First time hammock, need tarp suggestions

[Jd1983]

Hammock Gear has 20% off their tarps right now. https://hammockgear.com/new-website-sil-poly/

[Brooklyn]

Are you sold on the Chameleon? It's a fine hammock, I have one, but it's not the lightest in the bunch, for what it is. If you're weight conscious and you don't have to have a super full coverage bugnet all the time, maybe look at the Half-Wit from Dutchware? It's 6 inches shorter and has a lot less bugnet (bare minimum) and no zippers, etc so it weighs a lot less than the Chameleon and many others. If you went that way, you could potentially get a larger, less expensive tarp that weighs a few ounces more and be even in the overall weight department. A thought.

[Floridahanger]

I was asking the OP about the setup that he itemized. I know the answer now - don't rely on a 4 ft strap unless you want to be relegated to 12" diameter trees.

Gotcha.

Still a good question for you to post on it's own. It's amazing the conversations that start from a single question like that one.

[FLTurtle]

Minifly or Superfly?

What about them?

[cmc4free]

This is the tarp (series) I always recommend for folks looking to hit a ~$100 budget. High quality tarps handmade to order in Michigan (which looks like it's local for you).

https://ugqoutdoor.com/tarps/penny-pincher-tarps/

[Gt5228]

Thanks all for being so helpful and supportive. I knew I wanted to hammock from the moment i first laid in one. The hammock community, however, is what made me want to spend the money once I realized how expensive they are! You guys are awesome!

Anyways I think I might go with the minifly for now because it's reasonably priced and seemingly very versatile for it small size/weight($110-11.5oz). I like the idea of beaks because they are similar in function to doors without added weight. Plus I like how when they are folded back, the tarp becomes a standard (small) hex tarp. Sure maybe it's multi use aspect could be called a master of none, but this is exactly what hikers like me deal with. We must make compromises in weight and function in order to find a happy balance of warmth, comfort, and general functionality. To get, for example, a lightweight shelter, a tent hiker may need to compromise in comfort by a single wall tent that handles condensation very poorly. I know that there is no perfect tarp for every condition. What I need is a tarp that's pretty good for most conditions, without it being 20oz!


I did however consider all other suggestions. I was actually torn between the minifly and the suggested penny pincher 11wb with pullouts ($105/13.5oz). Also, the folks at UGQ are really great and wanted to support a local company, but I feel like my picks from other cottage companies suit my unique needs more. I do think that they are probably one of the best cottage brands out there. I also have personally meet the crew and bought a few other things from them, and could not be happier.

Again, this community is really something special. I can't wait to join it and hopfully someday help others make these choices!

[MichHiker1]

I have a Kelty Noah's Tarp (12 foot) that I have been using for several years now. I have had it in multiple high wind and storm situations in the BWCA and it held up great.

It is huge! Well made! AND CHEAP!

I have treated it with some waterproofing about 2 years ago, after the season was over and after it had been in multiple rainstorms.

Lots of configurations, tie out points and you can easily add pole mods.

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