7 Best Waterproof Tarps For Hammock Camping That Provide Real Storm Protection

The sound of rain changes when you’re in a hammock. It’s not the muffled patter on a tent fly, but a sharp, resonant drumming just inches above your face. In that moment, with wind whipping the trees, you understand that your tarp isn’t an accessory—it’s your entire shelter, your shield against the storm. Choosing the right one is one of the most critical gear decisions a hammock camper can make, directly impacting your safety, comfort, and morale when the weather turns.

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Warbonnet Superfly for Full-Coverage Storm Doors

Imagine setting up camp as dark, angry clouds boil over the ridge. You’re not just expecting rain; you’re expecting wind-driven, sideways rain that can find its way into any exposed corner of your shelter. This is the exact scenario where the Warbonnet Superfly proves its worth, transforming your hammock setup into a backcountry fortress.

The Superfly’s defining feature is its integrated storm doors. These are overlapping flaps of fabric on each end of the tarp that can be closed and secured, effectively sealing you off from the elements. When the wind is howling, you can stake the doors down to create a four-sided, tent-like shelter that provides 360-degree protection. This completely blocks wind tunnels from forming under the tarp and keeps your underquilt dry, which is critical for staying warm.

Of course, this level of protection comes with a tradeoff. The Superfly is larger and heavier than a standard hex tarp due to the extra fabric in the doors. It’s not the choice for a minimalist looking to shave every gram. It’s for the camper who values peace of mind above all else, making it a top contender for trips in the notoriously wet Pacific Northwest, the unpredictable shoulder seasons in the Appalachians, or any adventure where staying dry is non-negotiable.

Hammock Gear Palace Tarp: Ultralight Dyneema Pick

For the long-distance hiker, every single ounce matters. When you’re carrying your life on your back for hundreds or thousands of miles, the weight of your shelter can be the difference between enjoying the journey and enduring it. This is the world where the Hammock Gear Palace Tarp, crafted from Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF), stands out as a game-changer.

DCF is a wonder material. It’s a non-woven composite that is astonishingly strong for its weight and is inherently waterproof, so it doesn’t need any coatings that can wear off. Critically, it has virtually zero stretch, even when soaked. This means you can pitch your tarp taut in the afternoon and it will remain drum-tight through a night of torrential rain, with no need to stumble out in the dark to re-tension a sagging ridgeline. The Palace Tarp’s generous cut provides ample coverage, rivaling much heavier winter tarps.

The primary consideration with DCF is its significant cost, placing it firmly in the premium gear category. It also requires more careful handling than robust polyester fabrics to avoid punctures. This tarp is a specialized tool for the dedicated ultralight backpacker or thru-hiker who has dialed in their kit and for whom the unparalleled weight savings and performance justify the investment.

Dutchware Xenon Hex Tarp for Versatile Conditions

You’re heading out for a three-day weekend. The forecast calls for clear skies, but there’s a 30% chance of afternoon thunderstorms on day two. You don’t need a heavy, four-season storm bunker, but you want reliable protection that won’t weigh you down. This is the sweet spot for a well-designed hex tarp like the Dutchware Xenon Hex.

A hexagonal tarp provides a brilliant balance of coverage and weight. The six-sided shape extends protection further over the head and foot ends of your hammock compared to a simple square or diamond tarp, shielding your quilts from rain spray. Dutchware’s Xenon Silpoly is a fantastic fabric choice—it’s lightweight, packs down small, and has very low stretch, giving you many of the benefits of DCF at a much more accessible price point.

This style of tarp is arguably the most versatile option for three-season hammock camping. It’s light enough for long trips but offers enough coverage for unexpected squalls. It’s the perfect workhorse for the backpacker who explores a variety of terrains and conditions and wants one tarp that can handle most situations with confidence.

ENO ProFly Rain Tarp: The Accessible All-Rounder

Getting into hammock camping can be overwhelming, with a sea of cottage-industry brands and technical fabrics. Sometimes you just need a reliable, no-fuss option that you can pick up easily and trust to do its job. The ENO ProFly Rain Tarp is that accessible and dependable entry point into real storm protection.

The ProFly is a straightforward hexagonal tarp made from durable, polyurethane-coated polyester. Its six guy points allow for a taut, stable pitch that sheds rain and wind effectively. While it may be heavier than options from smaller, specialized manufacturers, it is built to be tough and forgiving for users who are still learning the ropes of site selection and pitching techniques.

You can find the ProFly at most major outdoor retailers, making it a fantastic and convenient upgrade from the small, often inadequate tarps that come bundled with entry-level hammocks. For a new hammock camper, moving up to a ProFly is one of the single best investments you can make to ensure your nights outdoors are comfortable and dry, turning a potentially miserable, wet experience into a positive one.

