Is A Tarp Necessary For Hammock Camping?

Hammock camping has become a growing trend in recent years, and for good reasons. They are comfortable, portable, easy to set up, and are available in multiple sizes.

In short, they’re the perfect choice for when you want to camp out in nature. In spite of this, hammock camping is not without its challenges, unpredictable weather being one of the more notable ones.

Generally, a tarp will only be necessary if you are camping or backpacking in an area with strong winds, or if there is likely to be snowfall, or, most obviously, if it might rain. However, if you’re going camping in the summer or spring, when there’s almost no chance of any weather calamity, you can easily skip the tarp and focus on stargazing instead.

Let’s delve deeper for a more informed view.

What Is A Tarp?

A tarp is a waterproof, lightweight shelter that you can use to protect yourself from the elements when camping. It’s basically a large fabric sheet (synthetic) with holes on its edges where you can pass through poles or ropes to set up as per your requirement.

For tent camping, you use the poles to wrap it around your tent (much like a rainfly), and for hammock camping, you pass ropes through the holes to create a figure ‘A’ shelter around your hammock.

Further reading: Tarp Vs Rainfly

Plus, you can also use it as a ground cloth under your tent to prevent damage to the tent from friction with the ground. Furthermore, the tarp will insulate you from the ground and help keep the bottom of your tent dry during rain.

Even if you don’t have a tent or a hammock, you can set up your tarp to protect yourself from the elements, and in some cases, you can use the tarp as a tent in its own right.

Also, there are some tarps that have doors on either end, most commonly secured with a zipper. These tarps keep out the elements from almost any angle and are especially useful during winter hammocking when you don’t want any wind chill getting to you.

Also, these can be used during almost any weather condition, from heavy rains to strong winds as well. The extra fabric, however, adds weight to the tarp.

In general, hammock tarps consist of a number of holes/straps to pass your rope or pole through, a number of stakes to position the tarp on the ground, guylines to attach these stakes to the tarp or tree, and a tarp bag for convenient carry.

If interested, you can check this article on Hammock Camping On A Budget

As an alternative to carrying the metal stakes with you, you can carve one using a knife on the go if you want to reduce weight. In any case, the material of the tarp heavily determines how heavy or lightweight it will be.

What Are The Different Types Of Hammock Tarps?

Tarps are classified into several types based on the material used and the purpose for which they are designed. However, for camping in a tent or hammock, the list condenses to only a few different types. As for most outdoor adventures, tarps can be categorized based on two main characteristics. These are:

Material

In terms of the durability of your tarp and its long-term survival, this is a very important factor. Tarps made from cheap materials will last much shorter than those made from premium fabrics.

Additionally, as mentioned previously, not all tarps are suitable for outdoor use since most are designed to cover industrial goods during transport and lack the necessary features to be used during camping.

Some of the quality materials that hammock tarps are made of include:

Polyester: Polyester tarps are lightweight, weatherproof, and budget-friendly. You can use it to shelter your car or RV, cover your hammock during rain, or cover an outdoor deck when you are having a party.

These tarpaulins are made from polyethylene, a synthetic fiber that has many similarities to nylon, notably that it is waterproof, but unlike nylon tarps, it does not sink in when wet.

Tarps made from polyester are available in several different thicknesses, depending on their application. The thickness of tarps is measured in mils (1/1000 of an inch).

Most poly tarps are 6 mils thick, but thicker tarps can be found as thick as 23-25 mils (though these are usually used on ships for very rough weather and not for camping).

These tarps are great for outdoor survival due to their affordability, however, these tarps are not known for their durability and you may notice signs of wear and tear after 3-4 years.

SilNylon: Like polyester tarps, these tarps are ultralight, weatherproof, and budget-friendly. The name SilNylon is a portmanteau of Silicone and Nylon, where nylon threads are covered in liquid silicone from both sides which adds to its durability.

Similar to poly tarps, these tarps are water-proof, however, as mentioned before, they tend to sink in or become saggy when exposed to water.

SilNylon tarps are also less breathable than polyester tarps because of the closely packed threads and silicone coating. However, their wide range of colors makes up for that. There are tarps available from 6 mils all the way up to 35 mils.

This, along with a polyester tarp, are the most budget-friendly options for camping and hammocking. These tarps are also more durable than poly tarps and can last up to 5-6 years, depending on how they’re used.

Vinyl: These tarps are significantly stronger and more durable than other tarps, and absorb 0% water. Camping with these tarps is great because they won’t absorb any water from rain or snow, and they are flame-resistant, so they don’t catch on fire either.

In addition, this is one of the only tarps that naturally resist mildew growth, as well as prevent oil and grease from sweeping inside. Simply put, they provide maximum protection from the elements.

Furthermore, these can also be used in many other situations other than camping, such as covering cars, wooden furniture, or even as a long-term roof cover.

Plus, vinyl tarps have the longest survival rates amongst the rest of the tarps and can last up to 10 years, which is due to their high abrasion resistance. Also, these tarps can range from 10 mils to 50 mils in thickness.

