Hammock Tarp Game Changer? - Dutchware Gear Bonded Xenon Tarp

Is this a hammock tarp game changer? - Dutchware Gear Bonded Xenon Tarp. In this video I review the new Xenon Bonded Tarp from Dutchware Gear. I go over the specs, benefits, how I rig my tarp and final thoughts. Here are links to the gear I discuss
Xenon Bonded Ultralight Winter Tarp - bit.ly/35OPh7j
Stingerz - bit.ly/3CaCjwx
Fleaz - bit.ly/3hB8Y4Z
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[@garyib7200]

Thanks for the video, well done. I just picked up the rectangular version of the tarp. Today I'll set up all 3 of my tarps in the basement and make sure they are configured the same.

[@backpackingadventures4813]

Thanks! I try to set all my tarps up the same as well. Less thinking when I bring other tarps. I just bought a new one. It’s the wide winter tarp. I got it for deep winter with snow because it has the pole mod. Ginormous!

[@CT-gc1ck]

I appreciate the video. Thank you for taking your time to make it. Also, thank you for telling us this was 16oz with the gear, as well. Keep up the good work!

[@backpackingadventures4813]

Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it and that it helped! 👍

[@markthiel2953]

Dan, thank you for this review. I have been considering purchasing this tarp. Your tips for set up are helpful. Currently I use Linelocs, but find I need to tie a knot to keep them from slipping in windy conditions. I will be switching to the Fleas. I do use the same Ridgeline tie outs you highlighted. Much easier for me. I always appreciate your videos and insight to backpacking.

[@backpackingadventures4813]

Thanks Mark! This is a great tarp. I used to use linelocs as well. Mine didn’t slip. Maybe your line has a smaller diameter than the linelocs can grip to. I also find that when I use zingit with linelocs I do have issues with slipping. They are slippery. But the fleaz are super easy. I keep them attached to my tarp and my lines to my stakes. That way I can use either the stakes or a separate long piece of line from a tree. They just tie to the fleaz just the same. I had issues with the continuous ridge line with the prussic knots bitting down and I couldn’t easily adjust it. The stingerz simplified that for me. Thank you for watching and commenting! 👍

[@Packsalot]

Pretty cool video, Dan. Well done on the thorough descriptions. Lots of design options to choose from. Those clips for setting the ridge are awesome and seem super easy to use. Great trick with the trekking pole. Awesome setup. Take care and have a great day.

[@backpackingadventures4813]

Thanks Steve! The hardware makes it easy but I have been practicing my knots lately. Soon I’m going to remove the hardware completely and just use knots. Just for something different and new to try. Keeps it fresh. 👍

[@glendabaghian1145]

3 half hitches used in a Boy Scout taut line hitch avoids all metal clips! Changing up the camping experience. Unaffiliated tutorial link:. kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4ishHyBgdmricU

[@stebesplace]

Looks awesome, strong contender for my next tarp. After watching so many videos, it’s amazing how everyone managers their tarps differently. There really is no right or wrong (ok, a few wrongs!), just personal preference. Like, I prefer a continuous ridge line, but I get your points on split. Same with the snake, split versus full length. Good stuff! Thanks for the video.

[@backpackingadventures4813]

Thanks! That’s one of the things I like about hammock setups overall, they are so personalized and customizable. Everyone’s is different and you can change them as you go so it is always different. 👍

[@wisenber]

A modern camping hammock with a bugnet was a game changer. The advent of the underquilt was a game changer. Bonding a silpolyester tarp is a welcome improvement, but it really doesn't change how tarps are used or hammock camping is done. I remember when Dutch Clips was all that he was doing with hammocks. Dutch continues to make quality gear and has been incrementally innovating how people can hammock camp for some time.

[@backpackingadventures4813]

Thanks!

[@Oldsparkey]

I replaced my DFC tarp with a silpoly one. Also switched over the the Loop Alien continuous ridge line with Dyneema and Nama Claws. Plus I'm using the same Dyneema line for ground lines with a clips to the tarp and Zpacks line locks for adjustments.

[@backpackingadventures4813]

I’ve heard about the nama claws. They seem pretty good. I used line locks on my original tarps and liked them. Made adjustments easy. However. I like having the fleas and having them attached to my tarp. That way I can either use my stakes with the line attached or my extra line to a tree.

