Originally Posted by
sashasrd
I am considering changing out my $1 shower scrubber for some real DIY snake skins on my 12' winter tarp. First I wanted to get some thoughts from the experts...
I have read a number of posts that talk about- the different materials for the skins, the design options, the storage, extra features...
Here are some questions to help be get the thoughts flowing:
What material do you use (Advantages/Disadvantages)? Walmart Sheers, tulle, No-see-um, Rip-Stop, Sil-anything, Cuben Fiber... - My MountainGoat skinz are mesh.
What design options do you like (Advantages/Disadvantages)? Single Length, 2 piece split in the middle, tapered or straight, pockets for ridgeline/stakes/Dutch bling...- I like the 2 piece split. Easier to manage. Also, if i want to I can leave the foot end staked out and deployed....while rolling the head end up in the skinz for a half deployed-open top config. Quicker to deploy if it rains.The first pic below demonstrated this, although its not staked in.
How do you get the tarp in the skins (Advantages/Disadvantages)? Role up to ridge and slide skins over, just start sliding them on and hope you don't get to thick on the opposite end or in the middle, bundle the guy-lines (with Dutch bling/shock cords attached)... - Took me about 30seconds to figure out. Just pull em on and massage the tarp into em while pushing the air out. After doing it a couple times you learn the best way to roll/fold/stuff. It is super quick. Then I just stuff my SF back into the stuff sack for transport and that goes in my pack. I know some dont carry the SF stuff sack and just put the skinned tarp in their pack. For me it weighs almost nothing and the tarp and skins alone can be a little unwieldy. I just throw all my stuff sacks (tarp, quilts, stake bag, etc) into my hammock double ended stuff sack once at camp. Last pic has about 5 stuff sacks inside the XLC sack.
What do you do with the tarp once in the skins (Advantages/Disadvantages)? Some will argue that sheer or NSU materials allow a wet tarp to dry, others will say SIL or CF will contain the water from getting to other gear and the tarp won't dry anyway until it is opened; some use a breathable material and stuff into a stuff-sack, or just stuff into an outside pocket away from other gear... - Its not gonna dry rolled up in skinz be it silny, mesh, cuben, etc. I am always amazed how much this is discussed. It just isnt going to dry rolled. Period.
What other features do you have or like about your skins? Loose open ends, or draw strings; if 2 piece do they connect or overlap in the middle?; have a pull tail for quick easy deployment while still in the hammock... - I like the two piece and mine are the standard MoutainGoat skins. They come together in the middle and I dig the cinch cords. I also dig the cord pockets that she sews in at no charge. The only thing I wish they had was another cinch cord/cord lock on the ends. Sometimes when I pull the skinz on they get pulled past the ends of the tarp. Not a huge deal but sometimes its annoying.
Feel free to share your thoughts. I look forward to all the great opinions and insight. Thanks!
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