Hi friends,

As we all know, the bugs are as bad as they have ever been this year. That has me thinking that it is time to invest in a bug shelter tarp type thing for BWCA trips. I use a cheapo $15 one for solo trips but need one that can fit 5 people. Would be great if it is a tarp so we can sit under it during a rain. Is there a model that is the best I should be targeting? I have heard the Nemo bugout 12x12 is nice but does not have great reviews on Amazon. I looked at the CCS model but that was around $660. Ouch. Willing to spend some cash on this investment but that is a lot.

Looking for any recommendations or real world reviews from BWCA folks. Thanks!

I have the CCS and it was a lifesaver this year. Came out on 6/1 and the bugs were terrible. It’s expensive but in my opinion worth it. I have never regretted paying for quality and this shelter is top notch. Spent 3 of 4 nights sitting inside it until 2 am.

They don't get any better than the CCS product. It's a good investment. Also has high resale value if you ever want to sell it.

Have to concur with the CCS. I have a Nemo Bugout and a Eureka Bug zone and have camped with friends with the 10x10 (I think) CCS. It's not close.

Deciding between the Nemo and the Bugout is more difficult- Bugout is slightly better build (zippers, ground flaps) but the Nemo has more "tall" area.

Have owned a Nemo and sold it after tripping with someone who had a CCS. I now have one, and there is no comparison. Weight, ease of set up, set up options all heavily favored in the CCS camp.

I have the nemo 12x12 and I’m a big fan and will never go without one on a group trip.

While there may be better stuff out there I have no complaints with this one.

The Nemo Bugout only has two real issues. Compressability and Weight.

It can be a little hot if there is no wind as it does trap a little heat, but overall it is a great option if the CCS one is out of reach $-wise.

It held up to golf-ball sized spiky hail like a champ.

I brought an inexpensive coleman screen tent for the first time in 25+ years. Won't trip without it again.

Best deterent to bugs is September!

ockycamper: "Best deterent to bugs is September!"

Hah, ain't that the truth! I do most of my solo BWCA tripping before Memorial Weekend and in September/early October for this exact reason! Will be heading out with some friends early August, hoping that at least black flies will be done by then.

I have only used the Nemo models so I can’t compare them to others. Last year I rented a 12x12 from Piragis for a group of 9. The rental fee was minor and the bug tent/tarp was great, worth every penny.
Last fall I was able to buy a used 9x9 from a member on this forum. We just took it on a trip off the Gunflint and the bug tent was about as essential as the canoe was. We were a group of four plus a large dog and we had plenty of room. As a bonus it became the dog house at night when the humans went off to bed.
I’m satisfied with Nemo when measured by the ounce, the cubic inches and the $.

I have a Lean 1+ that serves as tent and bug shelter.

I own and use both the Nemo BugOut as well as Eureka's No-Bug-Zone. They are both great! They're probably not as slick and small as the CCS, but they both work great.
My family and buddies have agreed that the bug tarp is one of the biggest, game-changing pieces of equipment that we've ever brought along on a trip.
The Eureka was tough to find during Covid, but I think they're around now. They come in a small size as well as a large size.

Tomcat: "I had a Nemo Bugout but prefer freestanding screen shelters. I have several freestanding screen shelters that weigh from 3 - 5 lbs. Setup is consistent and I can place and move the shelter location throughout the campsite depending on the view, wind, rain and insect protection required."

What are you using?

I have a Sht-road of extra 1.1 mil silnylon and bug netting stored in a box here waiting on a project. Any close ups of the Mr. Cookes design I could ponder in my design?

I wouldn't normally bring a bug shelter with, but as I brought in 6 first timers with me last week thought the last minute rental would be a good idea. Turned out to be a pretty good idea to provide some relief and extend our evenings especially during a fire ban. We rented a 12 x 12 nemo bugout from piragis ($12/day if I recall correctly) and it fit our group of 7 plus gear perfectly. It seemed to pass the quality test and would agree that it was a fair amount warmer inside of it as others have noted. If I was going to make the personal investment, I would likely reach for a CCS model as well but overall had few complaints about the Nemo and they come in at around half the cost of CCS models.

Okay, so I was all set to get the Nemo for $200 and when I went to search online, they are all sold out! Looks like it may have been discontinued by Nemo. I see it is on Piragis website for $300. It was just $200 about 2 weeks ago so it seems to pay that extra $100 but maybe I should. 2 questions:
1) Does anybody know where I can still get one for that original price?
2) IF I do go the CCS route and spend the extra cash, any recommendations on which model to get? Would like to fit 5 people under it so I can figure out size, but what is the difference between the 1.1 oz and 1.9 oz? Is that the thickness of the tarp material? Assuming the 1.9 oz is thicker, tougher, heavier?

