Hang Dry with the Best Hammock Rain Fly Tarps

Camping is a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life and relax in the serenity of nature. However, your idyllic weekend can quickly transform into a nightmare if you don’t have the right equipment.

In particular, having a good rain fly is crucial for blocking the sun, wind, and rain from your tent. If you’re a fan of hammock camping, a hammock rain fly is even more essential to help you stay dry, block wind, block the sun, and even help you cook.

Below, we’ve outlined our top rain fly picks to help you get the gear you need for a successful camping or backpacking trip. With the right rain fly tarp, you won’t have to worry about the elements wrecking your weekend.

Quick Picks – Best Rain Fly for Hammock Camping

Before we get into the rain fly reviews, you may find it useful to compare the size, weight, and materials of our selected Top 5.

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1. ENO ProFly Hammock Rain Fly – Editor’s Choice best backpacking hammock rain fly.
2. Hennessy Hammock Hex Rainfly – Super popular multipurpose rain fly.
3. ENO HouseFly Hammock Rain Fly – Full coverage three-season rain fly for hammocks.
4. Chill Gorilla Super-Fly – Versatile ripstop nylon rain fly with two centerline orientations.
5. Bear Butt Double Hammock Rain Fly– Best cheap hammock rain fly.

How to Select the Perfect Hammock Rain Fly

Selecting the best hammock rain fly varies greatly depending on your needs. You’ll want a fly that covers your hammock without leaving any bare spots, as even a small gap in coverage is enough for the elements to cause a problem. Additionally, if you’re backpacking, you’ll need a fly that doesn’t take up too much extra space or weight.

By comparing the different features a hammock rain fly tarp provides, you can find the perfect option that fits within your budget. You might even consider multiple hammock rain tarps for various occasions, such as one for longer trips or one for cooler weather.

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Generally, hammock rain tarps come in four different shapes: diamond, rectangular, hexagonal, and catenary. Each of these shapes provides slightly different coverages from the elements.

Diamond shapes typically offer the least amount of coverage, but they are easy to set up because they only have two anchor points. Rectangular shapes, on the other hand, provide thorough coverage of the hammock, especially at the ends. They attach using four anchor points that are staked in the ground.

A hexagonal shape is very much like a rectangular shape, except that the corners have an inward angle, making it lighter and easier to carry. Finally, a catenary tarp has a specialized curve to prevent flapping or sagging. It’s one of the lightest options on the market.

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Your hammock rain tarp should always be slightly larger than your hammock. In fact, you’ll always want 5 to 12 extra inches on each end, as this provides comprehensive coverage.

Keep in mind that hammocks do sag a bit when they’re hanging, so if you have a 10-foot hammock, it might only be 8 feet long when it’s set up.

To be safe, choose a tarp that’s 8 foot by 10 foot, as this will provide a ridgeline of 13 feet when set up at a 40-degree angle.

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You won’t want to spend hours setting up your hammock rain fly tarp, so try to find an option that’s easy to put together. All tarps have a ridgeline, which is the central line which you drape the tarp over. Generally, this is tied to the same trees as your hammock, but on a separate line to make it easier to get in and out of the hammock.

To keep the tarp in place, you’ll probably also need guylines and stakes to secure the corners. Generally, tarps come with anywhere from two to six anchor points. The more anchor points, the more security you’ll have during windy nights.

To make hanging your tarp much easier, look for a model that comes with grommets or pre-attached rings. This way, you can skip the complicated knots and simply loop the rope through the hole.

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Obviously, larger rain tarps and coated materials will be heavier and thus might not be suitable for backpacking trips. However, if you plan on spending a lot of time at a certain campsite, it might be worth the added weight for more security at night.

Otherwise, think about choosing a tarp that’s lighter. Luckily, plenty of tarps weigh under 2 pounds, which shouldn’t add too much heft to your pack.

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The best hammock rain tarp selections come in a variety of materials. Some of the most common include ripstop nylon, coated polyester, and silnylon. Each of these materials is effective but have some differences.

