Topic
Shelter that doubles as hammock tarp?
Forum Posting
A Membership is required to post in the forums. Login or become a member to post in the member forums!
Home › Forums › Gear Forums › Gear (General) › Shelter that doubles as hammock tarp?
- This topic is empty.
-
AuthorPosts
-
Mar 5, 2014 at 12:43 pm #1314059
I was thinking about getting a shelter setup that allows me the versatility of using a hammock below the tree line and a shelter above it.
I was wondering if there are any shelters/tarps available that might fit this bill. I sleep like a baby in a hammock, but want to be able to camp above the treeline on occasion depending on the hike. My thoughts are that I could use the hammock as a groundsheet above the treeline, and get a bivy (for when its colder) or bug net (for those warm months).
Just an idea I'm toying around with now… I was thinking that an MLD Trailstar might be good for something like this… thoughts?
Mar 5, 2014 at 12:46 pm #2079786A golite poncho tarp works as a minimalist tarp over short hammocks. MLD's Pro poncho might work, and would be a longer ground shelter, too.
A Trailstar could work but hanging the peak effectively would be a big pain.
Hammocks work fine as a bivy if you use trekking poles for the ends.
Mar 5, 2014 at 1:47 pm #2079809Would a simple 8 x 10 or 8 x 11 tarp fit the bill or is that missing something you're looking for? Personally I would stay away from shaped tarps for hanging, plus you have a lot more options with a rectangular tarp or square tarp but not the simplicity of shaped tarp …. Also want to consider that many shaped tarps may not have enough length to cover your ridgeline …. I would want an 11 foot ridgeline for hanging if I have a standard 10 foot long hammock ….
Since all a traditional hex hammock tarp is is a normal rectangular tarp with angled corners … with a rectangular tarp you would get more coverage when hanging and even have enough overhang on the ends to make small doors if needed or hang it asym…. Was in same spot as you and but went with a hex tarp, even for if I have to be above tree line …
Mar 5, 2014 at 2:41 pm #2079831Perhaps an 8.5 x 8.5 flat tarp. It could be pitched on the diagonal for the hammock. Zpacks has a nice one.
Mar 5, 2014 at 5:27 pm #2079885I have a 7×9 cuben fiber tarp that I use to both bivy as well as over my hammock with the long diagonal as my ridge line. Provides a nice asym set up for the hammock. If I had to do again I probably would go with a 10×8 tarp to provide a bit more coverage but works well for on the ground or in the air.
Mar 5, 2014 at 7:05 pm #2079902As someone who never has used a tarp shelter before for any type of real backpacking, is it something I could just pick up and try start out with? I've set up tarps for camping trips in a hammock but never anything out in the wilderness. I don't want to be over my head out in the bush…
Mar 6, 2014 at 5:03 am #2080014I would start with a silnylon tarp and go at least 8×10 and then just start practicing in your yard or at a local park, which is what I did. There are some great books and websites to learn from. Anything from Derek Hanson on hammocking is great stuff.
Mar 6, 2014 at 5:35 am #2080021Yes, you certainly can find a tarp that works for hammocks and also a shelter when hanging is not an option. I'm with you, I much prefer a hammock but there are parts of some trails that require going to ground.
Check out the JacksRBetter tarps for a variety of sizes, materials and weights.
Also, Zpacks has a few different hammock tarp options.
Mar 6, 2014 at 7:45 am #2080045A "four-season" hammock tarp (that is, with one that has doors to close off the ends) will definitely provide you with an enclosed shelter on those rare occasions that you have to go to ground. The Superfly (by Warbonnet Outdoors), Bullfrog (by Wilderness Logics), Cuben Standard With Doors (by Hammock Gear), Hammock Tarp With Doors (by Zpacks), and JRB 11×10 Tarp (by Jacks'R'Better) are all good examples of this. There're more out there; it may be worth a little investigation (all of these are just off of the top of my head).
Coupled with a groundsheet (my poncho doubles for this, if ever needed), one of these tarps and your hammock used as a bug bivvy (if needed) will work just fine with your trekking poles as a shelter option. It won't be quite as easy to pitch as a purpose-designed tent, but that's what you get multi-using gear.
Hope it helps!
Mar 6, 2014 at 8:37 am #2080062Agree with John. I have the Zpacks hammock tarp with doors and have used it as a very roomy ground-dwelling tarp on a number of occasions.
Probably obvious, but if ground dwelling, don't forget a pad and (if-needed) bug protection.
Mar 6, 2014 at 9:14 am #2080075Robert- Do you have the optional trekking pole attachments on the Z-packs hammock tarp? How do they hold up?
-
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
Forum Posting
A Membership is required to post in the forums. Login or become a member to post in the member forums!
Our Community Posts are Moderated
Backpacking Light community posts are moderated and here to foster helpful and positive discussions about lightweight backpacking. Please be mindful of our values and boundaries and review our Community Guidelines prior to posting.
Get the Newsletter
Gear Research & Discovery Tools
- Browse our curated Gear Shop
- See the latest Gear Deals and Sales
- Our Recommendations
- Search for Gear on Sale with the Gear Finder
- Used Gear Swap
- Member Gear Reviews and BPL Gear Review Articles
- Browse by Gear Type or Brand.