Any Long-Term SnakeSkin Damage

[HillbillyHanger]

I'm a self-proclaimed noob whose obsessive compulsive behavior is fed by my inclination to over analyze issues. That being said:
I have a set of snake skins that came with the Hennessy Hex tarp. I have been just cramming the tarp into a stuff sack. I don't fold. I'm also a crammer. I'm looking for a 12-14 step (see first two stated compulsions) program to help with this. Anyway, I've the habit of cramming from my tent rain fly days to avoid repeated creases and long-term issues. I've been seeing the posts and Youtube videos about the snake skins and I have a few questions:
1. Any issues with how tight you fold wrap the tarp once it's inside the snake skins (to put in a stuff sack)
2. How do you mostly store/tote your tarp once it's inside the snake skins?
Thanks.

[drchip]

I've been putting my Hennessy hex tarp in snake skins for a few years. I roll from the bottom of the tarp, then slide the snake skins to the center. The, I fold the whole mess in half, in half again, and (maybe...) in half again. I wrap this up with the ridgelines (which are attached to the tarp ends) and stuff it in an expandable pocket on the side of my pack (think drink pocket). I've seen no issues...

[The Old Boot]

You put your tarp in the snakeskins neatly????

I thought the whole point was to just cram them in.

Seriously, I just pull the snakeskin along the tarp and stuff the middle up into the skin and call it good.

Oh, and I have a sil stuff sack that I made to put the tarp and skins into. In my old pack I had to carry the wet tarp inside the pack so the sil sack was invaluable. My new pack has an outside mesh pocket that I can get the tarp into so I skip the stuff sack or use it depending.

[AaronMB]

I can relate. But worry not.
For my WB SF, I:
1) Slide skin(s) over tarp with one hand as I gather the material together with the other hand.
2) Remove CRL from trees.
3) Fold tarp in half.
4) Cram skinned tarp into outside pocket of pack.
5) Rinse and let dry on a line at home, if needs be.
6) Slide skins over tarp.
7) Store on top of the heavier stuff in gear box.

[speakeasy]

+1
PLEASE don't get me started thinking about neat stowage! HAVE A HEART

You put your tarp in the snakeskins neatly????

I thought the whole point was to just cram them in.

Seriously, I just pull the snakeskin along the tarp and stuff the middle up into the skin and call it good.

Oh, and I have a sil stuff sack that I made to put the tarp and skins into. In my old pack I had to carry the wet tarp inside the pack so the sil sack was invaluable. My new pack has an outside mesh pocket that I can get the tarp into so I skip the stuff sack or use it depending.

[DanglingModifier]

Snake skins are also light and thin enough to pack the whole bundle back into the stuff sack that may already accompany your tarp. That way you can nest your organizer (snake skin), in your organizer (stuff sack), in your organizer (backpack), matryoshka style.

[nothermark]

It's worth mentioning that lightweight gear is not bombproof so requires some care in handling. Ultralight is even less strong thus requiring more care. The strength = weight equation is not far off the mark as materials are often the same. Improper handling will result in higher stresses and can result in damage. This is particularly an issue with sewn goods. A "light" knife is smaller or has some strategic holes. It is still a chunk of steel. A lighter quilt is thinner thus less strong than the equivalent made with heavier weight cloth. Ditto snake skins, stuff sacks, hammock bodies, packs, tarps, tents, etc. They are all really chunks of nylon. ;-)