Hammock tarp camping is not just about hanging off the ground, set your tarp, and call it a night. There are some considerations when you’re going to chose a tarp for your hammock to ensure the best possible experience for your hammock adventure outdoor.
There are several hammock tarps available from the ones that offer the lightest coverage the ones that offer a full-coverage or four-season protection. Each type of these tarps has its very own use and functions. The light ones, particularly, are quite popular among hammock campers.
The two types of the lightest tarp
The most common shapes of hammock tarp camping come in two types. Those are the asymmetric tarp and the diamond-shaped tarp. The asymmetric type is the lightest of all tarps among the two.
You may need to sleep at a diagonal position on your hammock to get the most out of the asymmetric tarps.
Asymmetric tarps are hammock covers that give the least of coverage and protection among all other tarps. However, it is also the simplest one to set up. The diamond-shaped tarp, on the other hand, provides much better coverage from the sun, wind, and other elements. However, they are also quite simple to set up.
Your choice for the lightest types in the market falls between the asymmetric and the diamond-shaped tarps.
Testing out hammock camping for the first time
A lightweight hammock tarp can be perfect for those who had just started out with hammock camping.
The setup of the tarp is so much simpler compared to the setup of full-coverage, four-season tarps. It’s a good idea for your very first hammock camping where you don’t have to commit to setting up a full-coverage tarp that takes longer to set up.
Starting out with hammock tarps that are fairly easy to set up can serve as a good practice for a learning experience.
Asymmetric or diamond-shaped tarp?
As previously mentioned, the asymmetrical tarp offers the most minimum protection from the elements even when it’s just sunlight. On the flip side, it is also commonly the lightest type among all of the common hammock tarps. Which one you may choose depends largely on your preference and how light you’re willing to go.
Personally, the difference in weight between an asymmetric and a diamond tarp is not significant. Therefore, weights are usually not the deal breaker when it comes to these two options.
Day-trips are perfect for lightweight hammock tarp camping
in comparison to the 4-season hammocks that takes more time to set up and are slightly more complicated, the lightweight tarps are perfect for short camping trips. You’re going to find it especially useful for day trips in a nearby park or forests.
The light-coverage hammock tarp setup such as the asymmetric hammock tarp is a great option for
Be well-prepared and research your destinations well
Choosing a light-coverage tarp comes with its own set of risks, as previously explained in regards to nature and its elements. However, these risks can be easily avoided as long as you have done your homework on researching.
Cecil Kuhn