A hammock tarp is the piece of gear that decides whether a rainy night is a non-event or a miserable one. Get the size and pitch right and you stay bone-dry through wind-driven rain, dripping fog, and morning dew — under a shelter you can throw up in two minutes. Jacks R Better has been hand-sewing hammock tarps in Pennsylvania for years, and this guide walks through how to pick the right one, then gives our picks for the best hammock tarps in 2026.
A note from the owner. I'm DGrav — I've owned Jacks R Better and been our lead field-tester since 2008. The mistake I see most often is buying a tarp that's too small to actually protect the hammock. A tarp only works if its ridgeline is longer than your hammock and it's wide enough to close down when the weather turns. Buy for the worst night you'll realistically face, not the average one — a bigger tarp still pitches small and tight on a calm night, but a small tarp can't grow when the storm rolls in.
How to choose a hammock tarp
Five things decide which tarp is right for you:
- Ridgeline length. The tarp's long dimension has to be longer than your hammock, or your foot and head ends get wet. An 11-foot ridgeline covers the longest camping hammocks made; anything shorter leaves the ends exposed.
- Width & coverage. Width is what lets you pitch low and closed in bad weather. A 10-foot width gives you generous five-foot sides in a classic "A" pitch, or lets you drop one side into a full wind block.
- Pitch modes. More tie-outs and a true rectangle mean more ways to pitch — high and open on a fair night, low and tight in a storm, lean-to (Baker) style, or "tent" mode for privacy. Our tarps carry up to 20 tie-out tabs for exactly this reason.
- Weight & material. Silicone-coated ripstop is the sweet spot of waterproofness, packability, and durability. Ours run 16.8–18 oz including the stuff sack — light enough to backpack, tough enough to trust.
- Winter & storm readiness. For deep cold and driving storms you want to close the ends. The 12′ x 10′ Universal Tarp has built-in spring-pole guides, so it accepts JRB Spring Poles to pop the sides into a hoop or full tunnel — turning an open tarp into a nearly sealed winter shelter.
The best hammock tarps of 2026
Best overall hammock tarp — JRB 11′ x 10′ Hammock Tarp
If you buy one tarp, buy this one. The JRB 11′ x 10′ Hammock Tarp ($164.95) is the all-around pick — its 11-foot ridgeline covers the longest hammocks, and 20 tie-out tabs let you pitch it a dozen ways, from high-and-airy to a full Baker-style wind block or a closed "tent" mode for privacy. At 16.8 oz in 20D silicone-coated ripstop (both sides), it's the lightest tarp we make and packs to about the size of a water bottle. Moss Green, Cattail Brown, or Camo.
Best for big & bridge hammocks and maximum storm coverage — JRB 12′ x 10′ Universal Tarp
The JRB 12′ x 10′ Universal Tarp ($199.95) is the most capable shelter we make — built for wide and bridge-style hammocks, hard weather, and doing double duty as a ground shelter. It's loaded with perimeter tabs, ridgeline tabs, panel pulls, pole grommets, and spring-pole guides, so it configures to almost anything: closed-end storm A-frame, single-hoop or full tunnel (with spring poles), Baker lean-to, or a wide-open canopy covering nearly 120 sq ft for 3–4 ground campers. 18 oz, made in PA, in Brown, Camo, Crater Lake Blue, or Nuclear Red.
Going winter or expecting storms? Reach for the 12′ x 10′ Universal Tarp and a pair of JRB Spring Poles — only the Universal has the spring-pole guides. They arc its sides out into a hoop or tunnel so you can close the ends down against wind and snow while keeping usable room inside — the difference between an open-air tarp and a true four-season shelter.
Hammock tarp comparison
| Tarp | Size | Weight | Material | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JRB 11′ x 10′ Hammock Tarp | 11′ x 10′ | 16.8 oz | 20D silpoly | $164.95 | All-around, fits any hammock |
| JRB 12′ x 10′ Universal Tarp | 12′ x 10′ | 18 oz | Silnylon | $199.95 | Big/bridge hammocks, storms, ground camp |
Hammock tarp FAQ
What size tarp do I need for a hammock?
The tarp's ridgeline (long side) needs to be longer than your hammock so both ends stay covered. An 11-foot ridgeline covers the longest camping hammocks made, and a 10-foot width lets you pitch low and closed when weather hits. When in doubt, size up — a bigger tarp still pitches tight on a calm night.
Are hammock tarps waterproof?
Yes. Ours are silicone-coated ripstop (the 11′ x 10′ is coated on both sides), so they shed rain reliably. The key is pitching them taut — a tight tarp sheds water and won't pool or flap in wind.
Rectangular tarp vs. hex or diamond — what's better?
A full rectangle gives you the most coverage and the most pitch options (A-frame, Baker lean-to, tent mode, storm-closed). Shaped hex and diamond tarps shave a couple ounces but give up coverage and versatility. We build rectangular tarps because a hammock shelter's whole job is staying dry when it's bad out.
Can I use a hammock tarp for ground camping too?
Absolutely — especially the 12′ x 10′ Universal, which pitches as a roomy ground shelter for 3–4 people or an open canopy. Both tarps have pole grommets and enough tie-outs to rig over the ground when you're not hanging.
How do I get winter or storm protection from a hammock tarp?
Close the ends. The 12′ x 10′ Universal Tarp has spring-pole guides and accepts JRB Spring Poles, which arc its sides into a hoop or tunnel so you can seal the ends against wind and snow while keeping room to move — turning it into a true winter shelter.
Every Jacks R Better tarp is hand-sewn in Pennsylvania and backed by our one-year warranty and 100% satisfaction guarantee. Sleep Better. Adventure Better.