I have a hennessey and I have the largest fly but I still think the coverage is suboptimal. I try to set up perpendicular to the prevailing winds, but if the wind or rain direction changes I worry about getting cold or wet feet. I was thinking about getting the wb superfly so I would have the option of "doors" . How many people think doors on the hammock fly are important and how often are they used. Our trips are usually in June. thx

I have used my Backpacker UL A-sym many times over the years, in many storms, with the fly that came with it (not over sized at all) and have never gotten wet in it. Once, while gone on a day trip, a storm with heavy winds came through. It pulled one of the fly stakes out of the ground and threw the fly up over the top. It got wet then, but only because the stake didn't hold up to the strong side winds.
I personally do not want the 'doors'. I like the air movement, and I like to be able to see out. Most that are new to hammocking do not trust the supplied flies and get larger ones. If set up correctly, there is no reason that you should get water in the hammock while using the fly that was designed for the hammock. Just my $.02.

I think PortageKeeper is probably correct. I bought my Superfly at the same time I bought my Blackbird two years ago. In the thirty plus days that I've slept in it I've seen a handful of storms, but only closed the doors on it twice. On both of those occasions I probably could have gotten away without them, but they sure do give me a warm fuzzy feeling knowing that if I need them, they are there.

As far as being able to see out, I agree whole heartedly. I usually set it up with one side "up" so it works as a porch area where I can put more of my gear and approach the hammock from the side instead of having to go in from the end of the tarp opening.

I have the Superfly and have around 30 nights under it so far and I do like the doors. Been in May with temps in the mid 20’s and liked being able to close it down tight. We also had 4 days of rain on our trip this May and while I probably could have gotten by closing just one end, it made it easy to make sure that no rain made it in.


I did have it setup once at home and went through a hail storm and torrential down poor in May. Probably the last hard rain that we have had all year at home and stayed dry.






I also setup in front porch mode whenever I can, but yet can go lower to the ground when I need to seal it up more. The doors don’t add much weight as far as I’m concerned and so far glad that I got them.

I also trip in June and needed a bigger tarp because I thought it was not big enough. The Superfly is very nice and all who have it like it from what I have read. If I did more fall or spring trips I would get a tarp with doors. I don't need a reason to close the doors down tight but if I did I would get a Superfly. I bought a 12x10 CCS tarp and set it up so I have the 12 foot on top, 5 feet of drop on each side is plenty for protection. I like the airflow in the summer to flow on through so I pitch it with one side up a ways like Kevin does.

I got an early model Superfly and the doors are removable. They snap on and off and really, that's the perfect setup for me. I would bet Brandon at Warbonnet could make another like this if asked.

quote TomT: "I got an early model Superfly and the doors are removable. They snap on and off and really, that's the perfect setup for me. I would bet Brandon at Warbonnet could make another like this if asked."

I believe he makes a tarp with removable doors but bought seperatly it's more expensive than the superfly.

The doors on the SF can be tied back to the opposite corner. They lay flat against the outside of the tarp until you need them.

PZ - Keep your tarp and check out the
Grizz Beak

That will give you the best of both at a very affordable price point, especially if you get just one beak...

And the folks above are correct. It is likely that as you use your setup more, you will become more comfortable with the coverage and will find you stay dry. But, I know how you feel and I went through the same analysis with my Hennessy hex tarp. Ultimately, I found a used cuben fiber tarp that is 11 x 8.5. The price and weight of that tarp were just too good to pass up, but I don't really need that much coverage in 3 season camping.

I have the HH Explorer UL with the fly that came with it and after about 150+ nights in it I have never gotten wet. I used to think that I needed a bigger fly because it doesn't look like it covers the ends very well but so far so good and I have been through some very strong storms in it.
As mentioned I also like being able to see out and the good breeze I get through it.

CK - Are you using the diamond tarp or the hex?

quote RainGearRight: "

quote TomT: "I got an early model Superfly and the doors are removable. They snap on and off and really, that's the perfect setup for me. I would bet Brandon at Warbonnet could make another like this if asked."

I believe he makes a tarp with removable doors but bought seperatly it's more expensive than the superfly.


