A tarp for your hammock can create a comfortable shelter when you are outdoors. It can protect you from the elements of weather and provide temporary shelter.
The question which arises is, among so many hammock tarps available, what size tarp for a hammock should I choose?
Well, to choose the right tarp for a hammock, you need to consider a few factors that will help select between hundreds of different options. Sort your Hammock tarp options by size, material, shape, seasonal use and weight.
Make the Right Decision when you Choose to Buy a Tarp for your Hammock.
1. Hammock Tarp Size:
The first thing you need to do is measure the exact dimensions of your hammock. When you’re buying a tarp for it, you will wonder what size tarp for hammock should be? It needs to cover the hammock fully.
However, simply adding a few inches to the dimensions of your hammock is not good enough.
When you’re outdoors, you can experience rain, wind, and so on. That is why the coverage which the tarp provides needs to be significant. It is worth buying only when it can help you cover the hammock from all sides. 3 season tarps with doors are the most versatile to take hammock camping.
Even if you do not expect any rain on your next trip, buying one which can provide you with protection from rain is a good idea. That is because you will not buy a separate tarp for every trip. Getting a versatile tarp that can protect you from weather elements is a good idea.
As thumb rule, the tarp size for hammock should be 12 inches longer then the hammock on either side. If you are looking to cover 2 hammocks in tandem then your tarp should be either 10 x 10 or 12 x 12.
2. Hammock Tarp Material:
The level of protection that a hammock offers also depends on the material from which it is made. Certain materials can resist water and sunlight better than many others.
Essentially, you should choose a tarp for a hammock made from either of the three materials we will highlight below.
• Polyethylene:
Polyethylene is derived from plastic. The reason why it is such a good choice is that it is extremely cheap and also can last for a long period. At the same time, it might not be the best aesthetically, but the level of protection which it offers is excellent.
Whether you’re seeking protection from wind, rain, or the sun’s rays, it can offer you all of that and more.
Not only that, the comparatively lightweight design means that carrying it in your backpack isn’t going to be an issue either.
• Nylon:
The variant of nylon that is often used in making tarps for hammocks is the ripstop nylon material. The highlight of this material is that wear and tear is negligible. It is indicated by the name itself. Consequently, it can last for years together.
It is another material which can provide you with proper protection in any weather. It is a bit bulky and therefore not that easy to carry. However, if you’re very particular regarding the durability of the tarp, you should go with this one.
• Canvas:
If you reside in an extreme cold area, you need a tarp that can provide you with some warmth. Canvas tarp can fulfill that requirement.
Another advantage of Canvas is that it often comes with a waterproof coating. That is why it can protect you even in the rain. Only in the summer season can it cause some discomfort as it will increase the temperature under the tarp rather than reduce it.
Due to the additional waterproof coating, it is bulky.
The bulky design means that you will need a few extra accessories to install the Canvas tarp, increasing its cost.
Considering the level of protection, it provides in the winters, it is still a pretty good option.
Thus, when you’re analyzing the tarps for hammocks based on the material, these are the three choices you have. It is easy to select between these 3 materials depending on your requirement.
3. Hammock Tarp Shape:
Merely measuring the dimensions of the tarp or your hammock will not do. A lot also depends on the shape of the tarp.
We will cover the most common shapes below so that you can understand more about them and select the right camping tarp shape.
• Asymmetrical:
The most common tarp which you will come across is the asymmetrical tarp. The lightweight design of such tarps ensures that carrying them is easy. It is also extremely affordable.
The problem is that in terms of coverage, they provide the least coverage. That is why, only when you’re looking for minimal coverage, you should go with this tarp.
• Hexagonal:
Going with a hexagonal tarp makes sense if you’re looking for better coverage. Since they provide you with more coverage, the cost of such tarps is high. They are a bit bulky.
While buying such a tarp, look at the edges and ensure that they are curved. In that case, they will not flap or sag over a period.
• Diamond:
Other options are square tarps or diamond-shaped tarps. If you need maximum cover, especially during the summer months, you can go with the square-shaped tarps.
However, the shape of these tarps is such that they provide maximum coverage at the Centre and little coverage on the sides. That is why they are perfect for solo campers.
• Rectangular:
Rectangular tarps are a great option if you are camping with your family and friends. They are available in many sizes and which means that you can cover the bigger family hammocks with the help of these tarps. There is even hammock tarp with doors that suits big sized groups of family and friends. A rectangular tarp is most likely to have the additional flaps to be used as doors. This style comes in bigger sizes to accommodate more then one hammock.
Thus, not every shape of the tarp provides the same coverage. It is important to take the shapes into account and decide on the tarp you want to buy.
4. Seasonal use:
As highlighted above, you won’t buy a separate tarp depending on the weather you are likely to face on each trip. That is why you have to find out in what season what kind of tarp can work and after that take a call.
• 3 Season:
Three-season tarps are pretty common. They do not work in the winter season, most likely. However, there are a few which can handle cold but which cannot handle water. You have to look at the water-resistance rating, and after that it is easy to understand in which season they won’t offer adequate protection.
• 4 Season: Hammock Tarp with Doors
Aggressive hammock backpackers choose a 4 season hammock tarp with doors for the added protection from the elements. If you plan on being outside in zero temperature weather camping year round, it is better to go with four-season tarps. It means that whether you’re experiencing strong sun rays, rain, or cold weather, they can tackle everything.
The four-season ones are more expensive as compared to the three-season tarps. However, once you get these tarps, you will not have to worry about buying another one.
5. Ridgeline Distance:
The ridgeline of the tarp is responsible for keeping it in place.
Most of the tarps consist of end ridgelines. This is especially true for tarps that are in the budget category. The problem is that these might not prevent the tarps from swinging in windy conditions. End-only ridge lines do not have the same load handling capacity as the full-length ones.
On the other hand, when you’re going with full-length Ridgelines, you can keep the tarp in place. You can modify or adjust the tarp in a much better way.
6. Guy outlines, tie out options:
Guy outlines are the lines that connect the tarp to the tree or the ground. They are installed to secure the tarp to a certain spot. They are important if you want to keep the tarp in place. If you are caught out in a storm multiple guy lines will help stabilize the tarp and prevent the wind from ripping under the cover.
In most cases, the tarps you buy will come with guy outlines. Firstly, you have to look at the number of guy outlines. Secondly, you have to look at the load these guy outlines can handle. Only when there are enough guy outlines and they can handle a significant amount of load the wind resistance of the tarp will be high.
Lastly, you have to look at these guy outlines’ installation or the tying mechanism. When they are easy to use, you can keep the tarp in place without spending hours.
Do not ignore guy out line options, they play a very important role in using the tarp, and strategic use of lines could prevent your tarp from ripping in a strong wind storm.
7. Tarp weight:
When you’re going on a camping or a backpacking trip, already you have to carry quite a few things. There is hardly any space in your backpack. When you add a bulky tarp, it can become difficult to carry your backpack.
Identifying the right size, shape and weight of the tarp you choose to carry on each hammock camping trip is very important. Review these tarp options to make an informed decision.
Instead of getting confused between different tarps for a hammock, consider these few parameters. The right tarp can keep you comfortable no matter where you are. The guide above can help you choose such a tarp and enjoy the outdoor experience rather than worry about the weather.