Most people set out on their camping trip looking for relaxation, peace, quiet, and trying to make some new memories, ideally chilling in a hammock and observing nature. But in order to have a good time, you need to be prepared with a lot of accessories, and while no-one forgets their hammock on a trip, people usually forget to pack a hammock trap.
You need to stay dry during your camping trip – you already left the comfort and shelter of your home – so you need something to provide that. That’s when a hammock trap comes in handy.
The joy that transforms into peace, relaxation and good memories, comes from being able to perform your planned activities. Having a hammock tarp gives you the peace of mind that your camping trip won’t be ruined by bad weather; you are protected during rain, snow and even storm.
If you are planning a camping trip with your family, it is important to go prepared and this guide will provide everything you need to know about the best hammock tarps.
What are the Best Hammock Tarps?
Imagine this; you are camping with your family, everyone is having a nice time and smiling. Then it begins to rain. However, you didn’t bring anything to keep you and your family from getting wet and from there, the entire trip becomes a total disaster.
How do you prevent this? One way to do that is by having any of these ten best hammock tarps with you during your backpacking or camping trip.
Hennessey Hammock – Hex Rain Fly – Rain Tarp
The Hex Rain Fly rain tarp is one of the best hammock tarps manufactured by a highly reputable brand, Hennessey Hammock. The brand has been associated with some of the best rain tarps ever produced and this particular product cements its status as an industry leader.
The Hex Rain Fly is hexagonal in shape and comes with a widespread angle that gives you all the coverage you need to stay dry. It is made of Polyurethane coated polyester while its barely 2-pound weight makes it as lightweight as you can get.
It is compatible with most hammocks – meaning you don’t have to own a hammock made by Hennessey Hammock to use the tarp. It is very durable and makes for the perfect tarp for hilly terrains and dense forests.
Ultimate Survival Technologies Base Tube Tarp 1.0
What would qualify a product as the ultimate tarp to take on a camping trip? One, it has to protect the camper from all types of weather. Two, it should have multiple uses. Three, it must be comfortable to use. Finally, it must be sufficiently insulated.
This particular hammock tarp ticks all of these boxes. It is an all-protection weather tarp (meaning you are safe during snow, rain and even storm). It can double as a sleeping tent with ease. It is extra comfortable to use due to its lightweight and ultra-compact design. It is aluminized in order to increase the level of thermal insulation.
Throw in added features such as steel stakes, stuff sack, and guy lines – and you have one of the best hammock tarps in the market.
Ultimate Survival Base Hex Tarp
The Ultimate Survival Base Hex Tarp is a multi-purpose rain tarp that comes with an array of amazing features that have made it one of the most popular choices among backpackers and campers. The two sides of the tarp are beautiful and quite unique; the bright orange external side is both attractive and easy to identify in cases of emergencies, while the aluminized side is a good thermal insulator.
It is quite lightweight and the hexagonal shape gives you adequate coverage to stay dry at all times. You can use your Base Hex Tarp as a thermal blanket and ground cloth; a true testament to its multi-purpose qualities.
SnugPak Proforce All Weather Shelter
Imagine a hammock tarp designed by military vets to protect you during snow, heavy winds, rain, and sun; yes, that is the SnugPak Proforce All Weather Shelter. The manufacturers of the product ensured that it can be used for several purposes ranging from being used as a thermal blanket to a pup tent to fly to emergency bivvy.
The hammock tarp is completely waterproof (one of the tents that offer 100% waterproof properties in the market). For a lightweight tarp, the Snugpak Proforce Shelter is quite strong. If you are going for wild camping or bushcraft with your friends, then pack this hammock tarp for the ultimate experience.
All the seams that come with the product are taped and sealed while all the corners of the rhombus-shaped tarp come with grommets.
Bear Butt Rain Fly
Bear Butt Rain Fly is one of the best products manufactured by a popular brand, Bear Butt. There are many things to love about the Rain Fly but the most attractive feature is the ease of setting up. In less than a minute, you can set up your Rain Fly – and you don’t even have to be an experienced or expert camper.
Beginners usually tend to forget to set up their tarp until an unexpected rain or storm shows. However, the ease of setting up means you can be protected in no time.
The hammock tarp offers a lot of space and coverage; you can even bring out two chairs – one to sit on and the other to lay your feet on – during a sunny day while camping.
The light reflective straps that come with the tarp makes it easy for others to spot you at night; this is quite useful during emergency situations. It is lightweight and can easily fit into your gear bag. The product comes with a money-back promise in situations where a customer is unsatisfied (which rarely happens).
Kelty Noah’s Tarp 12
When it comes to adequate coverage and space, only a few hammock tarps can compete with Kelty Noah’s Tarp 12. It gives you a space of about 12 x 12 – which is enough to carry out most activities.
