Adding in the best hammock rain fly tarp will add to your relaxation and enjoyment as you are swinging in the breeze. There are very few things as relaxing as crawling into a hammock, and soaking up some sun on a warm day.
The back and forth swinging motion alone is enough to lull your eyes closed as the cares of the world drift away. Whether you’ve laid in a hammock in your backyard or deep in the wilderness after a long day of backpacking, most can agree it is one of life’s simple pleasures.
However, as we all know, the weather doesn’t always cooperate, especially in the mountains, and you may find yourself needing extra cover. Take along a hammock tarp and you’ll be swinging in all weather conditions.
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Best Rain Fly for Backpacking
If you’re going to take your hammock backpacking and use it to replace a tent, you’re going to want a lightweight hammock rain tarp.
We think the best lightweight hammock rain fly with easy setup is the Wise Owl Outfitters Camping Tarp.
This nylon ripstop fabric has a PU rating of 3000 mm water pressure. Combined with the taped seams, this makes this rain fly an excellent option for keeping you dry in wet conditions.
This hammock tarp comes in multiple sizes. The lite version weighs in at a mere 18.9 ounces, making this ultralight hammock tarp a must-have in your backpacking arsenal.
If you want something slightly larger, the other sizes don’t weigh much more. The standard version is 11 feet long by 9 feet wide and weighs 26 ounces.
Lightweight Hammock Tarp
This lightweight hammock tarp does come with ten guy lines to stake it down with and even comes with the stakes, which not all do. The guy lines have adjusters, which are great for tightening the ropes. It does have a two-piece ridgeline, but this will be more typical in these lightweight hammock tarps.
We love how much coverage this tarp offers for the size and weight. It not only provides hammock coverage but there is enough space to cook and sit out of the rain in even the wettest conditions.
For this reason, we think this is also the best double hammock camping tarp. Additionally, this tarp will keep you dry.
Best Waterproof Hammock Rain Fly
As with many of our recommendations, our products could fall under more than one category. We always want to give you a list of the “best of the best” of what’s out there.
While each rainfly on our list is designed to keep you dry, we love the ENO, Eagles Nest Outfitters DryFly Rain Tarp for an extra waterproof tarp option.
This Eno hammock tarp is made of polyurethane-treated ripstop nylon, meaning it’s incredibly waterproof and rugged. This rainfly will no doubt keep you dry. It weighs in at 1.5 pounds (22 ounces) and comes with an attached stuff sack, so you never have to worry about losing it.
Additionally, if you’re looking for an Eno doublenest hammock tarp, this one should do the job at 10′ 6″ x 5′ 2″. While it doesn’t come with stakes, it does have an eight-point guy line system that allows you to stake it out to cover a wide area, giving it an ample footprint.
As with other Eno products, the material colors can vary slightly since they make an effort to reduce material waste. They’re a fantastic eco-friendly company that makes excellent products.
Best Budget-Friendly Rain Fly for Camping
If you’re looking for a cost-effective camping hammock tarp, look no further than a REDCAMP Hammock Rain Fly. While it’s not the lightest weight hammock tarp on the market, it is undoubtedly a good value for the cost and will keep you sufficiently dry at the trailhead or in the backyard.
This rainfly comes in several shapes and sizes, including rectangular tarps, hexagonal tarps, diamond tarps and square tarps. Sizes range from 10’x10′ to 10’x12′ and weigh around 1.8 pounds.
It’s construction is of polyester ripstop with a PU rating of 2000 mm. It also comes with six stakes and bright orange guy lines for high visibility.
In addition to using it to cover your hammock, square tarps are an excellent option for picnicking, as a day shelter, and you can even situate it as a ground covering or mat.
Perhaps the best news is this rain tarp also comes with a one-year money-back guarantee. If you’re not happy with it or something malfunctions, you can return it or swap it out for another rain fly.
Backpackers can use this rain fly, and although it’s not the most lightweight on the market, it is undoubtedly lighter than packing a full tent. It will sufficiently keep the moisture off, although it may begin to seep a little after prolonged periods of heavy rain.
However, at this price point, we still think this is the best hammock tarp for backpacking or hammock camping, and with the money-back guarantee, you really can’t go wrong in giving it a try.
Best Four Season Hammock Rain Fly
As we’ve already mentioned, some hammock tarps have four sides, designed for maximum attention as you build your hammock fortress. The ENO Eagles Nest Outfitters HouseFly Rain Tarp is one such tarp that is sure to keep you protected from the elements year-round.
The HouseFly is ripstop nylon and weighs 1.7 pounds (27 ounces). Its unfolded dimensions are 10’8″ by 8’10”. The overlapping doors on either end can be stowed away to enjoy the day or closed using the attached buckles. It also comes with pre-attached cords for ensuring it’s adequately tied down.
Reviewers say this rain fly is excellent in cold winter weather but is a bit overkill during the summertime with the warmer weather. However, they do say it sheds rain exceptionally well. And fortunately, Eno has plenty of other great products so you can keep a variety of flies on hand for all occasions including extreme weather conditions!
As stated before, the Eno brand strives to be eco-friendly and reduce waste. Therefore, you may see some irregularities in the color of their products since they aim to use all bits of fabric rather than wasting it.
This rainfly does not come with stakes, so you’ll need to add the ones that work best for you. Luckily, stakes are inexpensive, and there are lots of good options. Additionally, it’s design fits one person comfortably.
Camping Hammock With Rainfly
If you’ve ever laid in a hammock, you’ve probably considered sleeping in one overnight rather than crawling into your tent. A hammock can be much easier on your back than on the hard ground and can even help lighten your load if you choose not to pack a tent or a sleeping pad.