However, the bulk of its weakness is its price. Vinyl tarps are expensive and are not as lightweight as polyester or SilNylon tarps.

Canvas: These tarps offer the least amount of protection against the elements plus they are more expensive than polyester or nylon tarps. These tarps are not naturally water-resistant and need to be treated for water resistance.

In order to make your tarp water-resistant, it needs to be treated separately with a water-proofing spray. These tarps can be up to 30 mils thick and are more durable than poly or SilNylon, and they are likely to last a lot longer than these two.

You should not use canvas tarps for weather protection, but if you want to enjoy the breeze and protect yourself from the sun, then these would be the best choice. The reason for this is that these tarps facilitate air circulation and prevent condensation from forming inside.

Shape

The shape of your tarp is not as important as the material of your tarp, but it is good to be familiar with the different shapes on the market. Nonetheless, you can adjust any tarp’s shape by configuring the guy lines properly. Some of the shapes include:

Square tarp: In addition to being the most common shape, it’s also the most versatile and can be used in a number of situations other than camping.

Door tarp: This is very similar to a square tarp, except there are a few extra straps/anchor points around the ridgeline to anchor the guy lines closing the doors.

Hex tarp: This tarp is great for hot sunny days where you want a place to retreat or just to soak in the breeze, however, they provide less weather protection as compared to a square tarp.

Do You Need A Tarp For Hammock Camping?

As mentioned earlier, tarp usage becomes imperative when there is a forecast that indicates rain, snow, or strong winds. Even if you don’t know the forecast, but the area is prone to frequent rain, then you should pack a tarp in your pack.

After all, when hiking in the forest, a tarp over your head can protect you from getting soaked through rain, and you don’t want to get drenched in water and catch a cold.

During cold weather hammock camping, a tarp, especially a door tarp, will be a lifesaver. By using a tarp over your hammock, you can prevent snow from falling on your hammock, which would have prevented you from sleeping.

Moreover, the sealed doors will further cancel out the chill winds, making your hammock camping experience more pleasurable.

It is worth noting that winter hammock camping is only possible because of the tarp; without it, you would be stuck with tent camping.

Even in hot weather, a tarp will provide you with a much-appreciated shade under which you can rest during the day while also enjoying a breeze. However, unlike the other scenarios, you can also achieve this by strategically positioning your hammock under a natural tree canopy.

Conclusion: Even though a tarp adds some extra weight to your pack, it is still one of the most important accessories for hammock camping regardless of the weather conditions. Just as a bug net prevents bugs from getting inside your hammock, a tarp prevents bad weather from getting inside.

What To Look For When Buying A Hammock Tarp

Make sure to consider these factors when buying a tarp for a camping hammock. These include:

Tarp Material

The material choice of a tarp depends on where you plan to camp. If you’re going camping where it rains on a regular basis, polyester or SilNylon tarps are your best bet.

Similarly, if you plan on winter camping, consider getting a vinyl door tarp for better insulation and to block cold winds from entering inside.

Additionally, if you plan on summer camping with little to no chance of a downpour, a canvas tarp might be the best option.

Shape

You can get through most weather conditions by simply using a square tarp. For more extreme weather conditions, such as snow or heavy rain, you’ll be better off using a door tarp.

Similarly, when the weather isn’t that intense like in summer when you simply want to escape the heat, a hex tarp will be very helpful.

Size

As a general rule, your tarp should be at least one foot larger than your hammock to ensure it fits perfectly. As an example, if you have a 9 ft. hammock, buy a 10 ft. tarp and similarly, if your hammock is 10 ft., then buy an 11 ft. tarp.

It should come as no surprise that if you buy a tarp that is smaller than your hammock, you will leave open spots for the weather to enter. Similarly, if the tarp is too large, you may face problems setting it up or hamper air circulation inside.

Weight

This is especially important for campers and backpackers alike who do trekking instead of car camping since every extra pound of weight in your backpack can slow you down in the long run.

When hiking on foot, a polyester or SilNylon tarp is your best bet since they do the job they’re meant to do while keeping the weight low.

You should also avoid vinyl tarps for light-mediocre weather conditions since they tend to weigh more than their counterparts.

Cost

The cost of a hammock tarp can range from as low as $10 all the way up to $300. Usually, the price difference depends on the quality of the material used and the weight of the tarp as a whole.

In general, the higher the price, the lighter and longer-lasting it will be, and vice versa. If you are a beginner to hammock camping, then there’s no need to opt for an expensive tarp, a simple $10-15 polyester or SilNylon tarp would be just fine.

Final Thoughts

In many respects, tarps are similar to bug nets. A bug net protects you from bug bites, whereas, a tarp protects you from harsh weather conditions.

For places where you would require a bug net, it is safe to assume that you will also need a tarp. Even though a tarp adds a few extra pounds to your backpack, it makes outdoor hammock camping less stressful and more enjoyable.

Anyways, as always, stay safe and happy adventuring!