We (2 of us) normally backpacking with an 8 x 10 ID flat tarp. We sleep under the stars if we can, but sometimes it looks like rain (or actually rains!) or it's too cold or windy, so we always bring the tarp and set it up if needed. For the last few years we've been getting by with deet and headnets for mosquitoes. (So far we haven't visited black fly country.)
A couple of times recently we've found ourselves really wishing for more mosquito protection. Last summer on the John Muir Trail, on some sections the mosquitoes were overwhelming. We managed by keeping headnets on and staying in our sleeping bags in camp, but it was a drag. And here in Texas we get that warm weather, too warm to stay in even a light sleeping bag, but perfect for swarms. For example this last weekend on the Lone Star Hiking Trail–didn't really need the tarp or the sleeping bag, just some netting.
Looking at commercially available net tents (like from BearPaw or SMD), they look very nice and we could theoretically afford one, but they seem to be overkill for what we want. Don't need the bathtub floor and all the zippers…
I am thinking of doing just a kind of "triangular tube" with mesh drapes at the ends. We could still lay our polycryo groundsheets under it to prevent snagging. The upper corners could be tied to the top corners of the tarp where they tie into the poles.
Searching this MYOG forum doesn't bring up much for making net tents. Has anyone experimented with this? What fabric did you use? Are there construction issues I need to know ahead of time? Since this would only be used occasionally, and we are old enough to have to really watch our (pack) weight, I'd prefer a pretty thin fabric.
Thanks for any ideas out there!
