How to choose snake skins?

**doctor patches** · 03-08-2013, 00:15

How do I determine what snake skins fit what size, volume, etc?

I have an ENO double and a Toxaway tarp, if I wanted to pack both in separate skins, which size would I use for what?

**Rune** · 03-08-2013, 02:06

Originally Posted by doctor patches

How do I determine what snake skins fit what size, volume, etc?

I have an ENO double and a Toxaway tarp, if I wanted to pack both in separate skins, which size would I use for what?

I jave just recieved my skins, so by no means an expert. But I measured the hammoc from end to end, I have drip rings on ech end that the carabinier for the whoopies attach to. Så I measured from ring to ring. And then ordered a DD hammock sleeve for mine. And that was wide enough for my Tenth Wonder Bivi Hornet, wich is 1,8 m wide and has a bug net and under hammock. The hammock weighs 2 kilos it's that much material in it, and the DD sleeves fit it perfectly. And they are 280x15 cm...

**doctor patches** · 03-09-2013, 14:36

Fyi, I ordered one of each size from amazon. They're both labeled as "XL", and I set them side by side, I can't tell them apart. Either way got my tarp and my hammock both skinned up and read for my trip on the 22nd.

**steveflinn** · 03-11-2013, 04:34

I use a meshy snakeskin for the tarp. That way I can roll it up during the day if I want to enjoy the sky. And its a bonus that I don't fiddle with the guylines, they just get sucked up by the snake.

Mesh in theory is better than solid fabric, letting the tarp dry during the day's hike. In practice whatever moisture is still left on the tarp at rollup seems to be there when I unfurl it next. ((But there's no way it would even add up to an ounce after one or two shakes.)) Even if I forego the snakeskin altogether and just stuff the tarp "wet" into the outer mesh pocket it stays wet.

All my backpacks have a spot on the very outside where the skinned tarp rides, anyway. It's the first thing that goes up when I establish camp, rain or shine.

I have to recommend the Wilderness Logics Lazy Slug Tube for the hammock, though. Or a DIY "python" type tube. That way you don't have to separately roll up insulation and suspension and whatever always stays in your hammock. Just slide the LST over everything and stuff it straight into the bottom of the pack - with Dutch Clips it literally takes like 20 seconds to take down and pack it all down into a drybag or liner (even though the LST itself is drybag enough).