Bag skirts
There are a range of types of bag skirt, but all share a similar bag-like appearance. The skirt can be thought of as a large inner-tube that is formed around into the shape of the craft.
Bag skirts are often cheaper and quicker to make and replace, and can be reliable, as there are less ‘edges’ to catch on obstacles. Minor damage can be tolerated, and field repair is possible if needed but will take longer than changing a segment. The bag may be subject to ‘grab’ on sticky mud.
Bag and segment skirt
This is a hybrid, designed to have the best of both worlds. A bag skirt is mounted to the craft, and a set of segments are attached to the bottom of the bag. This is the most successful but most expensive type of skirt, and is found on all large craft but few small craft.
Skirt partitions
A partitioned skirt has one or more skirt dividers that run underneath the craft. These divide the cushion into compartments, usually front and rear, or front, rear and sides.
Large craft rely on a compartmented cushion to provide stability, in a small craft with a single compartment, the driver must frequently shift body- weight in order to provide the required stability.
A compartmented skirt can provide for control of plough-in and relieve the driver of the need to shift around quite so much. Currently, few small craft are fitted with divider skirts.