Tarpworms vs Hookworms

**hutzelbein** · 06-26-2019, 05:30

I have conspicuous (reflective orange and yellow) and inconspicuous (non-reflective black or grey) guy lines that I use depending on the situation. If I hang on a camp site where I don't want other people tripping over my guy lines, I use the high viz guy lines. If I "camp wild" (in Europe the standard is that it's not allowed to camp unless it's explicitly allowed - so it's allowed pretty much nowhere...), I use the stealthy guy lines. With Hookworms it's easy to switch out guy lines. That's why I don't use Tarpworms anymore.

**MikekiM** · 06-26-2019, 05:39

Originally Posted by T- Minus

tarp worms. reason: hookworms bend and to use , you must leave lines attached to stakes. I keep my lines attached to the tarp via tarpworm.

I use the tarp worms as well, but with hook worms, if you're using the shock cord that comes with the hook worms you can leave the lines attached... just tap the hook on the hook worm a little tighter so you get a secure snap onto the shock cord.

**Oquirrh** · 06-27-2019, 11:22

I would highly recommend the Hookworms. I've owned both like many in this thread, and I too started with the Tarpworms. I still use the tarpworms for my minimalist asym tarps, but for anything like a hex tarp or larger, I'd go with Hookworms on both sides since the utility to tie back the tarp to one side or another is just too cool.

**MikekiM** · 06-27-2019, 18:55

I don't understand the need for hook worms as a way to flip the tarp over to the other side. With tarp worms, you flip the tarp side over and drop
that sides guy line over the stakes on the other side..

**Shivers** · 06-27-2019, 19:18

That's what I do, MikekiM

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**cmc4free** · 06-27-2019, 19:22

Originally Posted by MikekiM

I don't understand the need for hook worms as a way to flip the tarp over to the other side. With tarp worms, you flip the tarp side over and drop
that sides guy line over the stakes on the other side..

I agree. I've always thought of the selling point of hookworms as being for people who want the lines attached to the stakes and the ability to use one set of guylines interchangeably with different tarps. Dutch does demonstrate one-siding the tarp in his video for hookworms but it's just as easy to do that with tarpworms, exactly as you described.

**cmc4free** · 06-27-2019, 19:34

They never seem to get much attention, but if someone were building their own tarp, knew they liked this style of tensioning hardware, and didn't care about not having shock cord, the silkworms would be a solid choice.

**hutzelbein** · 06-27-2019, 23:29

Originally Posted by MikekiM

I don't understand the need for hook worms as a way to flip the tarp over to the other side. With tarp worms, you flip the tarp side over and drop
that sides guy line over the stakes on the other side..

1. I often don't use stakes but attach the guy lines to trees or other structures. It's often easier to just unhook the guy line tarp side instead of stake side.
2. When I use stakes, they tend to vanish between the leaves. If there's a line attached, they're easier to find.

Can you use Tarpworms for that purpose? Sure. I just find Hookworms more convenient. And they do everything Tarpworms can do.

**MikekiM** · 06-28-2019, 05:22

Originally Posted by hutzelbein

1. I often don't use stakes but attach the guy lines to trees or other structures. It's often easier to just unhook the guy line tarp side instead of stake side.
2. When I use stakes, they tend to vanish between the leaves. If there's a line attached, they're easier to find.

Can you use Tarpworms for that purpose? Sure. I just find Hookworms more convenient. And they do everything Tarpworms can do.

That makes sense...

Silk Worms.. Yes, often overlooked. I made a bunch of tarps over the years and never gave the silk worms a thought. Might have hampered my ability to sell them later on had I used them.