I'm going to be hiking the Bechler River in YNP in a couple of weeks and because of all the winter precip there the mosquitoes are likely to be numerous. Since I can't get a BPL mosquito headnet any longer I'd like to get suggestions for the best commercial mosquito headnet, hopefully one with good visibility. I'll be wearing a wide brimed Tilley hat so I want something that will fit over that.

Paul

These are by the person who designed the original BPL ul headnets at a cheaper than BPL price.
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=50594

photo
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=50594&skip_to_post=432012#432012

Edited by annapurna on 08/02/2011 12:17:30 MDT.

Not being gram conscience; I got one at REI for about 5 bucks, it fit over my Tilley and tucks in my shirt easily. Has lasted for 4 years although I use it pretty rarely but, love it when I need it.

Bob

I have the seat to summit head net. It works, I can sea through it and it is relatively light and compact (no metal ring) and cheap.

+1 on the Sea to Summit.
Just used it up at Tuolumne Meadows where the mosquitoes were veracious and it worked great.

Mine has elastic to go under you arm pits. I like that because it keeps the bottom of the net nailed down.

I'm sure you can retrofit headnets without the elastics easily.

Another + 1 to the S2S head net. I am happy with mine and it only weighs in at 0.7 oz without the stuff sack.

Yet another +1 for the sea to summit net. Fits perfect on my Tilley hat or just worn over my face sleeping out on buggy nights.

Though... if I didn't have it I'd almost certainly be in for getting one of these lighter ones Peter is making.

It's not fancy or expensive, but Coghlans makes my favourite headnet. Yup Coghlins, as in the cheap brand you find at Wal-Mart and hardware stores. I picked mine up at Walmart for $1.99 (MSRP is $2.28). It weighs 15.8g. It's simple and nicely sized with a bit of elastic at the bottom. I've owned headnets that costed 10x as much, but I like this one best. I guess I'll just say it....my $25 MLD headnet with the armpit elastics (or using it without) just doesn't stay away from my face nearly as well as the coghlans one does. The MLD one is all over my face, while the Coghlans one works super nicely with my OR Seattle Sombrero hat and pretty much never touches my face.

Coghlans sells three different headnets:
- mosquito headnet
- no-see-um headnet
- fancy headnet with a metal ring

I strongly prefer just the simple mosquito headnet unless black flies are a huge problem, then you need a no-see-um one but I really hate those so I'd probably just slather on deet. Mosquito netting is far easier to live with than no-see-um netting. It doesn't affect your vision nearly as much and it doesn't get as clammy/hot inside.

Edited by dandydan on 08/02/2011 22:29:43 MDT.

I bought 4 from Peter V. In the Swap forum (linked by Anna above). They're much bigger than the coughlins and rigid enough to maintain form while moving (not stiff but not floppy). I also appreciate that they're nearly invisible (similar to S2S but bigger). They're significantly more expensive than the coughlins but they fit me better and the visibility is way better. Peter also provides a " send it back when it wears out and I'll send you another one free" warranty that is much appreciated.