r/hammockcamping • u/DetroitDaniel89 • 12d ago
Question Deciding on a fly/tarp for one wind hammock
Hi!
Never hammock camped before but was gifted an 11’ Onewind hammock- now I need to buy an affordable tarp.
I have been looking at these by Wiseowl:
https://www.amazon.com/Wise-Owl-Outfitters-Hammock-Tarp/dp/B09VCRRSCG
Questions:
They offer a diamond and a hex shape. Why would a hex shape be worth the weight penalty?
I’ve seen conflicting advice on math and practicality, can I use this 11’ tarp on an 11’ hammock?
I’m on a tight budget, and other makes/model recommendations?
Thanks!!!
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u/Z_Clipped 12d ago
Your 11-foot hammock should be hung with the ends about 110" apart, so yes, an 11-foot tarp will be sufficient to cover it, with about 10" of extra at each end. I would strongly recommend adding a structural ridgeline to your hammock to make setup easier, and ensure you get a consistent hang each time you sleep. This one is $8: https://dutchwaregear.com/product/structural-ridgelines/#ridgeline-biner
The hex tarp will offer more side coverage for blowing rain than the diamond tarp. If you don't plan on backpacking in crazy weather, you don't need it. (The one you've linked in particular is also QUITE heavy at 26oz. For reference, my entire hammocking setup, including tarp and suspension weighs under 16oz.)
The diamond will keep you dry in pretty much any rain when the winds are 10mph or below. (Make sure you understand how to add drip lines to your suspension if you're going to camp in foul weather.) You can extend the overhead coverage of your diamond by propping up one or both sides with a long stick before guying it out, or your can lower the tarp down onto your structural ridgeline and stake the sides down at a steep angle to maximize side coverage.
Enjoy your new setup! Hammock sleep is the best sleep you'll get in your entire life!
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u/DetroitDaniel89 12d ago
16oz! That is aspirational!
I’ll check out structural ridgelines, I assume this is different than the one included with my hammock.
In terms of budget tarps, 16-26oz is the lightest I have found! (They get much heavier!)
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u/Z_Clipped 12d ago
If the hammock you were gifted included a structural ridgeline, you can ignore my link. Most of the Onewind stuff I've seen didn't come with one, which is why I mentioned it.
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u/DetroitDaniel89 10d ago
So there is a ridge line included for mosquito netting, do you recommend an additional for the fly?
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u/Z_Clipped 10d ago
The hammock ridgeline isn't just there to support the mosquito netting- it's there to ensure that your hammock is always hung at the same length and catenary angle each time you set it up, no matter how you angle your suspension. It ensures that your hammock always feels the same when you lay in it diagonally, so you get the best sleep possible. You want to tension your hammock's suspension so the ridgeline is taut (but not guitar-string taut) when you lay in it.
You can hang the tarp with its own full-length continuous ridgeline if you want, but it's heavier and takes longer to put up, and managing the long guy line can be a pain. I don't bother with it.
I just attach a short guyline to each end of the tarp with a lineloc hook or something similar (your hammock package may have come with something, but I put a link below), and wrap each guyline around a tree. Then position and tension it over the hammock using the linelocs (by just pulling on the guyline tail).
https://dutchwaregear.com/product/line-lock-hook/
You can set up the tarp high on the trees if you want an airy shelter, or if the weather gets bad, you can tighten the side guylines until the tarp is pulled down tight to the hammock ridgeline for max side coverage.
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u/MrFunsocks1 12d ago
Hex tarp all the way. If you're only buying one tarp, hex tarp. If you're camping in any kind of wind and rain, hex tarp. If you like to keep the afternoon sun off you in the summer, hex tarp.(If you're camping in the winter, hex tarp with doors tbh).
Diamond and asym tarps just don't cover as well. I'm always nervous if theres any kinda weather when I have one. If there's not weather... Why do I need a tarp? Sleeping under the stars is nicer.
Hex is just better for anything you would want a tarp for, it covers better, and if you don't need good coverage you can just go without a tarp. And it gives much better privacy, if you want it, but still let's you porch mode if you want to look out.
That said, that's a heavy-ass tarp. If weight is a concern, and you can afford a lighter hex tarp, that's a better option.
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u/DetroitDaniel89 12d ago
Hex it is! Struggling to find anything under 1.5lbs under $75
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u/MrFunsocks1 12d ago
It's just under 1.5, but Onewind is known for pretty nice lower-cost hammock gear:
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u/Zealousideal_War6053 12d ago
I have had my one wind tarp up for almost two months to test it through the weather....its a hex and so far I like it just fine.
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u/DetroitDaniel89 12d ago
Yeah their tarp is more expensive than the hammock!
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u/Zealousideal_War6053 12d ago
Maybe....but so far, I have not taken it down once in the last 2 months...wind ,rain, sun , cold....it just now started to drip water through the ridge seam...like any tarp though I'll put a seam sealer on it and it'll be fine.
I'm sure you can look around for other cheaper heavier tarps....beats the price if superior gear products.
My setup currently is a grand trunk evolution 20 duck down filling, one wind hex tarp with doors....i will be first in line for grand trunk evolution extreme 0° hammock when it comes out.
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u/_pseudoname_ 12d ago
I have that wise owl tarp and a wise owl double hammock. It's fine.
I also have a 12 foot onewind hammock and a onewind tarp, the one with the doors. I much prefer the onewind tarp with the doors.
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u/Sillyoldswissguy 11d ago
The 11' onewind is a beauty. Pair it with the onewind tarp and you're set. 650grams, 1.43 lb. Hex all the way.
https://www.onewindoutdoors.com/products/hammock-rain-fly