Tarp,groundcloth,bug net suggestions for frugal newbie

The absolute cheapest way is to make them yourself. Tarps and bug nets are particularly easy. Materials can be mail-ordered and received within a week, less if you pay a little more for 2-day delivery. Patterns are available from many places, and all probably are fine. I use Ray Jardine's patterns.

Even learning how to sew doesn't take too much time, but your timescale is somewhat tight…

Thanks! For the time being, I'd prefer purchasing something considering my time constraints. With more time, i'll probably try to go the MYOG way.

http://www.bearpawtents.com/at1.html

They also have bug tents if you want to use a flat tarp.

This place also have affordable bug tents that you can use under a flat tarp.
http://www.alpinlitegear.com

It might be a little tough to keep things under $200 total if you include shipping and get a tyvek or polycro ground cloth.

If you really want to keep it under $200, I would use gear trade. There’s lots of members here that have extra gear they don’t really use anymore. I’d make a WTB post for the tarp. You could probably get a good deal on a flat 8×10 silnylon tarp. Or, Oware makes one for around 102 plus shipping. If you go with a smaller sized tarp I think the price drops. You could probably get a ground cloth pretty cheap off gear trade as well. Good luck!

The Coghlan's bug net (http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___86660) is $30 and is, as far as I know, the lightest full length bug net you can buy. It doesn't have a floor, but you can get some tyvek and just tuck the netting underneath.

Scott, that bug net is a good option, but the OP should remember there's a difference between netting. This appears to be mosquito netting, not no-see-um netting. If he's anticipating the tiniest creepy crawlies and fliers, no-see-um may be better.

Try out Bear Paw Tents. They offer a good selection of bug tents and canopies made from silnylon. Their prices are excellent, service is great, and will do custom work at an affordable price.

We have a hard rule that you must fully disclose any vested interest you have in any posting you make. In this case I suspect you may be the owner of Bear Paw?

Cheers
Roger Caffin
Online community Monitor
Backpacking Light

John, you wouldn't be the same John from Bear Paw Tents, would you?

Just a friendly reminder that BPL does have a full disclosure clause if you're the proprietor or representative of a company advertising its gear.

While certainly not as light as I'd like to be, my setup is on the frugal end and has all the requirements you're asking for.

I went with a Golite SL1 nest to do the duty of a bugnet/ground cloth (weight = 16oz, mine came in at 15.5 on my cheap scale without the stuff sack), and a Kelty Noah's Tarp 9 (29oz per manuf, haven't weighed mine).

I'm using UL throw line for cordage, and the whole kit cost me under 120$ buying everything on specials.

If I could do it over again, I'd just ask in the GS section for an 8×10 siltarp instead of the Noah's Tarp purchase to save on weight for the money. I'm not against used gear at all.

The extra room under the tarp is really nice when it's down pouring though.

There's also the Luxe Twinpeak.

Sorry about that. I should have signed it as John at Bear Paw Tents.