Bug Shelters

Reviewed by Cashea Smart

This is a great product and I would recommend everyone who camps where bugs/mosquitos are present to purchase it. Easy to set up, easy to take down, and even easier to relax in!

I am in love with this mosquito net hammock. Like every Grand Trunk item that I own, they never fail to impress me. One of the reasons I love this net is that it is so simple to put together and even easier to take apart. It comes in a nice carry bag and fits without having to wonder how you are going to fit it back in. When putting together the net, it has a zippered door that is easy to get in and out of and the attached floor makes it even easier to get in and out of the hammock without having to worry about getting your shoes, socks, or feet dirty.

Read more: Grand Trunk Mozzy Net 360 Hammock Shelter review (1)

Reviewed by Sean Van Cleve

This Bug/Floor insert is the companion piece to the MSR Front Range Tarp Shelter. Together, this highly ventilated shelter system is a spacious and extremely stable rig for two people (this product is not recommended as a standalone shelter). Highly wind and water resistant, this lightweight combo pitches with trekking poles/ski poles, or with the MSR Adjustable Pole accessory (sold separately). The insert is ideal for wet and/or buggy weather where tent footprint space is not extremely tight.

For those looking for a shelter system that has versatility and lots of livable space, look no further! MSR has a new member of the family, the Front Range Shelter. This Bug/Floor Insert easily works with the Front Range Ultralight Tarp Shelter, adding bug-proofing and additional weather resistance for the warm months of the year.  Mountain Safety Research (MSR) is one of the most widely recognized companies in the outdoor industry. This industry giant began in 1969, creating safety equipment for climbers in the Pacific Northwest.

Read more: MSR Front Range Bug/Floor Insert review (1)

Reviewed by Graham Hicks

A good little net tent, but roomy enough for 1+gear or for two shoulder to shoulder. Needs external support—hiking poles or trees at the least, and must be staked out for proper pitching. Net tent only; does not include tarp/rain fly.

My main reasons for getting this tent was that I wanted to have a shelter that would allow me to set up the tarp first if it were raining. I have a hammock system that works the same way, and it's come in handy before. I already owned a hammocking tarp (Warbonnet Outdoors Superfly) to keep me dry and just needed a bug-free enclosure to hang beneath it.   Bear Paw WD makes the Minimalist 2 Net Tent (and other products) to order, which means that you may have a bit of a wait, but also means that they are able to customize your items as needed.

Read more: BearPaw Wilderness Designs Minimalist 2 review (1)

Reviewed by JRinGeorgia

The S2S Nano bugnet is an ultra-lightweight approach to bug protection under a tarp that works, but it comes with some significant compromises. If you already are comfortable with the sacrifices that a small floorless tarp comes with, then this S2S bugnet is one of the best choices for lightweight bug protection. Otherwise, this product probably isn’t for you.

This is a review of the Sea to Summit Nano Insect Shield Net Shelter, single size. Sea to Summit (“S2S”) makes a variety of camping and outdoor gear. I am not connected to S2S in any way, I purchased the product retail, and this is an unsolicited and uncompensated review. This bugnet is just wide and long enough for a single person’s typical ground sleep system (pad and sleeping bag or quilt), it does not have room for a backpack or larger gear items inside. S2S specs the weight at 3 oz, and mine is true to this weight on my scale.

Read more: Sea to Summit Nano Mosquito Pyramid Net Shelter review (1)

Reviewed by Sean Van Cleve

This accessory is designed for the CrossBow 2 StormPak, allowing the user to be well protected from insects, while minimizing weight with the bare-bones setup of the CrossBow 2.

