Skin or stuff??

**R00K** · 09-07-2011, 10:25

To repeat what others have said:

Mesh Skins: get to camp and partially set up your tarp - allowing for a great view until it rains - then allowing the tarp set-up to be finished quickly.

Also - mesh skins seem to allow my tarp to dry some while stored in the stuff all outside of my pack. A stuff sack would hold the moisture in the tarp until you had a dry moment to shake it out.

**Moradiss** · 09-07-2011, 17:54

Noob question. Stuff sack is pretty much self explanatory, and I have seen tarps with skins in youtube videos.I do like the way the skins allow the tarp to be hung, but out of the way, but how do you pack a tarp in skins? Rolled like a fire hose? Rolled into a ball?

**R00K** · 09-07-2011, 19:37

Originally Posted by Moradiss

Noob question. Stuff sack is pretty much self explanatory, and I have seen tarps with skins in youtube videos.I do like the way the skins allow the tarp to be hung, but out of the way, but how do you pack a tarp in skins? Rolled like a fire hose? Rolled into a ball?

(As a huge Lost fan - thanks for the avatar!)

I've rolled my tarp up like a fire hose, stuffed it into a ball, etc. Doesn't matter! Stuff it and go!

WV · 09-07-2011, 20:18

Moradiss, you just pull the skin onto the tarp while it's still tied to the trees at each end. Then put it into your pack (or a mesh outside pocket).

**Hooch** · 09-07-2011, 20:24

Stuff, but that's just me. HYOH.

**Jcavenagh** · 09-07-2011, 20:37

I sue skins on my tarp. I have a WBBB and I stuff that in its BB sack. The skins make it easy to set up the tarp first and fast, if needed. And like many others have said, you can leave the tarp in the skins to get that Million Dollar view with the confidence that deployment is about 10 second operation if the rain comes.
My skins are silnylon, so packing up wet is not a problem. I can keep the moisture contained in the skins and the hammock stays dry.

**Jcavenagh** · 09-07-2011, 20:41

To add to WV's reply to mordiss- I usually roll the tarp from the bottom to the top while it is still hung to the trees. This makes sliding the skins on real easy

**FireInMyBones** · 09-16-2011, 09:50

I currently use a bag, but will converting to skins soon.

**default** · 09-16-2011, 10:06

skins are on the way for mine, but im wondering if i can put the skinned tarp into the stuff sack for storage.

**Buffalo Skipper** · 09-16-2011, 10:29

Can anyone suggest a vendor who can make mesh skins for a tarp? Or sil skins for a hammock? Any idea of cost.

I am just not enough of a DIYer to do a decent job on them myself.