Have a ThunderFly. But everyone has their job to do. Someday I’ll use that Noah 16. No hurry, just starting to transition into fall. Night temps in the cool 30’s (F.).
In order to see what few have seen, you must go where few have gone. And DO what few have done.
I kinda went backwards...I started with a Thunderfly, then got a Superfly. During the last WB sale, I picked up a Mambajamba (mostly for a camp tarp/loaner). The Thunderfly is still my goto.
Still, it just depends and it's great to have both...or 4 tarps
I just got back from a 3-day trip with dad, this first ever backpacking trip at 70 years old. We had scattered rain one day where the sun comes out, then rains for 5 minutes, then sunny, then a few hours until the next rain. I took the Superfly because I knew we would need a dry spot to sit. I had my hammock obviously, but there's no use him lying in a small tent to avoid the rain (the main reason I got into hammocking 10 years ago).
I had the Superfly in porch mode with doors pulled out wide for additional dry space. We could have easily had 4 people under there. Plus our chairs with backs actually made it a lot of fun watching the rain.
I have both a 13 superfly and a 12 mountainfly. I use the Mountainfly way more than the super. Plenty of coverage and quite a bit more manageable. And the 12’ mountainfly is more than enough coverage for a ridge runner. The beaks pretty much reach the ends of the dog bones. BTW the center mod is real nice.
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As someone looking to buy a new tarp, this is a useful discussion!
tom-o, Just remember, it’s all compromise. There is no, tarp that’s perfect for everything, and there is no rule that says you can only own just one tarp. However, there is economic reality.
In order to see what few have seen, you must go where few have gone. And DO what few have done.
I'm somewhat opposite of others here. I started out with the Superfly years ago. Even though I've been tempted to buy a Mountainfly because it would be easier to duck under, it's not enough of a reason to justify my getting one and I know that I would miss the Superfly doors when it's raining sideways for hours in the Boundary Waters and up in Quetico Provincial Park. The Superfly is for me as close to perfect as I could want. When the weather is nice I clip the doors out of the way with mitten clips and then I have a hex tarp. When the weather is cold and crappy I deploy the doors and am snug as a bug in a rug. I canoe camp, so I'm not counting grams.
One winter trip I was just cold and tired. I set up the Superfly extra low so it was sort of like my hot tent. I ran the Jetboil without the pot for a minute to take the edge off. Man, cozy cozy cozy! I had to raise it later when setting up the hammock, but it sure was nice to cut all the wind and just sit there with a cup of coffee and listen to the punishment outside.
I personally went with the MiniFly and Superfly!
Minifly is my go to 3 season tarp. The beaks are great, if I know it'll be rainy I can pitch it pretty low and get good coverage. I've rode out some pretty hellacious Midwestern thunderstorms in the MiniFly and stayed perfectly dry.
Come winter when I'm trying to block as much wind as I can I use my Superfly and stay nice and warm.
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If its REALLY cold and windy, I can pitch the Superfly right down almost to the ground. At that point with proper insulation I feel like I can ride out any blizzard.
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