And thanks to all for the many responses/opinions. SSkins on the tarp instead of the hammock? Interesting!
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My 2 grams - I have python skins for my Hennessey Hammock and Nest Underquilt. I used them for the first time on a trip this past weekend and learned a few things. First, I liked that I could wrap the quilt inside of the hammock before skinning the whole thing, but did not like how tight the skins were to pull over the whole thing. Also, once skinned, the whole thing becomes very stiff and difficult to fold. Once I packed the skins, I did not like that I had lots of unused space in my pack because of the skins. Im working on gettin a Black Bishop sack that is large enough for my HH, Underquilt, and top quilt. The sack more easily conforms to the outline of my pack and IMO will work better for me. But, thats what I believe will work for me. Try lots of different things until you find what works for you! BD
I've got a design at this point that works well and isn't terribly involved to sew. It's not sealed per se, but neither is the drawstring end if you think about it. I would actually bet on water coming in at the drawstring before it comes in the hole - with my newest hole design, anyway.
The skins won't create extra space if they're big enough to let the underquilt poof a bit. Just like an almost-full stuff sack fits better in a pack than one stuff tightly.
Are skins worth it? Sure...if they fit your style. They're a great product. I've been using the BB sack for a while now and I like it. No need to seal the bottom hole, IMO - I use a pack liner anyway. But snakeskins aren't waterproof either so you don't really lose anything that way. I just think stuffing and packing the sack is easier than the skins. YMMV.
i love the way snake skins work on the hammock & especially on the tarp.
but soon i will likely be trying out something more like BB's stuff sack.
on the new versions of the storage end covers, i plan to have a draw string around the mouth, so the hammock, the other storage end cover, & probably the quilt & under quilt can be stuffed into one of the end covers & the mouth drawn shut just like a basic stuff sack.