[@Oldsparkey]

@@backpackingadventures4813 The ground lines have a adjustable loop on the steak end. If I need more line ( say a additional 20 feet running to a tree for a porch mode ) I add a line using a larks head knot. Where there is a will , there is always a way.

[@DragonRoams]

Great tarp thanks for the look at the material and cuts of the different versions. I tend to use the same setup regardless of the tarp I use. I've been using the worms for years but I think I'll give the fleas a shot on my other tarp. I'm a fan of the line on your stake it makes line management so much easier in my opinion.

[@backpackingadventures4813]

Thanks! I use the same setup for all my tarps as well. Less thinking required. Lol. My friend chose the worms and he likes them. 👍

[@HiddenHollowOutoors]

Great review, Dan! I’m a Dutch fanboy for sure! While I didn’t go with the bonded tarp, folks will not be disappointed with the quality and customer service from Dutch and crew.

[@backpackingadventures4813]

I agree. Their customer service is top notch. I’m liking my bonded tarp. It will be my winter tarp mainly moving forward. I’ll use my small one for the warm weather.

[@DaveOffGrid]

Awesome review Dan! Really enjoyed watching! 👍 The trekking pole expanders look awesome for interior space! I will probably never sleep in a hammock but was interested in this video!

[@backpackingadventures4813]

Thanks Dave! Yep, hammocks aren’t for everyone. Each have their pros and cons. I’m a middle of the road guy. I pretty much like a hammock or tent the same.

[@bluefire025]

i dig the review. just ordered mine and looking forward to getting it. replacing my DCF tarp with this and the no seam sealing is what really sold me.

[@backpackingadventures4813]

Thanks mark! It is a great tarp. You will like it. It is way cheaper than dyneema and now because of the bonding, no seam sealing which was one of the big benefits of dyneema.

[@bluefire025]

@@backpackingadventures4813 I also cant wait to see the pack size. Is it really that much smaller?

[@backpackingadventures4813]

@@bluefire025 yep. It packs down a lot smaller than my dyneema tarp. At time stamp 9:19 I show the differences. It is defiantly much smaller

[@bluefire025]

@@backpackingadventures4813 I missed that awesome thank you!

[@scuba5k]

Thanks for the video. I’ve been going crazy on Dutch’s website. Can’t make up my mind on material. Definitely going with the bonded. I wonder between the .9 and 1.1 which one retains more water

[@backpackingadventures4813]

Good question. I couldn’t find anything on their website about it. I can’t imagine it would be substantial if there is a difference.

[@Hiking.Inspired]

I’d say definitely a game changer for someone who hasn’t dropped the money on a dyneema tarp. I got excited when dutchware released this now after your review I’m thinking I want a new tarp!

[@backpackingadventures4813]

Agreed. I think this is a great alternative to dyneema. The only sacrifice is a very small difference in weight. 👍

[@backpackingadventures4813]

@@MrFairworld no trap at all.

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

Interesting. I like this a lot. Well done on helping me understand what the hell all this means! 😀

[@backpackingadventures4813]

Thanks Tim! I’m glad it helped. 👍

[@michaelredmond360]

What type of hooks are you using for the doors on the winter tarp? I’m hearing mint hook, but I don’t think that’s it. Thanks!!

[@backpackingadventures4813]

They are Mitten Hooks. 👍

[@hammockpacker]

Thanks for the video! I have been looking at the rectangular and winter UL tarps and was wondering if the 11 foot winter tarp would still be long enough with the doors closed with my 10 foot hammock; any thought?

[@backpackingadventures4813]

Thanks! Your tarp should be equal to or bigger than your hammock. An 11 foot tarp would absolutely work with a 10 foot hammock. My hammocks at 11 feet and my tarps are 11 feet. An 11 foot tarp will be a true 11 foot span but your hammock isn’t because of the sag. All that being said, you can’t go wrong with a larger tarp. Especially in the winter. My main tarp os the palace tarp from hammock gear and I chose the 12 foot. Provides more coverage. Also one thing to consider is the smaller the tarp the more precise you have to be and the larger, the more forgiving. Larger tarps may not need to be completely centered over your hammock because you still have good coverage. But if your hammock is 10 feet and 11 foot will do the trick. I hope I answered your question. 👍

[@hammockpacker]

Awesome, thanks for the info! I’m leaning toward going with the winter tarp vs the rectangular since it has doors and is only an extra 1.5 oz or so, but was wondering if you’ve had any issues with the middle part flapping in the wind due to there not being a center tie out? The rectangular version has more tie-out’s but no doors.

