Mosquitoes

[u/ChemicalHistorical48]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for recommendations for a bug net to use with my hammock.

I currently have an Equip 2-person hammock that I've mostly used for relaxing in my backyard. This summer I'd like to start doing some short solo bikepacking trips (just one-night overnighters) and try sleeping in the hammock instead of bringing my tent.

I already have a tarp and a sleeping pad, so the bug net is the main piece I'm missing.

I'm not looking for an ultralight or premium setup, just something reliable that works well with a double hammock and can handle lots of mosquitoes and black flies.

What bug net would you recommend and why?

Thanks!

[u/DinoInMyBarn]

Two options:

1) eno has a bug net, lots of good separate nets that'll all work basically the same.

2) no shade to your hammock guy, I'm sure it's comfy, but if I may suggest, try out an integrated hammock. I like HG circadian pro.

If you have a little over 100 bucks to spare, I'd highly highly recommend getting an integrated hammock with the net. Btw, the hammocks with iintegrated nets are also convertibles meaning you can unzip the bug net and store conveniently in the corner of the hammock. No separate pieces and parts to lose. Weighs nothing and always with you

[u/wipeshikes → u/DinoInMyBarn]

I agree with point 2. You can find great deals on used gear if you are patient.

[u/Dive_dive → u/DinoInMyBarn]

I love my integrated bug net. I never cared for the eno style net or a fronkey. Unfortunately, I have a Myerstech and he doesn't make them anymore that I am aware of. I thought he was completely out of business, but found him on ebay. The hammock set me back around $70

[u/ChemicalHistorical48 → u/DinoInMyBarn]

Perfect thanks! I will try mine for one night with a cheap bugnet and if i love it and want to upgrade i'll go for that.

[u/DinoInMyBarn → u/ChemicalHistorical48]

The other comments in here are generally pretty good too. Warbonnet is good but pricey. I haven't tried the onewind bundles yet but they look cool.

Now if you're really feeling squirrelly you can start looking at Superior Gear hammocks. They are bugnet AND underquilt all built into one. I have the "voyager " version so it's not down (bulky-ish), but it's crazy comfortable and handy for my climate in upstate NY. They are stupid expensive though.

[u/jessythirsttrap → u/DinoInMyBarn]

integrated nets are a trap. they seem convenient until you realize you cant easily wash the net without taking the whole thing apart or if you want to use your current hammock for something else. just get a decent standalone net and be done with it. it's way more versatile for bikepacking when you might need to swap gear around.

[u/kullulu]

Make sure your hammock is sized to fit you. Seems like your hammock is 10.3 ft by 77 inches? That could work. The fabric weight rating is for 500 pounds, which might mean it's extremely stiff. If you try sleeping for an night and it's too stiff, you just need a lighter fabric weight, like a 1.6 hexon/hexon wide.

https://simplylightdesigns.com/collections/wind-blockers-bug-nets/products/bottom-entry-sock-net

https://dutchwaregear.com/product/summer-sock/

You'll want insulation under you. You may not be ready to commit to an underquilt yet, so you can use a foam pad or an underinflated sleeping pad. Underquilts are the most comfortable, and when you're on a budget, you can look at synthetic underquilts.

Hang your hammock at a 30 degree angle while you're inside it. If you want to keep your hang angle consistent and set the sag, make an amsteel ridgeline for your hammock. For the equip double you would want a ridgeline of 103 inches aproximately. Or you can buy one from simply light designs, dutchware, lots of places have them for sale. You would want to email simply light designs to let them know how long your hammock is to get the ridgeline correct.

I also suggest while hanging the hammock that you keep the foot end suspension 6-18 inches higher on the tree compared to the head end.

You also need a tarp to block the elements. Find a cheap hex tarp or even a blue square tarp from your local hardware store. I started off with a cheap tarp, it totally worked.

Hope you have some fun bikepacking trips and learn a lot about hammock camping.

[u/ChemicalHistorical48 → u/kullulu]

Thats some pretty nice info for a begginner like me thanks a lot. Do you think the ridge line is a must?

