Snakeskins, yes or no? Mesh or not?

[peripatew]

Just curious how people are using them. Hammock and/or tarp? Always? Just when the tarp is wet? Mesh or silnylon? Why?

Thanks!

[kk4df]

I use snake skins on my tarp, always, because they make it so much faster and easier to set up and take down. It helps keep the cords from tangling, and helps me center the tarp over the hammock prior to pulling back the skins. I don't see a need to use skins on my hammock, as it has a double ended stuff sack.

[K0m4]

I'd vote a resounding "yes". I use them on my hammock and tarp alike. Makes life a lot easier I find. I've ordered mesh skins for the tarp now, and lazy slug tubes to hold both the hammock and the uq together, taking the concept to the next step.

[Wanderlost]

+1 for on tarp but not hammock. I use the mesh skins made by MountainGoat on my tarp. Like kk4df said, it makes setup a breeze. Centering's not so much an issue since I my tarp is on prussic knots on my ridgeline. Hammock is in a double ended stuff sack.

[Bubba]

Mesh ones for my tarps. Makes set up easier.

[SwinginIt]

I use em on both.

On the tarp it makes set up easier plus if the weather looks ok I can slide it into the skins and sleep under the stars, if the weather takes a turn all I have to do is remove the skins and hook the stakes.

On the hammock it makes set up easier since I can just toss the hammock out on the ground without worrying about getting it dirty. If the weather is bad and I need a covered place to cook I can slide the hammock into the skins and cook under the tarp. Granted, I've only had to do that once when there were two of us under the tarp cooking and I hadn't put my UQ on yet so I didn't have to deal with that.

[Deacon]

As Wanderlust said, tarp yes hammock no. Always mesh with the tarp so if the tarp is wet, the mesh skin will allow the tarp to dry. I then carry the tarp along with the hammock suspension in the mesh pocket on the back of my Exo cuben backpack.

I don't bother with skins (or a sack) for the hammock. I just fold it end over end and stuff it down in the dry bag. That saves another 2 oz.

[flatline]

i use no-see-um mesh on all my tarps. my tarp is almost always wet or at least damp when i'm breaking camp.
the meas tarp skins allow a small amount of drying while on the trail. when i have the skins over my tarp
and the CRL hanked and stowed in the pocket, i fold the skin/tarp in half then half again.
i have 2-6" loops of 1/8 shock cord that i double around each end of the folded tarp/skin.
that makes it easier the attach to the bottom of my pack (where a sleeping bag would have been in the old days).

i also use a big ole tube of sil nylon for the entirety of the rest of my sleep system. it's called a LazySlugTube.
the LST makes planing, set-up and take down very quick.
the sil nylon does not let the contents (UQ,Ham,TQ,peak bags...etc) breath.
what it does do is keep the contents safe if/when i lay it on the ground while setting up.
here is a thread that explains the LST a little better.
there is also a video where packing up the LST towards the end
i hope all this mumbo-jumbo was helpful.
__bob__

[Acer]

Taking down and storing your tarp for backpacking on the move,,to me,,,,there is no perfect answer,,I have used everything. I guess Snakeskins are about the quickest,,but the downside is takes more pack room with tarp in snakeskins. Folding is a pain as in rainy weather,,your going to end up with tarp touching ground, as well as messing with all the tie downs and getting it in the bag without tangles and such especially if your solo hiking. I normally just stuff hammock in bishop bag as it seems to be easiest for me, and stuff the quilts in pack on the bottom of it, and everything compressing it in pack works super easy for me and quickest way to strike camp.

[MAD777]

Mesh snakeskins for tarp always - double ended stuff sack for hammock.

For all the reasons given above. If you ever try to set up a tarp in very windy conditions without snakeskins, and then do it with the skins, that will make you a believer!

Also, it's so nice to set up the tarp in camp, but leave the snakeskins on the tarp while lounging in the hammock, and have the open view of the sky.