Good ole bug season here in MN!

WanderingWoodsmanMN: "Okay, so I was all set to get the Nemo for $200 and when I went to search online, they are all sold out! Looks like it may have been discontinued by Nemo. I see it is on Piragis website for $300. It was just $200 about 2 weeks ago so it seems to pay that extra $100 but maybe I should. 2 questions:
1) Does anybody know where I can still get one for that original price?
2) IF I do go the CCS route and spend the extra cash, any recommendations on which model to get? Would like to fit 5 people under it so I can figure out size, but what is the difference between the 1.1 oz and 1.9 oz? Is that the thickness of the tarp material? Assuming the 1.9 oz is thicker, tougher, heavier?


Good ole bug season here in MN!"

Look for a Eureka NoBugZone if that's your price range. Around the same price as the Nemo and arguably better. Personally, I like the ground flaps on the Eureka.

Argo: "

WanderingWoodsmanMN: "Okay, so I was all set to get the Nemo for $200 and when I went to search online, they are all sold out! Looks like it may have been discontinued by Nemo. I see it is on Piragis website for $300. It was just $200 about 2 weeks ago so it seems to pay that extra $100 but maybe I should. 2 questions:
1) Does anybody know where I can still get one for that original price?
2) IF I do go the CCS route and spend the extra cash, any recommendations on which model to get? Would like to fit 5 people under it so I can figure out size, but what is the difference between the 1.1 oz and 1.9 oz? Is that the thickness of the tarp material? Assuming the 1.9 oz is thicker, tougher, heavier?

The 1.9 oz is a heavier cloth, the silicone coating does not weaken the fabric as urethane coating does. The tongue strength rate of silicone comes in 15 lbs verses urethane comes in 5.5 lbs. This Is the same 70 denier base material.

The 1.1 oz Is lightweight, 30 denier testing comes in 12 lbs tongue strength. This is because the stronger formulation.

The thickness of is 30 denier cloth is .003",
The thickness of is 70 denier cloth is .007"

WanderingWoodsmanMN: "Okay, so I was all set to get the Nemo for $200 and when I went to search online, they are all sold out! Looks like it may have been discontinued by Nemo. I see it is on Piragis website for $300. It was just $200 about 2 weeks ago so it seems to pay that extra $100 but maybe I should. 2 questions:
1) Does anybody know where I can still get one for that original price?
2) IF I do go the CCS route and spend the extra cash, any recommendations on which model to get? Would like to fit 5 people under it so I can figure out size, but what is the difference between the 1.1 oz and 1.9 oz? Is that the thickness of the tarp material? Assuming the 1.9 oz is thicker, tougher, heavier?


Good ole bug season here in MN!"

I must have gotten really lucky- I got a Nemo 12x12 just before our trip a couple weeks ago. I give it good reviews. We always bring a tarp anyway, so it just took the place of the tarp. It did very well keeping the bugs out and the rain off once it finally did rain.

I have no experience with the other models discussed here so can't help on those.

Game changer on the bug tarp setup. Might be considered lazy or stupid or a waste of money but I rigged my BugZone with a pair of hammock straps- carabiner to the tarp- supplies a solid, quick tension (and height) adjustment of the tarp. So quick to put up and though I'm ok with knots and lines my facility is challenged during high insect season. Never doing it any other way.

I wonder if the $200 was a "bait" price, or was for the 9x9. The 12x12s have been $249 or higher for years.

That said, $300 is understandable for a shop in Ely to be charging for them.

The tension is what the set up is. You can set it loose, and set up tight.

Another option, rather than just tying the two high corners to separate ropes and running them to trees is to run one ridgeline through the tarp with each end tied out to the trees. The two corners are tightened with prusik knots on the ridgeline. Then the tarp's position is very adjustable back and forth on the ridgeline after it has been set up. The tarp can be tightened as the fabric stretches after a rain. It also relieves some of the stress that could cause such a "tear out" at the corners. I've rigged my tarps this way for years and it's worked very well. There's an added benefit: the line running through the tarp can be used as in indoor clothes line.

I've copied Dan Cooke's stuff sack idea as well. That is it all gets put into a stuff sack that has a line coming out of one end. That way, when it's time to take it all down, I can just stuff it all into the sack, ropes, guy lines, and all! I use a slightly larger stuff sack than the one the tarp came with as they are quite tight.

Thanks Dan. Good gear and good ideas!

