A fly refers to the outer layer of a tent or to a piece of material which is strung up using
rope
A rope is a group of yarns, plies, fibres, or strands that are twisted or braided together into a larger and stronger form. Ropes have tensile strength and so can be used for dragging and lifting. Rope is thicker and stronger than similar ...
as a minimalist, stand-alone shelter. In basic terms, a fly is a
tent without walls. Purpose-made stand-alone flies are also sometimes referred to as bivouacs, bivvies,
tarpaulin
A tarpaulin ( , ) or tarp is a large sheet of strong, flexible, water-resistant or waterproof material, often cloth such as canvas or polyester coated with polyurethane, or made of plastics such as polyethylene. Tarpaulins often have reinforce ...
s, or hootchies. Flies are generally used for keeping moisture (such as condensation or rain) or sun off people while they eat, rest or sleep. They can also be used as
groundsheets, but this is not recommended since it creates wear and tear which can lead to holes.
A stand-alone fly is a multi-purpose tool and is very flexible. For example, a fly can be put up in a wide variety of shapes depending on the environment and the weather, whereas a tent usually has a pre-set configuration for its structure which can be adjusted somewhat but not substantially. A fly also has the advantage of being particularly light and portable.
Disadvantages of flies include that a person is still exposed to the elements such as mosquitoes and cold weather and that it can be difficult to put a fly up if there are limited natural vertical structures such as trees in the camping area. Flies, however, can be put up using poles or jury-rigged, for example, using
paddles.
A fly is also used to create shade as in the desert. Then a traditional tent is erected under the fly.
See also
*
Tarp tent
A tarp tent is a tarpaulin, a plastic or nylon sheet, used in place of a tent. It is usually rigged with poles, tent pegs, and guy lines. Ultralight backpackers use tarp tents because they are lightweight compared to other backpacking shelt ...
External links
Trail Craft: An Aid in Getting the Greatest Good Out of Vacation TripsOut of DoorsA Treatise on Hygiene and Public Health
References
Camping equipment
Textiles
Tents
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