How To Choose The Best Hammock Tarp?

Choosing the best hammock tarp becomes much easier when you know what to look for. There are a few factors which will determine the quality of the tarp and whether it is the one for you or not.

I’ve learned the art of picking the best hammock tarp from an experienced hunter, and I am glad to share my knowledge with you.

Let’s dive in together:

Size

As you know, hammock tarps come in different shapes and styles. Whichever you decide to choose, you have to keep in mind that size matters.

The rule of the thumb is following - your tarp needs to extend between 5-12 inches over each end of your hammock or shelter area. This way your ends will stay dry if it rains. If you neglect this rule, the ends might get wet, and water can seep into your hammock during the night.

I prefer to sleep in a 10-foot-long hammock. However, when set it up correctly, your hammock will sag which figuratively “shrinks” it length to just over 8 feet. In this case, a 12-foot long tarp will provide you with enough coverage.

Pro tip: I learned over the years that big tarps are ideal for bad weather, while smaller ones are better for sunny days. Big tarps offer you protection, but they are usually heavier and have limited ventilation, which leads to condensation. So, for optimal airflow in sunny weather, choose smaller tarps.

Style

As you start your search for the best hammock tarp, you will come across different shapes. Most commonly, campers and outdoor enthusiasts use hexagonal, rectangular, catenary and diamond (square) shape. Each one of these provides different coverage. Also, various shapes have different amounts of anchor points.

This is important for you because it will affect the ease and the convenience of the setup.

Make sure to find the one that will suit your needs regarding coverage space and comfort.

Material

Let me tell you a secret.

If you want the cheapest option that comes with tons of advantages, you should go to the hardware store. A blue polyethylene tarp can serve as a versatile shelter. They are very durable, and you can pick one for less than $10. If you have mean staking skills, you can build hundreds of different shelters out of it.

Unfortunately, there is a good reason why we invest in more expensive tarps. Blue plastic tarps are bulky and take up a lot of space, which makes them impractical for most of the campers. If you are a backpacker, this is probably a deal breaker for you.

When I was a child, we used to go car camping, so the bulkiness of these tarps wasn’t such a problem. However, I still remember the annoying noise this material made as we set it up and packed it back to our car. It was rather loud. This can be a problem when you are trying to sleep on a stormy night.

So, if you want to purchase the best hammock tarp, check if it is lightweight.

Today, the silnylon (ridgeline) tarps are the most popular kind. They are a bit more expensive but surprisingly light, and they offer excellent durability. Additionally, ridgeline tarps are waterproof.

If you can get a tarp that cuts down on the weight and space significantly while providing the same protection, why wouldn’t you invest a few bucks more?

Durability

All of the other aspects of the hammock tarp could be ideal – size, shape, price - but if it is not durable, it is not worth a buy.

You are purchasing something that is supposed to protect you from rain, snow, sun, and wind. This means it has to be sturdy. Waterproof and tear resistant features of the fabric are absolutely necessary.

The finest quality hammock tarps will barely show any effects of wear, even after it has been used in harsh weather conditions. The fabric should also dry on the sunlight and clean easily because your water and soap resources will probably be limited once you set your campsite.