Is the Superfly too big for fair weather?

[OCDave]

I camped with my youngest son this weekend with hammocks hung in a bunk-bed configuration under a HG standard tarp. While we escaped serious rain, I felt bit exposed being in the lower bunk.

If I were to add a tarp to my gear, would a Superfly make sense? It would only get used when I took a son or 2 on the trail. They are not as eager to join me when the weather is poor. Just to clarify, this would not be for bunking, but to give them their own separate shelter.

I have not seen a Superfy other than on the web. In pictures it looks very large.

Thanks for any guidance

[Red Wing]

it's large but not unruly at all. Makes a GREAT porch mode and provides a large shade area when the weather is more-then-fair.

Cant' go wrong with one

[pizza]

The Superfly has longer sides than the HG Standard so would work well in your scenario. I had one but didn't use it much as I felt it was more tarp than I needed both in size and weight. For your situation it would work great though.

[TallPaul]

If you compare the WB Edge vs. the WB SuperFly, the SF is 7.75 ounces more weight.

Then it is really a personal choice on whether the trade-off in protection/coverage offsets the extra ounces.

For me, I count the ounces, and first went with a small tarp, but then wound up deciding the extra weight/coverage of the SF was worth it.
The SF is used by my daughter when she joins me backpacking. I don't have to worry about her being covered if the weather changes for the worse. Plus, it adds some privacy if she wants it.

[biggameken]

Hey OCDave, I backpack with hammocks with my two sons and we use Superflys and Edge tarps. While I won't go anywhere without my Superfly, for some reason my son chooses his Edge tarp every time. I think it's just a matter of simplicity. He could care less about the added privacy. I guess it just depends on how important that is to your son.

Regardless, I do suggest using snake skins with his tarp. It will make the whole process much much simpler for him. My son uses Dutch flyz and a snake skin made by mountaingoat.

On a side note, you mentioned you probably weren't worried about bunking with the superfly, but I'll say this anyway. We bunk our hammocks on occasion and use the superfly when we do it. My hammock is always on the bottom and if the wind blows when it rains you're likely to get wet

[Bubba]

The size is great for shade especially when tree cover is sparse.

[Chard]

For a few extra ounces you get protection from the sun AND you have protection from the weather when, not if, it turns nasty.

Snake skins and shock-cord/prussik tie-outs have also worked very well for me.

[Cannibal]

I wouldn't say it is too big, but it is certainly bigger than needed. If I only had one tarp, it would probably be a Superfly. Thankfully, I've got more than one so my Superflies don't see much daylight when the weather is warm. They whine about it too.

[Xtreme Napper]

Newbie question here: Is bunking what I think it is? Can someone explain?

[just-bobby]

My doors spend more time tied back than used as doors, but they are always there if needed. I motorcycle camp so the little bit of weight difference isn't an issue.