Tarnplanen are waterproof, camouflage-patterned tarpaulins built for outdoor use. The word combines the German and Swedish terms “Tarn” (camouflage) and “Planen” (tarpaulins). Unlike standard tarps, Tarnplanen blend into natural surroundings while protecting you from rain, wind, and sun. They are made from ripstop nylon or reinforced polyester and typically carry a hydrostatic rating above 2,000 mm, making them suitable for all-weather outdoor use.
Most people grab a cheap blue tarp and call it a shelter. If you’ve spent real time outdoors, you know that tarp falls short fast. Tarnplanen are built for something more specific: keeping you dry, keeping you hidden, and holding up in rough conditions. Whether you’re a long-distance hiker, a hunter in a ground blind, or a bushcraft camper, understanding what separates Tarnplanen from generic tarps will change how you approach outdoor shelter.
What Tarnplanen Actually Are
The name tells you everything. “Tarn” means camouflage or concealment in both German and Swedish. “Planen” is the plural of “Plane,” meaning tarpaulin or sheet. Put them together, and you get a purpose-built camouflage tarpaulin with roots in European military field equipment.
Tarnplanen originated in German and Scandinavian military traditions, where soldiers needed portable, lightweight shelters that didn’t announce their position. The civilian outdoor market adopted the design because the logic holds for hunters, wildlife observers, and off-trail hikers who want shelter without visibility. The concept is practical, not stylistic.
Today, Tarnplanen are sold by outdoor gear manufacturers across Europe, North America, and Asia. They range from ultralight solo models to large, heavy-duty group shelters, all sharing the same two priorities: waterproof protection and camouflage.
How Tarnplanen Differ from Regular Tarps
A standard blue polyethylene tarp keeps rain off. It also announces your position to anything with eyes. That’s the fundamental problem Tarnplanen solves.
The camouflage patterns on Tarnplanen are printed onto UV-resistant fabric and break up the shelter’s outline so it reads as part of the landscape. Woodland green-brown patterns work in temperate forests across Europe and North America. Desert tan and ochre patterns suit open, arid environments. Digital camo, which uses small pixel-like geometric shapes rather than organic blotches, works well in mixed terrain where light and shadow vary.
Construction quality is also different. Most Tarnplanen use ripstop nylon or reinforced polyester rather than basic polyethylene sheeting. Ripstop nylon has a crosshatch weave that stops small tears from spreading across the material. Reinforced polyester holds its shape better in sustained wind and resists stretching when wet.
Weight separates them further. Standard hardware tarps are bulky. A quality ultralight Tarnplane starts at around 300 grams. Heavy-duty multi-person models typically fall between 1.2 and 1.8 kilograms. That range covers solo backpacking to extended base camp setups.
Choosing the Right Tarnplanen
The right model depends on three things: how far you’re carrying it, how many people need shelter, and what weather you’ll face.
For solo backpacking, a 2×3 meter ultralight model in ripstop nylon handles most conditions. It packs small, dries quickly, and gives you enough coverage for one person and a pack. For groups or longer stays, move up to a 3×4 or 4×5 meter reinforced polyester model. Look for a hydrostatic rating of at least 2,000 mm. Below that threshold, heavy and sustained rain will push through the fabric.
Camouflage pattern selection matters more than most buyers realize. Match your pattern to the terrain you use most. If you move across different environments, a mid-range woodland pattern with mixed greens, browns, and grays performs acceptably in most settings. Avoid patterns with bright contrast, since modern digital patterns sometimes include high-visibility elements designed for fashion rather than field use.
Check the anchor system before you buy. Aluminum grommets corrode and weaken over time, especially in salt or humid environments. Reinforced loop webbing at anchor points holds stronger, doesn’t rust, and won’t loosen after repeated use under load. More anchor points also give you more setup options, which matters in areas where tree spacing limits your ridgeline placement.
Practical Setup Techniques
A Tarnplane is only useful if you know how to set it up correctly for the conditions you face.
