Hey All,
A couple weeks ago I purchased a Superfly. Showed up just before this past weekend, so I had to try it out!
I had it setup in no time. Just be aware, it does not come with any suspension system.
I also bought the add-on doors. (lol, read the instructions... the gray tabs go on the bottom)
I next setup my WBBB/DL/1.7 up underneath it. I will be honest and say that I had hoped that the tarp would have been longer (covered additional length of the hammock). If it was just another 8-10 inches longer, I would have thought it was a perfect length!
So, once it was setup I jumped into the hammock. The tarp does an amazing job!!
The amount of light it reflects out in the day is very nice! (a bit more at night would have been nicer)
Next I threw on the doors and wow did that make a difference! All I can say is I wish my begging of Brandon to permanent-install doors would have been successful! The extra money to get the doors was well worth it! Getting in and out is a trick I've still got to figure out a smoother way of though. My only negative comment about the doors... the draw strings on the bottom that are used to tighten the door... they use little cord locks which worked perfectly... only... there was no knot on the end of the cord, so, if you are not careful when you are tightening them.. and it takes two hands to do so... if you are not careful.... the cord comes right through those suckers and leaves you diving for the cord as it goes flying - lol. I think I am going to tie a small bead on the end of them to make sure the cordage doesn't get through the cord locks. When your hands are cold and wet, that will be an even bigger factor.
The color of it was dead-on perfect for what he says at his website, "this color makes for a very stealthy shelter in most forest environments". I was a little worried about the color of it before I bought it... but once it gets a little wet, this sucker is almost invisible in the Redwoods.
Let me talk about the wet factor... as that is one of the primary purposes of a tarp after all.
Living in the Redwoods forest my entire issue with getting into hammocks was whether or not I would be able to stay dry. I know that a tent can keep me dry, so I had the expectations that a hammock should keep me dry, otherwise, it was just not going to happen.
The first night I stayed in it, it was mid to high 40's. The rain was coming down, but not hard. I was highly impressed by its ability to repel water.
The next morning, after it had been raining all night, I got out and the entire outside was covered with water. It was dripping down the sides. Yet, the inside of the tarp was totally dry!
I left it setup for two more days... through 24/7 rain and very heavy wind. Yesterday, we had 15 or so minutes of hail. I thought for sure if anything was going to abuse this sucker, it would be the hail. I almost went out there just as the hail started to take it down as quickly as I could... but, I figured... "if it cannot survive a bit of hail, do I really want to take it with me?" So, it stayed up.
After having been abused by the torrential rains of the Redwood Forest, some of the worst weather we've had year-to-date, and a very rare hail storm, I figured it was time to go do a full inspection of it.
This thing impressed me!!
The Silnylon did an amazing job of retaining the water. However the hell it works to have multiple layers of water built up inside of it, yet only on the outside of it, is **** impressive! After nearly 72 hours of constant rain, not a single drop of water had made it through to the inside. I ran my hands along the entire inside and it was dry-dry-dry!!
Oh, before I took down my hammock after the first night, I did notice that the main hang-line was wet. Well, to be honest, it was soaked. I could ring out the water when I had it all taken down. Thinking I might put something on them to try to redirect the water. The top of the material of the hammock was not wet, but the cordage was. I think maybe after a bit more learning how to hang things, I may be able to reduce this happening a bit.
As for keeping wind out... the SuperFly w/door does an amazing job of keeping the wind out! For almost two days straight the wind was blowing so hard that the rain was moving horizontally. Yet, inside there was zero noticeable air movement. I was able to be in there, completely out of the rain, and felt no noticeable wind. Very very impressive!
My only other negative comment (beyond the cord locks issue) would be the clips that are used. These darn little black clips are just so cheap that the clip parts pop right out of the inner chamber. That means you have to sit there and tweak them back into the inner chamber before you can take down the system. If you are wearing gloves, or have super cold hands, that is going to be a serious PITA. I have no idea if there are other options out there for lightweight small clips... but, these ones just don't have the strength to do what they are being used for. I know some might say I put too much of a load on them... but when they are being used with cord locks to keep things tight... well, putting a load on them is just the way it is.
Once I figure out an alternative to the clips and the cord locks... this tarp will be hitting the forests for me for sure!
I had considered going with the MacCat Ultra, but I am totally loving the straight-end design of the Superfly! The ability to keep the wind, rain, and hail from coming in the bottom is very awesome! On the third day I lowered the tarp to ground level and that totally resolved even the little bit of rain that was making it into the inner tarp area.
I know I am knew to hammocking, and I am sure I will change as I spend more time in the hammock world. My only thoughts at this point is I wish there was something bigger out there. I know the Superfly is already a mammoth tarp for most of you. I guess this is just a by-product of the tent-era on my part... but, something a little longer (8-10 inches in length) to cover more of the tarp, and something another foot in height (for us really tall people) would be awesome! Until such a time... this Superfly is going to be the tarp for me!!
Anyway, that's about it! This SuperFly is one awesome tarp guys!!
http://warbonnetoutdoors.com/tarps.php
John
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