Waterproof Coatings: Often, many hammock rain fly tarps come with an additional waterproof coating to provide extra protection. The most common of these is polyurethane, which can be applied to a number of fabrics. Another option is silicone. If you’d rather apply your own waterproofing to save some cash, look into Gear SolarProof or Nikiwax Tent sprays.

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Just because you’re looking for a rain tarp fly specifically for your hammock, doesn’t mean you need to buy a tarp that’s designed specifically for a hammock. Many tarps can be used for general purpose camping as well. If you plan on doing both types of camping, consider choosing a tarp that is also the right size to cover your tent.

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Hammock Rain Fly Reviews

Now that you know a little more about the features of hammock rain fly tarps, it’s time to take a closer look at the options available to you on the market.

We’ve curated a list of the best hammock rain tarp selections to help you decide which one might be right for you.

Whether you are a fan of backpacking through the wilderness or settling down at a single campsite for a few days, one of the following options is sure to meet your needs.

1. ENO ProFly Hammock Rain Fly

As our overall top pick for best hammock rain fly, the ENO ProFly has numerous great features that elevate it above the rest of the pack. For starters, the 22-ounce weight is light enough for any backpacker to stow during a hiking trip. And with a high-quality 210D ripstop nylon construction, this tarp can help you rest dry and safe all night long.

With six anchor points, this tarp isn’t going anywhere, giving you the security you crave when out in the woods. However, sometimes the lines do go a bit slack, so you might need to switch to a taut-line hitch to keep things tight.

Otherwise, the rectangular shape is great for providing full coverage for your hammock and other areas of your campsite, such as your equipment and clothes. The easy setup and take down process means you can quickly pack up camp and get an early start to your day.

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2. Hennessy Hammock Hex Rainfly

If you split your time evenly between hammock camping and tent camping, then the Hennessy Hammock Hex Rainfly is a versatile option that will work for both. With a hexagonal shape and 143″ x 120″ size, you can easily use it to cover your hammock all the way to the ground, provide a working area between two hammocks, or as a shelter for group camping.

Because this tarp is made of PU-coated polyester ripstop, it offers protection against both rain and wind. Tie it to a tree or stake it to the ground using the six anchor points; the choice is yours.

Plus, with the convenient cord storage along the corners of the tarp, you’ll never misplace the cords again. Some users do complain about the quality of the lines, so you if plan on using this tarp regularly, you might want to invest in heavier duty cord.

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3. ENO HouseFly Hammock Rain Fly

For those seeking protection for all three seasons, the ENO HouseFly Hammock Rain Fly is hard to beat. A commodious set of overlapping doors completely shield you from the outside elements, keeping you safe whether it’s snowing, raining, or sleeting. If the weather is nice, simply fold up the doors to enjoy the sunshine on your face.

Despite its relatively small dimensions of 126″ x 120″, the HouseFly has the most coverage of any other ENO tarp. The silnylon construction is lightweight at only 25 ounces, and the included stuff sack means you can scrunch the tarp up relatively small for shorter backpacking trips. Overall though, this is better suited for camping.

One downfall is that the tarp can begin to sag or condensate during a heavy rain. To fix this problem, you may need to readjust it and shake off the water in the morning.

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4. Chill Gorilla Super-Fly

With massive dimensions of 170″ x 120″, the Chill Gorilla Super-Fly is one of the biggest on this list. Because of that, it’s also one of the most versatile, with two separate centerlines in a square shape. With the nine tie downs, the possibilities are nearly limitless on how you can use this tarp. Cover your hammock, creating a relaxed cooking area, or even prepare a makeshift tent by staking both sides into the ground.

Because the tarp is made from polyurethane-treated ripstop nylon, it has a waterproof rating of 2,000 PU – double the standard waterproofing in most tarps. Plus, with reinforced corners along the D-Ring tie-outs, the load is distributed to prevent rips and tears. Unfortunately, sometimes the grommets are weak in this tarp, meaning you might want to reinforce them before hitting the trail.

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5. Bear Butt Double Hammock Rain Fly

Looking to save some cash? If so, the Bear Butt Double Hammock Rain Fly is the choice for you. It’s low price beats out many of the competitors. And with its minuscule 14-ounce weight, you can easily throw it in your bag without noticing. Folded up, it fits inside an 11″ x 4″ stuff sack.

