Tarp Choices - 3 season

**Twelve31** · 10-18-2014, 23:24

So I'm looking to purchase my 1st tarp for my 1st hammock (10ft) in the next week or so. Still living on the ground at the moment. Probably looking for a decent, lightweight 3 season tarp but don't want to spend a fortune on one. After doing quite a bit of research, I've narrowed my choices down to a few and was just curious if anyone has any input on any of these:

Wilderness Logics - Tadpole $90 - lots of good comments about this one and it's not too expensive.

Hennessy - Hyperlite Rainfly 20D Silnylon or Explorer Ultralite Rainfly 30D Silnylon - Both are $89.95

UGQ - Hanger 10 - $124.95 - Kinda pricey

Warbonnet - Edge - $85

OES - Standard - $95 - lots of good reviews but it seems (at least from reading the forums) that this guy is hit or miss on customer service and general consistency.

Any input or other suggestions are welcome.

Thanks!

**dangerous** · 10-18-2014, 23:43

I love my tadpole so much I choose it over my cuben. Excellent tarp!

the edge would also be a great choice.

I agree OES has good reviews but unstable service

UGQ also seems like an excellent company but their tarps are overpriced for the market.

HH I don't know much about but I think the coverage is not as good as the other listed tarps.

**12trysomething** · 10-19-2014, 05:42

The Tadpole is a winner!

**Beach Lad** · 10-19-2014, 06:25

I've dealt with UGQ and Wilderness Logics. I was very pleased with both of them for their quality, communication, and customer service. I will surely deal with both of them again.

The UGQ Hanger comes with a few more extras than the Tadpole. It comes with pole mods, D rings, and some cordage for guy outs. These costs add up if you have to purchase them as extra options to another vendor's basic tarp.

The Tadpole is less expensive and you could probably receive it it in about a week rather than two or three weeks.

They are both high quality products. I would say go with the Tadpole if you are looking at cost and speed of delivery. Go with the Hanger if you want to eventually do pole mods.

I haven't dealt with Warbonnet and I received my Hennessy as a gift, so I can't comment on them.

**michigandave** · 10-19-2014, 07:32

Check out Simply Light Designs. I've got one of Jared's Trail Lair tarps that I've been using for all seasons. Did I mention that his turnaround time, quality, and communication is top notch?

**DeRozea** · 10-19-2014, 08:35

the tadpole tarp and edge tarp are both great. I sold the edge to my friend because I prefer the 12' ridgeline. tadpole is a great tarp. the edge seemed lighter and I do love warbonnet's tarp camo. the hanger tarp I believe comes pole modified already but if you shoot them an email, they can always make a change one. UGQ is a great company too. I have heard good things about oxgear custom tarps. if you shoot him an email he will ask what it is you exactly want(size, material etc) and give you a quote.
I have a post comparing the edge and tadpole with photos as well.

**Oms** · 10-19-2014, 08:53

Of the manufacturers you have listed, I have OES and Warbonnet tarps. Between the two, the OES wins hands down. They seem to be the most robust of all the tarps I have. There were issues in the past, but things are rolling again. Brian started his business while still in high school. He has since gone through college and I believe moving on in life. I think it was a juggling act for a while. These are mostly cottage vendors here. No big production so there are glitches. While I don't own any of UGQ's tarps, Paul and Missy have been making some beautiful products. Tarps are like potato chips, you can't have one

**lzeplin** · 10-19-2014, 09:11

Tadpole all the way! Plus you don't have to seam seal it like some other sil tarps. You can also buy a door kit for it which makes it a true 3 season tarp.

**hutzelbein** · 10-19-2014, 09:35

My choice is the Edge - no question. I believe of the options you listed, it's the lightest tarp. It also doesn't need seam-sealing. You don't have any options, though, like adding length or features. For me, the Edge is perfect as it is. I don't need more length or features, and it's plenty robust. It's also one of the cheapest tarps of its class, and since I bought it together with a WB hammock, I got a $10 rebate on top... Can't beat that.

**JollyGreen** · 10-19-2014, 11:14

Originally Posted by Beach Lad

I've dealt with UGQ and Wilderness Logics. I was very pleased with both of them for their quality, communication, and customer service. I will surely deal with both of them again.

The UGQ Hanger comes with a few more extras than the Tadpole. It comes with pole mods, D rings, and some cordage for guy outs. These costs add up if you have to purchase them as extra options to another vendor's basic tarp.

The Tadpole is less expensive and you could probably receive it it in about a week rather than two or three weeks.

They are both high quality products. I would say go with the Tadpole if you are looking at cost and speed of delivery. Go with the Hanger if you want to eventually do pole mods.

I haven't dealt with Warbonnet and I received my Hennessy as a gift, so I can't comment on them.

There IS a pole mod for the Tadpole, and with door kit(s) makes it even better.