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Sea to Summit Mosquito Net Shelter

I’ve tried a bunch of different bug net shelters this year, in order to find a bug net that could be used in a shelter or under an ultralight tarp to protect me from black flies and mosquito bites. One of these, the Sea to Summit Mosquito Net shelter did not make the grade.

The problem is the netting. It is sized to repel mosquitoes but not smaller insects like black flies or midges. I can’t understand what the manufacturer was thinking by producing a product like this and not using no-seeum grade netting.

But, if you only need protection from mosquitoes or larger insects, this is a fine product for shelter or cabin use that only weighs 7.3 oz. It is long enough to enclose your entire sleeping bad, and while it does not have a floor, it should be more than adequate protection as long as you do not sleepwalk.

However, this shelter will not work well underneath an ultralight tarp because it requires a fairly high suspension point such as a shelter beam to work.

A two-person version of the mosquito net is also available.

Disclosure: The author owns this product and purchased it using their own funds.

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8 comments

  1. This product review is refreshing. The mosquito net has some shortcomings which are identified, but it may still have some redeeming qualities that are also pointed out. This is so much more useful than so many reviews that simply gush praise for the product reviewed.

    On the last Long Trail overnight trip I did I found satifactory relief from the black flies and mosquitos by simply crouching into a fetal position and pulling the sleeping bag over my head. It was not perfect, but I slept well.

  2. Have you found anything similar but with smaller bug protection? I toss and turn so a Go-lite type of bug net won't cut it as I like to have my sleeping back open as I sleep, so I can move around.

  3. We have the two person version of this that we use in shelters and tarp camping.

    I prefer mosquito netting over no-see-um netting because mosquito netting has much better air flow. It does block most of the no-see-ums and in the warmer months I prefer the ventilation.

    We modified ours by adding velcro squares at various points to spread it out and attach to the sides of low tarp. We also added velcro on the bottom to hold it in place on our tyvek groundcloth.

    This net works well under a high pitched tarp, great for summer in mosquito country and it seems that bugs tend to stay away in a high pitched tarp. I guess it's air flow or maybe the fact that most biting insects are attracted by CO2 and that would tend to flow to the top of the tarp away from the sleepers on the ground.

  4. Mosquito nets are a key defense against malaria, but they also offer protection from other diseases such as filariasis and other insects and arachnids like ticks, beetles, flies, and spiders. Mosquitoes kill more people every year around the globe than all other animals put together.

  5. This article is wrong, this net DOES stop No See Ums and midges. The hole count is supposed to be 500 per square inch. You only need 400 holes per square inch to stop midges/black flies/ no see ums. It does not have holes as small as “no see um” netting but will still block them from coming through. They also make a permethrin treated net that they call “Insect Shield”. Identical product just treated with permethrin.

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