Hammock Camping
Many people will take a hammock and rain fly when backpacking rather than a full tent. It saves considerable weight and bulk. However, you must consider the weather for when and where you’ll be hammock camping, and if it is likely to rain.
If you’re camping outside, there is always a likelihood of the inevitable sprinkle, if not more. This is where a good hammock tarp comes in and maybe even a bug net.
What is a Hammock Rain Fly?
A hammock rainfly is a piece of water repellent material that hangs above your hammock to help keep the wind, rain, and snow off of you keeping you warm and dry.
You may also hear it called a hammock tarp or a hammock rain cover. Regardless of the terminology used, the function and purpose remain the same. Let’s walk through a few important considerations regarding hammock materials.
Hammock Tarp Materials
Like tents, rain-fly materials can vary but are typically nylon, polyester, or variations. Here are some of the most common:
Ripstop Hammock
Ripstop is typically a polyester or nylon fabric woven into patterns that increase the fabric’s strength. The design is usually a grid, and you’ll recognize many different outdoor products made of ripstop once you know the pattern.
Silnylon Hammock
This nylon infused with silicone is one of the most common materials in use for hammock and tent flys. While it is waterproof or rain proof, it does tend to stretch and is not as durable as some alternatives. It works fine for three-season camping.
Silpoly Hammock
This polyester is infused with silicone and is more expensive than silnylon. It has less stretch, is lightweight and packable. It makes a good backpacking option.
Polyurethane Treated Hammock
These fabrics are typically PE or nylon with a polyurethane layer to make them waterproof. If this layer begins to peel away, it will need to be replaced or repaired, but these are usually pretty durable and affordable.
Hammock Spinnaker
This is a hybrid cloth sail fabric that is loud, crinkly, and easily damaged. While it is somewhat waterproof, it doesn’t make a good shelter for hammock camping. Maybe leave the spinnaker fabric at home for your next camping trip.
Rain Fly Shapes
A Rain Fly comes in several different shapes and lot’s of different sizes. Tarp size is important as you will want the best size tarp for your specific needs. You may use the tarp in different ways depending on where you are camping.
Do you need a compact hammock rain fly? How about specific sizes of winter tarps? Do you need a larger tarp for good coverage? Will the rain fly tarp be used to cover a single person?
Most hammock tarps are symmetrical but vary in size and shape. And some come in an asymmetrical shape, which tend to be ultralight hammock tarps designed specifically to be more lightweight for packing. Alternatively, there are also some with four “walls,” designed for four-season camping.
Just remember that the more material your fly has, the more coverage you will get from it. So while it’s nice to save weight, sometimes it’s better to go for a fly that will come down further on each side if the inclement weather gets really bad.
This is especially important if you’re using this to backpack long distances where you won’t have the option of just running inside a building.
Symmetrical Hammock Tarps
The most common symmetrical rain fly is rectangular shape, although they may be found in a diamond shape or hexagonal tarp shape.
Asymmetrical Hammock Tarps
An asymmetrical rain fly is beneficial as it saves weight and space. It will provide minimal coverage, and you will need to sleep in line with the ridge to stay covered.
How to Pitch a Hammock Rain Fly?
A hammock tarp requires a ridgeline. The best hammock rain tarps utilizes a continuous ridgeline, but two-piece ridgelines are also available.
Hammock Ridgelines
A continuous ridgeline runs from the anchor points or hammock strap on one end and continues to the attachment points or hammock strap on the other side. The rain fly is draped over the top of the ridgeline, usually a rope.
In this way, the ridgeline can absorb the fly’s load. To set up this type, attach a rope (often included with the rain fly) to the anchor on either end and ensure it’s stretched tight. You will then drape the rain fly over the rope, ensuring it is centered over the hammock for adequate coverage.
A two-piece ridgeline is designed so the ridgeline string is attached to the fabric at both ends. No rope or string runs under the rain fly. Instead, each side is tied directly to the anchor on either end. Because these ropes or lines are attached directly to the rainfly, there is nothing to drape; it’s already up.
Hammock Stakes
Like a rain fly on a tent, the corners and sides of hammock rain flies will need to be staked outward from the tent. A hammock rainfly usually come with guy lines, guy points used to do this staking. Sometimes the rain fly comes with stakes, or you may have to buy them separately.
If you’re backpacking, lightweight aluminum stakes may work best. However, these are more expensive. Perhaps you’re setting up in the backyard, in which case heavier, less expensive steel stakes may work just fine.
Pull the edges and sides of the rain fly tight, and put the stakes in the ground to hold them down. This will keep the rain fly in place and from blowing around in strong winds.
It will also help ensure you stay fully covered should the weather take a turn for the worse. Alternatively, you can tie the guy lines to other anchors if there are enough to do so.
Best Hammock Tarp
As always, the best hammock tarp options will depend on how you’re using it, as well as personal preferences.
Best Hammock Tarps: Final Thoughts
There are many great hammock rain flies on the market. We’ve said variations of this before, and we’ll repeat it: the best hammock rain tarp is the one that best suits your needs. Some are better quality than others, but we’ve given you an excellent basis to start. Which you choose will depend entirely on your budget, needs, and preferences.
Eno is a well-known hammock brand, an eco-friendly company that makes high-quality products. You can’t go wrong with either Eno rain fly we mentioned. However, don’t overlook Wise Owl, a reputable rival to Eno. And, of course, it’s always nice to have a budget-friendly option. The Redcamp Hammock Rain Fly is quiet a versatile hammock tarp for many situations and recommended for close consideration.
Whichever rain fly you choose, and for whatever circumstance you are using it in, rest assured that these options will keep you dry.
So break out your hammock, throw in your best hammock tarp, and get outside and get swinging!