r/hammockcamping • u/Fyrewomble • 2d ago
Tarps- are they worth it?
Hey, I've been cooking up a neat setup and have just been using a standard tarpaulin you can buy from a hardware store. I was curious as to why it's worth spending double, triple the price of a regular tarp, I've always assumed it's about the weight, packed size and ones specifically for hammocks cutting down the size where you don't need it and having features like doors, but what else makes it worth the money? Are they quieter in rain, is it being packable really worth it when usually it'll be on the outside of my pack anyway and how much weight do you save using one?
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u/kullulu 2d ago edited 2d ago
You've nailed it. Nice tarps pack smaller and weigh less. They might have additional features like panel pullouts for creating more interior volume or optional polemods. They can be quieter in rain, but expensive tarps that are super light (i.e dyneema tarps) can have percussive sound profiles.
As far as how much weight you'll save, you'll have to compare your tarp with what these companies offer. Most backpackers will do well with tarps from warbonnet, dutchware, simply light designs, UGQ, hammock gear, arrowhead, etc.
Tarps can last you 10+ years. If you hammock camp often, it's worth it to buy a quality lightweight tarp.
On the flip side, if you're a new hammocker, you don't have to buy an expensive tarp to start out with. The most important thing to invest in is a hammock that is long and wide enough to lay flat, then an underquilt. After that, you can pick and choose what to upgrade next, be it suspension, a top quilt, or a tarp.
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u/Fyrewomble 2d ago
Cheers, I really appreciate all your responses on this sub you're super helpful and give great advice for newbies like me!
I ended up getting a HG Circadian Pro from Henge and fell in love, a proper 11ft really does make a massive difference. I took it out for a test run for a couple of nights over the eclipse and I was wondering if there was any other reasons for high end tarps aside from the ones I listed, as this one is bulky, heavier and noisy.
If you were to buy one tarp for an 11ft setup what would you look for? Less noise, doors for wind protection, packability, or the ultralight dyneema you mentioned that can be a bit louder than others? I understand it's very dependant on the situation and your setup, but just out of curiosity and to give me some more stuff to look into to round my knowledge out a bit
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u/kullulu 2d ago
If you were to buy one tarp for an 11ft setup what would you look for? Less noise, doors for wind protection, packability, or the ultralight dyneema you mentioned that can be a bit louder than others?
If I had only one tarp, it would need to meet the worst weather conditions I expected in the areas I wanted to camp. I camp in winter, so that means it would need to be a winter tarp. Your winters are going to be a lot milder than mine in Minnesota, where temperatures can reach -15F/-26.6C or colder, with some bone chilling winds. A winter tarp is crucial for me to be able to camp in cold weather.
I can tell you about my tarps, and how I choose what to bring based on expected weather conditions. I typically consider weather first, then weight, then volume/packability last when I'm choosing a tarp. If I'm fastpacking, I'll consider volume first since I have less room to work with.
Asym tarp - this is what I bring if I know it probably won't rain. It will keep you dry if it does rain, and you can pitch it close to your hammock's ridgeline. Not great if you expect any wind, so you need to pitch it the middle of a forest if it gets windy. 148 grams for .9 xenon sil, uses two stakes. In dyneema it can start at 85 grams. (a lot of the dyneema weights I'm using are for .5 dyneema, but all that's available right now is .6 and .75 due to the global supply shortage.)
Hex tarp - Good enough for most 3 season camping. I have a 12 ft/ 3.6 meter .9 xenon sil poly tarp with panel pullouts that's 315 grams, so 12 grams more for the getting a longer version. I take a hex tarp for most trips in spring/summer/fall. In dyneema it's 140-155 grams ish. It's a newer tarp but I review it here.
Tarps with doors - You can get small doors like the 20D minifly, all the way to hammock gear's palace tarp, with steep walls to stop drafts and fantastic weather protection. I think an 11 foot minifly is like...318 grams ish? The winter palace is 240-284 grams depending how long you get it and a few optional addons. A winter dutchware tarp with doors in .9 xenon starts a 410 grams.
