Explorer Ultralite Asym Zip Rainfly Question

[Mr. Bill]

Good day,
I have been following the forum here for a couple of months in preparation to buying my Explorer Ultralite Asym Zip. What I am wondering is about the rain fly. What I am trying to decide is whether to get the Explorer Ultralite Rainfly 30D Silnylon or the Hex Rainfly 30D Sylnylon. I live and hike in the Pacific Northwest where we get a lot of rain, so I was thinking that the larger rainfly would provide better protection for me and my gear.
I would appreciate your thoughts and or comments about this.
Thanks for your time.

Bill

[richtorfla]

Hi Mr. Bill! Welcome to the forum! I think its a wise decision to get the hex tarp. I use it more than the small tarp. I use the small when there is not much threat of rainy weather. Hex has very good coverage for shade and inclimate weather.

I don't think you can go wrong having a couple of options.

[ewok]

If I had had the choice when I ordered mine I would have opted for the hex. As it is I have the stock rain fly's and am looking to upgrade to something that gives me more protection.

[Owl]

I think it depends on what the most important factors are for you.

Weight/cost/coverage. Which is the highest priority, which next, and which last?

For me, it was coverage/cost/weight. I'm used to carrying older gear, so the weight wasn't as much of a factor for me as it is to someone who's counting every gram.

I detest sleeping wet and avoid it like the plague.

Cost is important to me as well.

Since you're in the Pacific NW, rain seems like it would be pretty heavy, as well as snow/ice in the colder months.

I'd figure the hex is probably your best bet if weight isn't extremely important to you.

[Boothill]

i have the same hammock and here is what i did

i ordered it with the stock asym tarp (which i found too small right away) i put the tarp up for sale for $50, had no problem selling it and then used that money to buy a BMJ with side pullouts for $110 from Brandon, so my upgrade cost me $60 for one of the best tarps out there......if you don't want to do that, i would DEFINITELY go with the hex tarp

boot

[PDA]

I have the 70D hex at 23 oz., which gives excellent coverage. By the good fortune of purchasing at Christmas, I also have a scout with a diamond fly weighing 10 oz. If I am to be covering some distance, with big hills, I will "risk" the diamond for the weight reduction. Given the amount of rain in your neck of the woods I suggest you get the hex (or the monsoon or typhoon which have doors) and buy the scout diamond for $30 if you think you need a lightweight from time to time. Or experiment with a 5x10 piece of Tyvek or 3 mil drop cloth to see how good or bad it would be.

[ChrisH]

I have the heavy Hex fly, it's a great tarp but for the money you will spend on the silnylon version I would just go with a Superfly from Warbonnet.

[Gary_R]

I have the same hammock and have had it in the rain.
And i'm in Oregon so I get that rain too.. I have stayed dry.
I even turned on the sprinkler for an hour and never got wet.

So if setup right you will be fine. Make sure you face the right way if worried about storms. That being said....
I did order a larger tarp that I will be using soon.
But mainly so I could have the tarp up higher on the rainy days and be able to look around and see the outdoors more.

With the stock tarp if a storm rolls in you will want to close it up more and you wont be able to see much outside your hammock.