The fact that it's raining when you're sitting in the kayak rarely makes a big difference, nor does the fact that it's windy (if you don't have a headwind). But when you're on land, it's no fun with rain, snow or wind, it quickly gets cold and rough.
Most often you crawl into the tent, if it is included, when the weather is a little against. If there are several of you, it's nice to be able to socialize and, in addition, there is usually a better view under a tarp. Of course you can sit in rain gear and Cook and hang out, but it's quite nice to have some form of protection.
We quite often bring a tarp, at least on overnight trips. With a tarp, you can easily get a roof that covers a large or small group depending on the size. Or put up the tarp as wind protection or perhaps as a roof over the tent or in any case over one of the tent's entrances to get an extra apse. In recent years, we have used a tarp of approximately 3,5x3m, i.e. around 10 square meters of surface (Hilleberg Tarp 10 UL), it is quite enough as a substantial extra apse tents or to gather a smaller group under. If you only have one that gives a small extra apse to the tent, less is enough.
A tarp is nothing fancy, it is a thin tarpaulin that must be completely tight. Attachment points for ropes, ground pegs and bars are of course smart and are usually included. Most of them also include ropes, but rarely ground stakes and poles/rods. Most are rectangular, but here there are variants that are wing-shaped, etc. To keep them tight, it is good to have as few seams as possible in the middle. It may seem smart to have a lot of attachment points here and there, but remember that all attachments must be sewn there and the seams affect both the strength and the waterproofness, it is usually in the seams that leak.
An alternative to tarpaulin/tarp is to buy a ready-made small wind shelter. There are all kinds of variants and can be found, among other things, at low-price chains such as Jysk and the like, but also outdoor brands such as e.g. Primus has wind protection in the range. The windbreaks are often like a half-dome tent with a couple of arches. Provides wind and some rain protection for 1-2 people. Are often intended as beach tents, we would think.
Another alternative to quick wind protection is a wind bag. The wind bags are usually used as an emergency bivouac when touring skiing, but work perfectly well as a quick coffee and lunch shelter when paddling. However, not as comfortable as a tarp that you can move freely under, but a windbag that holds 2-3 people also takes up very little space.
I think that as a rule tarp makes the most sense, is the most versatile and still takes up very little space. The tarp is easily strung up with the help of one or more trees, otherwise with the help of e.g. paddles as tarp poles and there are also special tarp poles. A wedge in a rocker can work just fine.
Buy tarp at out north & The outdoor expert.
