Choosing the Right Tarp
The Edge is our smallest tarp. It's not recommended for the Ridgerunner but is appropriate for the Blackbird and Traveler Hammock. It's wide enough to provide some wind protection and a little extra protected area outside the hammock. For instance if you want to sit on the ground next to the hammock and cook while still being covered you can. Weight conscious hangers who hang year-round will often pair the Edge for 3 seasons with the Superfly for cold weather. There is also a removeable door kit available for the Edge for added protection at the ends.
The Mamajamba (MJ) is a hex-shaped design much like the Edge, except it's 6" longer and 26" wider. It's basically a beefier 3-season tarp for those in a colder climate who might need the added wind protection of a wider tarp, or those looking to use it some in winter. The MJ being wider also comes stock with panel pulls included. Panel pulls are pull-tabs in the middle of the tarp's "panel" (rather than at the corners), they can be used when needed to give support to the sides of the tarp in heavy wind. Even moderate wind can push the sides of a large tarp (like the MJ or SF) inward enough to come in contact with the hammock. If the underside of the tarp is wet with condensation, that's something you'll want to avoid. The panel pulls give added stability in windy conditions, and you'll be glad to have them when a big storm rolls in. There is also a door kit available for the MJ for added protection as well. The MJ is designed mainly for the Blackbird and Traveler hammocks, but it will cover the Ridgerunner (somewhat minimally at the ends), the door kit will not work when used in conjunction with the Ridgerunner, but the Spindrift sock or the Undercover could be used to protect the Ridgerunner at the open ends of the tarp. When combining the MJ with it's door kit, the MJ provides full winter protection to the Blackbird and Traveler hammocks.
The Superfly (SF) is our largest tarp. As far as size and coverage goes, it's equivalent to the MJ plus removable door kit. The only difference is that the doors of the SF are not removable, they're built-in to the shape of the tarp. You can however fold them underneath when not needed, this creates a shape almost identical to that of the MJ.
The Cloudburst is our 11'x10' rectangle designed as a solid 3 season tarp for the Ridgerunner hammock, it's panel pulls are spaced farther apart to correspond to the spreader bars of the RR. Unlike the Edge, MJ and Superfly, it features straight cut sides (the ridge seam still has the same very slight curve cut). The lack of a curve on the bottom edge and the rectangular shape give this tarp a good bit more coverage over the Ridgerunner than the MJ does, especially at the ends. The Cloudburst can be used with the Blackbird and Traveler hammocks as well.
Both the MJ and the Edge also have an available removable door kit that can be added to the tarp to provide coverage at the ends of the A-frame. The door kit attaches via hooks and shockcord, and is useful for it's versatility. You can to take them but leave them packed until needed, take doors for one end only just in case, turn the MJ into a winter tarp, leave them home in the summer to save weight etc. It's a good addition to your tarp if you want one tarp for all seasons, but still want to save some weight in the warmer months when doors aren't needed. The built-in doors of the Superfly have some advantages as well. Keep in mind that the coverage of the SF is equivalent to that of the MJ plus added door kit. Since the doors of the SF are built-in, the weight of the SF is a couple oz. less than the weight of the MJ plus door kit, and the price of the SF is also about 55$ less than the price of the MJ plus added door kit. Being that the doors are built-in, they're alot easier to deal with compared to the removable doors of the Edge or MJ that must be attached, adjusted, etc. In general the SF is a better option for those who will use the doors more often, for instance those in a colder climate or those doing a decent amount of trips in winter. The removable doors are more suited for occasional use, being used for the occasional spring/fall storm or the user that camps almost exclusively in 3 seasons but does the occasional winter trip but can't justify having a seperate winter tarp. Many dedicated hangers who are also packweight conscious will often have a smaller tarp like the Edge for 3 seasons as well as a Superfly for winter. Those who are not packweight conscious often go with the Superfly year round. Those that camp mainly in 3 seasons may opt for the MJ or the Edge.
