Emergency Shelters
A Guide
In the outdoors, the unexpected can catch us off guard and mean our plans need to change, sometimes forcing us to spend an unexpected night out. This could be due to an injury, bad weather, a flooded river or taking longer than expected to reach the final destination for the day. In these situations, once you stop, you’ll get cold, and possibly wet, quickly. Carrying a suitable emergency shelter is essential for these situations.
What is an Emergency Shelter?
An emergency shelter is designed to protect you from the weather and reduce heat loss if something goes wrong on your trip. Unless you’re planning to camp, it’s not something you will use during your trip, but that you carry in case of an unexpected delay, injury or deteriorating conditions. Some shelters can also be used in poor weather to make lunchtime and snack breaks more comfortable.
Benefits of an Emergency Shelter
An emergency shelter provides a range of important benefits:
- Protection from the elements: Shelters you from wind, rain and snow, and helps keep you warm, reducing the risk of hypothermia. Some options also provide excellent sun protection.
- Psychological comfort: Boosts morale, providing a sense of security, safety and comfort.
- Visibility for rescuers: Brightly coloured shelters can make it easier for search and rescue teams to locate you.
When to Pack an Emergency Shelter
Carrying an emergency shelter is wise for most outdoor activities, but especially if you’re heading into a remote area. Remember, even on day walks and hikes, delays or accidents can happen.
We recommend taking an emergency shelter for:
- Remote or unfamiliar terrain: When exploring isolated or backcountry areas and the likelihood of encountering challenges increases.
- Challenging weather conditions: If there's a chance of rain, snow or strong winds, such as in an alpine environment.
- Solo adventures: When you won’t have someone to help in an emergency situation, like an injury.
- Large groups: When out with a big group, such as a school trip or club activity. It only takes one person to get injured to stop the whole group and you don’t want lots of people getting cold and wet. Carry sufficient shelters for everyone.
Unsure if you should take an emergency shelter? Ask yourself these questions:
- What’s the weather forecast?
- If someone got sick or injured, could we keep them warm and dry?
- If we didn’t make our destination for the night, where would we sleep?
Top tip: An emergency shelter is also useful for longer rest breaks to shelter from the wind or rain.
Comparing Emergency Shelters
A range of emergency shelters are available in New Zealand.When choosing a shelter, here are some things to consider:
- The number of people you need to accommodate
- Weight
- Size/packability
- Ease of use
- Effectiveness in poor weather.
If you’re planning to camp and you’re carrying a tent, then your emergency shelter is sorted. However, you can also take a tent specifically as your emergency shelter. In this case, you’ll want a lightweight tent that isn’t too bulky. A purpose-designed outdoor tarp is a large rectangle of lightweight, waterproof material that can be anchored to the ground with stakes and tied to trees or walking poles. This makes them a reasonably lightweight option that can be set up almost anywhere. Another similar option is a tent fly. If you have a tent, check to see if you can use the fly without the tent body. When buying a new tent, consider this function in your decision-making. If it’s too windy to set up your tarp or fly, such as on a ridgeline, you can also use them as a DIY bothy bag. A bivvy bag is a compact waterproof shelter designed for one or two to sleep in. Larger bags also have room for a pack.This is a good option for anyone travelling solo and is also ideal for alpine environments where there aren’t many suitable places to pitch a full shelter. When sleeping under the stars on a clear night, using a bivvy bag will prevent your sleeping bag from getting wet from dew. PHOTO CREDIT | Bianca Bratton While not commonly seen in New Zealand, a bothy bag is a highly practical emergency shelter. Made of waterproof material, a bothy bag allows you to shelter from the elements as a group. If done with care, it’s even possible to set up your cooker inside to enjoy a hot drink, but be sure that the vents are open to allow some fresh air in. Bothy bags come indifferent sizes, depending how many people you need to accommodate, and they generally have air vents. Here we explore equipment that is often mistaken as an emergency shelter. While not suitable as an emergency shelter, this equipment is still invaluable when used for its intended purpose.
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Equipment
Description
Function
Why this is NOT an emergency shelter
Survival bag/thermal bag
A very lightweight, waterproof bag lined with a thermal material that you can lie inside.
Used to keep a person warm, particularly if they are sick, injured or hypothermic. When used in conjunction with an emergency shelter it will also protect them from the elements until help arrives.
Survival blanket
Lightweight, reflective sheet that you can wrap around yourself.
Used to keep a person warm, particularly if they are sick, injured or hypothermic. When used in conjunction with an emergency shelter it will also protect them from the elements until help arrives.
Pack liner
A waterproof bag made from plastic or other waterproof material to line the inside of your pack.
Used to keep items dry within your pack.
Questions People Ask About Emergency Shelters
If you need to spend an unexpected night out due to an injury, bad weather, a flooded river, or taking longer than expected, an emergency shelter is essential. It provides protection from the elements, psychological comfort and, if brightly coloured, visibility for rescuers. Carrying an emergency shelter is a sensible precaution for any outdoor activity. At a minimum, it is recommended for any activity, especially in remote backcountry locations. Even on short walks and hikes, unforeseen delays or incidents can occur. There are a range of emergency shelters available in New Zealand. Tents, tent flys, purpose-designed tarps, bivvy bags and bothy bags are all options depending on your trip. It’s a good idea to head to your local outdoor store to discuss the options. The best type of emergency shelter depends on your trip, the number of people going and your personal preferences. Any emergency shelter should be lightweight, compact and easy to use.
Last edited: August 2026