UGQ Winterdream for Four-Season Hammock Shelter

When the temperature drops and the forecast includes words like "gale" or "snow," your shelter needs evolve from simple rain protection to a life-sustaining microclimate. Hammocking in the winter demands a tarp that can block biting wind, shed snow load, and trap a pocket of still air around you. The UGQ Winterdream is purpose-built for exactly these harsh conditions.

Like the Superfly, the Winterdream is a full-coverage tarp with doors, but it often comes with additional features geared for the cold. Options for external pole mods can create a vast, palace-like interior space, making it easier to move around and manage gear without feeling claustrophobic. Internal pole mods can help the tarp hold its shape under a snow load. These features transform the tarp from a simple roof into a true four-season shelter.

A winter tarp is a highly specialized piece of equipment. Its size and weight make it overkill for a summer trip. But for the dedicated, year-round hanger, the protection it offers is essential. It provides the robust defense needed to camp safely and comfortably when others have packed their gear away for the season.

Sea to Summit Hammock Tarp for Compact Portability

Consider the bikepacker navigating tight singletrack or the adventure traveler trying to fit a full camping setup into a carry-on. For them, packed size is just as important as weight. The Sea to Summit Hammock Tarp is designed for these scenarios, where every cubic inch of pack space is precious.

This tarp prioritizes portability by using ultralight fabrics like 15D or 20D silnylon and a minimalist, diamond or tapered hex design. The result is a shelter that can pack down to the size of a water bottle, disappearing into your pack. This makes it an excellent choice for fast-and-light adventures where you’re moving quickly and covering a lot of ground.

The tradeoff for this incredible compactness is reduced coverage. A minimalist tarp requires a more precise pitch and careful site selection to be effective in a storm. It won’t offer the sprawling, forgiving protection of a larger winter tarp. It’s best suited for experienced users who understand its limitations and prioritize packability for trips where a bulky shelter just isn’t an option.

Hennessy Hammock Hex Fly: A Time-Tested Performer

Long before hammock camping became mainstream, Hennessy Hammock was pioneering integrated sleep systems. Their gear is born from decades of refinement on trails all over the world, and the Hennessy Hex Fly embodies that legacy of dependable, field-tested performance.

This is a classic asymmetrical hex tarp, typically made from heavy-duty polyester. Polyester is a great tarp material because it has very little stretch when wet, ensuring your pitch stays taut all night long without adjustments. The tarp’s dimensions are designed to provide excellent coverage for most hammocks, especially Hennessy’s own side-entry models.

The Hennessy Hex Fly isn’t the lightest, newest, or most feature-rich tarp on the market. Instead, it’s a testament to the power of a simple, effective design executed with durable materials. It’s a rock-solid, reliable choice for anyone who values proven performance and durability over chasing the absolute lowest weight.

Choosing Your Tarp: Coverage, Fabric, and Weight

There is no single "best" tarp, only the best tarp for your specific needs. The ultralight DCF tarp that’s perfect for a Pacific Crest Trail thru-hiker is overkill for car camping at a state park. Your decision should be a deliberate balance of three key factors: coverage, fabric, and weight.

Start by thinking about the conditions you’ll face. This will help you choose the right level of coverage and the best fabric.

• Coverage: A large winter tarp with doors offers a massive, protected living space, ideal for hunkering down in prolonged storms or cold weather. A standard hex tarp offers a great balance of protection and weight for most three-season backpacking. A minimalist diamond tarp prioritizes low weight and small packed size for fast-and-light trips.
• Fabric: The main choices are Dyneema (DCF), silpoly, and silnylon. DCF is the lightest, strongest, and most expensive, with no stretch. Silpoly is the all-around workhorse, offering low stretch, good durability, and great value. Silnylon is very strong and can be very light, but it tends to stretch and sag when it gets wet, often requiring re-tightening.
• Weight: Be honest about your priorities. For a short weekend trip, an extra six ounces for a bigger, more comfortable tarp is a luxury worth having. For a multi-week trek, those same six ounces can feel like a brick in your pack.

The most important rule is to match your tarp to the most likely worst conditions of your trip. Don’t just plan for the sunny forecast; plan for the unexpected storm. A good tarp provides confidence, and confidence is what allows you to sleep soundly through the night, listening to the rain drumming on your shelter, knowing you are safe and dry.

Ultimately, gear is just a tool to facilitate an experience. The goal isn’t to own the lightest or most expensive tarp; it’s to own the right tarp that gives you the freedom to confidently and comfortably spend more nights outside. So make your choice, learn to pitch it well, and then stop worrying about the gear and start planning your next adventure. The trail is waiting.