The A-frame is the most common configuration. Run a ridgeline cord between two trees, drape the tarp over it, and stake out the corners at a low angle. This sheds rain efficiently and creates a protected space beneath. For cold conditions, lower the sides by shortening the ridgeline or staking corners closer to the ground. That cuts drafts without sealing off airflow entirely.
A lean-to works better in warm, dry conditions. Fix one edge high on a ridgeline and stake the opposite edge close to the ground at an angle. The open front lets air move through, which reduces condensation inside and keeps the space cooler. It also gives you an unobstructed view forward, which matters for hunting and wildlife photography.
For driving rain with strong lateral wind, use a porch setup. Stake the back corners low, raise the front edge with trekking poles or additional cord, and angle the whole tarp so rain sheets off the rear. This keeps wind-driven rain out while leaving a functional covered entrance at the front.
Practice setups before you need them in the field. Fifteen minutes in your backyard will reveal problems with your ridgeline cord length, anchor point spacing, and pole configuration before those problems appear in poor conditions.
Tarnplanen for Hunters and Wildlife Watchers
Tarnplanen have their longest history in hunting and wildlife observation. If you sit in a hide for hours, visibility control determines whether your session produces results. A bright or reflective tarp signals your position before an animal gets close.
A properly placed Tarnplane breaks up your body’s outline. Animals respond to movement and contrast, not to perfect mimicry. Reducing both is enough to significantly extend your effective range. Combined with a natural brush stacked against the sides, a Tarnplane creates a hide that looks like part of the landscape. Bow hunters across Scandinavia and Central Europe have used Tarnplanen as the base of portable ground blinds for decades, long before they appeared in mainstream outdoor retail.
Wildlife photographers get the same benefit. Photographing shy birds or mammals at close range requires staying in one position for long periods. A fixed, low-visibility hide made from a Tarnplane reduces the disturbance that causes animals to avoid the area or change their behavior. Several professional wildlife photographers working in Nordic countries have documented the improvement in animal proximity when using proper camouflage shelters versus standard field tents.
Maintenance and Long-Term Care
A well-maintained Tarnplane will last five to ten years under regular use. Basic neglect shortens that to two or three seasons.
After each trip, remove debris and rinse with clean water if needed. Dry the tarp completely before storage. Rolling or packing a damp tarp causes mold to form inside the material. Mold degrades the waterproof coating and creates patches where water passes through freely.
Repair tears as soon as you notice them. Ripstop nylon repair tape covers small punctures and tears up to about five centimeters. Larger damage responds well to a fabric patch combined with seam sealer applied to the inner surface of the tear. Most repairs take under ten minutes and meaningfully extend the tarp’s service life.
Re-treat the DWR (durable water repellent) coating every one to two years, depending on how heavily you use the tarp. Spray-on DWR treatments are available from most outdoor retailers. Apply after cleaning, then activate with a low heat setting on a tumble dryer or a warm iron set to the fabric’s safe temperature. This restores the water-beading effect that prevents rain from soaking into the outer surface rather than running off.
What Tarnplanen Won’t Do
Tarnplanen are excellent shelters for three-season and mild winter use. They are not enclosed tents and don’t trap body heat the way a sleeping bag or bivy sack does. In a serious cold, you still need proper insulation beneath you and around you. A Tarnplane handles precipitation and wind but won’t compensate for a thin sleeping pad or insufficient layering.
They also don’t block insects on their own. In areas with heavy mosquito or midge activity, pair your tarp with a bug bivy or a lightweight mesh inner. Some hikers carry a simple net inner tent that sits under the tarp for this exact reason. The combination gives you the ventilation and visibility of a tarp with the insect protection of a closed shelter.
Getting the Most from Your Tarnplanen
Tarnplanen reward preparation and practice. The range of setup configurations, camouflage patterns, and material options means there is a model suited to almost any outdoor activity. Start with a single mid-weight model, practice the core setups in familiar terrain, and build from there.
Whether you hike solo, hunt from a ground blind, or run a multi-day bushcraft camp, a quality Tarnplane adds real value to your gear list. It is a straightforward piece of equipment built for a clear purpose: keep you dry, keep you hidden, and keep your camp working in whatever the weather brings.