hex vs cat

[nu2hike]

What's the difference between these tarps

[raiffnuke]

Straight edges vs. Catenary curved edges.

[Brian]

It's kind of like comparing apples to oranges - A hex tarp features a hexagonal cut instead of a rectangular cut, as when you're hanging in a hammock the ends of the tarp normally needed on the ground aren't needed, so you can get away with less tarp/weight. A catenary cut in the tarp helps to keep the tarp taught as it takes up some of the slack in the tarp, which is important as lightweight fabrics, silnylon in particular, like to stretch a bit when wet.

You can have a cat cut rectangular tarp, and you can also have a straight cut hex tarp (although most/all of the hammock hex tarps are cat cut for performance). Hope this helps!