Those hides are big enough for my 6' boa. The back and sides of the enclosure being covered will definitely help alot. I don't really like the look of paper so I use the same thing that is used on fish aquariums. Neither is better and it's all about personal preference. The hide should be slightly bigger than the snake when coiled or balled. Also, my snakes won't use the half log hides unless I basically bury them with substrate.