SectionHiker.com Backpacking Gear Reviews and FAQs Picture this. You get to camp, but it’s pouring rain and you need to get your hammock set up as soon as possible. If you own a hammock, you know that it can take about 5 minutes to get the entire Hennessy system up and sorted out in the best of circumstances. However, a great way to cut down the time it takes to set up your hammock or pack up in the morning is to use SnakeSkins. Made by Hennessy Hammocks, SnakeSkins are compatible with any manufacturer’s gathered end hammock and tarp system.
SnakeSkins are silnylon sleeves, weighing a mere 1 oz per pair, that let you roll up your hammock, tarp and all, and store them in a pre-configured, set up state. They’re really an incredible innovation. Now, when you get to camp in the pouring rain, all you have to do is set up your tree huggers, tie the end of your ridgeline to them (as shown above), and then slip the SnakeSkins towards the trees, unfurling the fully configured Hammock components (show below without the tarp).
When you pack up in the morning, you simply reverse this process. First you roll the tarp, hammock, and other components such as an undercover together. Then you slip the snake skins down the ridgeline covering the rolled up components until they meet at the center of the ridgeline and your are left with this long snakey tube that you can stuff into a side pocket of your pack or into the pack bottom.
SnakeSkins also eliminate the water that drips down your ridgeline when it is raining, by blocking its flow and redirecting it to the ground.
Disclosure: The author owns this product and purchased it using their own funds.