Which Tarp?

Hey guys I'm new here. I'm looking at getting the blackbird double 1.1 and I was wondering which tarp to company it with. I live in south Louisiana and usually pack in Arkansas in fall, winter, and spring (to hot to pack in summer). I was looking at the diamond and edge tarp. My main concern with the diamond tarp would be not enough cover during a strong downpour. I feel I would have more options with the edge, but if you guys think I would be fine with the diamond I would like to save a few ounces.

Thanks Jbennett

I have had my WBBB in a torrential downpour for hours with a 10 x 10 rectangular tarp. It was raining straight down with very little wind and I stayed perfectly dry. If windy, it might not have been as dry. With a diamond, you are going to be more vulnerable to anything horizontal.

I would say go with the Edge tarp. More horizontal coverage and more stable in wind. The Edge is 2.5 ounces heavier so if you go with it you can save 3 ounces elsewhere and go with the single layer 1.7 instead of the double layer 1.1 if you are in the weight range. Just a thought.

For me, bigger is better. I have the Superfly. It has doors if I need them, I can set it up in porch mode to hang out (:lol:) in the rain while cooking, reading, or what not. No way am I getting wet when properly pitched!

Yes it is heavier, but I'll save that weight elsewhere (maybe even on dry vs. wet gear for the hike out.)

Go with the Edge. It is a wonderful tarp.
Blaze

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Originally Posted by The Weezer's Dad

For me, bigger is better. I have the Superfly. It has doors if I need them, I can set it up in porch mode to hang out (:lol:) in the rain while cooking, reading, or what not. No way am I getting wet when properly pitched!

Yes it is heavier, but I'll save that weight elsewhere (maybe even on dry vs. wet gear for the hike out.)

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2nd the SF. I had a JRB 10'x11', but now I have 2 SFs. Nice to close off the ends in the wind/rain/cold.

I have the WB big mamajamba (Same size as the superfly) love it. My first ever hang it poured. I stayed nice and dry and I had no clue what I was doing.

The obvious answer is you need both a small and a large tarp ;)

I made a tarp very similar to the edge for my blackbird and it covers just beyond the hammock all around. That means, in a rainstorm, I need to button that tarp down just off the top of the hammock. This is the tarp I take on trips when it's not supposed to rain. It protects me from dew, bird droppings and it will keep me dry in a storm although I would be confined to laying in the hammock.

I have a very large tarp that I take on trips when the weather is variable or I know it's going to rain. No matter how badly I set it up, it will keep me dry. I can hang out under it in porch mode. But it's heavier and takes up more space.

I made a diamond tarp once and I never use it. I just don't like the long, unsupported edges that shape creates. Many do fine with a diamond though.

The obvious choice for your 1st tarp would be the larger, more versatile one. But, don't think that it will stop there! :)