Best headnet

Hey Sean,

I believe the gold standard for a while was Peter Vacco headnets, which are no longer available.  The simblissity headnet is actually Peter Vacco’s design, but they no longer sell them either.

I am almost certain many people will recommend the Sea to Summit. Personally i use a cheapo from Big 5 (1oz) because i tend to do a lot of bush whacking and they get snagged by branches. I have actually had good luck with them, even with snags they have lasted years.

The MLD looks interesting.

Ben

I like the Insect Shield headnet – not sure who makes it. I am all about Insect Shield, BugsOff, etc. clothing. I also have a handful of cheapos – I always have a couple in my pack here in Alaska.  As was stated earlier, it’s easy to tear them up when bushwhacking.

I’ve had several headnets, but only one of the ones you listed. 2 cheapos and the S2S. They have all kept the bugs at bay, but the S2S is the only one I have kept, primarily because it has a nice charcoal color which ,for me, was more pleasing to look out thru. It’s also very thin and thus lighter and more compact. The cheaper ones had a more coarse, thicker mesh and were greenish in color which I didn’t like.

I just got 2 of the normal S2S ones after losing my main Simblissity one (aka Peter’s) this past summer. It appears it will be not quite as breathable as the one I lost which was the more open version, but more breathable than the tighter version I still have, which I don’t like for the reduced visibility. Hard to beat at $10 though I haven’t gotten to use it yet (I had tried it on at REI last fall to see if it would be suitable).

I have the S2S Insect Shield head net.  No complaints, it works fine, except I can’t eat and drink through it. :P

I plan at some point to try using some spare 0.5 oz/yd noseeum net to sew and attach a minimal head net directly to the under-rim of my sombrero.

Also depends where you are hiking and how small the smallest biting bugs are. Not all mesh has the same quantity of holes per square inch, meaning some will let the smallest bugs through. I’ve heard here in Europe that the S2S headnet is more for mosquitos and it will allow midges through. I think no-see-um netting is fine for even the smallest bugs.

Another vote for the Sea to Summit Mosquito Headnet. Works a treat here in Australia where we are known for one or two flies :)  I also like it as it fits nicely over my bicycle helmet; comes in handy when I am climbing so slow I cannot out ride the flies :)

https://www.taigaworks.ca/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=495

;)