I have used a Nemo 12'x12' Bugout for over 8 yrs. now and would not make a trip without a bug net tarp now after 25 plus trips going without one. As far as the Nemo bugout itself the weakest link IMO are the lightweight zippers. After about 6 trips one of the zippers stripped as it is common for someone to catch their foot entering or exiting the tent if the zipper isn't lowered far enough. The zippers also pick up dirt which is more problematic for zippers with small teeth. Nemo replaced this zipper at no cost to me other than shipping. After it stripped again I took it to a local tarp shop and replaced both zippers with heavier duty #8 zippers for $100. The heavier zippers work great. I believe the CCS screen tents come with #8 zippers. Thinking Nemo should have designed them that way originally also.

CCS uses all #8 YKK zippers (always used), 4 corners full length, 84" tall. No bending over.

A word to wise, Gear Aid Zipper Every Time.

DanCooke: "CCS uses all #8 YKK zippers (always used), 4 corners full length, 84" tall. No bending over.


A word to wise, Gear Aid Zipper Every Time. "

After our most recent trip, upgrading to your big tent is. Wry high on our list of upgrades. The Nemo held up, but crouching down got pretty old, pretty quickly.

sylvesterii: "

DanCooke: "CCS uses all #8 YKK zippers (always used), 4 corners full length, 84" tall. No bending over.



A word to wise, Gear Aid Zipper Every Time. "

After our most recent trip, upgrading to your big tent is. Wry high on our list of upgrades. The Nemo held up, but crouching down got pretty old, pretty quickly.


"

While I believe the CCS to be far superior in all respects it is certainly possible to erect the Nemo to allow standing for all but the most vertically gifted.

It sounds like the first decision is about your budget. If you can afford CCS's product, it appears to be the unanimous choice. If you have a more modest budget, you need to consider the Eureka NoBugZone vs the Nemo Bugout.

It looks like both of these lower-priced options come in small and large versions. I have heard criticisms about headroom in each but the author should specify what size version they own. I have the larger Eureka and my 6'3" son can stand up in it. It sounds like the Nemo has been criticized for the same shortcoming and also had the criticism subsequently refuted.

I notice in the promotional photos for the Nemo that it is not set up with a continuous ridge line. Why is that? Does it not contain a middle loop for the line like the Eureka? That would be an immediate showstopper for me. There should be no reason to have that mid-peak sag. Again, if that loop indeed exists, then this is not an issue. But I don't know why it would be advertised in this fashion.

There was talk of zipper quality and strength. I am not familiar with the terms previously discussed about zipper weights; however, I can say the Eureka appears to be a "heavy" zipper and has given me no problems in three years of use. It is designed to accommodate a hammock with the attendant stresses the suspension system will cause while hanging.

Another feature the Eureka has are ground flaps. These are particularly handy when tent stakes are useless. Simply anchor the flap with a rock.

I don't understand the outsized endorsement the Nemo receives on these forums. It sounds inferior to the Eureka on every measure.

I don't understand the outsized endorsement the Nemo receives on these forums. It sounds inferior to the Eureka on every measure. "

Agreed. My selling point was Eureka's ground flaps. I cannot imagine not having those.

I own both a Eureka CT 11 (7x7) and a Nemo Bugout 9x9. I agree that the Eureka is generally a better product. Main advantage of the Nemo is the 12x12 option for big groups and that (when properly set) The Nemo has a larger area of tall space (though not that significant). Nemo zippers are easy to render useless, and the lack of ground flaps is critical in heavy bug seasons like the one we've had this year.

Regarding using a ridgeline in a Nemo Bug Out to prevent the tear-out of the corners and to use as an "inside drying line", I run a single rope through the inside of the tarp and extends past both corners. It runs through the zippered openings on each corner. The tarp is tensioned on the ridgeline with a prusik knot using a short smaller diameter rope at each of the two corners.

Some may say that this will cause rain to run into the tarp during a heavy rainfall. It hasn't been my experience. Setting the tarp up this way allows me to string up one rope (which I leave running through the tarp when I put the whole thing back into the stuff sack) between trees. I can then position the tarp between the trees where I like with as much tension on the corners as I wish using the prusik knots.

I hope this helps. If it's not clear, or if you have questions, I can take some pictures when I get back home.

The size of the zipper corresponds the width the zipper teeth in millimeters.

So size 8, it is 8mm wide zipped closed.

There are commons sizes 3, 4 1/2, 5, 8. and 10.

DanCooke: "The size of the zipper corresponds the width the zipper teeth in millimeters.


So size 8, it is 8mm wide zipped closed.


There are commons sizes 3, 4 1/2, 5, 8. and 10.


"

Thanks Dan. The Eureka also uses #8 zippers.