etc. I use two Australian army hutchies - they stud together to make a v large shelter approx 2.7 x 3.6 for camping with my wife. And then I can use half when I'm on my own - 1.8 x 2.7. But in Australia we need bug mesh - I splashed out on dd a frame bug mesh and rig it under the hutchie when it's mozzie season, and then scrap it in the cooler months.

[@codycuppes6954]

Since everything environment driven. I live in Central Texas. Everything has fangs, thorns, or a stinger. I used two man rent AND a tarp. I put the tarpa couple feet above the tent to help keep the tent from becoming an oven. It does get hot here.

[@sarahVWGC]

Another great vid'. Thanks for doing these. You mentioned Jungle Toggles. A few months ago after seeing the jungle toggles video I made some up following your instructions. The wooden toggles themselves were made from wood salvaged from an old Oak chair. The chair wasn't new when my grandparents bought it 70ish years ago so it was recycling at its best. I used a slightly thicker cord than yours because it was all I could find at the time. Its a natural green colour with a reflective thread in it which as you described in your video is really useful when returning to your shelter at night. I bought a 50m roll and made 10 jungle toggles which left me with 20m unused. I didn't see the point of just making more for the sake of it so I used the 20m to make one long jungle toggle rope with a toggle at each end. I use this as the ridge line for my tarp and leave it permanently threaded. It is so quick to put up and easy to strike, even with wet, cold fingers in the rain. I've been on some courses recently where I've used the system and it's generated some really positive interest. The simplest ideas are often the best! Thanks again.

[@rlbranch65]

I'm enjoying this series. With a little patience and looking around, one can find gear that is durable won't break the bank. Thank you for your time and effort for covering this.

[@vespasian266]

go for a aqua quest defender, 2*3 if you're gonna get a tarp.

[@MrDefaultti]

I have 3 tarps. 2 of them are DD-tarps (3x4,5m and 3,5x3.5). Excelent tarps. I highly recommend the brand.

[@oferbechor1579]

THANK YOU

[@itchyfeet4205]

Love your videos Neil...so refreshing after watching the hoards of incompetent chancers making videos these days. You, Swedewoods, Don von Gun, Corporals Corner and Nagualo are the top 5 Bushcraft channels IMHO.

[@jacksonteller1337]

When I got started i used a Zeltbahn from the surplus store. Later upgraded to the DD tarp never had to upgrade after that. I still use the Zeltbahn for a summer open air overnighter sometimes, together with a wool blanket. Lay a layer of leaves and use the Zeltbahn or small tarp to wrap yourself if you do it right you are quite comfortable. I think the Yankees call it a cowboy roll.

[@earlshaner4441]

Hi from Syracuse NY USA brother and thank you for sharing your thoughts and adventures and the facts and truth

[@samuelvincent1770]

Thank you for all the outstanding videos, I really look forward to them.

[@krishoogstraat6866]

Neil you hit this video out of the park ! Super great information. I saved up for a year to buy my DD tarp. I was going to buy the 3x3. Then I found on the website that day the 4x4 ! Wow !! Bigger is always better! Right ? Lol . So I bought the 4x4 . It’s HUGE my family calls it the castle! Lol Folks the 3x3 is the way to go. Thanks for sharing Neil !

[@MichaelR58]

Good video Neil , thanks for sharing , God bless !

[@Mat-kr1nf]

I swear by your jungle knots design, with the toggles. I get 1.5mm comms cord from Endicott’s, it is tangle resistant, doesn’t take up much room and I find it quite strong enough. I actually do my knots about 2cm apart, I started at the length you said, but then I ended up putting another knot in between, more versatile.😁

[@srpeters]

Great video. I have two German half shelters. Heavy but if not doing thru hikes and such they are an option. This version I also have a poncho if needed. I know half shelters are getting harder to find and price is climbing up.

[@ozdavemcgee2079]

Ridgeline. I gave up rope parra etc. Tent elastic by the yard. Aint that exp a few carribeeners. Less likely to tangle and real quick setup if it pours down

[@nevermind6351]

Nearly watched this, but then clicked on the stones, ha ha... peace.

