DIY bivvy bag bug-net mod'

[Anthony]

I usually take a mozzie headnet to keep the nasties at bay at night, but inspired by the influx of Borah style bivvy bags with an integrated bug net I decided a diy mod to my TN Moonlite may be worth a go.

Very pleased with the result, was a bit fiddly but the principle is basic enough to complete, as long as you remember to put the zipper pull on the inside! With care on the sewing you can also still use the cinch drawstring.

Cost £2-3 for zip, £2-3 for bug mesh from Point North.

No reason why it shouldn't work with Hunka's and the like.



Anthony :D

[Anthony]

Just checked, as you do; it's added circa 20g so still under 200g complete.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Superb, It's got to be a very worthwhile addition for the UK. I recall AlpKit mentioned that they were looking to introduce something similar to the Hunka.

[Anthony]

Cheers Stu. Lounge test showed no ill effects, roomier than it looks too.

[pushbikemike]

Looks very good. Do you think its worth it to put a tie out on it and use some shock cord to keep the netting off your face?

[Anthony]

I did think about it Mike, but I'm always turning in my broken outdoors sleep and the close fitting sleeping/bivvy means we all move as one so being pegged down would be too restrictive! The old midge headnet never bothered me so I'm hoping this can only be better.

[Ian]

Nice work Anthony, looks very neat. I have a piece of the fabric ready to do mine sometime, though its a fair way down the list of things to do at the moment...

[pushbikemike]

I did think about it Mike, but I'm always turning in my broken outdoors sleep and the close fitting sleeping/bivvy means we all move as one so being pegged down would be too restrictive! The old midge headnet never bothered me so I'm hoping this can only be better.

Good point. I have some netting from a salvaged tent. Plan on adding it to my myog bivi bag.

[pushbikemike]

I did think about it Mike, but I'm always turning in my broken outdoors sleep and the close fitting sleeping/bivvy means we all move as one so being pegged down would be too restrictive! The old midge headnet never bothered me so I'm hoping this can only be better.

Good point. I have some netting from a salvaged tent. Plan on adding it to my myog bivi bag.

[welshwhit]

Looks very good that!

Might look at doing similar on my rab alpine

[Ray Young]

Looks like you've started something here Anthony, I'm going to give it a go too.

[nobby]

Did anybody do this upgrade for an Alpkit Hunka?
If so, I'd appreciate some feedback as I prepare to do mine. :)
Cheers

[nobby]

I tried for as straightforward method as possible for a bug net on my Hunka XL and the result was this:



The aim was a net that would close completely to keep slugs and earwigs out, wouldn't restrict the opening of the Hunka for getting in and out and would still allow the hole to be adjusted.

I used a 72" by 9" length of mesh and 36" of 20mm velcro that I already had in my bits box. A zip would be quicker to close than velcro unless the material got caught in the zip and I've had that happen before.
The mesh would have been from either Pennine Outdoor or Point North and the velcro I buy at a haberdashery. There was no need to hem the mesh because it doesn't fray when cut. It is very slippery going through the sewing machine and puckers easily, but a no.80 needle, with normal tension and stitch length, solved that and also went through the Hunka material without any trouble.

Sewed the velcro onto one edge of the mesh first and then sewed the other mesh edge to the bag making sure to stay between the stitch lines of the fold over that the Hunka closure cord runs through. I didn't want the closure cord to get caught by the stitching, and I wanted the cord ends to end up inside the bug net so I could adjust the opening without having to open the velcro. Finally, sewed the two short edges of the mesh together.
As I pull the cords in, the mesh seems to stand further away from my face because of the stiffening that the velcro provides.

The Hunka still folds into its stuff pocket and suffers a weight increase from 574 to 592g.
I will be dumping my head net (a large Exped mesh bag) and taking the bug mesh from out of my Bear Paw lair to compensate.
If I was doing it again I would make the mesh 8" wide and the velcro slightly shorter so the opening tapered down a bit. Eighteen grammes, however, isn't enough to make me want to unpick it. :)

I hope this is of help to anybody thinking of doing it.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Nice work Nobby, wouldn't mind a better pic if you're able.

[nobby]

Nice work Nobby, wouldn't mind a better pic if you're able.

Done. Sorry about that but needed a prod to stop me being idle and to do it properly :)

[Bearbonesnorm]

Cunning, I like it.