View source for Fly (tent)

[[Image:Tarpaulin fly tent.jpg|thumb|right|200px|An improvised fly tent using a [[tarpaulin]]]]
[[Image:Dining fly (tent).svg|thumb|right|200px|Stand-alone fly]]

:''For other meanings, see [[Fly (disambiguation)]]''

A '''fly''' refers to the outer layer of a tent or to a piece of material which is strung up using [[rope]] as a minimalist, stand-alone shelter.  In basic terms, a fly is a [[tent]] without walls.  Since the advent of water-proof materials a fly is unnecessary as an outer layer to the tent. Purpose-made stand-alone flies are also sometimes referred to as bivouacs, bivvies, [[tarpaulin]]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 [[Tent|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==
* [[Bivouac sack]]
* [[Loue_(tent)|Loue]]


*[http://books.google.com/books?id=8gk2AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA88&dq=fly+tent&as_brr=1&ie=ISO-8859-1 Trail Craft: An Aid in Getting the Greatest Good Out of Vacation Trips]
*[http://books.google.com/books?id=OZgEAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA20&dq=fly+tent&as_brr=1&ie=ISO-8859-1#PPA19,M1 Out of Doors]
*[http://books.google.com/books?id=Of8EAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA98&dq=fly+tent&as_brr=1&ie=ISO-8859-1 A Treatise on Hygiene and Public Health]

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[[Category:Camping equipment]]

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