[@backpackingadventures4813]

@@hammockpacker the rectangle has center pullouts because it is a straight cut from corner to corner which can end up with a little loose center. Hence the center tie out. I believe the winter tarp is a concatenate cut where from corner to corner it seeps in a little. This keeps the center tight. You still have to set it up correctly though like anything else. For only 1.5 oz more, and if you are looking for an all around tarp but only one tarp then the winter tarp with the doors is the way to go. I think you can choose to get center pullouts. I recommend those as well. They come in handy on windy days. I love having doors on my tarps and I only have one without doors. It is the Dutchware Falcon that I just bought. Very small and no doors but im excited to try it out.

[@hammockpacker]

Ok, makes sense! Thanks again!

[@pedroclaro7822]

Currently on sale. Cool Still very expensive for me, but it’s a quality and reliable manufacturer that I’m sure would be a sound investment

[@unpavedexplorer338]

Great review.

[@backpackingadventures4813]

Thanks John!

[@korling99]

Does this come in a version that’s made for the Banyan hammock?

[@backpackingadventures4813]

Yes. When you select your options, you need to indicate whether you want side panel pullouts. If you do, you have the option to select that this is for a bridge hammock so they are placed appropriately.

[@ckirchner851]

This is very informative, thanks! Do you still feel that same about the Xenon bonded?

[@backpackingadventures4813]

Yes. So far so good. My niece has been using it mostly but working well. I’m going to use it more in the cold weather. That’s the main reason I got the winter version.

[@davidson_oldbull_sectionhiker]

Thank you so much for a great video Dan. I have been thinking about changing up my continuous ridgeline to your method. What is the length of your hammock. Take Care

[@backpackingadventures4813]

All but one of my hammocks are 11 foot. My Dutchware Half Wit is the only one under 11 feet and is 10.5.

[@davidson_oldbull_sectionhiker]

@@backpackingadventures4813 just to confirm the 11 foot tarp with doors works fine with your 11 foot hammock. Thanks

[@backpackingadventures4813]

@@davidson_oldbull_sectionhiker Yep. A tarp will extend to the full length but the hammock doesn’t. Mine span about maybe 9.5 to 10 feet max when hung properly allowing for the tarp to extend over the end of the hammock and where it connects to the suspension.

[@davidson_oldbull_sectionhiker]

@@backpackingadventures4813 great point. Thanks

[@machinesandthings7121]

Great review!

[@backpackingadventures4813]

Thanks! I appreciate it! 👍

[@dwtlax]

Your video convinced me to get it.

[@backpackingadventures4813]

You will love the tarp. 👍

[@darrengarlough5121]

Do you find yourself using the extra middle tie out points?

[@backpackingadventures4813]

If you are referring to the side pull outs on the side, yes. I don’t use them all the time but they are a must for me. I prefer them on all my tarps. I used them on this tarp the first time I used it. The wind was blowing broadside so I used the side pullouts on that side to keep it from being pushed up against me by the wind. The other side was in porch mode.

[@glendabaghian1145]

I'll stick with my ~$300 DCF tarp w/ doors ~9.8oz. The whole package in skin rolls up and is stored in my lycra mesh outer pocket in case it's wet. Your mod with a split snake skin is interesting and glad to see more hammockers no longer stretching a ridgeline from tree-to-tree. I tension Nite Ize Cam hooks at ridge peaks. Though the plastic locking wheel hasn't failed, Stingers are a more secure (metal) bet. At end tips, I've found women's thick elastic hair ties to linelocs are better for me. Although I struggled with keeping my lines wrapped/tangled around individual stakes in a bag that became hard to quickly deploy in a sudden rainstorm. So, my lines stay attached to the tarp/hair-tie points, and stakes are carried separately. I use a simple Marlon spike to loop around stakes, then lock down by tensioning at the lineloc.

[@backpackingadventures4813]

I like your setup. My warmer weather tarp is my other dyneema tarp. Fully rigged its 9 oz. My original ridge line years ago was a split ridge one with line locks. Then I switched to the continuous ridgeline for a couple years. And through that I’ve determined that the split was better for my so I’m back to that. I also stir my tarps on the outside in my mesh pocket. Easier to set up when raining as well.

