Which Cirriform Setup Is Right for You?

If you've been looking at trekking pole shelters and considering the Cirriform, you've probably noticed it's not just one product. It's a system: a tarp that works with various inner options to create different shelters depending on where you're going, what conditions you'll face, and how much weight you don't want to carry.

This post walks through every Cirriform configuration, what each one is actually like to use, and who it makes the most sense for.

Who's It For?

The Cirriform is not for everyone. If you like to spend your time hanging out in your tent, need serious headroom, or prioritize living space over performance and packability, something else may serve you better.

But if you're out there to hike, sleep, and hike some more, this shelter was built for you. It's a system for people on the move who want reliable protection when they stop.

How We Got Here

If you're new to tarping and tarp-based shelters, here's the basics: the most basic tarp setup is a flat, rectangular tarp. A common pitch uses an A-frame structure: one pole at each end, with the tarp folded along the center to create a ridgeline between the poles. Viewed from the end, it looks triangular.

From there, a tarp can be designed with curvature along the ridge and edges, or tapered so one end is narrower than the other. That's what our tapered tarps are. The curvature reduces saggy fabric to help you get a taut pitch. The taper moves fabric away from where it's less useful toward where it provides more benefit. The trade-off? Less flexibility in how you can pitch the tarp. A tapered tarp is meant for the A-frame style; a flat tarp can go up all sorts of ways.

The main weather vulnerability of the A-frame pitch is the unprotected ends. Some tarps add flaps or beaks for extra protection - we've used both. The 1P Cirriform has beaks on both ends, while the 2P uses a beak at the head end and flaps at the foot. Flaps offer more ventilation options but add some rigging complexity.

That's the foundation. The Cirriform is an A-frame tarp dialed in over time with aggressive taper and curvature, all in pursuit of efficiency. It trades broad pitching flexibility for a focused, high-performance setup.

How the System Works

The Cirriform is a non-freestanding shelter: it stays upright with your trekking poles and stakes, not internal tent poles. (Don't use trekking poles? Our optional tent poles work too.) The result is a shelter that's significantly lighter and more packable than a freestanding tent.

Rather than a flat or simple A-frame tarp, it's a shaped tarp, curved and tapered with covered ends to shed wind and rain more effectively than a flat tarp, staying taut through the night without sagging.

The double-wall (DW) versions pair that outer tarp (Cirriform) with an inner: either a net tent (Bug Shelter) or a bivy (Y-zip Bug Bivy). The inner does a few things:

• Keeps bugs out
• Prevents you from touching the outer wall, which may be wet with condensation
• Provides a tub-style floor to block moisture from below

Both the tarp and inner can be used independently, which means you can configure the system differently by trip and season. Bring the full DW setup for a buggy summer route, or go tarp-only in shoulder season when bugs aren't a factor.

The Inners - What's the Difference?

Before getting into specific setups, it helps to understand the inners available to pair with the Cirriform tarp.

Y-zip Bug Bivy - A minimal mesh inner that hangs from the tarp via shock cord. Tight inside, but roomier than most bivies - enough to toss around or prop up to read. The suspended netting stays off your body. The lightest way to get full bug protection.

Bug Shelter - A lightweight mesh inner with near-vertical end walls and a deep tub floor. More elbow room. Gets closer to a tent feel.

Groundsheet or tub floor - No inner, just the tarp over your sleeping setup. Lightest option. No bug protection built in. Works great when bug pressure is low.

At a Glance

* Not sold as a bundle. Price is the sum of components purchased separately.
**Packaged weight includes all included items. Actual trail weight can often be less than this amount.

One Person (1P) Configurations

All three 1P setups use the same 1P Cirriform tarp as the foundation. The difference is what, if anything, you pair with it underneath.

1P Cirriform DW w/ Y-zip Bug Bivy - $245

If you want full bug protection and a tub floor at the lowest possible weight, this is the setup. The bivy clips into the tarp and the system pitches low by default, which keeps your profile low in exposed conditions. You won't be doing much inside besides sleeping, but the suspended netting doesn't drape directly on you, and you get a solid, predictable shelter to get you through unpredictable conditions.

This setup is for you if:

• Weight savings matter and you want the lightest enclosed 1P option
• You camp in exposed or windy spots where a low profile helps
• You want reliable, no-fuss protection - you're there to sleep, not hang out

This setup is not for you if:

• You want to sit up inside or have room to move around
• You prefer a higher default pitch

Packaged weight: 637g (22.4 oz)

Shop the 1P Cirriform DW w/ Y-zip Bug Bivy →

1P Cirriform DW w/ 1P Bug Shelter - $265

The Bug Shelter gives you the most interior room of any 1P configuration. It has a deep tub floor and is designed to make as much use of the tarp's protected space as possible. The tarp pitches with more clearance off the ground by default, which promotes airflow to manage condensation and gives you more interior volume, keeping the fabric off your face and feet. When severe weather rolls in, you can stake it lower, though pitching low takes a bit more effort with this inner. It's the most capable, well-rounded 1P configuration.

