Name: Jeff Jackson
Age: 29
Gender: Male
Height: 5’ 10” (178 cm)
Weight: 185 lb (84 kg)
Website: http://www.tothewoods.net/
Email: jwj32542 at yahoo dot com
Location: Monterey, CA, USA

Backpacking Background:
I have been backpacking for twelve years. Starting as a three-season overnight-only hiker in the North Georgia mountains, I have since hiked in California, Colorado, Georgia, New Jersey, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia. Weather is generally mild (50-85 F / 10-30 C), although I sometimes hike in winter (~20 F/-7 C). My current base weight is 15 lb (14 kg). When I go on a 2-3 day hike with my children (6 and 10), my pack may edge up to 40 lb (18 kg). I always camp in a hammock (unless my wife demands the tent!).

PRODUCT INFO

Manufacturer: Outdoor Equipment Supplier (OES)
Product: MacCat Standard Hammock Tarp
Website: http://www.outdoorequipmentsupplier.com/

Listed Specs: Measured Specs:

125" x 84" (318 x 213 cm)
12.5 oz (354 g)

125.5" x 84.5" (319 x 215 cm)
13.5 oz (382 g)

*Unlike most tarps, manufacturer's weight includes factory seam-sealing

MSRP: $95

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Brian MacMillin designed the MacCat Standard exclusively for camping hammocks. The silnylon tarp has a straight ridgeline, and the catenary cut sides prevent the MacCat from flapping in the wind, resulting in an extremely taut pitch with very little effort. Since the ridgeline is straight, the tarp doesn't have an "optimal pitch angle" that catenary ridgelines can cause, which means more flexible pitching options while maintaining the advantages of the cat cut. The tarp's hex shape requires four stakes to pitch. OES ships the tarp with factory seam-sealing, and includes a generously sized silnylon stuff sack.

FIRST IMPRESSION

The first thing I noticed about the MacCat Standard was the quality - this is the highest quality hammock tarp I have seen! The perimeter is trimmed with grosgrain ribbon, which gives the tarp a finished look and provides extra reinforcement, and the guy-out points have D-rings and reinforced nylon webbing on the corners. I noticed a few irregular stitches on tarp, but that's the only "defect"...it's tough to sew such light material, and the stitches certainly won't affect functionality.

I set up the tarp on my Hennessy Hammock Ultralight Backpacker Asym (HH) and on my homemade hammocks based on a model by Speer Hammocks. Since I tie my hammock tarp directly to the tree (rather than the clips on the Hennessy's support lines), setup was as simple as tying the ridgeline guy-outs to the trees, and staking out the four side guys. A simple hitch provided enough friction to hold the guylines to the tarp's D-rings.

After getting into the hammock, I noticed how comfortable the MacCat felt compared to other hammock tarps. The tarp's size and shape provide an excellent blend of light weight and great coverage, and the sewn ridgeline and catenary sides allowed me to maintain a tight pitch without pulling the tarp too low to the hammock. This combination gave me the best coverage, with the most headroom and ventilation, of any hammock tarp I have previously used.

When using the MacCat in 20 F (-7 C) temperatures, it seemed to block the wind very well. In one of the pictures I took, I can't see any of the HH under the tarp. The tarp's ridgeline was barely above the HH's ridgeline, but the sides weren't pitched low and steep like a storm setup. As a light wind blew throughout the night, I could hear leaves rustling but could not feel it blowing under the hammock.

I spent several rainy nights under the MacCat tarp, and I never doubted that I would stay dry. With other tarps, I have seen the wind blow rain onto the ends of the hammock, but I did not experience this with the MacCat. After checking the coverage once in the heavy rain, I slept comfortably all night. To be fair, the wind was only 5-10 mph (8-16 km/h) during these nights, but based on my experience I think that a proper pitch would allow me to stay dry in higher winds.

MacCat Standard Guy-Line Connectors
and Ridgeline Seam

DURABILITY

The MacCat is made from 1.1 oz silnylon, which is commonly used in manufacturing lightweight gear. After 20+ nights of use I have not noticed any wear on this tarp. Furthermore, the tarp's grosgrain trim and the plastic D-rings and webbing reinforcement on the guy-out points provide a durability that I have not seen on other hammock tarps. With the proper care normally required of lightweight hiking gear I expect this tarp to last a very long time.

WHAT I LIKE

Exceeds Expectations. The MacCat Standard provides the best weight/coverage ratio of all hammock tarps I have used, and I have never felt so confident in my shelter's ability to keep me dry as I did when under the MacCat.

Color. The silver color allows light to filter through without casting an unnatural hue over the campsite, while still blending in rather well with the environment.

The Company. Brian MacMillin has created an outstanding product and supports it with excellent customer service. I received prompt replies to my numerous questions about construction methods, materials and weights, and I have witnessed nothing but integrity in his public dealings. I wholeheartedly support this cottage gear maker.

WHAT I DON’T LIKE

Weight. Like any lightweight gear, weight and performance compete for importance with the MacCat. Not only is it a few ounces (~100 g) heavier than some other hammock tarps, but the hex shape requires four stakes instead of the two required by square or diamond-shaped tarps. This requires an extra 1-2 oz (30-60 g) in stakes and cordage for setup.

Four Stakes. In addition to the weight, the necessity for four stakes marginally increases setup and tear-down time, and may limit campsite options in some cases. Since I use 9' (2.7 m) guylines on each corner, I have an extra 18' (5.4 m) of cords to get tangled up when I pack the tarp!

SUMMARY

This is an outstanding hammock tarp! The MacCat has proven its worth in cold and rainy weather by providing excellent coverage, ventilation and durability, and Outdoor Equipment Supplier backed this product with solid customer service. Any of the tarp's disadvantages are simply trade-offs for the increased performance the MacCat offers. This tarp has earned a place in my pack, and I consider it an excellent lightweight, aftermarket tarp for camping hammocks.

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Owner Review by Jeff Jackson

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