Snakeskins and underquilts

[ivanputski]

I will be ordering a JRB underquilt very soon to use with my HH Explorer Ultralight. When I contacted HH they did not seem to think that a #4 snake skin would cover both. Has anyone tried this combination? I could just sew some snakeskins but would rather just purchase if possible.

[titanium_hiker]

sewing some is a cinch- however the general consensus here is that #4 works.

titanium

[wentworth]

I have the Nest and the explorer. I personally found it a squeeze to fit them into JRB's python skins, and I know there's not a chance they'd fit into my no. 3's. Don't know bout no. 4's

[Just Jeff]

Tom sells the #4 to fit the Backpacker with insulation...if he's tried the #4 with the Explorer, I'd trust him. After all, it's not really in his interest to discourage you to buy his product if it might work.

Did you ask if he'd actually tried it, or just if he thought it would work?

But like TH said...it's very easy to sew a set of snakeskins.
http://www.geocities.com/jwj32542/Ho...mockTubes.html

[ivanputski]

Tom sells the #4 to fit the Backpacker with insulation...if he's tried the #4 with the Explorer, I'd trust him. After all, it's not really in his interest to discourage you to buy his product if it might work.

Did you ask if he'd actually tried it, or just if he thought it would work?

But like TH said...it's very easy to sew a set of snakeskins.
http://www.geocities.com/jwj32542/Ho...mockTubes.html

Their email said that they had only seen pictures of the underquilt and that it appeared that they would not work togather. Just wondering if someone had actually tried this combination before I ordered them.

[Seeker]

But like TH said...it's very easy to sew a set of snakeskins.
http://www.geocities.com/jwj32542/Ho...mockTubes.html

unless you're me. (8 stinkin' hours over a sewing machine... i still can't believe it...) LOL

[JoeHiker]

I will be ordering a JRB underquilt very soon to use with my HH Explorer Ultralight. When I contacted HH they did not seem to think that a #4 snake skin would cover both. Has anyone tried this combination? I could just sew some snakeskins but would rather just purchase if possible.

I have the SnakeSkin #4s (since we can't buy the PythonSkins anymore) and JRB Nest Down Under underquilt with my HH Backpacker but I haven't had a chance to set the whole thing up and try it out. I'm going to try it this weekend. I'll get back to you on this thread when I have.

[JoeHiker]

I have the SnakeSkin #4s (since we can't buy the PythonSkins anymore) and JRB Nest Down Under underquilt with my HH Backpacker but I haven't had a chance to set the whole thing up and try it out. I'm going to try it this weekend. I'll get back to you on this thread when I have.

I tried them this weekend. They can fit but I think I wasn't packing them up right as I had a lot of problems. It was also my first time trying to pack them up with the NestDown Under and MacCat Tarp. I need a little more practice with this.

A question for all you folks with JRB underquilts out there: Do you compress them in SnakeSkins/PythonSkins or do you keep them separately? And for those of you with special, non HH tarps, do you pack the tarp up with the hammock or keep it and tie it out separately?

[food]

A question for all you folks with JRB underquilts out there: Do you compress them in SnakeSkins/PythonSkins or do you keep them separately? And for those of you with special, non HH tarps, do you pack the tarp up with the hammock or keep it and tie it out separately?

I use a Campmor Ultralite Extension Poncho/Tarp for the fly, and it also is my rain gear. It is carried in an outside a mesh pocket.

The nest and sleeping bag are stuffed in a trash compactor bag in the front of the pack to keep the heavy stuff close to my back.

[Just Jeff]

I put the hammock and Nest inside the Python Skins. The tarp has its own skins so I can hang it without the hammock if needed (like during a rainstorm so the hammock doesn't come out until I'm under the dry tarp).

I put the No Sniveler in its compression sack, then that and my clothes goes into a compactor bag and inside the pack.

[JoeHiker]

I put the hammock and Nest inside the Python Skins. The tarp has its own skins so I can hang it without the hammock if needed (like during a rainstorm so the hammock doesn't come out until I'm under the dry tarp).

I put the No Sniveler in its compression sack, then that and my clothes goes into a compactor bag and inside the pack.

Jeff, do you have Python Skins or Snake Skins #4?

One of the combinations I tried with the #4 skins was just the hammock and Nest Down Under (tarp separate). I found it very difficult because the skins don't slide over the nest nearly as easily as they slid over silnylon tarp (or HH-fly). What do you do about this problem? How long does it take you to put the skins on with this setup?

[Just Jeff]

I have Python Skins. I'm not sure how the size compares to the #4 HH skins.

The Nest is harder to get in there because it's full of air (loft). To make it easier, I squish the loft out for about a foot by wrapping my hands around the Nest and hammock and squeezing, then slide the skins down a foot, then squish another foot, etc.

When it gets hard to pull, I go back to the skinny end and slide some of the skin down until it bunches up near the wide end, then start squishing again. It helps reduce some of the friction and makes it slide easier.

When both skins come together, I usually end up just stuffing the last bit of Nest into the skins until they overlap.