[@journeyman7189]

Good choices Neil. I'm guess hammocks will be part of the sleep system? Nate

[@toddparnaby972]

I’ve got the 4/4 dd greatest tarp for 1/2 person and all kit all weather

[@treksntarps]

Great advice Neil. Can't really go wrong with the dd tarp . Mine has never let me down . Always tempting to get more stuff though 😂 . Atb 👍

[@countryside_guy]

My 4x4 DD tarp failed on its third use, the material came away from one of the webbing points. Got my money back.

[@treksntarps]

@@countryside_guy Oh dear . I had a similar problem on the dd superlight returned it and got a replacement one and fingers crossed it's been ok so far. Haven't had any problems with my standard 3x3 yet . So far so good . Hope you got yourself a decent tarp that did the biz for you .

[@OldNavajoTricks]

If you nick your other halfs 'waste' tea light candles you can protect your wooden pegs on the free, and wax in the manshed is always useful anyway, Make firelighting kit more effective by soaking a little melted wax into fibre/woodshavings, wax a saw before cutting to lubricate the cut, or to protect your knives/axe etc. I think it's a mindset exercise really, now that xyz has fulfilled its primary function, what else can I use the remnants for? Fish spinners from the foil cup, hang the foils from branches to dscourage insects, either as they are or with a little pine pitch in them.

[@jerrymacklow1452]

The DD 3x3 tarp is a rgreat bit of kit but, if you are starting and low budget, Chinese ones can be found for less than £20. Not as good but functional and enough to get started and fine out if you want to pursue tarp camping. Chinese ponchos too. I have had a few and, by and large, they do the job, for less than a tenner. As for chinese made, I finally treated myself to a Helikon poncho. Nice but made in China. I seem to remember that DD stuff is too. If you're really poor, discarded tent flysheets can be used with good effect. Often thrown, or given away.

[@rlbranch65]

Is it possible to do a demo on the tarp setup at the 9:13 point in video. I'm never seen a tarp configured this way. Looks very tent like. Thank you for your consideration of this request.

[@treksntarps]

It is a style of tarp tent loads of demos on you tube . I have done one . 😂 . But there are many others on you tube .

[@vespasian266]

errr, for bushcraft surely the aqua quest 2*3 defender is a gold standard tarp. my tarping philosophy has evolved over the yrs. from finding the lightest to finding the best. being a heavier denier fabric, its much less likely to tear and being thicker, when pitched low holds the heat in better. weighs the same as an army basha, but is bigger and much more versatile.

[@greencraft4783]

If its as good as their Survivor model (featured in the video) then I'm sure it's excellent. But more expensive and this is about being on a budget

[@vespasian266]

@@greencraft4783 yea, understood the budget part, but can't help promoting what a fantastic tarp the defender is. I've a few tarps and love most of them, but like tents, you can never have enough of them. you had me search ray mears site for his tarp. looks good but can't find a utube review.

[@greencraft4783]

The, the ray mears one looks like its the same as most 3x3 tarps, they hay just added three loops to accommodate a fibreglass tent pole. You could do the same to any tarp really.

[@willownoel5017]

🤔

[@richardulicotte7210]

Or go to the hardware store and pick up a good sized, durable tarp for about 30 bucks.

[@greencraft4783]

I have done that, but they have no centre suspension loops and the eyelets always pull out....thats why I did'nt recommend them.

[@richardulicotte7210]

@@greencraft4783 there are ways to get centre suspension. As for the loops one needs to choose a tarp carefully. I should have mentioned that in my reply. Not trying to detract from your advise. Just add an option

[@greencraft4783]

@@richardulicotte7210 Thanks Richard

[@miked4152]

@@greencraft4783 would a canvas tarp with eyelets be a wise investment or is it going to be super heavy. Just thinking about rain or snow

[@miked4152]

@@greencraft4783 I totally enjoy your advice and your videos by the way. Thanks for everything 😁👍

[@badhat3051]

I recently found a new (to me) back pack/shelter combo... kzbin.info/www/bejne/mp_alnanbNeUfck ... kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6O5gKWAfpyZm6s ... kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4i2eX6sdruYfK8 (I hope this stays up)