This setup is for you if:

• You want a do-it-all system that handles serious weather
• You hate fabric sloping near your face and feet when sleeping
• You want the most interior room the 1P offers
• You're on the taller side and okay with not being able to fully sit up, in exchange for great length when lying down
• Low weight matters, but you're balancing it with livability

This setup is not for you if:

• You expect to pitch your shelter low most of the time
• You're on the taller side and want to be able to sit up fully
• Minimum weight is your top priority above all else

Packaged weight: 710g (25.0 oz)

Shop the 1P Cirriform DW w/ Bug Shelter →

1P Cirriform Tarp w/ Tub Floor or Groundsheet - $185 (tarp) / $45 (floor)

When bugs aren't an issue, some hikers skip the inner entirely and sleep under the tarp with just a ground sheet. For extra splash protection, our Simple Tub ($45) pairs cleanly with this setup. This is the lightest way to run the Cirriform and the way that will leave you feeling most connected to nature - we mean that in a good way!

For minimal bug protection without a full inner, the 73g (2.6 oz) Bug Canopy ($55) can be added to this setup. This minimalist solution wraps around your sleeping bag, covering your head and upper body with lightweight no-see-um mesh.

This setup is for you if:

• You're hiking in conditions with low bug pressure
• You like a minimalist approach, or the simplicity draws you
• You prefer open-air sleeping and don't want an enclosed inner

This setup is not for you if:

• You're going anywhere with mosquitoes, midges, or other bugs
• You want a fully enclosed shelter system

Tarp: 381g (13.6 oz) packaged  |  Simple Tub: 142g (5.0 oz) packaged

Shop the 1P Cirriform Tarp - $185 →    Shop the Simple Tub - $45 →

1P Cirriform w/ Bug Skirt - $235

The Bug Skirt version takes the 1P Cirriform and adds 0.6 oz no-see-um netting sewn around the base perimeter. No separate inner required. If you're heading somewhere with light to moderate bug pressure and want minimalist protection, this is a good option.

It's lighter than any of the DW configurations, and it pairs well with our clip-in tub floor for added floor protection without a full inner. It also accepts the Y-zip Bug Bivy or 1P Bug Shelter if you end up in heavier bug territory and want to double up. Four corner stake loops let you pin the skirt for a better seal in breezy conditions or on uneven ground.

It's not perfect, though: breezes can lift the netting off the ground (though the windier it is, the fewer bugs tend to be out). In wet, windy conditions, water can blow off the netting if it's left loose; pitching low or staking the corners will help. If you're camping on very uneven ground or tall grass, expect some gaps around the perimeter.

This setup is for you if:

• Bug pressure is light to moderate, and a full enclosed inner feels overkill
• You don't want to carry a full DW system but need more protection than the bare tarp

This setup is not for you if:

• You're heading into serious bug territory
• You want a fully enclosed shelter
• You're frequently camping on uneven or vegetated ground where the skirt won't seal cleanly

Packaged weight: 454g (16 oz)

Shop the 1P Cirriform w/ Bug Skirt - $235 →

Going Bigger - The 2P Tarp for Solo Hikers

The 2P Cirriform tarp is larger than the 1P, and a lot of solo hikers use it for the extra space. It's heavier than the 1P setup, but for some hikers the trade-off is worth it.

Overall, this approach gets you:

• A bigger rain shadow - more overhang from the inner to the edge of the tarp
• Better headroom under the tarp (though you won't get more room inside the inner)
• Better height retention - you can leave the tarp pitched higher in rainy weather, and when pitched low, you can leave the Bug Shelter at full height

The 2P Cirriform tarp also has some differences from the 1P:

• Two zippers: Entrances are mirrored on either side. Roll both sides back on nice nights, or roll the whole front away for a very open experience that buttons up fast if weather moves in.
• Rear flaps: Instead of a rear beak, the foot end uses flaps. These allow a few configurations to control airflow, or you can fold them out of the way entirely. With the front beak and rear flaps stowed and just the side body panels deployed, it feels a lot like using a tapered tarp.

2P Tarp + 1P Bug Shelter (Solo 1P+ Configuration) - $400

Using the 1P Bug Shelter under the 2P Cirriform is a great combination for a lot of people. The extra buffer space gives you a bomber shelter that won't leave you wondering if you should've pitched lower, or if rain is going to blow in. Even with the tarp pitched edges to the ground, you can leave the inner at its full height. You can even squeeze a little extra height by letting the floor edges come slightly off the ground; do this by over-tightening the apex lines.

