So I got out on my first BWCA trip of the year and was one sleeping pad short for our group. Ive been interested in switching to a hammock set up so I didnt want to invest in a sleeping pad i might not use again. So instead I got a eno underquilt and bugnet for my sea to summit double hammock. Forecast said it was clear and I didnt have the money for a tarp so I risked it and although i had to take the set up down and throw it in the tent a couple times during the day it worked great at night. Im hooked and never going back.

I guess my question is what type of tarp set up is most common. A tarp with doors seems most practical to me but videos on youtube dont make it seem that common. As more experienced hammockers what are you guys using and if you dont use one with doors do you stay dry in heavy BWCA rains?

I recommend the Warbonnet line of tarps.

I use a Cloudburst tarp with the detachable door kits for my Ridgerunner hammock.

Last month I used a Thunderfly tarp with a Blackbird XLC hammock. The Thunderfly has integrated door panels. It is part of a line of 3 or so tarps with different size door panels so you can pick the amount of coverage based on need/preference.

Both tarps have provided excellent protection in windy, rainy conditions. You can also supplement your protection with underquilt protectors and top covers if you think you will need it. I use an UQ protector most of the time now.

I like Warbonnet but there are several other very well regarded hammock tarp manufacturers. Dutchware and Simply Light Designs are two I also purchase hammock gear from and they produce high quality gear.

The YouTube videos by Shug are great sources of wisdom and a feel chuckles. The Ultimate Hang II book by Hansen is a great hammock camping guide as well.

I've only used the superfly by Warbonnet with doors and think that's a good investment because you don't have to deploy them if the weather is warm etc. It's just versatile and when a good storm is brewing you'll be thankful you have the doors to keep out any spray or cold wind.

I have a Warbonnet Superfly and a Dutch Gear tarp. Much prefer the Superfly. Mostly for the doors, but the little additional length along the ridge line is nice too - at least until you're forced to use trees a bit too near each other.

Another Super Fly fan here. You can always tie off the doors to each other on the same side to get them out of the way if desired.

AmarilloJim: "You can always tie off the doors to each other..."

Mine has spent 99% of its life in that mode. But, boy, when you get a rainy or cold wind, especially one blowing parallel to your hang, it's sure nice being able to close at least the upwind end!

I love my DIY replica of the superfly. The doors are nice but like others, I rarely end up using them. The one nice modification I found helpful was making it so I could undo one side of the fly and tighten the other to create more of an awning with an open side so it opens up the view. I find that in slow steady rains this helps best, or when beach camping where I want to see the ocean in the day and then protect against sea mist at night.

Like any other sort of gear, most people who get into it end up with multiple different things, so they can pick the best tool for each particular trip depending on season, weather forecast, and trip type. Personally, I have four tarps:
1. Kelty 12' Noah's Tarp (catenary-cut diamond)
2. Cooke Custom Sewing 8x10' Tundra Tarp (rectangle)
3. Warbonnet Outdoors 11' Thunderfly (hexagon with "beaks")
4. Hammock Gear 12' Winter Palace (hexagon with full doors)

The Kelty isn't made for hammocking, but I had it first, so used it for a few years before adding the others. The diamond shape means it has the least protection on the ends - it works find if the rain is coming straight down or the wind is perpendicular to your ridgeline, but other angles can be a problem - the saving grace is that it's pretty long, so you get some flexibility just by having more total tarp. The CCS isn't made for hammocking either, but I've used it on several occasions. It's lightweight, simple, and multi-purpose, so is often my go-to for trips where I expect drizzle but nothing too serious, or expect sunny conditions and want shade to nap in. That said, amusingly this is actually my tarp that's been through the most severe weather - a thunderstorm in Itasca State Park with 60mph winds while hammock camping on an exposed point out on a lake. I pitched it as low to the ground as I could and hung my hammock as high as I could, keeping myself close to the tarp, and tied as many guylines as I could off to trees or roots rather than stakes, and amazingly I actually stayed entirely dry (and nothing tore). The Thunderfly is the tarp I *should* have had for the trip, but didn't own yet at the time. Something like this is a really nice in-between design for a wide variety of conditions, and if I had started off as a hammock camper rather than being a ground camper that gradually added hammock stuff, this would probably be the type to get first. The Winter Palace, as the name suggests, is my winter tarp. I don't really find it's a huge deal to have wind coming by my hammock most of the time (and actually in the summer the cooling effect is one of the top reasons I started using a hammock in the first place), but when that wind is subzero, THEN it matters.

+1 on the WB Superfly, though the others mentioned are good, as well. The Simply Light Designs Winter Haven is a similarly fantastic choice.

Cloudburst over RR. Bushwack Camo Spindrift just arived Thursday!

i have a hex tarp from dutch, great tarp, my last trip i used my 10x12 cooke yellow tarp, that was awesome as well, and provides nice light thru the tarp. larger coverage, although i did not get any rain, first time in a long time.

I have a Superfly that I use most of the time. Even if it doesn't seem like rain, once you get due and all that, sometimes it's nice to have that. I've also hung up the hammock and had the ridgeline over the hammock, but pulled back the tarp towards my feet. Then if I feel like I need coverage at night, I can jump up and pull the tarp forward over me.

