The knot is a method of twisting and contorting a straight piece of string, rope, or other securing material in such a manner that it will hold the cargo or tensile strength required to complete a specific task. This method of securing items is a vital part of many jobs, hobbies, and numerous applications in everyday life.
Knowing how to properly execute these knots will allow you freedom and peace of mind when it comes to the security of your shelter, belongings, or safety. When enjoying the outdoors, knowing which knots are the best will ensure that you stay safe and your tent or tarp stays where you put it. View the following list of easy to master knots to find the perfect knot for your situation when camping or securing a tarp.
Timber Hitch Friction Knot
Difficulty
3
Security
3
Strength
4
Stability
4
Timber Hitch Friction Knots are utilized in areas where there is a need for a knot that will automatically tighten up when one end of the rope or line is drawn taught. It is accomplished by twisting the loop at one end of a rope and inserting the loose end into the loop. As the open end of the rope or lead is pulled, the tighter the knot becomes.
This particular knot is useful in applications where a quick release of the line may be necessary such as hanging bait bags in fishing traps or temporarily holding mooring lines. When it comes to tarp shelter knots, this variation offers strength with the benefit of a quick release for rapid camp mobility.
This type of knot is used in a wide variety of applications from the attachment of the delicate strings on a longbow, to the strings on a ukulele or guitar, to heavy duty jobs that involve towing monstrous logs up mountainous hillsides.
Trucker Hitch Knot
Difficulty
3
Security
5
Strength
4
Stability
4
As indicated by the name of this knot, the Trucker Hitch Knot is the most frequently used tarp knots that truckers utilize for tying down loads on rigs, trucks, and trailers. This type of knot has a long history of positive results which makes knowing how to create and use this type of knot a valuable tool to have in your knot tying and survival arsenal.
Use this knot to secure your load whether it is being hauled on the bed of a big rig or on the back of your bike and all of your load will arrive with you at your destination.
Tripod Lashing
Difficulty
3
Security
5
Strength
5
Stability
4
Although the Tripod Lashing is not technically a knot, it is a very useful tool to have in your memory book of survival knowledge. In the event that you are traversing in extremely remote conditions with minimal supplies, knowing how to rig three branches into a free standing structure will offer the solution for keeping you safe and warm from the elements, it can elevate lanterns for extra light, it can suspend cooking supplies over open fire pits, and it can be utilized to keep supplies and food away from possible nocturnal predators and other unwanted pesky camp intruders.
A simple tarp draped over the tripod structure offers the cover necessary while the triangular opening at the top allows for proper venting of smoke and excess heat when you have a roaring fire going inside of the structure. Take down is as simple as folding up your tarp and retrieving your rope.
Bowline Knot
Difficulty
3
Security
2
Strength
2
Stability
4
The Bowline Knot is incredibly simple to execute and a potentially life-saving piece of rope manipulation knowledge. This variation of knot has it’s origin with the tying of the sails on a ship for stabilization. This fixed knot is often utilized as a mooring line for boats and instances where a fixed knot loose loop line is necessary.
The knot can be accomplished with one or two hands, which makes it invaluable for instances where only one hand is available to secure the line. This knot is commonly used to secure a line to a stationary object such as a tree and is often utilized by adventurists who engage in the sport of underwater diving.
Alpine Butterfly Loop Knot
Difficulty
4
Security
5
Strength
5
Stability
3
This type of knot is utilized when tying down the guy lines on a tent or the corners of a tarp. The Alpine Butterfly Loop Knot allows for the guiding lines to move freely in windy or frequently changing conditions while retaining a tight surface on your tent, tarp, or load cover.
The ability to adjust the tension of the lines of the tent or tarp ensures that blowing conditions will not affect the integrity of your camping or tarping structure. This is especially helpful for those who tend to venture into blustery conditions such as you may encounter when you are mountain climbing.
Taut-Line Hitch Knot
Difficulty
3
Security
3
Strength
3
Stability
3
If your need is to adjust the tension on the tent or tarp shelter knots of your camp, the Taut-Line Hitch Knot may be your answer. This type of knot is most commonly used for the guy line knots when referring to camping knots.
The function of this particular knot allows you to achieve optimal line tension on each individual line and adjust each line according to the situation at hand. Using this variation of knot as your guy line knots will keep your tent or tarp taught and in place so you can enjoy your outdoor experience to the fullest possibilities.
Threaded Figure Eight Knot
Difficulty
3
Security
5
Strength
5
Stability
4
Knowing how to execute the Threaded Figure Eight Knot is a vital survival tool for the avid climber. This type of knot utilizes the ability to be attached directly to the anchors. This type of knot offers a secondary safety aid: in the event of an accidental fall, this knot will automatically tighten and absorb some of the resulting line shock. This type of knot will keep climbers safe from falls without crushing them in the event of an accidental fall.
Double Fisherman’s Knot
Difficulty
3
Security
5
Strength
5
Stability
4
You don’t have to be a fisherman to utilize the Fisherman’s Knot when joining two or more lines to create one functional line. Knowing how to create this variation of knots for camping will ensure that you are able to create a stable shelter, regardless of how short your ropes are or how far apart your supporting posts may be located from each other. Such uses may include things like securing a line to the lead climber’s belay line or securing a line to an anchor.
Power Cinch Knot
Difficulty
4
Security
4
Strength
3
Stability
2
Using the Power Cinch Knot will ensure that your line is taught and doesn’t come loose. This method of tying off using a tension driven knot is great for securing loads and stretching tarps. Using this type of adjustable and easy to release knot allows you to utilize it in many different situations and is considered to be one of the best knots for camping situations where a trunk line or an easy and quick-release is necessary.
Chain Sinnet Knot
Difficulty
3
Security
4
Strength
4
Stability
4
The Chain Sinnet Knot is not used as a securing or tensioning knot as most other commonly used securing techniques. This particular method of knotting a line is utilized more as a storing or shortening aide for a line. An important part of partaking in camping, tenting, or tarping is storing and hauling the gear, ropes, and other supplies. Engaging these tarp knots and camping knots will keep your lines tangle free and ready to go when you are.
Here is a video explaining a quick tip on how to setup a tarp using no knots
Using a tarp or a tent to shelter yourself from the elements when camping is a cinch if you are knowledgeable about the basics of shelter construction. Creating a dry, sturdy, and warm haven using the best knots for camping will ensure that your outdoor excursion doesn’t blow away with your tent or tarp in even the harshest of conditions.
With a little practice, you will be able to tie the exact type of knot needed to confidently and successfully execute the perfect camping, tarping, or securing job that faces you. Add to your survival skills and knowledge by learning these invaluable knots for camping.