The doors on the SF can be tied back to the opposite corner. They lay flat against the outside of the tarp until you need them. "

My tarp is a superfly. It originally started with no doors then Brandon came out with this snap on door deal that I have. Then it morphed into what it is today where the doors are built into the tarp. I bought my superfly in early 2009.

quote jcavenagh: "CK - Are you using the diamond tarp or the hex?"

I am using the standard diamond tarp that came with it.

I find the doors are really handy for two things:

1) If you have a lot of gear piled at the head or foot end of your hammock, it helps give you extra space to keep that stuff dry. This is nice if you solo without a dining fly.

2) Also good in cold conditions to help keep off the wind and keep in a little extra warm air. Doesn't help for too much, 5* if you're lucky but that can make a difference if it is wet and cold out.

As far as rain, not really necessary but still nice to give you some extra space. Also, it is pretty easy to make the Grizz Beaks if you sew at all. You could even just though a cut segment of a cheap tarp over the end of your tarp and it would serve a similar purpose.

quote Craig K: "

quote jcavenagh: "CK - Are you using the diamond tarp or the hex?"

I am using the standard diamond tarp that came with it.
"

Craig -- That site looks familiar. Where is it?

quote OBX2Kayak: "

quote Craig K: "

quote jcavenagh: "CK - Are you using the diamond tarp or the hex?"

I am using the standard diamond tarp that came with it.
"

Craig -- That site looks familiar. Where is it?"

That would be camp site #662 on Duncan Lake just to the left of the portage from Bearskin. Nice site with a pretty decent view. Lots of day traffic going over to the Stairway Portage though.

I have the Clark Vertex that I got with my Clark NX-250, I thought upgraded to the Superfly... My son uses the vertex now with his Claytor & I use the superfly

I will say that I have used the doors 5 times in storms or cold windy situations, the doors are nice & I like having that option with me. With that said, the superfly is not as high quality as the Clark vertex. If Clark offered a vertex with doors, I would buy it & sell the superfly.

KevinL love your setup I do the same thing. This leaves room for gear and serves as a dining fly. That means my hammock is my chair. I like my large tarp but it needs more tie downs for high wind conditions.

I'm brand new to hanging, so I don't speak from experience here - just throwing out a raw idea that would be very cost effective IF it worked.

If you'd hang your tarp in an A frame configuration, what about somehow attaching a Timberline 4 vestibule to cover the open end of your set up in a "Grizz Beak" fashion? I'll have to experiment and give it a try once the weather gets nice again. Just an idea.

quote MagicPaddler: "KevinL love your setup I do the same thing. This leaves room for gear and serves as a dining fly. That means my hammock is my chair. I like my large tarp but it needs more tie downs for high wind conditions. "

Tie downs are not hard to sew on to the hem of your tarp. You can even do it by hand.

OR... clip on http://www.outdoortrailgear.com/featured/clip-on-tarp-pull-outs/
[Add-A-Link function doesnt work]

quote papszoo: "I have a hennessey and I have the largest fly but I still think the coverage is suboptimal. I try to set up perpendicular to the prevailing winds, but if the wind or rain direction changes I worry about getting cold or wet feet. I was thinking about getting the wb superfly so I would have the option of "doors" . How many people think doors on the hammock fly are important and how often are they used. Our trips are usually in June. thx"

Papszoo,
I too have their l hex fly, I sent mine to 2QZQ Tarp Mod the sewn on doors have proved well. I've only had a couple chances hanging with them but with them. I'll worry less about my setup while the doors are closed and I'm away from camp.

I have both the mamajama and the Superfly, both great tarps. I'll take the SF with the doors when it's cold/windy or when rain is expected. like others, I have not had to use the doors much, only a few times, but I'm glad they were there.
But coverage with both tarps is no concern. They are certainly big enough.

I have WBBB + Mambajamba, No doors.

I hemmed and hawed about adding some but decided against it. So far I haven't wished for them. The again- you can always get some and not bring them. I believe that they can be added on to nearly any warbonnet tarp (new ones.

Damn. Looking at all these photos makes me want to get out there and hang.

quote Craig K: "

quote jcavenagh: "CK - Are you using the diamond tarp or the hex?"

I am using the standard diamond tarp that came with it.
"

Hmmm. Did we hang at the same campsite?