Shopping for a new tarp - do I NEED doors?

**brady1** · 10-08-2016, 00:42

I currently have a Kelty Noah 12 but I'm looking for something lighter. I'm pretty much deciding on either the WB Superfly or the HG Cuben Fiber. I'm just not sure I want (or need?) doors if I go for the cuben fiber tarp. I figure if I need doors I'll just take the Kelty. Does this make sense? I just spent a week on the Superior Hiking Trail where it rained for 3 days straight. I only folded the "doors" in on one night. Otherwise, I had plenty of coverage to keep my dry.

Since using the Kelty Noah 12 footer quite a bit, I'm a fan of having that extra length covering the hammock. Unfortunately, it appears the Superfly is only an 11' ridgeline. I could at least custom order the HG cuben fiber tarp with a 12' ridgeline.

Are there any similar tarps to the Superfly at 12'? Or should I just bite the bullet and get the cuben fiber tarp?

Thoughts?

**TrailSlug** · 10-08-2016, 02:41

If you hang in wet cold weather then I would recommend doors. Also check out http://www.simplylightdesigns.com/ Winter Haven if you need a tarp fast and great quality.
http://www.simplylightdesigns.com/ca...roducts_id/213

**kitsapcowboy** · 10-08-2016, 03:39

+1 for SLD. Just give Jared your credit card number. Anything you order from him for a tarp will be wonderful.

**brady1** · 10-08-2016, 11:03

I hadn't seen that particular tarp during my research. Thanks. However, I don't think I would be losing that much weight from my current tarp. It also seems quite similar.

I've been hanging for just a couple years and I still haven't figured out if I want one tarp to rule them all or if I want a small quiver of tarps from which I'll pull for certain situations.

**TrailSlug** · 10-08-2016, 11:18

Originally Posted by brady1

I hadn't seen that particular tarp during my research. Thanks. However, I don't think I would be losing that much weight from my current tarp. It also seems quite similar.

I've been hanging for just a couple years and I still haven't figured out if I want one tarp to rule them all or if I want a small quiver of tarps from which I'll pull for certain situations.

The SLD tarp is a lot lighter than the Kelty. Is that what you were comparing the SLD to?

**michigandave** · 10-08-2016, 11:29

Originally Posted by TrailSlug

The SLD tarp is a lot lighter than the Kelty. Is that what you were comparing the SLD to?

I concur and ask the same question regarding comparison, since I have the SLD winter haven 12 and a Kelty 12. The SLD is also a different shape than the Kelty.

**brady1** · 10-08-2016, 11:58

Yes, that's what I was comparing it to. My apologies if it's much lighter than it seemed at first. Do you guys have any experience with this tarp? How much does it weigh? Or should I just give SLD a call?

**michigandave** · 10-08-2016, 12:20

First of all, here's a link to the SLD thread that combined all of the others. I have been very satisfied with my SLD winter haven tarp (among other things I have from Jared) . Mine weighs 21 ounces, with guyline's but no ridgeline or stakes. He's fast too!

https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...d.php?t=129307

Added this photo of my winter haven compared to the same size trail haven, also from simply lightdesigns.

**brady1** · 10-08-2016, 12:40

Wow... That's an impressive amount of links. It seems I have some more homework to do. Thanks.

**SilvrSurfr** · 10-08-2016, 14:23

Originally Posted by brady1

Since using the Kelty Noah 12 footer quite a bit, I'm a fan of having that extra length covering the hammock. Unfortunately, it appears the Superfly is only an 11' ridgeline. I could at least custom order the HG cuben fiber tarp with a 12' ridgeline.

Are there any similar tarps to the Superfly at 12'? Or should I just bite the bullet and get the cuben fiber tarp?

Thoughts?

I don't personally think an additional foot of ridgeline length is necessary if you have doors. If I didn't own an 11 ft. long HG Winter Palace, I'd get a Superfly.