[dougmeredith]

A question for all you folks with JRB underquilts out there: Do you compress them in SnakeSkins/PythonSkins or do you keep them separately? And for those of you with special, non HH tarps, do you pack the tarp up with the hammock or keep it and tie it out separately?

I pack the underquilt in the same stuff sack as my top quilt. I have a set of Phython Skins but have never used them.

When I used the stock tarp I put it in the snake skins with the hammock. Now that I use a JRB 8 * 8, I pack the tarp separately in a stuff sack. I am thinking of getting a set of snake skins just for the tarp.

Doug

[Patrick]

Only had my hammock set up for one seven-night trip, but here goes.

I have my underquilt and quilt in separate stuff sacks. Seems easier to pack that way. My quilt is in a pretty big stuff sack that lets it keep some loft. It goes in the bottom of my pack (ULA P-1). Works as a lumbar pad and I can smash it down when I need more room in there. My underquilt packs into one of those silnylon Thermarest stuff sacks. My washtub (cut-off bottom from a gallon water jug) fits perfectly over the end of it. I have a separate, homemade silnylon stuff sack for my tarp that's light enough not to register on my scale. My thought was to keep that handy -- like in my outer pocket -- for rain set-up. My trip was bone dry, though, so it just ended up going in the hammock stuff sack.

I'm not sure I get the appeal of the snakeskins. I like setting up my tarp and hammock separately, so I'd still have to deal with that, plus the hammock will stay dry all the time anyway since it gets packed down under the tarp in the rain. It's cool that you can pack your hammock and quilts quickly in the big ones, but I think my stuff packs better in separate sacks. Plus, I like giving my quilts as much loft as I can when I don't need the space. Keeps them happy and keeps my pack contents snug.

What am I missing? Everyone seems to love them, but I finally seem to have found a piece of gear that I'm just "eh" on.

[Just Jeff]

I pack the underquilt in the same stuff sack as my top quilt. I have a set of Phython Skins but have never used them.

When I used the stock tarp I put it in the snake skins with the hammock. Now that I use a JRB 8 * 8, I pack the tarp separately in a stuff sack. I am thinking of getting a set of snake skins just for the tarp.

Why not use the Python Skins on the hammock and Nest and the Snakeskins on the tarp? Or even just the Python Skins on the hammock by itself if you don't want to put the Nest in there.

[Just Jeff]

What am I missing? Everyone seems to love them, but I finally seem to have found a piece of gear that I'm just "eh" on.

You can throw your hammock on the ground during setup and not worry about anything getting wet. Much easier to setup and take down that way.

Also, rather than disconnecting and stuffing the underquilt, then stuffing the hammock, you can just slide the skins down and roll it all up. The skins replace the hammock and quilt stuff sacks, so it's no extra weight.

When I fold up the stuffed skins, they fit right into the bottom of my pack, kinda in a "U" shape. Then my top quilt in its stuff sack goes inside the U. (Those make good lumbar padding, too...same place every time, adjustable by pushing it around to get the right fit.) My clothes go on the sides of the top quilt, and that fills up about half of my GoLite Speed. I close the compactor bag and put my food and any gear I'll need throughout the day on top of that. Close the Speed and stuff my tarp and rainjacket go in the outer pocket for quick access. My rainpants go there if it's cold. Otherwise, they're inside for use in camp.

I find skins more convenient and use them everytime I hike. Just me, though...do what works for you.

I've thought about making some really big skins to hold both quilts and the hammock...would reduce time even more since I wouldn't have to pack the top quilt.

[dougmeredith]

Why not use the Python Skins on the hammock and Nest and the Snakeskins on the tarp?

When I was still using the stock tarp, and putting it in the skins with the hammock, I decided to pack the underquilt by itself to avoid getting it wet. Wet tarp and underquilt in the Python Skins together seemed like a bad idea. Now that I am packing the tarp by itself, maybe I should reconsider this. I should try the Python Skins sometime. I haven't even taken them out of the plastic bag they came in. Thanks for making me think about this.

Or even just the Python Skins on the hammock by itself if you don't want to put the Nest in there.

I just assumed that the Python Skins would be way to big for this.

Doug

[titanium_hiker]

big? it don't matter. it's for keeping the hammock untangled... you can just roll up the hammock in the skins and the air comes out.

titanium

[Patrick]

Okay, you guys have done it. I'm looking on eBay for some to try.

I have a HH ULB. My underquilt is a homemade synthetic, cut to fit the "footprint" of the hammock. It's from a sleeping bag with a rating of 40 degrees. Insulation is about 1.5". What size snakeskins should I get to fit the hammock and underquilt? Will putting the tarp in there, too, if that works out necessitate a larger size or can I probably use the same one?

Thanks.

[Just Jeff]

I wouldn't go smaller than #4...the others aren't made to hold an underquilt. I'm not sure if synthetic will compress enough, though. Give it a try.

Be careful putting the tarp in with the underquilt. You don't want any moisture in your sleeping gear.