loofah as snake skin?

[Tyroler Holzhacker]

I tried the loofa, but they are pretty fragile. You'd really have to use kid gloves when handling to make them last more than a trip or two.

I have mesh skins from Kat at Mountain Goat, and love them. Many on this forum can attest to the same.
http://www.outdoortrailgear.com/cott...s-goods-store/

I think Dutch and RBR both have kits if you're so inclined. Other vendors make and sell them as well.

They are worth it IMO for the ease and simplicity of use. Never tried the hair band method, but might based on the above recommendation.

Plus one on Mountain Goat snakeskins👏👌👍I have the 2 piece skins but she makes 1 piece snakeskins as well. Once you use the skins you will be amazed how much better it is than merely using a stuff sack. It was a real eye opener for me.

[Bolting Carcass]

Plus one on Mountain Goat snakeskinsI have the 2 piece skins but she makes 1 piece snakeskins as well. Once you use the skins you will be amazed how much better it is than merely using a stuff sack. It was a real eye opener for me.

Any pros and cons to getting the 2 piece over 1 piece or vice versa?

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[MoldyFrog]

I used some dollar store loofah's and they died first trip out with them. Definitely fragile. Maybe there's a better brand that's more durable but mine were not. I certainly saw the value of the snake skins and went home and bought some noseeum mesh to make a proper pair. That said ripstop works too. The fabric panels only use about 0.9 square yards of fabric each so while noseeum is lighter it's really less than half an ounce difference when done.

[County_mountie]

Hi Chansta....I've heard about it but have also heard that they don't last long.....if you haven't tried them, go get some elastic hair ties. They are cheap but last a long time. Originally I was going to make snake skins from left over mosquito netting I had but lucky for me, I didn't have enough. That was around the same time I read a post here on HF about using hair ties......I haven't regretted it.
Attachment 155991

Great idea!!

[Yak&Trail]

I tried the hair ties first, then purchased actual snake skins for my tarp and hammock. However, for my wife's kit, I thought I would try to Loofah. What I did was extend them out, then I rolled the ends a little and weaved light bungee cord through them to make somewhat of a stretchable, stronger end (both ends). It seems to work so far.

[Dhagan]

Do you really want to trust your only weather protection to be protected by a $1 piece of crap? I have hundreds of dollars tied up in gear. I want my rain protection.... to be well protected...so it can protect me. But that's just me...

[GilligansWorld]

I saw a video of a diy loofah snake skin. it's a dollar to make, so I don't see why not to try it. It even worked with a kelty noah 9, which is not a small or light tarp.

I have a DD 3x3.

Has anyone tried this? Can they attest to this working for them? It seems like it might be really delicate, but again, it's just a dollar.

Same as everyone - $5 and a sewing machine - window sheers from Walmart
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mainstays...Panel/44434384
Pattern free & instructions here;
https://gear-report.com/how-to-make-...k-or-tarp-myog
Just might have to cut and sew several scraps to add extra length - Cheers.

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[Yak&Trail]

"Do you really want to trust your only weather protection to be protected by a $1 piece of crap? I have hundreds of dollars tied up in gear. I want my rain protection.... to be well protected...so it can protect me. But that's just me..."



The loofah or snake skin only contains the tarp for a short time before you put it in your stuff sack. Or at least that is how we do it.

[OneClick]

Do you really want to trust your only weather protection to be protected by a $1 piece of crap? I have hundreds of dollars tied up in gear. I want my rain protection.... to be well protected...so it can protect me. But that's just me...

I agree. Drop the $15 and call it a permanent deal. Not a necessary piece of gear, but nice to have.

[RazorSharp]

+1. Tried it. It ripped. Very inexpensive though so give it a go.