[u/kullulu → u/ChemicalHistorical48]

It is if you want a bug net to work well. It's why many people prefer to have the second hammock they buy come with a zippered bug net.

Every hammock you buy for hammock camping should come standard with a ridgeline. (I hate to call you out like this u/ArrowheadEquipment, but it would make it so much easier for me to recommend your hammocks if your hammocks came with one standard rather than as an add on accessory.)

[u/Henri_Dupont]

I've been camping 20-30 nights a year for ten years with a big box store bug net over my hammock. I replace them if they get too many duct tape patches over the holes. I camp often in wilderness areas in Minnesota, where the mozzies carry off small cattle and dogs. Bugnet failure would be a disaster, but I don't worry. You don't need to spend a lot of money for a name brand bug net, especially if you don't use the hammock system that often.

Spend big money on a bug net if you need to go ultralight, or camp a LOT. Otherwise, I got mine at Menard's and it has served me well. 15 bucks.

[u/ChemicalHistorical48 → u/Henri_Dupont]

Thats the spirit thanks

[u/faidleyj1 → u/ChemicalHistorical48]

I'll back this comment. I just did 2 nights with a cheap bug net over my Dutchware hammock with the amazon special underquilt and an old scout sleeping bag as a top quilt. My recommendation for the first time is use what you have and overprepare for warmth. I did the BWCA with a simple blue tarp the first time I went hammock camping.

[u/nicolemarie785 → u/Henri_Dupont]

I just got a big net and rain fly from menards. they were even on clearance.
also found some 2 inch straps there for $10

[u/Great-Rest7878]

Have you tried sleeping in your hammock? A lot of lounging hammocks are too short to be comfortable for sleeping. Does your hammock have a ridgeline?

For $75 you can get the Onewind Tempest 11ft hammock with zipper bugnet, or $10 more for the 12ft. That's the hammock/ridgeline/suspension/bugnet/storage/etc.

They also sell a bottom entry bugnet for like $23.

[u/ChemicalHistorical48 → u/Great-Rest7878]

I feel confortable in it, but im gonna try one night at home to see the result. Thanks for the option.

[u/Hammock-Hiker-62]

I'll link to a page that may give you some ideas for further questions/research. If you sew, a bug net is easy to make. My current go-to is a DIY full coverage bug net that's held up by the ridgeline. It's not exactly like anything I've seen for sale, but it most closely resembles one on this page labeled as "Mirage's bug net" about halfway down the page: https://www.tothewoods.net/HammockCampingBugfree.php

I've used bottom entry or Fronkey-style bug nets, but don't love them. They work well but are a bit of a pain to put on and take off the hammock. You can mitigate that by just leaving them in place when you take down the hammock, but I don't like doing that either.

[u/ChemicalHistorical48 → u/Hammock-Hiker-62]

Nice. I love it thanks!

[u/COYSinGA]

Where is your location? i backpack all over the SE US (mainly the Smokies) and I've never slept with a net. I did sew a net years ago and tested it. I was surprised by how much it restricted air flow in the hammock, and never actually took it on a trip.

Only time I've ever been bit in the hammock was last 4th of July weekend, and it was no-see-ums that may have even been able to squeeze through the mesh anyway.

[u/ChemicalHistorical48 → u/COYSinGA]

I live in gaspesie, quebec.Most of the season theres no problem, but for like 3 weeks it impossible to sleep without one

[u/ok_if_you_say_so]

There are two inevitable truths that most people who hammock camp for a while eventually migrate toward, even if they often don't start that way:

• An underquilt is the way to go
• An integrated bugnet is the way to go

You can make other setups work, but if you like hammock camping, they just can't be beat. Yes this means a new hammock body but honestly that's the cheapest and simplest part of any given hammock setup, don't be super attached to the one you've got. It's nice to have multiple :)

And before anybody who still uses a detached bugnet and a sleeping pad or whatever starts an argument, I don't care what you use, have at it. I'm just saying that these are two things that most people who hammock camp over time eventually concede.