Bivy vs Headnet

Sounds like it’s a bivy you need to use.

I might also add that i am using an MLD trailstar as shelter.

You could try a bug bivy – good protection against bugs and minimal moisture issues
as long as you either cowboy camp or have adequate ventilation when under your
trailstar.

I am leaning towards a bug bivy. I was curious, though, if i can save a few ounces (and dollars) by skipping the bivy and opting to sleep fully clothed with a head net to protect from bugs and such. I might be missing something that only experience can offer.

I find sleeping with a headnet on less than ideal. The bugs are just too close with their buzzing. But a headnet is good for during the day as well. Try a headnet. If you can’t sleep with it then add a bivy.

Plus a headnet is dirt cheap compared to a bivy.

Only you can decide what will work for you.

I’m in your area and I have slept out “cowboy” style. Definitely give it a try. There are actually very few bugs in SoCal compared to most places. There will be more where there are green plants and water, almost none at elevation away from water. And mosquitoes tend to go away after dark.

Note that it will feel colder if you are used to a bivy or a tent because gentle air movement all night long will really soak a surprising amount of heat out of you. For that reason I don’t usually sleep out without some wind blocking shelter.

I just bivy camped in a very buggy area and was so thankful to have my bivy. Not only were there mosquitos everywhere, but there were also giant ants, redwood spiders, and the area had a high concentration of ticks.

I’ve tried just the headnet, and while it is certainly do-able, I prefer to use a bug bivy.  You should be able to find one for a little over 6oz, maybe even closer to 5oz if you go cuben.  The bivy gives you bug protection and a ground cloth, plus you won’t have to deal with the possible condensation of a solid top bivy.  And if you are under a Trailstar you really don’t need the added protection of a solid top bivy.

Honestly though, try just the headnet on a trip or two and see what you think.  You may find it good enough and it will save you some weight.

Is having things crawl into your sleeping bag a real issue or a myth? I cowboy camp all the time and never think of that.

i use a bug net sometimes

the thing is unless you zip up your sleeping bag all the time, body parts tend to find their way out, or bugs their way in

if you have treated clothes with permethrin that helps … but in very buggy environments you may want more protection

also with a bugnet youll want some kind of hat to keep the mesh off your face at night

;)

I also use a trailstar.  I usually take a headnet with me in bug season.  I would only take the bivy for bugs if going into very high mosquito concentrations.  We have fairly high mosquito concentrations here, higher than SoCal.  I usually try to camp where a breeze can come through to keep the pressure down.  I find that there are typically mosquitoes right at sunset if they are going to appear. By the time I am getting in my quilt, I find they are gone.  I can only think of a small handful of times (less than 5%) that I have had to wear the headnet to bed.

I have not had a problem with bugs crawling into my quilt ever.  I have had an occassional “daddy longlegs” (I don’t know a better name) crawl across my face, but he typically wants off as much as I want him off.

I usually sleep without a shelter and for 3 seasons I mostly use a shaped tarp when the weather is bad. I have never owned a bug bivy or a mesh inner. Once in a great while I will bring a head net for use during waking hours. If I were to backpack in Minnesota or Alaska I would probably use an inner net.

you might enjoy this VIDEO

I use a breathable bivy plus headnet. I would not use a netting bivy since to me no seeum is vulnerable to damage.

Thank you all for the input. I think for now i will use a headnet since it will be cheaper to experiment with, but i will be picking up a breatable bivy (after i pay my college tuition), perhaps the Dimma from Borah gear.

I am making a trip out to the JM wilderness is mid-August. I am not sure about the bug-situation there. We will be staying by Finger lake. It would be nice to cowboy camp, but would rather not risk a possibly bad experience.

Joshua – if you want to split the difference between a full bug bivy and a head net, consider the Sea-to-Summit Nano 1-person Pyramid Mosquito Net. It’s only $43 on Amazon and provides full top and side coverage and enough room to partially sit up in. At 3 ounces, it’s only slightly heavier than a head net and seems to provide adequate protection from flying bugs, but it won’t keep out tiny guys like no-see-ums. Added benefit of no zipper too. Below are some helpful BLP threads about it:

https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/81214/

https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/99986/

I’m an east coaster, but I still remember taking my friends up into the Berkeley hills when I was in college to stealth camp with just a big blue tarp cloth.  0 chance of rain, but lots of mozzies.  I wrapped my head in my shirt and was fine, but my friends unfortunately got eaten alive.

I have the S2S headnet and a S2S pyramid mosquito net (the older heavier one I got before they made the nano version).  The headnet is for hiking – I haven’t tried sleeping in just that yet.  The pyramid net is good for when sleeping in lean-to shelters – I just string it from the rafter over my quilt/pad and I’m all set.

The newer S2S nano seems like a good deal ~$50 for 3oz.  Another option is the simBLISSity Inner Peace ($50, 4.6oz) that only covers your upper torso but can also be used when sitting around in camp eating or even when hiking if the mozzies are totally horrible.