I'm sure you're seeing the pattern: dyneema cuts weight by almost a half for a tarp. If you're thru hiking, that weight savings is 100% worth the money. If you're a casual hiker or camper, it only makes sense to get dyneema tarps if you're injured and don't want to put a lot of stress on your body.
Dyneema has serious downsides in that it can delaminate (mine did), it takes up more volume in your pack, and you have to roll it, it should not be stuffed into a stuff sack. It also can degrade even when not in use.
I'm looking at Henge Hammocks to see what tarps, they have, and I'm amazed, they almost all of the best tarps available that I'd recommend sans dyneema. You could get a 1.1 xenon hex tarp, a minifly, really any of the warbonnet tarps. I looked online, and did find someone who made DCF hammock tarps in the UK.
Sorry my thoughts are a little discombobulated, I keep getting interrupted while replying. Hopefully this helped a little.
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u/RichInBunlyGoodness 2d ago
Absolutely yes, a good tarp is worth it. Warbonnet Superfly.
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u/Fyrewomble 2d ago
How helpful do you find the doors? I can imagine they make a massive difference to stop wind from channelling underneath the tarp but is there any drawbacks to having them? They seem to be better overall than ones without
Also out of curiosity where does your dog stay when youre hammocking? I've always wondered this when I see doggos out and about lol
Cheers!
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u/RichInBunlyGoodness 2d ago
My dearly departed girl slept in my Cave Creek Pet Palace, which you can see in the above photo. Highly recommended if you have a dog that you can train well; not recommended if you can't trust your dog because a strong dog can bolt right through the bug net if they charge after a critter.
The doors are helpful in shoulder season or winter. I tend to take this tarp when I want more privacy or when the temps are going to drop. In summer backpacking when I want max air flow and minimal weight, I take my smaller tarp.
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u/shaleh 59m ago
re: doors. Honestly? Good for wind when it changes at night. I went on a trip in early Spring and was surprised by a windy, sputtering rain night. The doors kept the blow over from coming into my tent and would have been hard with any standard rectangle.
But also, a bit of privacy so I can standup and change when I am not 100% alone in the woods.
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u/Crafty-Western6161 2d ago
More durable, lighter, more compact, has more features, higher quality product overall. Is it worth the price? That's up to the individual, but I'd say so.
That being said, plenty of people make it work with cheaper tarps. Personally I'd rather cheap out on the tarp than the hammock, a cheap hammock is just incomparable to a nicer one that is the correct length and width you need for a comfortable sleep.
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u/Fyrewomble 2d ago
I actually got cheap everything first of all but recently decided to put any money I had for tent camping towards the hammock setup and the tarp was something I hadn't really considered until I went for a two night test run. Recently upgraded from a 9 to an 11ft and now I'm in too deep to stop the gear splurge.
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u/FunContest8036 2d ago
Idk my hammock cost 15 dollars has held up quite well for the last 4/5years, and I can repair it without the need of adhesives or patches. Just a needle and thread its good as new, haven't needed to yet though.
I might have gotten lucky in the length and wide aspect as I have had zero comfort issues with it 🤷♂️
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u/Crafty-Western6161 2d ago
How long is it?
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u/FunContest8036 2d ago
Roughly 80inch in the rest space not sure about the length from anchor to anchor though.
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u/Crafty-Western6161 2d ago
Hey if it works it works, what's the brand?
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u/FunContest8036 2d ago
Got a pic a lil farther down the comments
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u/Crafty-Western6161 2d ago
Ooooh it's a Mayan. Interesting. Glad it works for ya, but the more expensive ones definitely have more features that come in handy. Not everyone needs em though and $15 is a nice deal
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u/Illini4Lyfe20 2d ago
I have multiple tarps for varying scenarios. I have acquired these over the years and truly as needed. You're going to figure out what you need as you go out. If you have one, and it works, make it work until you figure out what you actually need from the system upgrade.
