are tarp doors necessary on the AT

[Conure]

One more consideration: if I should decide on doors, naturally attached doors will weigh less overall than a tarp with additional doors (like the WB Superfly vs. Mamajamba w/door kit). Other than being able to leave them at home, is there advantage to using attached over unattached doors?

[Chug]

If your in high winds, cold Rain Etc.. doors are worth weight in gold. I just hammocked in 30 plus MPH winds & rain.. My super fly with doors, closed kept rain & wind out. Not 100% but enough to keep warm. Summer time, I peel them open for air flow.

all depends on use and weather..

[TallPaul]

If you can make the Uwharrie hang, you'll see tarps ranging from cuben fiber to superflys to those without doors.

Send me a PM if you want to see something before then. I can show you my Warbonnet SuperFly and MambaJamba.

[PappyAmos]

Conure,

I am just a few miles away in Carolina Beach. I can show you several hammocks and several different tarps. Several different quilts, whoopies, straps, continuous loops, etc. Let me know and we can schedule some time. I'm retired so can be somewhat flexible.

[Floridahanger]

One more consideration: if I should decide on doors, naturally attached doors will weigh less overall than a tarp with additional doors (like the WB Superfly vs. Mamajamba w/door kit). Other than being able to leave them at home, is there advantage to using attached over unattached doors?

An advantage with attached doors is you can roll them like a tent door or fold them and attach the guy lines together to hold them folded. This has the open effect of not having doors with the adjustability to unfold/unroll them and have the doors closed for that quick rain/wind block.

Look at Shug's videos for noobs and also his videos on tarps that show the different styles.

[iRokk]

They aren't necessary, but they are nice to have, especially if the wind is blowing the rain sideways. Plus the girlfriend enjoys the added privacy.

[fallkniven]

I wouldn't consider doing it without doors. You can't go wrong with the Superfly, I love mine.

[nothermark]

I would not rule out Grizz beaks. Since 2QZQ came out with a cuben version I would lean toward a hex tarp with 1 beak and a decent poncho I could hang over the other end as the lightest reasonable approach. Given the stories about the weather at either end of the trip I think you will be glad to have them.

Depending how you use shelters and what you are eating will also figure into your choice. If you want hot food on a cold wet day you will need a place out of the weather you can cook under. You might want to figure that in also. However you choose to do that can also serve as a weather block in a storm.

[dakotaross]

If you can afford cuben, then the extra weight for the doors is negligible. Otherwise, doors aren't a necessity.

I love my Arrowhead Equipment Toxaway tarp by the way. Big and light at 14oz.

[Rockdawg69]

Superfly and custom OES SpinnTex (12x10 cat-cut) in my bags. Both work great. On the OES I had Brian add extra pull-outs so that I can pull the ends into doors by just pulling the ends around. Small opening remains but it keeps most moisture and wind out. For nasty weather I like the OES better since it is quick to dry - shake it and wipe it , roll up and ready to go. The sil on the Superfly takes a while longer to dry out. If I want to hide better, I use the camo Superfly. The Spinntex stands out like a big movie screen.

That said, you have to decide which hammock you will be using. Length of hammock affects length of tarp, which may affect your tarp choices. Just my preference but I like my hammock fully covered.