The polyester fabric which is made from makes it very sturdy and waterproof. It is also lightweight and durable, ensuring that you get good value for your purchase. If you are looking for a hammock tarp that would be ideal for your backpacking and camping, then choose this product. Its simplicity in design also makes it quite easy to set up and bring down after use.
ENO Eagles Nest Outfitters – ProFly Rain Tarp
This is certainly one of the best hammock tarps in the market at the moment. Its waterproof properties are matched by only a few hammock tarps while the polyurethane-treated nylon material is made from offers campers protection against rain, sun, snow and even winds. The foul weather and sound protection are some of the features present in this product.
The stuff sack that can be used to carry the tarp comes with a handle – giving you all the comfort you need. It is compact and very easy to setup. If you are looking for a highly durable rain tarp, then look no further than this.
Foxelli Rain Tarp
There are lots of lightweight rain tarps in the market and we cover multiple ones in our article. However, none can match the Foxelli Rain Tarp in this aspect. At just 1.14 pounds or 18.2 ounces, this is easily the most lightweight rain tarp of all the ten featured here.
The lightness does not hinder nor limit any of its protective abilities; in fact, the tarp will adequately protect you during rain, extremely sunny days and even during snowfall. The double stitch in weak areas of a typical hammock tarp makes it even stronger.
Everest Hammock Rain Fly
This waterproof outdoor tarp is very easy to set up and comes with a lot of features that make it worthy of being on this list. You can get a coverage area of about 85 square feet – which is enough space to stay dry even during heavy rains.
It comes with strong and reflective guy lines that are easy to spot and also keep the tarp properly anchored. The tarp has a stuff sack while its light weight makes it quite easy to transport.
The nylon combined with ripstop material is everything you need to ensure its durability.
Wise Owl Outfitters Rain Fly Tarp – The WiseFly Premium
It is safe to say that one of the wisest decisions you can make when planning your camping trip is to buy this rain fly tarp. The compact design and lightweight material used for making the tarp makes it very easy to carry.
The tarp is made from ripstop nylon which gives its high durability qualities. If you are looking for a multi-purpose tarp that is easy to set up, then go for this.
Best Hammock Tarp Buying Guide
This article would be incomplete without a buying guide. Before making a decision on what hammock tarp to buy, it is important that you know which factors you should take into account.
The Weight of the Hammock Tarp
Depending on the nature of the trip or journey ahead of you, it is vital to consider the weight of the hammock tarp before buying it. To get the best location for your outdoor camping, you will likely need to walk quite a lot. Most people don’t find the peace and quiet they’re looking for until after hours and miles of hiking.
Therefore, you need to have a hammock tarp that you will be able to carry over a long distance. We recommend that you choose a lightweight tarp that will make for easy transportation. This way you don’t have to settle for a short distance all because you are getting tired from carrying a heavy tarp.
The Size of the Hammock Tarp
Size could arguably be the most important factor to consider when it comes to choosing a hammock tarp to buy. The entire purpose of a tarp involves having enough coverage. This means that you need to have a tarp that would give you adequate coverage.
You can’t risk getting exposed while you are already in the woods or complain about how small the tarp is at that time since it’s too late.
A hammock tarp that would be considered ideal and sufficient should be at least extended to 8 inches to cross the end of the hammock.
The shape of the Tarp
This factor may not be as important as the previous two. Nevertheless, you need to make sure the anchor point of the tarp suits your need – which is why it is important to consider the shape of the hammock tarp.
Hammock tarps come in different shapes such as diamond square, rectangular, hexagonal and many more. However, the hexagonal shape is the recommended shape.
The material of the Tarp
The material used in making the tarp determines two things: the longevity of the tarp and the amount of space you will get. Lightweight materials such as cotton give you both things. Therefore, go for a lightweight hammock tarp. Also, you might not enjoy the noise that heavy tarps tend to make during stormy weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size tarp do I need to get for my hammock?
We recommend that you get an 8 x 10 ft (2.4 x 3m) tarp, which is turned 390 to become an asym tarp. A tarp like this provides a ridgeline that reaches about 13ft 94m). It will give you the necessary amount of coverage you need for any type of hammock.
How do I tarp my hammock?
It can be done by providing a simple roof over your head or building a complete weather-proof coverage. Hammock rain flies usually consist of a tarp with a ridge-line that runs through the center.
Is my hammock tarp waterproof?
Yes, most types of hammocks tarps are waterproof. However, they need to be properly dried after getting wet.
What is the best material for a hammock tarp?
We recommend that you choose one made of cotton. This is the most popular type of hammock tarp you will find as well.
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