WHEN WILL WAY TO THE WOODS COM OUT UPDATE
WHEN WILL WAY TO THE WOODS COM OUT FULL

The JRB is a square, pitched diagonally, so you only need two stakes (and cord) to set it up. The major difference between the tarps is the shape. It only adds ~1.5 oz total to the tarp, and he doesn't need a complete rolled seam underneath, so I'm guessing it adds just under an ounce to the weight. I'm sure the trim strengthens the edges, and it sure looks nicer, but I'm not convinced that much strength is needed for a lightweight tarp. It also makes sewing the silnylon easier, reducing irregular stitches. Brian says the trim improves the strength of the tarp (especially important if it's whipping in the wind during setup) and provides a nice finished appearance. The JRB is of excellent quality, but the MacCat I received looks like it's a little bit higher quality workmanship, and the grosgrain trim and webbing at the guyline connections make the tarp appear to be more durable. I noticed a few irregular stitches on both, but that's the only 'defect'.it's tough to sew such light material, and the stitches certainly won't affect functionality.

This is tough to compare because both tarps are high-quality pieces of lightweight gear. The MacCat comes with a stuff sack the JRB does not.The JRB does not come seam-sealed, so the listed weight does not include it.The MacCat comes standard with seam-sealing, and the listed weight reflects this.UPDATE: See my MacCat BGT Review and Test Details.

WHEN WILL WAY TO THE WOODS COM OUT FULL

This is the beginning of what will eventually turn into a full review. When I asked Brian from Outdoor Equipment Supplier to use a picture from his page on mine, he offered to send me a tarp to test so I could review it. I've been using my JRB 8x8 since I got it, and I'm very happy with it. If you have a unique one to add, email me and I'll put it on. Here's a short list for comparison.prices may be dated but I'll leave them there for comparison. Better yet, support a startup, like Speer Hammocks, JacksRBetter, Outdoor Equipment Supplier, Warbonnet Outdoors, Mountain Laurel Designs, etc. Check online and eBay, too (search for silnylon or brand names). Most camping stores sell some sort of tarp, so check out your local outfitter or stores like REI.

WHEN WILL WAY TO THE WOODS COM OUT UPDATE

I will update it soon, but it won't be an exhaustive list of hammock tarp makers. NOTE: This section is very dated, and there are a lot more cottage tarp makers than when I first made the table below. Some of the common larger sizes include the Hennessy Hex Flies at 144'x132' and 144'x120', the Speer 8'x10' and 10'x11' Winter Tarp, and the JacksRBetter 10'x11' Cat Tarp. The stock fly on the HennessyBackpacker Ultralight Asym is about 120'x80'. Generally, you'll need at least 9'x5' minimum.some are smaller, but that's pushing it in my opinion. Many folks decide to carry a smaller tarp in the summer - like the stock Hennessy flies, the JRB 8'x8', or the MacCat Standard - and then carry larger tarps (or even tarptents) in the winter - like the Speer and JRB Winter Tarps, the JRB Hammock Hut, or the Warbonnet Superfly.Īt a minimum, the tarp must be long enough to cover the hammock along the ridgeline and wide enough to cover the sides. Which size to choose is dependent entirely on the hammocker. Another advantage to larger tarps is that a ground dweller can share the hammocker's tarp is the site is level enough. They also restrict the view from the hammock, and the increased protection can also restrict ventilation, introducing condensation concerns. Larger tarps, often referred to as 'winter tarps' because they're often carried only in the colder months, offer the opposite - more coverage means less concern about site selection, more protection from wind and windblown rain, etc. Proper site selection can alleviate much of this concern, though. It will also provide less protection against windblown rain, less of a windblock against cold winter winds, and better views and better ventilation. Given the same material, obviously a smaller tarp will weigh less and take up less space in the pack. There are two competing considerations when choosing what size tarp to carry - weight/bulk versus coverage.

When will way to the woods com out