Tarp preferences

**trewornan** · 09-05-2009, 17:53

I was just wondering what peoples tarp preferences are, do you like big tarps, small, square, hex or rectangular, silnylon?

My first trip I bought a very cheap polyethylene tarp which was 3.5m square - it worked fine but was heavy, bulky and noisy. So I bought a new tarp 2.5m square and made of silnylon (the xl one from here: http://home.freeuk.net/kathmandu/catalogue.html#sect1 ).

The main thing I disliked about the old tarp though was that a few times I found I was hanging between trees that weren't far enough apart and ended up with the tarp wrapped round the trees a bit. My new tarp is very light and packs very small but it's only large enough to cover the dd hammock properly if it's set up diagonally which means it has to be fairly low to give protection from the sides and doesn't give much dry "space". I'm happy with it for hiking - it worked well on the North Norfolk Coast Path last week but something a bit bigger might be useful when weight/bulk aren't primary. Kathmandu do a xxl tarp 3x2.5m which should at least be workable for a square set up which the xl isn't.

I definitely want a camo tarp they are brilliant for a little stealth.

Is a hex tarp less flexible - it seems that way to me as there's only one set up option.

I guess I'm just dithering over whether another tarp might be a good idea as a second option or "winter" tarp and what size would be best. I don't really need one as both my current tarps work but you know how gear heads are.

Any comments?

**Sailor** · 09-05-2009, 18:06

Trewornan of Cornwall?

**trewornan** · 09-05-2009, 18:13

Actually living in Truro now "Trewornan" has been a nomme de plume for years.

**Sailor** · 09-05-2009, 18:23

Family couple gens back from Fowey. Always a pleasure back visiting, a fav part of the world

**Smee** · 09-05-2009, 18:34

It depends on at least a couple of factors.

1. What type of hammock?
2. What's the expected weather?
3. How much weight are you willing to carry?

When I was using a Hennessy ULB my tarp of choice was a JRB 8x8. It only weighs 9 ounces, it has a diagonal ridge line so it only requires two stakes, and it provided adequate coverage to protect an under quilt. It's a great tarp for most gathered end hammocks.

Now that I use a Bear Mountain Bridge Hammock my tarp of choice is a JRB 11x10 Cat Tarp. It only weighs 18 ounces, is large enough to adequately cover the length of the hammock, and has a variety of pitch options.

For the weekend Winter Hammock Hang on Mt Rogers I've used the JRB Hammock Hut. The full enclosure provides great weather protection. But at 28 ounces I wouldn't carry it on a backpacking trip.

Regards,

**Splinter** · 09-05-2009, 18:36

I use a DIY catcut tarp for summer that has no end closure and a DIY rectangle tarp with end closure for winter. They measure 12' by 10' (um...~4m by ~3.5m) with the tarp that has end closure having slightly more square feet. Both are made out of silnylon.

At the risk of being blasted...I don't really like the diamond tarp set up for the reason you mentioned...not much dry space in a good rain with any wind and they have to be set close to the hammock on top.

As far as configs for the tarps, scroll to the bottom of the page. The third tarp is the Speer Winter Tarp. Lots of set up options.

http://www.speerhammocks.com/Products/Tarps.htm

Good luck...ask lots of questions. People always real helpful around here.

**Splinter** · 09-05-2009, 18:38

Drat... Smee beat me.

**Outer Island** · 09-05-2009, 18:40

mosquitohammock.com has a diamond shape camo tarp for $50, it's light and has plenty of tie-out points. luv it.

Outer Island

**BER** · 09-05-2009, 19:38

Gotta say I'm, a fan of my OES MacCat Dlx over my hammocks. Very well made and good coverage over both a WBBB and an ENO DN. But also have a WB SuperFly on order, which at least on video looks great and can seal you up tight in cold or storm.