Hammock Gear Dyneema Fiber Standard Tarp with Doors

Ultra light, ultra coverage that even wind driven sideways rain can't penetrate!

I've been camping all my life, so I know what it is like to sleep in a tent...on the ground, on a cot, on a ground pad. Then I discovered that hammocks weren't just for the backyard. Then I discovered they're lighter than most backpacking tents.  And that they don't offer much protection from the elements by themselves.

Step in the myriad tarps used with hammocks. Sure, you could use a typical fiberglass tarp from your favorite big box store — but do you want to pack that weight or bulk?  

That is one of the great things about cuben fiber items, you can't get much lighter and they pack smaller than comparable sized items made of other material. The Standard Cuben Fiber Tarp with Doors from HammockGear fits a bill for going as light as you can go in a 4-season tarp.

I purchased the option to have a 12' ridge line so that I can use the tarp in a wider array of applications than just my hammock. For instance, I have a 2-person bug net bivy that fits very well underneath with plenty of space to keep gear out of the elements as well as myself and a companion.

The tarp packs down very small — it fits in the included 8.5"x13.5" stuff sack with plenty of extra room. I'm using 10 - 8' poly cords for tie outs and 50' length of Zing-it for the ridgeline — all of it fits into the stuff sack and still has room for more. In the stuff sack with cordage it weighs just 16.8 oz. However, for that, opened out, there is approximately 80 sq ft of coverage. That makes a nice front porch or fully enclosed shelter.

The 10 side tie outs and 4 sidewall tie outs offer any number of options for pitching the tarp. Particularly 4 "doors" that allow 360 deg protection from weather when closed up. No rain or snow in here!  Since it is cuben fiber, there will be virtually no stretch from wetness, helping to make sure a tight pitch every time and stays tight. The catenary cut sides will help make sure wind doesn't flap the tarp in high wind when pitched and so reduces noise — great for sleeping. With all this protection, it's perfect for obscene weather and has handled itself well in several rainstorms and wind driving downpour.

The ridgeline is bonded and does not leak. The seams are bonded and sewn at the tie out points. The tie outs are plastic d-rings and will accommodate small cordage.

The thing, though, about cuben fiber gear, is that it is not for the weak of stomach financially. You could easily purchase any number of lightweight shelters or shelter systems for the cost of the tarp alone. If it helps to swallow, the tarp is very well built. This was my first purchase from HammockGear, and I've since gone back for other gear based on the build quality. Winter hammocking, here I come!

Super lightweight. No stretch. Packs small. Expensive.

This is an incredible product for hammocks. It weighs just over 8 ounces without tie outs and included stuff sack. I use the sack as a waterproof bag for some down items.

The product is well made, for easy deployment its packed in no-see-um skins and kept in an exterior mesh pocket on the pack. I haven't had any abrasion issues or wear. You can buy a silnylon big tarp with doors for $150, but it's going to be heavy. This is the opposite of heavy, the weight savings is what sold me and keeps me using it every time I hang. Of course you have unparalleled coverage and wind protection.

It's taut when deployed, once up there is no need to adjust. No need for shock cords for your tie outs. No need for a continuous ridge line, either. Just tie off the ends.

It does have downsides, but the weight and tautness overcome them for my use. The material is translucent, so you're really going to notice when the sun comes up.  

The fact that you're going to need four extra stakes for the doors and and probably 25 feet worth of tie outs adds some weight, and a minute or two extra to set it up is a consideration. I have used one tie out for each pair of doors and it closes pretty tight and allows me to open the "doors" easily. Quick setup variations can be figured out easily. After all, you did pay $300 or so for this thing, so you're probably pretty interested in getting the most out of it.

If I ever went somewhere (god forbid) that didn't have trees, I'm pretty confident it would make a great shelter with two trekking poles. Never had a condensation issue, but I would consider that more of a  local weather factor than something due to the material. I have other wearable cuben fiber products, so I assume it breathes. Don't know for sure. I'm also not sure how well it will handle wine stains.  I'm trying REALLY hard not to find out...