View Full Version : Snakeskins for hammock
hi all,
read a little about these snakeskins for packing up hammocks - anyone got any? are they worth getting?
think i saw them for around £12.50 - does that sound about right?
thanks :)
Yeah they are an option with the Hennessy hammocks and I wouldn't be without them. It makes packing and unpacking take seconds and protects the hammock and fly, great bit of kit. Price is about right I think.
looking for an outlet for the snakeskins myself, where did you see them for sale @ £12.50 sounds like a good price!
weekend_warrior
09-01-2006, 11:57
Yeah, I'd be interested in know where too (oh boy... here we go again... Kerching!) :)
I agree with the comments above. They do make setting up and taking down quick and tangle-free.
Found some for £12.99 only 1 in stock though snakeskins (http://www.outdoorgear.co.uk/eshop.asp?wci=product&wce=99011201&affid=58209)
C_Claycomb
09-01-2006, 13:34
Ok chaps. Woodland Organics is the sole UK importer for Hennessey stuff. Their site:
http://www.woodlandorganics.com/hennessyhammocks/retailers/internet.asp
lists stockist. I don't think everyone on the list actually stocks hammocks, and not all the hammock stockist do snake skins separate, but for a start...
I followed the links for:
http://www.bushgear.co.uk/acatalog/Camping.html
http://www.proadventureshop.co.uk/product.asp?numRecordPosition= 2&P_ID=187&strPageHistory=cat&strKeywords=&SearchFor=&PT_ID=116
http://www.outdoorgb.com/p/hennessy_hammocks_expedition_a sym/
Good luck.
lardbloke
09-01-2006, 14:09
I use two sets of snakeskins. I have the main HH stuffed into one set (you would have to undo the sliding knots, put the snakeskins on and then tie the knots on again) and then the large tarp/hammock in its snakeskins in the other. This can be a little tricky and time consuming but works fine. I can then set up the tarp and leave the hammock inside the skins to create a large space to sit under until the hammock is needed.
You could always run up your own if you're handy with a sowing machine - cost is minimal then. I used some old ripstop I had left over from a previous project. Took a couple of evenings. Would have been less without having to unpick a couple of wrongly sown seams and tend to doorbells, phones, children etc !
Kev
Do skaneskins work only on hennessy hammock or can they be fitted to Mosquito Hammocks (Expedition Hammock model)?
I've been wondering if the snakesjkins fit if you've upgraded from the standard fly to the hex fly.
I'm guessing not - anyone know?
Stew - The snakeskins come in 4 sizes according to the Hennesy website I dont know what sizes are available over here but I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that even the largest size wont cope with a Hex Fly.
Jacks 'R' Better used to produce what they called 'Python Skins' for this reason but I think there were some patent issues or similar which mean't they had to leave all commercial production to Hennesy.
I might be wrong but I think thats the gist of it...
I've been wondering if the snakesjkins fit if you've upgraded from the standard fly to the hex fly.
I'm guessing not - anyone know?
Hi Stew
The regular snakeskins will fit an expedition with a hex fly pretty comfortably, they will also fit an explorer with a a hex fly but that is a very very tight fit!
Hope that helps
Jamie
http://www.rvops.co.uk in the 'Sleeping Systems' section @ £12.50
these are the ones i first spotted, but after kevB's post i think i can get some custom made - got access to some decent material - i guess if they turn out ok i'll make some for grabs in here :)
C_Claycomb
09-01-2006, 16:33
I have a hex fly and the undercover for my Expedition Asym and no way will they all fit in the std Exp Asym Skins. The undercover and the standard fly would j...u...s...t barely fit, very tight, so no chance with the hex. I would guess that if I didn't have the undercover material, the standard skins would swallow the hex fly alright.
Having been forced to stow the tarp separate from the rest of the hammock I can say I rather prefer it this way, at least for use with a Hex, I don't see it as a disadvantage. I like to be able to set up the tarp first, then have a big dry area to work in setting up the rest of the hammock. I wouldn't want to be without the snake skins though, they make setting up a lot eaiser, but be warned, they do wear out fairly fast. The seams have started to let go around the "mouth" after less than 25 on-off cycles. I need to see about fixing them.
So how do you stow yours away Chris?
Do you detach the hex or leave it on?
buffalobill
10-01-2006, 21:47
The seams have started to let go around the "mouth" after less than 25 on-off cycles
Having just invested in a HH with snakeskin that doesn't sound good! is this a common problem or have you just been unlucky and hit a faulty batch?
yer, 25 'cycles' is only a good week in ant's nest country :S
C_Claycomb
10-01-2006, 23:00
25 was an estimate, its a bit more by now, but seams were fraying by then. At the moment I have the bit of cable clip used to stiffen the mouth on my desk waiting for me to feed it back and patch up the fabric.
Also, if you get it the wrong way around the silicon coating wears off the nylon really quick, but only at the wide end where it gets rubbed the most. Sorry, still haven't worked out which the "right" way is, long seam in or out.
I don't know if I got a duff set of skins. I am not thrilled with how they have held up, but I wouldn't want others to assume that it is par for the course!
Now that I have a hex fly I carry the fly separate, and just have the hammock and undercover in the skins. I probably caused a bit more wear that normal during the few months I had both the original fly, and undercover all jammed in the skins.
I think that with all the parts used in Hennessey Hammocks, they can give the impression that they are tougher than they are. That is not to say that they are weak, just that its easy to get carried away making the ridgeline tighter than it should be, getting exasperated with fitting things in the snake skin and over stuffing the last bit, or putting too much force into getting the hammock into the stuff sack (no skins).
PJMCBear
12-05-2006, 13:42
£12.50 is a fantastic price. Mine were £14. I have seen articles on the web about making them for about a quarter of the price, but can't find it now.
PJ
Don Redondo
12-05-2006, 15:58
I think if you wander around here there may be a featurette [or a link to one] on making snakeskins:
http://www.tothewoods.net/JeffsHikingPage.html
PJMCBear
12-05-2006, 16:20
That's certainly one spot.
http://www.tothewoods.net/HomemadeGearHammockTubes.html
Cheers
Shambling Shaman
12-05-2006, 21:58
Got some snake skins included with my HH got a little damage on them - If any one wants them there up for grabs. I get on better with a stuff sack set up :rolleyes:
I'd be interested. How much do you want for them?