[@chriswood7853]

Thanks for the review. Do you think the .9 is fragile? That's been my hang up with ordering the light version. I want light but don't want to sacrifice a piece of mind in the field. Does it have a rip stop pattern? Thanks again!

[@backpackingadventures4813]

Thanks! I don’t think it’s fragile. Slippery, yes. But it is strong. I’ve had it out in pretty high winds with no problem. I’m also not the most careful with my gear but I’m not careless with it either. Seems to be holding up well. There is not a rip stop pattern that I can see.

[@chriswood7853]

@@backpackingadventures4813 thanks for the response!

[@better.better]

let me tell you a little something about Dutchware's Xenon. don't get me wrong Dutch has a lot of great products and great design ideas, and they do a lot of things that nobody else does. Xenon is a great material UNTIL you poke a hole in it. IF YOU GET A HOLE IN IT PATCH IT AS SOON AS YOU CAN because that puncture is going to RUN to the other side, and it doesn't need that much force to do it. My previous tarp was a custom printed with my own camo design. I had a tree branch go through which tore a 8 inch right angle that was too big for me to patch with what I had. so I patched the corner hoping to get by until I could get to EMS. I came back to camp from work, to find that it had run all the way up to about an inch shy of the Ridgeline, then ran the entire length of the Ridgeline to the other end of the tarp. this happened in the middle of covid while Dutchware (and everyone else) was shut down, so I ran up to Harbor Freight and got one of their crappy tarps to cover the open side. just got to say I'm glad this happened at my home campsite, and not while I was on a bike packing trip. I think this was the heavier weight version (winter tarp) as well, not the ultra light. my use case is not like everybody else's though. I rarely take my tarp down I leave it up at my campsite, so it's possible that UV degradation is the reason the ripstop didn't stop the tear from running. however this one lasted only a year and change, and my previous Silpoly tarp from a different company did as well. my longest lasting tarp so far was my Wilderness Logics silnylon 13 ft Old Man Winter (RIP Marty) currently I'm using a canvas winter stove tent, which is the opposite of ultralight, and only comes in two colors... however I expect in my situation where I never take the thing down that it should last a hell of a lot longer. but I probably will get a lightweight one to take bike packing.

[@backpackingadventures4813]

Thanks for the heads up. That would not be good if a small hole can spread like that. I haven’t heard of any other’s that had this problem but I will watch for it. I wonder if it being up and exposed to prolonged UV like you said had something to don with it: I know of you leave dyneema on the sun for long periods of time it will start to delaminate. 👍

[@Columbia.Hiking.Club.29212]

Great overview.

[@backpackingadventures4813]

Thanks! 👍

[@ddff5242]

How long of a bungee did you use for the door tie outs?

[@backpackingadventures4813]

They are about 28 inches long at rest. If you use that length, add a few inches to it so you don’t shorten it when you tie it. The length is really personal preference and depends if you like it really wide or tight. If you put a mitten hook on one side of two pieces of shock cord you can play with the length before you cut it. Also, if for some reason i have to pitch my tarp really tight and the cords ended up having slack I just put a larks head knot in the middle some where. That takes up the slack pretty well and I can easily undo it. The best way to determine is to set it up and put a length before cutting it on and see what length works.

[@ddff5242]

@@backpackingadventures4813 thank you!

[@backpackingadventures4813]

@@ddff5242 You’re welcome! 👍

[@asherdog9248]

I liked the review so much I went to the website to order one. It looks there are supply chain issues and it is unavailable. Too bad it looks like a nice tarp.

[@backpackingadventures4813]

Sorry to hear that. I’m seeing that more and more on gear sites. I ordered a tent in January and won’t get it until July. I ordered a backpack on October and I should get it next week. Both because of supply chain issues.

[@yuriklaver4639]

Does it stretch when wet??

[@backpackingadventures4813]

Not that I noticed. It is very waterproof and doesn’t absorb hardly any water.

[@HuggyBearHikes]

They also have Wide versions that are 11.5' wide

[@backpackingadventures4813]

This one was the widest they offered at the time when I got this. However, if it was available I would have gotten the 11.5 foot version for sure. Thanks for the info!

[@HuggyBearHikes]

@@backpackingadventures4813 I'm saving up for one with the double pole mod. In mean time I found a 12x12 camping tarp from wal mart that I modified for hammocking. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmPciIF7rdSgerc

[@ulbushcrafting6592]

Awesome

[@backpackingadventures4813]

Thanks! 👍