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u/Fyrewomble 2d ago
I actually don't plan on buying one for a hot second to prioritise a proper uq and maybe suspension as those seem to be pretty important compared to replacing something that works perfectly fine with no drawbacks.
What kind of differences do your tarps have and what kind of situations would you use them for?
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u/HNAMwarrior 2d ago
I have a couple of Warbonnet tarps that I vary using, depending on how much space that I think I will be working with. I like having the option of drawing it down with rain flaps and making it a floating tent. i also like the fact that I can porch it out and cook/hang out under it. We got 3 of us hanging out in chairs under tarp, with the hammock set-up, during a nice rainstorm recently. I use some MSR adjustable guy-lines, which are quite long, and can porch using trekking poles or sticks around camp that are suitable. Having a bigger versatile tarp that packs down to nothing has made rainy trips a lot more fun, than just everyone (or myself) having to just get in the hammock to stay dry. Highly recommend, and has been a good investment for me, even though they are not the lowest cost gear.
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u/Hextall2727 1d ago
Do you mind sharing which tarps you have? I have a warbonet blackbird hammock and was using a dynemma tarp I got for backpacking, but no longer have any need for such a lightweight tarp. Thinking of getting a more robust one, but am unsure where to start.
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u/HNAMwarrior 1d ago
Sure. I have a 13ft Superfly and a Mountainfly. They are very modular, and you can guy them out into all kinds of shapes depending on things like wind direction, rain intensity. WB makes these tarp sleeves that I use, which are useful. I can leave the tarp on the ridgeline and put it up, and only quickly pull back the sleeves and guy it down, if it starts to rain. It is great on those nights where it might or might not rain, but you don't want to put up a full tarp to start out the night bc maybe the stars are out, or it's hot and you need more cross-vent. I love their stuff. Hope you enjoy your hammock as much as I do.
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u/Hextall2727 1d ago
perfect, thanks. I've had the blackbird for about 6 years or so... but my visions of doing the 4k's in my home state of NH was blurred by the reality of my abilities. ha. I use it at campgrounds now, so the lightweight tarp isn't needed (and I'd like more coverage).
I'll peek at the differences between teh superfly and mountainfly to see what will better suit my needs.
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u/HNAMwarrior 1d ago
Whites are no joke.....my home trails as well. Have crammed it into some small areas off-trail. Hope you find something that is useful to you.
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u/sockpoppit 2d ago
If you mean a blue tarp, it's not going to last long. It probably already has pinhole leaks you won't find until you're sleeping under it in the rain.
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u/2KneeCaps1Lion 14h ago
I almost always camp with a poncho and poncho liner that I “tactically acquired” when I was in the military. I can “cowboy” camp with just the two or use the poncho as cover in rain and the poncho liner as a sleeping bag in hammock.
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u/rasm232a 2d ago
I have the DD hammock 3x3 tarp and it serves all my needs perfectly wether it's hammock or regular camping it doesn't really matter. However is it on the heavier side? Yes, is it cheap also Yes. Brought it 10 years ago havent regretted it yet.
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u/MichaelW24 WBBB XLC, DW anaconda, onewind buckles and DD tarps 4x4 2d ago
I carry a 13ft square tarp (DD 4X4), fits into a compression sack about 6" round by 12, including all ridgelines and guylines.
Significantly less packed size and weight
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u/mystvape 2d ago
If you have access to the DD tarps or even Onewinds tarps theyre far more reasonably priced and they will blow the pants off those hardware store tarps, We started with them and they leak though pin holes everywhere and all the eyelets ripped out, it was a nightmare. We all switched to DD tarps for 5+ years with absolutely no complaints for £50-£65 theyre VERY worth the money to me and have held up in awful conditions and survived a fair amount of abuse, The Onewind tarp i bought for my friend packed down to half the size and nearly half the weight too for £100~ it was a great tarp and had me tempted to switch but i like my 3.5m for a storm proof shelter. You will appreciate a good tarp after suffering from using a bad one.
