really does depend on the hammock you have, but I have the ENO rainflys and love them. Not what many on the forums would recommend, but for my ENO single and doublenests, it never let me down through several wet hangs. but to be honest, a cheap tarp from Walmart or Target would do you just as good. you'd have to get the stakes and cordage as well, but I was able to successfully use a cheap blue tarp my first time out before getting the Profly. I do only car camp and the extra bulk was no issue for me with the cheaper tarp option. I like the ENO tarp as it's made to go wit my hammocks, and the ease of setup far outweighted the extra cost over cheap tarp option.