loofah as snake skin?

[chansta]

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.

[coachhahn]

I tried it just to see if the idea of a snake skin was worth it. I mediately tore one end but quickly realized that snake skin were great. Ordered one that night. It's a good idea but very fragile material.

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[huyettm]

It is really delicate. Technically it works. Practicality it does not, in my experience.

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[wa4chq]

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.
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[johnspenn]

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.

[MDCrab]

I also tried the loofa and it didn't last past testing it out. They are way too fragile. Ended up making a pair out of some leftover mosquito netting I had. I will probably upgrade to some Dutch ones soon.

[esmith]

I tried it, like the others it fell apart after a few uses. It is not a viable solution.

I keep Dutch Fleaz on the 4 corners and Flyz on the Ridge line. It didn't take much for those to tear it all apart.

I got some Hennessy skins locally for $20 and they work perfect with my Super Fly, Hardware and all.

[HikerBro]

I've been using my loofah skins for a couple of months now with no issues. Just treat them like what they are. I roll my corners and guy lines into the tarp so they don't snag, pull one end on, go to the other end, rinse and repeat. I used 1/16 shock cord to tie off the ends, so I can stretch them over without snagging. If they rip near the ends, they are so long I can just relace the cord further down. That being said, I did it to see if I like snakeskins and if they would be worth the cost. I do, and they are. If you don't like snakeskins (or something similar) you are just living your life wrong and are probably cruel to animals and orphans.

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[Rekoob]

Like HikerBro I'm using them on my tarp the same way. But then toss the whole deal into a stuff sack made of the same tarp material. I didn't expect them to last but so far not so bad, I think i stuck a finger through one earlier this summer but nothing to worry about.

When they do give it up I will either get /make some or if lazy will use another lufa... if it's working and lasting more than a few uses why not.

[Rphen]

I tried it and it worked but tore right away. I made a pair from a pattern I found online here and they work just fine.