Hammock Rain Tarp Mistakes That Leave You Soaked

Quick answer

If your tarp leaks, the cause is almost always the pitch, not the fabric. Set the ridgeline low and tight, angle the tarp so windblown rain runs off instead of pooling, and extend coverage past the hammock ends. If water still reaches you, your tarp is too small for the storm or your hang is too exposed, and a larger shelter is the correct fix.

Mistake 1: A Ridgeline That Sags in the Rain

A ridgeline that looks tight in dry air can droop once rain and wind load it, which pulls the tarp edges inward and exposes the hammock. The fix is to re-tension the ridgeline after the tarp is fully deployed, not before. Use a taut-line or trucker's hitch so you can tighten without untying the anchor. If you use a No-Knots-Needed system, check that the cord is seated and pull the slack out of each end before you climb in.

Mistake 2: Pitching the Tarp Too High or Too Flat

A high, flat pitch catches wind and lets rain blow under the edges. Lower the tarp so the sides come down closer to the hammock, and steepen the angle so water sheds quickly. In steady rain, a steeper pitch also reduces the chance of water pooling in a low spot. If you need headroom, raise only the foot end and keep the head end low and angled into the weather.

Mistake 3: Not Enough Coverage Past the Hammock Ends

Rain rarely falls straight down. If the tarp ends stop short of your hammock's suspension, wind-driven rain will reach your underquilt and hammock body. Extend the tarp so it overhangs the ends by at least a hand's width on each side, and center the hammock under the tarp before you stake anything out. If your tarp is already at its maximum span and you still get wet, the tarp is undersized for the conditions.

Mistake 4: Ignoring Splash and Ground Water

Even a perfectly pitched tarp can fail if rain splashes up from the ground. Pitch over a site that drains, not a low spot where water collects. Keep your hammock high enough that splash from the ground does not reach the underside, and avoid hanging directly over exposed roots or bare soil that splash easily. A small ground sheet under your hammock can also cut splash if you are expecting heavy rain.

Mistake 5: Using the Wrong Tarp for the Trip

A tarp that works for a calm overnight can be the wrong tool for a storm. If you consistently get wet in windblown rain, the problem is coverage, not technique. A larger tarp with a longer and wider footprint gives you more room to pitch low and steep without crowding your hammock. If you are still choosing gear, compare the footprint and shape against the weather you actually camp in, not the weather you hope for.

Diagnose your leak before you change gear

• Water drips from the ridgeline or center seam: The tarp is sagging or the ridgeline is not tensioned enough, so water pools and finds a low point. Re-tension the ridgeline and check that the tarp is pitched steeply enough to shed water. If re-tensioning does not stop the drip, the tarp may be too flat for the storm.
• Rain blows in from the side or under the tarp: The pitch is too high or too flat, or the tarp does not extend far enough past the hammock. Lower the tarp, steepen the angle, and center the hammock under the tarp. If the tarp is already at its maximum coverage and you still get wet, you need a larger tarp.
• Your hammock and underquilt are wet at the ends: The tarp is too short for your hammock or suspension. Extend the tarp overhang past the ends by at least a hand's width on each side. If the tarp cannot overhang the ends, the tarp is undersized for your hammock.
• Water splashes up from the ground: You are pitched over a low spot or bare soil that splashes. Move to a draining site, raise the hammock slightly, or add a ground sheet. If the site always splashes, change your site selection, not your tarp.

Gear that solves the coverage problem

• ProFly™ XL Rain Tarp: ProFlyTM XL Rain Tarp With a longer and wider footprint than the original ProFly, the deluxe ENO ProFly XL offers extended protection from the elements. The extra length and width let you pitch lower and steeper while still covering the hammock ends, which is the most common fix for windblown rain.
• JungleLink™ Hammock System: JungleLinkTM Hammock System The all-inclusive ENO JungleLink Hammock System provides extended coverage and extra comfort with everything you need to stay totally dry and bite-free in the backcountry. If you want one setup that includes the hammock and coverage together, this system removes the guesswork of matching a tarp to a hammock.