Sydvang Tarp 9 Review

Overview

The Sydvang Tarp 9 is a 3 x 3 m asymmetric polyester tarp from a Norwegian brand that has built its name on cheap, serviceable sleep systems. It covers one or two people, a hammock, or a camp kitchen, and it does so for roughly €90. The trade-off is plain: it is a budget-priced tarp made from heavy-ish 70D polyester, so it gives up weight and refinement to the silnylon and Dyneema shelters the ultralight crowd usually buys.

Key Specs

Spec	Detail
Weight	723 g (some retailers list 745 g)
Dimensions	300 x 300 / 260 cm, asymmetric
Coverage	9 m²
Fabric	210T polyester ripstop, 70D, UV-safe
Waterproof rating	3,000 mm
Water repellent finish	DWR, REACH-compliant (C0)
Packed size	32 x 20 x 5 cm
Extras	Sewn-on stuff sack, visible guy lines, closable pockets for guy line storage
Not included	Stakes
Price	Around €90

Performance

Weather protection. A 3,000 mm hydrostatic head is enough for ordinary rain, and the Swedish gear-review sites that have put the Tarp 9 through its paces say as much. They describe it as dependable for camping and mixed-weather trips, while stopping short of calling it a storm shelter. One reviewer rated its weather protection 8.0 out of 10 and noted it does not give the same margin of safety as the strongest tarps in its test group. Wind is the weak spot. Testers flagged that the attachment points can work loose in hard weather and that the fabric can flap noisily in a gale. Anyone pitching it low and tight, with the long edge facing the weather, will get the most from the asymmetric cut.

Coverage. Nine square meters is generous. Reviewers describe it as comfortable for one person with gear, workable for two, and in a pinch a squeeze for three, especially when the goal is to keep packs dry too. The shape suits a flat-ground A-frame or lean-to, and owners also use it over hammocks. One Norwegian hammock user with the lighter UL version reported riding out heavy rain beneath it without having to pitch it diagonally, which at a 183 cm height suggests the square dimensions are not a squeeze for most sleepers.

Weight and pack size. At 723 g the Tarp 9 is not an ultralight tarp, and its own reviewers say so. Testat.nu’s panel cited weight as the main reason a gram-counter should look elsewhere. For scale, Sydvang’s lighter UL edition, built from 40D silicone-coated nylon, weighs about 570 g, roughly 175 g less than the standard model. On the plus side, the packed volume of 32 x 20 x 5 cm is small for 9 m² of coverage. The attached stuff sack has no compression straps, so it takes up more room than a compressible one would.

Fabric and durability. The 70D polyester ripstop reads as sturdy rather than fragile. Reviewers repeatedly use the word “durable”, and polyester has a practical advantage over silnylon: it does not sag and stretch when wet, though one testing site still reported some slack in sustained rain, which can lower the pitch and let water pool. The included guy lines and pegs come in for mild criticism as feeling cheaper than those from pricier brands, and stakes are not included, so budget for a set of proper ones.

Usability. Setup is easy, which is a big reason it keeps winning “best for beginners” and “best value” awards in Scandinavian buyer’s guides. Details earn praise out of proportion to their cost: guy lines in a visible color are easy to find at dusk, closable pockets keep them from tangling, and the stuff sack is sewn to the tarp so it cannot get lost. Plenty of attachment points allow for varied pitches, from a flat roof to a low storm configuration.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 9 m² of coverage at a price well below premium tarps
• Compact when packed, at 32 x 20 x 5 cm
• Tough 70D polyester ripstop that does not stretch much when wet
• Sewn-on stuff sack and visible, pocketed guy lines
• Many tie-out points for flexible pitches
• Simple to pitch, even for newcomers

Cons

• 723 g is heavy for the ultralight crowd, and silnylon and Dyneema tarps of similar size weigh far less
• 3,000 mm is adequate rather than generous for sustained storms
• Fabric can be noisy in wind, and attachment points have been reported to loosen in hard weather
• Guy lines and stakes feel basic, and stakes are not included
• Stuff sack lacks compression

Who Should Buy This

This is a tarp for backpackers who want a big, simple, cheap roof and will accept a weight penalty to get it: first-time tarp users, bikepackers, hammock campers, families who need a communal shelter at the campsite, and anyone who wants a backup or kitchen tarp that they will not mind abusing. It is also a practical trial run for people curious about tarp camping who do not want to spend €200 or more before they know whether they like it.

Thru-hikers counting every ounce, and anyone expecting exposed alpine weather, should look elsewhere. Sydvang’s own UL version saves about 175 g, and premium silnylon or Dyneema options go lighter still while delivering more storm-ready construction.

Verdict

The Sydvang Tarp 9 is a sensible, honest budget tarp: large, simple and well-sorted in the small details, with weight and weather margins to match its price. It is a good buy for casual backpacking, bikepacking and hammock camping, and a poor one for people chasing a base weight under ten pounds.