Take shelter — the right one

When you’re cold, wet, or just need shelter fast, there’s no room for gimmicks. Whether you call it a poncho, protective bag, wind-sack, or tarp system, this category of gear is meant to be one thing above all: dependable.

But which one should you choose?

We’ve taken a close look at some of the best-known options — from traditional Norwegian mountain covers to modern tactical hybrids — and compared them on what truly matters in the wild: waterproofness, warmth, size, weight, packability, durability, versatility, price, and carbon footprint.

We made a tool based on the criterias and score listed below.

Find your match 👉

Criterion 1 – Price

What we measured: We looked strictly at the listed retail price. There’s no evaluation of price-performance or product quality. Some listings were unclear about whether stuff sacks or loose components were included.

Why: Price is obviously important in your decision. When buying multifunctional gear, it’s not just about saving weight and space in your pack — it’s also a way to avoid buying multiple pieces of equipment.

Criterion 2 – Waterproofness

What we measured: The water column rating of the outer shell was our main indicator. We also evaluated design, seams, and zipper construction. We didn’t assess long-term durability or abrasion resistance of coatings and materials.

Why: How well the fabric protects against precipitation is critical to how well it protects you, and how much you’ll enjoy using it.

Criterion 3 – CLO Values

What we measured: We mainly evaluated the insulation materials by their CLO values. Design-related thermal performance, like windproofness or how well the product traps heat through its form or closure system, was not included. This to maintain objective comparability.

Why: One of the main reasons to carry a shelter is to keep yourself and your group warm.

Criterion 4 – Size

What we measured: We ranked the products based on unfolded surface area.

Why: We believe size matters, as it indicates how much protection the shelter can offer, and opens up possibilities of what it can be used for.

Criterion 5 – Pack Size

What we measured: We used the manufacturers’ listed dimensions for the included stuff sack or available storage system.

Why: Our pack is never small enough, and there’s always something valuable that has to stay behind if we don’t pack smart.

Criterion 6 – Weight

What we measured: Dry weight only, for objective comparison — even though several of these products will absorb moisture and become significantly heavier in wet conditions.

Why: Because our pack is never light enough, and a lighter load makes the trip more enjoyable.

Criterion 7 – Implied & Expressed Warranty

What we measured: We looked at the manufacturer’s stated warranty. There are major differences here, and some information was difficult to find or interpret. We also evaluated how easy the brand makes it to file a claim. Lifetime with simple handling gets a top score. When no warranty is stated, we still awarded 4 points, since implied warranties apply — you’re not left without rights if something goes wrong.

Why: Because it’s important to know the brand has your back when something fails. For your sake — and for the nature you move through.

Criterion 8 – Versatility

What we measured: We used simple, consistent principles to avoid bias. We looked only at the number of clear use modes (poncho, bivy, tarp, windsack, etc.), not how well each function is implemented. The Norwegian products, in our view, cover the full range of expected uses — and they each received 10 points to reflect that.

Why: Versatility is the brilliance of this type of product. But that’s not always obvious when browsing a website.

Criterion 9 – CO₂ Performance

What we measured: While we wait for new EU regulations — expected to take effect by 2030 — that will require standardized environmental impact data, we’ve focused on the most critical factors and assessed estimated CO₂ impact from cradle to store shelf. Most brands offer very little transparency, but in our view, this product category is far behind garments like jackets and pants.

We found no information from competitors about the use of PFAS-free or recycled materials. We’ve rated UR Trygg a 9, pending a full life cycle assessment (LCA), because it is clearly far ahead of the competition. In our opinion, other manufacturers need to do better.

As a baseline, we’ve given those who provide no data a score of 3. Products that use aluminum coating on the inside of the shell as a waterproof barrier have been penalized one additional point due to its environmental footprint.

Why: As people who spend time in nature, we want to leave the smallest possible footprint. We should demand the same of the gear we use.

Find your match 👉

Final Note

We’ve built this comparison to highlight what we believe makes our own product — Trygg ShelterWear — stand out. Are we biased? Absolutely. Have we done our best to be fair? Without a doubt.

Every product on this list is one we respect. Some have even accompanied us into the mountains, across the tundra, or through long wet nights in the forest. This isn’t about claiming superiority — it’s about helping you make sense of real differences between excellent products.

You may have different needs or priorities. That’s valid. That’s why we link directly to the manufacturers, so you can dig deeper and decide what’s right for you.

We hope this guide helps you find the right shelter for your needs. But honestly — you won’t know until you’ve tried it in the wild. That’s why we offer a 100-day trial period. Take it outside, put it to the test, and see if it earns a place in your pack.

If you think we should add a criterion — or want to discuss a score — just reach out to us in the chat. We’d love to hear from you.