This setup is for you if:

• You want more tarp overhang and rain shadow in serious weather
• You frequently pitch low and find the 1P tarp cramped at that pitch
• You're tall and want easier entry/egress
• You don't mind the extra weight for the advantages of the larger tarp

This setup is not for you if:

• You're happy with the standard 1P footprint - the 2P tarp adds weight
• Minimizing weight is a priority

Packaged weight: 795g (28.6 oz)

Not sold as a bundle - purchase the 2P Cirriform Tarp and the 1P Bug Shelter separately.

2P Tarp + Y-zip Bug Bivy (Solo 1P+ Configuration) - $374

We admit, these two are a bit of a mismatch, but it might be right depending on what you're after. You get all the advantages of the larger tarp (extra rain shadow, better low-pitch livability, easier entry and egress) with the lighter, more minimal bivy inner.

If this combination appeals to you, it's worth giving serious thought to one of our tapered tarps with the bivy instead. The reason to go with this setup over a tapered tarp: you want something more stormworthy and suited to exposed locations, or you want a tarp that can pair with other inners as you build out a broader shelter system.

This setup is for you if:

• You want a highly protective tarp but are okay with a pretty minimal inner
• You want a tarp that can be pitched open on nice nights and buttoned down quickly
• You mainly plan to use the tarp with just a groundsheet, but occasionally need minimal bug protection

This setup is not for you if:

• The bivy isn't your thing
• You don't need a lot of coverage

Packaged weight: 720g (25.6 oz)

Not sold as a bundle - purchase the 2P Cirriform Tarp and the Y-zip Bug Bivy separately.

2P Cirriform w/ Tub Floor or Groundsheet - $320

Using the 2P Cirriform with a tub or groundsheet is a really pleasant tarping experience. You get the freeing feel of tarping - connected to nature, nothing between you and the fresh air - without the anxiety of thinking too much about how to adapt your tarp to the conditions. You can relax inside and let nature do what it will out there.

Will it work for two? Depends. In foul weather, you can't pitch the tarp as high as you could with the extra protection of the 2P Bug Shelter's tub floor, so you'll each be nearer the edges and more susceptible to splash. This setup can (and has) worked for two, but you should be experienced tarp campers.

For minimal bug protection for one without a full inner, the 73g (2.6 oz) Bug Canopy ($55) can be added to this setup - a lightweight no-see-um mesh canopy that covers your head and upper body for nights when bugs are an occasional nuisance.

This setup is for you if:

• You want a very capable tarping experience for one (or two experienced hikers in the right conditions)
• You're drawn to the simplicity and openness of tarp camping

This setup is not for you if:

• It's bug season
• You want a fully enclosed shelter

Packaged weight: 659g (22.2 oz)

Not sold as a bundle - purchase the 2P Cirriform Tarp and floor accessory separately.

Two Person (2P) Configuration

2P Cirriform DW (2P Tarp + 2P Bug Shelter) - $460

Same thinking as the 1P DW, scaled up. The 2P Bug Shelter clips into the 2P tarp for a fully enclosed, bug-protected shelter sized for two. A deep tub works with the tarp for a fairly high default pitch, promoting ventilation and maximizing headroom. Expect only one person to be able to sit up at a time; this isn't a place to hang out; it's a covered, protected place to sleep after a long day. In really really bad weather (exposed or very windy conditions), you can sink the shelter lower, but it should be rare that you ever need to.

Each person gets their own entry - no crawling over your partner to get in and out.

This setup is for you if:

• Two people who move fast and sleep hard - the on-the-go mentality, for two
• You're a taller solo hiker who wants extra interior space and headroom

This setup is not for you if:

• Two people who want to hang out, read, or sit up at the same time without pressing into the netting walls
• You're expecting a roomy two-person tent experience

Packaged weight: 946g (33.6 oz)

Not sold as a bundle - purchase the 2P Cirriform Tarp and the 2P Bug Shelter separately.

What Customers Keep Talking About

• Sleep under the stars (mostly). On the 2P, roll both sides back for an open ceiling. On the 1P, open one side wide, still plenty of sky. When a storm rolls in, you can close up in seconds.
• Stand up at camp. At the entry with the door open, there's enough clearance to stand upright on the floor. It's a small thing, but it can feel like a luxury at the start or end of a big day.

Not Sure Which One?

Reach out through our contact page. Tell us where you're hiking and what matters most to you, and we'll help you figure out the right setup. We've been using these shelters ourselves for years and know the tradeoffs well.