I also tend to use "porch mode" as much as possible, where I hang a side up and I can take a look over the lake from the hammock.

I've made a smaller cat cut tarp, and used that a few times, no issues.

When I've been in heavy rain, generally in the superfly, the biggest issue I've had has been splash up under the tarp, but that's not a common storm.

I use a CCS 10'x12'. I've never had an issue with getting wet and if wind becomes an issue, I can rig the ends to block it.

I've tried many tarps over the years... from 8oz cuben fiber to heavy/giant pvc coated ripstop... and ultimately settled on the UGQ Winterdream Tarp. I never did try a Superfly, mostly because they were not available in longer lengths that I prefer, but Winterdream is comparable price and weight.
I prefer tarps with internal pole mods for the extra internal space and "porch mode" option.
Initially this was my winter setup but I found the extra weight was worth the convenience that we now use these tarps all year and never worry about the wind/rain impacting our hang.

Warbonnet Superfly.
Doors closed, doors open, porch mode, it rocks.

UGQ Winter Dream 12 picts w/ internal pole mods -
Full Porch Mode
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- Porch Mode - Inside
- - Bunker Mode :)
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Warbonnet Thunder Fly (11') w/ External Pole mods..... doors or door-lets :) are shown clipped back over the top of the tarp.

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- Warbonnet ThunderFly w/ small door-"lets" closed (Warbonnet website)

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I've attached a few photos of:
1) UGQ Winter Dream 12 w/ Internal End Pole Mod Option
- LOVE this tarp!!! You can go from FULL open porch mode to hunker down to the bunker Oh-chit mode in seconds w/o leaving the tarp. Have Dutch Fleaz on the corners for knotless adjustment.
- Unless the rain is windy, you can lay in whatever level of openness you like enjoying the rain or sitting in a chair under the tarp.
- I commonly keep my bag w/ me under the tarp w/ a chair to have a self contained camp.
- Superfly from Warbonnet is a similar tarp w/o the internal pol mod option. You can get it like the Thunder Fly below w/ external pole mods. SLD's Winter tarp is also very good. Everything I've purchased from UGQ, Warbonnet, SLD and Hammock Gear is top notch!
- In the bunker mode picture at a scout camp, the rain and wind came from the up-hill side, so I was able to roll the pitch down tight on that side while still providing me a great vista to the down hill, valley side. Made for a nice nap laying there watching the rain.

2) Warbonnet Thunderfly - w/ external pole mod option
- Just got this tarp as an extra for family and to take when I really want to shave weight.
- While the external pole mod isn't quite as nice as the internal end mods of the UGQ, it does provide ample room. If I didn't already have the UGQ, I'd swear this was the best option.
- To duplicate the full open vista the UGQ WD provides, you'd need a stick or treking pole to hold it full open.

Both will do very good for keeping out the driving winds found in the BWCA.

If for the BWCA, I don't worry about weight and bring the UGQ for full out openness. The cost is higher, so if cost is the final factor, the Thunder Fly is a close 2nd for me.

Personally, I'd take nothing less than one of these two to the BWCA. I've been on trips were every tenter and every other hanger had gotten wet to some extent while 100% of my gear was dry under the UGQ. I tried straight out hex tents w/o doors and could never be 100% dry (let alone less room when hunkered down the pole mods offer).

Good Luck w/ your decision!

Another vote for UGQ - I have 3 of the Winter Dream tarps and they're the bomb! Doors that close on each end with snaps that stay shut.

In fact, if interested, I have a 12' UGQ Winter Dream in woodland green camo that I'm planning on selling if you have any interest. It's been used just a couple of times. Standard Winter Dream is $139.95, with 4 panel pulls ($20) and woodland camo option ($45), and a JRB "speed sack" for quick setup. I think I'd let it go for $120. Pic below.

Have a great day!

Hoaf: "Another vote for UGQ - I have 3 of the Winter Dream tarps and they're the bomb! Doors that close on each end with snaps that stay shut.

In fact, if interested, I have a 12' UGQ Winter Dream in woodland green camo that I'm planning on selling if you have any interest. It's been used just a couple of times. Standard Winter Dream is $139.95, with 4 panel pulls ($20) and woodland camo option ($45), and a JRB "speed sack" for quick setup. I think I'd let it go for $120. Pic below.

Have a great day! "

You still looking to get rid of this tarp?

I love my UGQ Hex and UGQ rectangle (discontinued). My whole group used hammocks,4, so we also use a CCS 10x12 as both a group tarp and someone sets up under it at night to save the weight of another tarp. I do like the ideas of doors and may have to jump in and try. I experimented one time with an assym tarp and stayed mostly dry but the ozs. saved do not justify the risk in the BDUB.

I don't think you can go wrong with the cottage vendors I have stuff from UGQ, Hammock Gear, Warbonnet, and Dutch and all is top notch and for the most part cheaper than Chinese stuff from ENO or Kammock. And the quality is not even close.