tarp size

[FarStar]

My philosophy on tarps is: Go big or stay home.

[Youngblood]

I like a smaller tarp in warmer weather than what I use in cooler weather. All I want is for it to keep rain off of my hammock and give me some dry 'living space'. Smaller is lighter, easier to set up, and allows for more ventilation. Also they typically have fewer guy lines to trip over and fit easier into confined areas.

[Just Jeff]

I'm with Youngblood - I enjoy smaller tarps b/c I like the views. I go to the woods to be IN THE WOODS...not to be walled off in a nylon cell.

My go-to tarp is a MacCat Standard. In bad weather (teens and below) I've been using the JRB 11x10.

You can pitch a 9x9 on the diagonal and get plenty of coverage.

Since you're not backpacking, the weight isn't such a big deal. But a larger tarp can still limit your site selection in some cases...like if you're in an area with a lot of underbrush or where the trees are very close together.

If you're canoeing, take them both! Set up one over your hammock and the other for a common area.