What and why?

[Gresh]

Brand names aside, I'm considering a new tarp and I'm curious to know what some of y'all have, but more importantly why you have that one (brand loyalty, a certain weight, shape, versatility, etc...).

[Traverson]

I'm going to buy a cloudburst simply because It's designed for the ridgerunner.

[beep]

I'm sure you'll get lots of opinions. Here are some basics on tarps:

Shape: Most tarps for hammocking are either rectangular (e.g. 10'x12') or hexagonal. A variant on these shapes is "diamond shaped" (think square but rigged corner to corner). If you want the ability to close the ends (sorta like doors), you'll want a rectangular tarp or one of its variants (some have extra fabric to make bigger doors).

Material: Silnylon is the most common, the cheapest and widely available. The downside is that it is the heaviest (though still relatively lightweight). Spinnaker fabric is lighter, pricier. Cuben fabric is crazy light and very pricey.

I have an OES MacCat deluxe in Spinnaker fabric, but I've modded it (thanks to 2Q and ZQ for the door mod) to give me the ability to close up the ends when windy/stormy weather appears.

I also have a silnylon Winter Dreams tarp (no longer made) which provides the maximum coverage in colder weather.

[tjm]

I have a 10"x11" silnylon straight cut. There are five tie-outs per side.

I set-up a 11" ridgeline in most weather and set-up a 10" ridge line with "closed doors" in winter or high rain.

S-N doesn't pack down as well as I would like; so it is a bit bulky.

[dragon360]

My tarp purchases have been made to solve a need or issue and are a balance point from design/function and price. I'm lucky enough to have a few and each solves a different need (ie greater protection, minimalist etc). Think arrows in my quiver!

[adkphoto]

I have a big 4-season style tarp. It's oversized and has doors to provide excellent coverage in nasty weather. With the doors closed it closes up like a tent and the extra size lets you pitch it close to the ground. Made from silnylon.

My silnylon Mac Cat tarp is a hex shape - basically the four season tarp without the doors. Saves some weight compared to the four season. Less coverage. Theoretically better ventilation than a bigger 4-season tarp, but you could always tie the doors open or set up in porch mode to improve ventilation. Minimalist sizes of the Mac Cat shape tarps will be one of the lightest possible choices (especially in Cuben Fiber)

I also have a 4-season style tarp made from Cuben Fiber. Not quite as big as the silnylon 4-season tarp. This is by far my favorite tarp. It's inherently waterproof, exceptionally light, and I like the fact that it's translucent. The light weight means that I carry it even in the summer in case one of those mountain thunderstorms threaten to blow rain in sideways. Worth every penny. It rocks.

David

[Dos]

I used the Mac Cat Deluxe for over a year.
It ALWAYS covered me. Never got wet.

But....I am changing to a Warbonnet SuperFLy for 2 reasons:

closed doors for cold weather. I'm a cold weather weenie.
2nd, the sides are 5' each side.
This would make for better coverage, IMO, should I need to go to ground.

I am seriously considering the cuben, but the sides a just a bit over 4'.

[Yukon]

Superfly...because it's Super Fly!!

[Sidewinder]

I match my tarp to the trip specs/hammock type and conditions. If its well made and not too heavy, i'luse it. Any of the vendors here have tarps that I use or have used. Can't go wrong.

S

[DRF]

I have the stock Diamond tarp I got with my Hennessy. It has worked well so far. But, I have just ordered a superfly to give myself som more protection for winter.