Snake Skin

**Teegs** · 07-25-2012, 09:27

So I was thinking last night about my HH snake skins and I realized that having them meet in the middle is probably the least efficient way to close them up. Whenever you close them, the hammock inevitably bunches in the middle making it a hassle to stuff the rest into the skin. I also stretched one of the skins across as far as it would go and it covers probably 85% of the hammock length. If I were to stretch the other skin out I'd have a HUGE overlap. Completely unnecessary.

So why not just one long skin with a draw cord at one end? Much easier to pack. Probably just as easy to deploy. Probably half the weight. Probably a quarter the weight if using cuben.

Here's an illustration:

Thoughts? Sorry if this has been thought up before.

**raiffnuke** · 07-25-2012, 09:36

Yes, this has been though up before, and many o fus use and prefer them. They are called Python Skins. Great idea though. I always find it interesting how many people come up with the same great ideas independent on each other.

**BackPackHiker** · 07-25-2012, 09:49

Good idea, Actually DD Hammocks have already come up with this solution. Their snake skin is called a Hammock Sleeve, you can check it out at this web site

http://www.ddhammocks.com/product/hammock-sleeve

I have one and it is great!

**Teegs** · 07-25-2012, 10:06

Argh!

So much for being original. Haha, thanks for the references. I'll go check em out.

**Caveman** · 07-25-2012, 10:23

I used to have a real problem with that "bulge" in the middle. I found a way around that. I put the zipper almost all they way to one side and roll up the hammock and tarp before I pull the skins on. It's actually not difficult at all now. Here's a link to the post that I started about it a while back.

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=52921

There's a little video in there that shows a demonstration of the HH girl putting hers up. Easy as pie.

Good idea on shedding some weight and only having one item to keep up with though.

**Teegs** · 07-25-2012, 10:59

Yeah, getting rid of the bulge is more like the icing on the cake. The real enemy was the redundant material. I'm estimating a cuben python skin coming in around 0.53oz!!!

I kind of wish my current snake skins would just stretch the rest of the way without modification. It'd probably keep my pocketbook heavier.

Anyone know anything about sewing cuben? Do I need anything like a special industrial sewing machine for 0.51oz cuben fiber?