I am thinking of getting a bug shelter for those months in Maine where the black flies are impossible. I found three:

1. Nemo Bugout. It's 9'x9', 72" high and weighs a little over 6 lbs. Right now it's on sale at Moosejaw for $150.

2. Big Agnes Deep Creek Tarp/Deep Creek Bug House. Has 93 sq.ft. floor space ( a little bigger than the Nemo), 76" high and weighs a little over 10 lbs. About $350 list price.

3. Cooke Custom Sewing Tundra Tarp. This is 10'x10', 72" high and only 4.5 lbs. However, it quite expensive at $545.

Any experience with these three or recommendations for other bug shelters.

Thanks. This is a great forum!

I have a Nemo and am very happy with it. Easy to put up and two ends of the bug netting have dual zippers on them so you can hang a hammock (or two bunk bed-style) under them and still close up the shelter and keep it bug-proof. Also has lots of tie-ups and straps that you can use to hold the bug netting up when just using it as a tarp.

I can't speak to the other options. I do have a fair amount of other CCS equipment, (Pioneer Packs, Traditional Packs, Food Packs), and am very happy with them.

I have the Nemo 9x9 and like it. It works very well for a couple of people and would probably work for a group up to 4, but the Nemo 12x12 would be better if you have a larger group than that.

I purchased a mosquito net for a king sized bed from ebay for about $20. I sewed the corner fabric together and the two sides opposite of each other. I installed CAM snaps on the other two sides. I have had it up under my tarp in my backyard, but not in the field on my last two outings since the bug haven't been bad enough to use. I decided to go make my own rather than drop a lot of money on something I might never use.

eroom: "I purchased a mosquito net for a king sized bed from ebay for about $20. I sewed the corner fabric together and the two sides opposite of each other. I installed CAM snaps on the other two sides. I have had it up under my tarp in my backyard, but not in the field on my last two outings since the bug haven't been bad enough to use. I decided to go make my own rather than drop a lot of money on something I might never use."

I'd love to see a picture of this, eroom, if you have a moment! I'm thinking of doing the same. I have a 12x12 Nemo, but am planning a "light and fast" trip next summer and was thinking of rigging something up that packs smaller and lighter.

I currently own the Nemo 9x9. it does what it is supposed to. If you already have the Big Agnes Tarp the Big Agnes Deep Creek Bug House is good option, as it easily attaches to BA Tarp the system includes a couple of poles. But the two of these together weigh quite a bit more than my Nemo. I have lots of CCS stuff, but don't have any experience with the CCS screen enclosure.

you didn't mention how you were going to use it, i'm assuming you want something for canoe camping. but there are cheaper screen enclosures if it is for car camping, RV's or backyard use.

The Nemo Bugout set's up easy, is relatively light weight, and is priced right.

LL Bean Woodland Screen House . It’s top of the line. Heavy, but a great piece of equipment.

I am not going to dig my Nemo 9x9 out to weigh it, but the specs are more in the 4lb range I believe. 12x12 is the 6lb one.

Really solid piece of kit - wish someone would make a lighter version, however.

Older threads on this subject. I like the looks of the Nemo, but it's one more thing to buy, more weight, more bulk. For years I've just carried my Sea to Summit box net and hang it under the tarp. It's light and packs smaller than a nalgene. 4 can sit under it, maybe 5.

I also have the 9’ sq Nemo Bugout and am very happy with it. Fits four adults playing cards or eating in camp chairs comfortably. Mine weighs 4.8 pounds including ridgeline stuff sack, rigging lines and 6-8 stakes. I like the zippers at both ends and if you use hammocks for lounging in camp the three zipper pulls on each entrance accomodate hammock straps very well.

I also use the medium Sea to Summit netting rigged under a 10x12 CCS tarp set up as Cowdoc showed. Works great too and total weight is a little lighter than the 9’ Nemo Bugout. It was a tight squeeze for four adults playing cards at night but it worked. For two people and/or low odds of facing a lot of bugs I go with this option.

I would only use the BA Bug House netting if you also use the matching size BA tarp. The bughouse is specifcally made for the BA tarps. I have rigged it under a CCS tarp but took a lot of creative rigging.

I have the Nemo 9x9 and have been really happy with it, but on our trip this year the main tie-out on the ridgeline on one side partially ripped after only a total of maybe 25 nights of use. I don't know when it ripped, and it's still fully functional, but it's shaken my confidence in its construction quality. Mind, I did have it hung in some strong winds this summer so it's not like it wasn't working, but still it was disappointing. A friend of mine has the 12x12 and reports a rip very similar to mine. I plan to fix mine myself, but haven't gotten to it yet.

Tom - why not send it back to Nemo? I've had pretty good warranty experience with them in the past.

cowdoc: "Older threads on this subject. I like the looks of the Nemo, but it's one more thing to buy, more weight, more bulk. For years I've just carried my Sea to Summit box net and hang it under the tarp. It's light and packs smaller than a nalgene. 4 can sit under it, maybe 5.


"

Great Idea, not sure why i didn't think about it before, i have one of those box nets that i use when staying in the canvas wall tents at the scout camps.

I rented one of the 12x12 Nemo Bugout shelters this summer for a 3 day trip and was happy with it for 6 people including 2 very active kids. The pitching was pretty easy but probably not as flexible as a CCS tarp or shelter. And I don't think the ridge line went across. I think you tie to the corners and are relying on the tarp to carry the load between the two diagonal corners. That might be why a couple of people have seen rips. I assume the CCS one has the usual myriad of web loops as on their tarps and so the tarp isn't carrying the load.

One thing to keep in mind is that in the rain the water fills in a lot of the holes in the screen and it becomes more like a solid wall. So you can get a lot of wind load on the tarp. Rolling the screen up under those conditions may help.

I do like the box net idea. Are those just the Sea to Summit double size or did they use to make a bigger one?

sns: "I am not going to dig my Nemo 9x9 out to weigh it, but the specs are more in the 4lb range I believe. 12x12 is the 6lb one.


Really solid piece of kit - wish someone would make a lighter version, however."

The first year they released the Bugouts they had a small "Elite" version that was made of their lighter Elite yellow fabric, it was 7X7 I think, it came in under 2lbs. Didnt sell well, too small and too expensive I guess. I picked one up off REI outlet with a coupon, its a nice little unit for lighter trips, good for 2 people.


I have the 12X12 bugout and like it. A bit bulky and I do wish the the netting walls were a bit longer, like a foot or so. Its very rare to have flat ground and sometimes I end up with a pretty low ceiling in some areas do to the cut of the tarp.

After using and owning CCS tarps for years I will say the construction is nowhere near on par with the CCS. The reinforcements on the tieout areas of the CCS are much much better and I know it could take just about anything mother nature could dish out. If money was no object a CCS would be my top pick and I do plan on buying one when the money is there. Until then the Nemo stuff is serviceable and fills a need. At full MSRP I don't feel the value is there, but they are pretty easy to find on sale or use an REI 20% coupon and that brings them down to a price point I feel is more in line with what you get.


From left to right

Sea To Summit Double box net, 10x14 CCS 1.1 tarp, Nemo Elite 7x7 Bugout, Nemo 12x12 Bugout