For those who want a strong tent that is easy to customize, the SlingFin CrossBow 2 is a lightweight way to do it! When using the StormPak configuration, the tent user has the option to modify this open-air setup by adding the Mesh Inner Drop-In. This accessory is a hybrid between a tent inner, and an open-bottomed centrally hung bug-net. Kinda cool, unless you need to contain your adventure dog at night! Although my pup does his job well as the group sentry, several friends on several occasions were disturbed by him outside of their tent, just watching them… :/ Specs Weight: 10.3oz/292g MSRP: $90 The mesh inner is installed using toggle-and-ring system Setup: This liner easily installs to SlingFin’s proprietary web-truss system, using...

Read more: SlingFin CrossBow 2 Mesh Drop-In review (1)

Reviewed by LoneStranger

Large bug net with a built-in floor for full protection. Great for use in shelters or under a tarp. Zippers on two sides make for easy access and lots of tie out points allow for setup in varied conditions.

The Exped Travel Box II Plus is a souped up version of their basic, rectangular bug net, meant for multi-person use. They added a floor, side entry zippers, and some additional tie out points. The result is a very functional bug house that provides for a lot of protected space. I set it up in the backyard using just two lines strung between trees so you could see the full rectangle in this picture. Exped lists the dimensions as 86.6 × 70.9 × 80.7 in and a weight of 2lbs. Ease of Use: While it was easy enough to set up on the first family trip we took it on I found that I learned from each use.

Read more: Exped Travel Box II Plus review (1)

Reviewed by Abela

ZPacks Hexamid Solo TarpZPacks HexaNet Solo Bug Shelter It was not all that long ago when the thought of a fully enclosed bug net weighing two pounds was a mastery of feat and accomplishment! The rules have changed once again, being lead by some innovative and dedicated hikers, who also happen to be cottage manufactures, such as ZPacks.com At an amazingly light 10.9 ounces (309 grams) the ZPacks Hexamid Solo tarp and accompanying HexaNet Solo bug shelter now provides us the ability to have a fully enclosed tent that requires only a single pole (or stick), can be setup in the one to two minute mark, and totally blow away over two pounds (32 ounces) [907 grams] worth of weight off even some of the lighest solo test setups on the market! The ZPacks...

Read more: Zpacks HexaNet review (1)

Reviewed by Glen Davis

I don't know of a place you can buy just the MSR Trekker Tarp Insert alone, but here's my review for what it's worth. I own the 1998 Walrus Trekker with Insert; the 2003 MSR Trekker with Insert; and this one -- the 2005 Model MSR Trekker Tent (a name change which indicates the Tarp and Tent are sold as a system).Let me say first that there have been changes in this insert over the several models of Trekker and all appear to be for the better. This one is lighter in weight, has improved fittings to keep the sides of the netting away from the folks sleeping inside (the Walrus had fittings to do this in an overhead mode and the 2003 Trekker had none), and includes zippered entrances on each end as well as the standard insert-wide side zippered...

Read more: MSR Trekker Insert review (1)

Featured review by Wolf

Only used it twice so far, but I love it. It is three shelters in one -- the tarp, tarp and mesh, or just the mesh for fair weather and bugs. Camping along the Kern River the mesh really paid for itself. I can set both up in just a couple of minutes and the workmanship is top-notch. Almost too much room for one, but great for two or three -- especially in the desert. The weight savings is a real bonus.I liked and bought last year's model of the Trekker Tarp because the fabric seemed slightly more substantial and it is grey instead of orange; but buy this year's mesh for the three doors!

Read more: MSR Trekker Tarp Insert Mesh Shelter reviews (2)

Reviewed by Mike Soucy Maine

Picked this up on Amazon for $18, worth every penny.

Picked this up on Amazon for $18, worth every penny. Took it out on an overnight trip where I stayed at 4000 feet. To my surprise there was quite a few bugs, glad I had it. Net weighs 9oz including stuff sack and included ridgeline. It has decent quality netting and vertical zipper. The net sets up by sliding over hammock with approx. 4" diameter drawstring closures at each end. Then just put up ridgeline and net just clips on to line. I use whoopie  slings with Dutch clips so sliding net over hammock took me seconds to do.

Read more: Fullyy hammock bugnet review (1)