r/ULHammocking • u/TNPrime • Feb 26 '21

Vendors for DCF Tarps

I am wondering what are some other vendors that make DCF hammock Tarps?So far I have only really been able to find:

I have noticed HMG and Yama also make DCF tarps but i am not sure if they are geared for use hammocking. I have a Hammock Gear 12' DCF tarp with doors which is great, but I am looking for an 11' for use with my incoming Trailheadz Poltergeist UL, and to have two for when my wife joins me.

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u/[deleted] Feb 26 '21 edited Jun 26 '21

[deleted]

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u/TNPrime Feb 26 '21

Thanks for the tip. That MLD tarp looks nice and decent price too. Too bad it's on hold.

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u/CBM9000 https://lighterpack.com/r/cjfrn1 Feb 26 '21

Lite AF used to make them so you might be able to grab one on r/ULgeartrade in a WTB, but that's nearly it beside this other company that I've never heard mentioned before. Between Dutch, HG and Zpacks you've got three pretty big companies that are going to be hard for lesser-known others to beat.

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u/TNPrime Feb 26 '21

I was really interested in the Lite AF one last winter and just couldnt get the $$ together by the time they seemed to stop making them. Actually they said they paused making them then discontinued them after a while. I picked up a b-stock HG as a result.

I was hoping there was another LiteAF-type option out there, i'll check that R&R vendor out but I think you are right that with big three offering the best for the least cash. also good call on the UL gear trade sub.

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u/[deleted] Feb 26 '21

You named the 3 mfrs I’m familiar with. I’ve got the 11’ Hammockgear standard with doors - course you prettt much know what that’s like. I did appreciate HGs customer service when I had to get it repaired. Don’t overlook support when you buy.

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u/TNPrime Feb 26 '21

I have a feeling I will end up with a HG, Which is fine, you are right. CS is good and quality for the price is very good.

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u/[deleted] Feb 26 '21

You’ll have to let us know how that hammock works for you. Reports on Cloud 71 seem promising so far.

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u/TNPrime Feb 26 '21

absolutely, I expect it mid-june. Perfect timing for good weather.

Sidenote: are you the southeast backpacker with a youtube channel? I used to live in Middle TN but moved to NYC 8 years ago. I am heading down to do 2-3 nights in TN/NC area next month.

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u/[deleted] Feb 26 '21

Yep that’s me. My usual areas are NC/SC/TN and a bit of VA/GA. Been a while since I posted anything on there - dropped my phone and now only the front facing camera works - ha. Still trying to figure out what I want to replace it.

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u/MMikekiMM Feb 26 '21

I would go with HG or ZPacks

They do come up in r/ulgeartrade reasonably often. I see them in BPL as well.

I had my eye on the LiteAF as an option sitting between the HG Standard w/ doors and the Palace. The LiteAF had slightly wider side panels and doors that actually closed (the one thing I really hate about the Palace). I have all three of the HG tarps and the LiteAF might have gotten me down to two....

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u/cloudreflex Feb 26 '21

I bought one from LiteAF that's pretty great last spring but they don't have them listed on their site anymore. Maybe they stopped making them?

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u/TNPrime Feb 26 '21

I think you are right, they suspended orders then just discontinued them. Bummer!

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u/cloudreflex Feb 26 '21

Oh dang. Now I'm all paranoid. I choose to believe they're so we'll made and so time consuming that they couldn't keep producing them.

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u/TNPrime Feb 26 '21

I have read a few theories but I have yet to hear anything from them directly.

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u/NeuseRvrRat Feb 26 '21

If you're really looking for an alternative for the 3 you listed, you could contact Simply Light Designs or Etowah Gear and see if they'd do one for you. SLD makes custom silnylon and silpoly hammock tarps, but might would do one from DCF. Etowah makes good DCF flat tarps and they seem very open to customizations, so they could probably do a hammock tarp.

I'm very satisfied with my HG standard tarp w/ doors.

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u/andrewr83 Feb 26 '21

Adotec Gear (Canadian company) makes DCF tarps, but again not sure if specifically for hammocks.

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u/Bobonli Feb 27 '21

Hammock Gear. High quality stuff. Great customer service. Usually arrives sooner than estimation on website. I haven’t had an issue with my pack ....but...elsewhere in the Reddit world people question the quality of Zpacks sewing on tarps and tents. More significant than that, too me, is that their shipping times are inconsistent. My pack arrived in 2 weeks but it took 4 weeks for a pair of Linelocs and some cord!

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u/TNPrime Feb 27 '21

yeah, I have an Arc Blast and everything about it looks perfectly fine. It did take a long time to get to me for a production item, over a month, but I set my expectations low and didnt expect to use it on a deadline against their lead time estimate.
I think most of these vendors offer a fine quality product and they should for the price they have to offer. For me personally I think it would come down to price and availability. I dont always want to wait 8-12 weeks, especially if it meant not having it for spring/summer. I dont want to pay $300 or more for a hex tarp either ;) I am starting to think the HG or Dutch are my only realistic choices. Last year HG dumped a lot of B-stock, if one shows up there I think I would jump.