7. Hennessy Hammock Rainfly

Fans of hex shaped tarps will really enjoy the Hennessy hammock rain fly.

This 6 point hammock is made from a 70D polyurethane coated ripstop polyester, has a 12 foot centerline, and only weighs 27 ounces. It currently comes in “bark” and “goldenrod” color options.

The hex design of the Hennessy rain fly allows it to be pulled all the way to the ground, providing full coverage during inclement weather. In terms of price, durability, and functionality, it’s a pretty well rounded option.

8. ENO Dry Fly Hammock Rain Tarp

Eagles Nest Outfitters (or ENO) is perhaps the most well known company in the hammock camping space. Aside from their parachute hammocks, they also make some of the best hammock rain flys.

Eno’s Dry Fly rain tarp is made from a polyurethane treated ripstop nylon. It’s very durable and handles well against the normal wear and tear of hammock camping.

The unique octagonal shape of the Dry Fly provides plenty of head space, as well as room to move around. This allows it to double as a cover for pets, gear, food, or simply the area surrounding a tent.

When packed into the stuff sack it weighs just 22 ounces, so it’s never a hassle to pack it when the weather looks questionable.

The Dry Fly costs more than some of the other brands, but it’s without a doubt one of the best hammock rain fly options available.

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What determines the best hammock rain fly?

When it comes to finding the best hammock rain fly / rain tarp, there is no one size fits all.

There are rain flys for traditional hammocks, as well as for asymmetrical hammocks. Some rain flys are cheap, some are expensive, and some are somewhere in between. There are large hammock tarps, and there are small ones as well.

Even though there aren’t set guidelines for the best hammock rain fly, these are a few things to take into consideration.

Price:

For most people, price is the biggest factor when searching for the best hammock rain fly. If it’s not affordable, it doesn’t matter how great it is. Keep in mind that the best hammock rain fly isn’t always the most expensive.

There are plenty of great budget options out there. However, be aware that some budget options can be cheaply made. The key is to find a good balance between price and quality.

Most of the best hammock rain fly options cost $25-$100. Anything cheaper tends to lack quality, and anything more is generally more than what a recreational camper needs.

Quality:

Other than the price, the most important consideration for people is quality. Any piece of outdoor equipment needs to be durable. This is particularly true for rain flys and rain covers. Even a small rip can cause leaks, and eventually lead to a large tear.

Generally speaking, the average camper doesn’t need top of the line gear. Most people aren’t going to be sleeping in a hammock during a typhoon. However, a good rain fly should be able to handle the average summer rain storm.

A good quality rain fly can typically last for years, especially if it’s taken care of properly.

Shape:

Many people are surprised to learn that hammock tarps come in a variety of shapes.

It’s important to note that different shapes come with their own set of advantages and disadvantages, but in the end it mostly comes down to preference.

• Rectangle: When most people imagine a large hammock tarp, they typically picture them in the shape of a rectangle. Rectangle shaped tarps are some of the most popular, and for good reason. They’re some of the cheapest options, generally the easiest to set up, and provide much more cover than a few of the other shapes. On the downside, rectangle tarps typically have poor ventilation and can sometimes be heavy.
• Diamond: If square shaped tarps are the most common, diamond shaped tarps are a close second. They’re just as easy to set up as square tarps, but are generally lighter. The downside to diamond tarps is they provide less cover than most of the other shapes.
• Hexagonal: A hexagonal (or hex) rain fly is very similar to a rectangle fly, but with 2 extra points. Due to their shape, a hex tarp requires less material which makes them some of the most lightweight options. The extra points also provide better airflow than a traditional rectangle tarp. For hex tarps, their major drawback is that they’re typically more expensive than rectangle or diamond tarps.
• Octagonal: An octagonal tarp is essentially the same as a hexagonal tarp in terms of functionality. They cover slightly more space, but in turn they weigh a little more. Most large hammock tarp options are octagonal.

When it comes to choosing the best shape, there is no right or wrong answer. It comes down to preference, budget, and the intended use.

Ease Of Use:

Although it isn’t mentioned often, how easy it is to set up and take down a rain fly should always be considered. A rain fly is a fairly simple piece of equipment, and shouldn’t require very much skill or effort to set up.

The best hammock rain fly options are generally very intuitive, and take just a few minutes to set up or take down. Of course there can be a bit of a learning curve at first, but after a few uses it should become an easy process.

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FAQ’s

There are a lot of questions that come up when searching for the best hammock tarp. These are a few of the most common questions that people tend to have.

Can a hammock tarp handle heavy rain?

Assuming the quality of the tarp is good, yes, hammock tarps can handle heavy rains. Tarps that provide cover on the sides of the hammock tend to do better than options that simply cover the top.

If rain is suspected, it can be beneficial to clear the surrounding area of branches. Winds often accompany rain, and can cause branches to blow into rain flys causing them to rip.

Does (insert hammock rainfly) fit (insert specific hammock)?

When it comes to hammock tarps, there is no one size fits all. However, most brands try to be somewhat universal. The best way to know if a rain fly will work with a specific hammock is to check the measurements.

Be sure to check the ridge line of the rain fly, as it’s a leading indicator of how much cover it provides.

To be safe, always buy a large hammock tarp if possible. It may weigh slightly more, but it’s better than getting rained on.

What size tarp do I need for my hammock?

The tarp size needed for a hammock can be found by measuring the ridge line.

To do this, stretch the hammock out and measure it from end to end. After measuring the length of your hammock, look for a tarp with a slightly longer ridge line to ensure it’s the right size.

Are hammocks waterproof?

Although camping hammocks are typically made of a durable nylon material, most hammocks are not waterproof.

Of course there are a few exceptions, but generally speaking, a rain fly is needed.

Tree suspended tents are the closest thing to waterproof hammocks, as they feel like a hammock, but are completely covered.

What other hammock accessories are needed for hammock camping?

There are plenty of add ons that go well with hammocks.

One of the most practical attachments to get is a hammock underquilt, which essentially acts as an external sleeping bag for hammocks. Hammock underquilts can be incredibly useful, and make it possible to go hammock camping year round.