The waterproof coated polyester keeps you dry during rain and cool during sunny days, while the 12′ 10″ ridgeline provides ample coverage.

With only two anchor points, this fly does leave a little to be desired. Because of this, it’s also not as functional as the other choices on this list, as it can only be used in the diamond setup. However, with fewer attachments to string up, it does make for a quick setup.

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Also See:

1. Inflatable Sleeping Pads for Hammocks
2. Bug Nets for Bite Free Hangs
3. DIY Underquilt Ideas
4. Cheap & Easy DIY Bug Netting

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6. ENO DryFly Hammock Rain Fly

The ENO DryFly Hammock Rain Fly is one of the smallest on this list, with dimensions of only 126″ x 62″. This is plenty of surface area to adequately cover your hammock, but you won’t be able to pull the tarp to the ground or use it to shield your tent or cooking area. In fact, the unique shape is cut precisely to fit the shape of a hammock.

While this fly is smaller, it’s still best for camping instead of backpacking, as the stuff sack is 10″ x 4″ when filled. Since the stuff sack is built right into the tarp, you’ll never lose it. Plus, with polyurethane-treated ripstop nylon, you’ll stay dry regardless of what the weather is doing.

Keep in mind that this fly does not come with stakes, so you’ll need to buy those separately.

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7. Chill Gorilla Hex Fly

Don’t feel like buying each part of your tarp setup separately? The Chill Gorilla Hex Fly has everything you need, including the stakes, ropes, and tensioners. Because of the hexagonal shape, you’ll have six guy points to secure the tarp, providing security and stability. And with a 142″ centerline, you’ll have enough coverage for your entire hammock, plus some.

To keep you dry, the Chill Gorilla fly has a 2,000 PU waterproof rating, which is double the standard.

Just a fair warning – the fly might have a bit of an odor when you first open it up. However, after a couple nights of use, this dissipates, leaving a comfortable and protective solution for your hammock.

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8. Sea to Summit Hammock Tarp

This is it – the top-of-the-line tarp you’ve been waiting for. The Sea to Summit Hammock Tarp clocks in at a feather-light 12 ounces – that’s less than a pound. It accomplishes this by using ultra-sill Nano 15D fabric, which has an impressive strength-to-weight ratio. You’ll barely notice this fly when you stuff it in your bag, making it an ideal option for backpackers looking for the lightest possible protection.

And with dimensions of 142″ x 110″, this hammock tarp doesn’t slack on space. You’ll have plenty of coverage, and you’ll feel stable thanks to the five hyperon tie out points.

The biggest downfall of this tarp is the price – it’s expensive. Unless you absolutely need the lightness this offers, you might be better off with a slightly cheaper tarp.

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9. Chill Gorilla Fortress Rain Fly

Can’t afford the impressive ENO HouseFly? This lower-priced Chill Gorilla Fortress Rain Fly should do the trick. It’s absolutely massive, with dimensions of 184″ x 112″, which means it might not be great for backpacking. However, it’s small weight of 20.8 ounces means it’s easy to carry along with your other gear.

30D ripstop silnylon fabric resists tears and rips for long-lasting durability, while the four door tie outs and four panel pull tie outs give you plenty of customization options. Tie the doors and panels shut in inclement weather to shield yourself from the elements, or open them up when the sun is shining to enjoy the fresh air.

Unfortunately, the ridgeline is not sealed, so it can let in some water during heavy rain.

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10. Serac 1 Ultralight Hammock Rain Fly

If you’re seeking a large tarp for your next camping trip, the Serac 1 Ultralight Hammock Rain Fly could do the trick. It’s an impressive 144″ x 77″, meaning you’ll have no trouble covering your entire hammock. However, the smaller width means the tarp might not stretch all the way to the ground.

Six anchor points give you plenty of configuration options as well as the stability you crave. Plus, with the addition of the four guy lines, four stakes, and a stuff sack, you won’t have to buy any additional accessories before your next trip. The Line-Loc system eliminates the need for complicated knots and makes setup a breeze.