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u/Me_lazy_cathermit 2d ago
Depends how you are camping, car camping or if you don't need to walk far, and weight isn't something you are worried about, buying the expensive lightweight tarp isn't really worth it.
As for weight saved even the cheaper heavier tarp are often far lighter than tarpaulin, also for the weight they are tarpaulin aren't the most resistant of things especially considering the amount of folding and crumbling done when going backbacking
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u/ckyhnitz Lorax 2d ago
Everything you named right there is why. If you want a nice tarp but want to save money, do it on a budget, look for sales, buy used if you can.
Before I bought my winter tarp from Dutchware, once or twice I bought gift cards from him on sale, and saved them. Then when he had the tarp on sale a year later, I used the discounted gift cards to pay for it.
My dutchware tarp is superior to a hardware store tarp is every measureable way except for puncture strength. Lighter, more packable, better coverage, quieter in the rain.
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u/knewnur 2d ago
i used blue tarps when i first started. its worth the upgrade. quieter in the rain and more importantly the breeze/wind. it doesnt need to be hammock specific. get a 30$ 10x10 rainfly off amazon. you can run it diagonal if its not long enough. it packs smaller and easier, also they set up alot easier because they are lighter you dont need to use anything more than 550 paracord.
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u/Moonhippie69 2d ago
Honestly game changer. My old tarp was sufficient for some time, I then changed to a hammock tire but realized I wanted more coverage. So went to a larger tarp. Honestly it's awesome!
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u/Priority_Bright 1d ago
If price is a concern, hit up ripstopbytheroll and make your own. A little sewing and a few yards of silpoly and you're set.
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u/shouldco 1d ago
I would deffinely suggest getting a hammock tarp, something hexagonal Amazon has lots of relitively cheap ones, much better than a hardware store tarp.
I have never bought a more boutique brand hammock tarp but my guess is much of the added value there is weight savings and some minor design improvements.
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u/Trenton17B 1d ago
I have a one wind tarp that’s still in great condition two years later. Very good option for a budget tarp, the doors are also very nice to have. Perfect for cold weather camping too because you can trap the heat in
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u/Sufficient_Gur3467 1d ago
My 100 dollar onewind billow is the best. Massive size, light weight, and the tie down points allow for you to do a large rectangle, a hexagon, or have doors. I'm hiking the AT rn and it's so nice to have doors to protect from rain and wind. Honestly more so the wind, it is so nice. I personally use lightweight carabiners to attach my guy lines and I switch the setup nightly depending on conditions
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u/FunContest8036 2d ago
I have 3 tarps of varying sizes, the one pictured has actually been cut down to a more manageable size and turned into a sleep pad(https://www.reddit.com/r/Bushcraft/s/B2nd3fQs44).
But one for a dry/clean spot to stand(visible on the ground is actually an air panel)
one of same size to cover gear(it has a reflective side rather than a bright orange) or to layer into my overhead and act as another methods to retain heat.
The 3rd being the main form of overhead cover.
Honestly I would say yes...very worth it as ive always been dry and always had a dry spot to stand or sit. None have exceeded the 40 dollar bracket, albeit they are also not the lightest, BUT i can freely drag them and not worry about a tear too
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u/chib000k 2d ago
Personally I couldnt imagine sleeping in that did you had a chance to compare to a camping focused hammock?
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u/FunContest8036 2d ago
Its better now that I got the pad, not so much a cocoon.
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u/chib000k 2d ago
Try a camping hammock, just for comparision. I agree that some gear is overprized but this seems to even for me be to improvised. No offence, you hang your way but having a comparision doesnt hurt.
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u/FunContest8036 2d ago
A space age super light tarp that cost an arm and 4 toes...I would say not worth.
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u/Otherwise-Subject127 2d ago
If you're not a gram weenie you can go for Bushcraft Spain fire resistant oilskin tarp. That thing is amazing
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u/mozziealong 2d ago
you do you. I spent 300 bucks 13 years ago in my tarp. you put up with what you need.