Bear Butt Rain Fly Review: A Budget-Friendly Waterproof Tarp That Delivers

I’ve spent countless nights sleeping in hammocks across the Pacific Northwest, and one lesson stands clear: weather doesn’t care about your plans.

After getting soaked at 2 AM on what was supposed to be a clear summer weekend, I learned the hard way that a quality rain fly isn’t optional gear.

The Bear Butt Rain Fly is a budget-friendly waterproof tarp that delivers reliable protection for hammock campers at under $25, making it one of the best value options on the market today.

Since 2016, I’ve tested more than a dozen hammock tarps ranging from premium ENO models to various Amazon finds, and I’m consistently impressed by what Bear Butt delivers for the price point.

In this review, I’ll share my hands-on experience with the Bear Butt Rain Fly after 45 nights of testing across three seasons, including one memorable week of persistent Oregon rain.

Bear Butt Rain Fly Review – At a Glance

Specification	Details
Dimensions	11 x 9 feet
Material	Waterproof ripstop nylon
Weight	Approximately 1-2 lbs
Price	Under $25
Rating	4.6/5 stars (841 reviews)

First Impressions and Build Quality

When my Bear Butt Rain Fly arrived, the first thing I noticed was the packaging.

It comes in a simple stuff sack that won’t win any design awards, but it gets the job done.

Unfolding the tarp reveals the 11 x 9 foot diamond shape with reinforced guy-out points at each corner and along the edges.

The material feels thin to the touch, which had me initially concerned about durability.

However, after putting it through heavy rain and rough handling, those concerns proved mostly unfounded.

The ripstop nylon does its job well, preventing small tears from spreading.

What’s in the box? You get the rain fly itself, a basic stuff sack, reflective paracord guy lines, and metal stakes.

It’s a complete setup that lets you hit the trail immediately without needing to purchase additional accessories.

The stitching at the seams appeared clean and secure during my inspection.

I paid particular attention to the attachment points since these are typically the first failure points on budget tarps.

Bear Butt reinforced these areas with additional material layers, which gives me confidence in long-term durability.

Key Features and Specifications

Waterproof Ripstop Nylon Construction

The Bear Butt Rain Fly uses waterproof ripstop nylon as its primary material.

Ripstop fabric features a grid pattern of thicker threads woven into the material.

This design prevents small tears from propagating across the entire tarp.

During my testing, I caught the tarp on several sharp branches without any significant damage.

The waterproof coating effectively sheds water, causing rain to bead up and roll off rather than soaking through.

I tested this during a six-hour rainfall event and stayed completely dry underneath.

The material does have some limitations in extreme conditions.

Heavy, sustained rainfall can eventually overwhelm any budget tarp.

However, for typical three-season camping, the waterproofing performs admirably.

11 x 9 Foot Coverage Area

The 11 x 9 foot diamond shape provides adequate coverage for most single hammock setups.

This size allows for multiple configuration options depending on weather conditions and campsite layout.

I found the coverage sufficient to protect both my hammock and gear underneath during rain.

The diamond shape excels at shedding wind from multiple directions when pitched correctly.

For comparison, premium ENO rain flies typically measure 10 x 8 or slightly larger.

Bear Butt actually offers slightly more coverage area than some competitors charging twice the price.

That said, taller hammock campers or those using double hammocks might find the coverage minimal in severe weather.

Ultralight and Packable Design

At approximately 1-2 pounds, the Bear Butt Rain Fly qualifies as ultralight gear.

When packed in its stuff sack, it compresses to roughly the size of a grapefruit.

This compact footprint makes it easy to pack into smaller backpacks or carry outside your pack without significant bulk.

For backpackers counting every ounce, this weight is competitive with more expensive options.

The stuff sack is functional but basic.

Experienced backpackers might prefer a more sophisticated compression system.

However, at this price point, including any stuff sack at all is appreciated.

Multiple Guy-Out Points

The tarp includes reinforced attachment points along the edges and corners.

These multiple guy-out points enable various pitching configurations depending on conditions.

I’ve successfully pitched it as a simple A-frame, a diamond, and various asymmetric configurations.

Each attachment point is reinforced with additional material to prevent tearing under tension.

The included paracord is reflective, which is a thoughtful safety feature.

This reflective property helps prevent tripping over guy lines at night.

After testing, I recommend upgrading to higher-quality cordage for serious trips.

The included paracord works fine but lacks the durability of dedicated guy line material.

Real-World Performance Testing

I tested the Bear Butt Rain Fly in various conditions over several months.

My testing included everything from light drizzle to thunderstorm downpours.

Here’s what I found across different weather scenarios.

Rain Performance

During moderate rainfall, the Bear Butt performed excellently.

Water beaded up and rolled off the ripstop nylon surface as intended.

The waterproof coating effectively prevented moisture penetration during typical rain events.

In heavy thunderstorm conditions, some spray entered from the sides during wind gusts.

This is expected with any tarp and can be mitigated by pitching lower or adjusting the angle.

One night in the Olympics, I experienced six hours of continuous rain.

Despite the wet conditions, my hammock and sleeping bag remained completely dry.

The tarp’s waterproofing held up without any leakage through the material itself.

Wind Resistance

The ripstop nylon handles moderate winds well when properly tensioned.

I’ve camped in gusts up to 25 mph without significant issues.

The key is ensuring all guy lines are properly tensioned and stakes are secure.

In higher winds, the lightweight material can flap noisily.

This isn’t a flaw unique to Bear Butt – all lightweight tarps experience this issue.

The metal stakes included are adequate for most soil conditions but may bend in rocky terrain.

I recommend carrying heavier stakes for backpacking trips where campsites might have challenging soil.

Durability Assessment

After 45 nights of use, the tarp shows minimal wear.

The ripstop fabric has prevented small snags from becoming larger tears.

All attachment points remain secure with no signs of pulling or stress.

The waterproof coating continues to perform effectively, with no noticeable degradation in water resistance.

That said, this isn’t a “buy it for life” piece of gear like some premium options.

With regular use, I would expect a few seasons of reliable service before needing replacement.

At this price point, replacing it every few years is still more economical than buying premium gear upfront.

Setup Process and Configuration Options

Setting up the Bear Butt Rain Fly is straightforward, even for beginners.

The multiple attachment points provide flexibility in how you pitch the tarp.

Let me walk you through my preferred setup method.

Basic A-Frame Setup

1. Attach to hammock suspension: Connect the tarp’s ridge line to your hammock suspension using the provided clips or carabiners.
2. Stake out corners: Pull the four corner guy lines outward at roughly 45-degree angles and stake them into the ground.
3. Adjust tension: Tighten each guy line until the tarp is taut with no sagging areas.
4. Check coverage: Lie in your hammock to verify adequate coverage and adjust as needed.
5. Secure remaining tie-outs: If conditions warrant, use the additional guy-out points along the edges for extra stability.

This basic setup typically takes me about 3-5 minutes from start to finish.

With practice, you can easily set it up in under two minutes.

Weather-Specific Configurations

In rainy conditions, I pitch the tarp lower to the ground for better side protection.

This reduces wind-driven rain entering from the sides while maintaining adequate ventilation.

For winter camping or cold conditions, I pitch the tarp very low to trap heat.

This creates a thermal envelope that can raise the temperature under your hammock by several degrees.

In fair weather, a higher pitch provides better ventilation and more open views.

The flexibility to adjust pitch based on conditions is a significant advantage of tarp camping.

Pros and Cons

What I Like

• Excellent value: At under $25, this tarp costs half as much as many competitors while delivering comparable performance.
• Effective waterproofing: The ripstop nylon sheds water reliably, keeping you dry in typical rain conditions.
• Adequate coverage: The 11 x 9 foot size provides sufficient protection for most single hammock setups.
• Lightweight design: At roughly 1-2 pounds, it won’t weigh down your pack on longer trips.
• Complete kit: Includes guy lines and stakes, so you have everything needed for setup.
• Reflective guy lines: The reflective paracord prevents tripping hazards at night.
• Multiple attachment points: Enables various pitching configurations for different conditions.
• Good durability for the price: The ripstop construction prevents small tears from spreading.

What Could Be Better

• Basic stuff sack: The included storage sack is functional but lacks compression features.
• Stake quality: Included metal stakes are adequate but may bend in rocky or hard soil.
• Seam sealing: Some users prefer to add additional seam sealing for extreme conditions.
• Size limitations: Double hammock users or very tall campers might find coverage minimal.
• Long-term durability: Not built to last forever like premium options costing 3-4 times more.
• Noise in wind: Lightweight material flaps audibly in high winds.

Value and Alternatives

Price Comparison

The Bear Butt Rain Fly typically retails for under $25 on Amazon.

This places it firmly in the budget category of hammock camping gear.

For comparison, ENO rain flies generally cost between $60-100.

Wise Owl Outfitters, another budget competitor, offers tarps in the $25-45 range.

Considering the performance I’ve experienced, the Bear Butt offers exceptional value.

It delivers 80-90% of the performance of premium options at 25-30% of the cost.

For beginners uncertain about committing to hammock camping, this low entry point is ideal.

Even experienced campers on a budget will find the performance adequate for most situations.

Who Should Buy This?

This tarp is ideal for beginner hammock campers starting their gear collection.

If you’re unsure about hammock camping and don’t want to invest heavily, the Bear Butt minimizes risk.

Budget-conscious backpackers will appreciate the balance of performance and price.

Summer campers who primarily encounter light to moderate weather conditions will find it perfectly adequate.

Those who camp occasionally rather than frequently will get good value without overspending.

Who Should Look Elsewhere?

If you camp in extreme weather conditions regularly, consider a more robust option.

Winter campers dealing with snow loads might prefer a heavier, more durable tarp.

Very tall hammock campers or those using double hammocks might want additional coverage.

Backpackers counting every gram might find lighter (but more expensive) options appealing.

Those seeking “buy it for life” durability should invest in premium brands with lifetime warranties.

Frequently Asked Questions

My Final Verdict

After extensive testing, I believe the Bear Butt Rain Fly represents excellent value in the hammock camping market.

It won’t match the durability or refinement of premium options costing four times as much.

However, for most campers in most conditions, it delivers reliable protection at an unbeatable price.

The waterproofing works, the coverage is adequate, and the setup is straightforward.

I’ve recommended this tarp to friends new to hammock camping, and all have been satisfied with their purchase.

For beginners or budget-conscious outdoor enthusiasts, the Bear Butt Rain Fly is a solid choice that won’t disappoint.