Reader Reviews

Rating: 5 / 5

I finished making the net tent this week. As with the tarp kit, the directions were clear and it was easy to make the net tent. I would say that it was actually somewhat easier to make than the tarp tent. The design is cool and ingenious, enabling the user to adjust the tent from the inside with sliding cord locks. It doesn't have a zipper; rather, there is a kind of flap that extends along the ground that one lifts to enter the net tent.

Rating: 5 / 5

RJ's kit has excellent quality of materials, and with the Tarp book the instuctions are very easy to follow. The instructions for the net tent are a little leaner than for the tarp, but it is still pretty easy(The hardest part is getting the dang netting to cut straight without stretching). I didn't like having to crawl through the dirt so much with the lower slit only, and ultimately added velcro along the front edge and sides to make getting in and out much easier (Although if I had to do it again, I would have added a light zipper instead). The volume is adequate for 2 small adults, but you may want to make it a little bigger if you like more room.

Edited by dfliedner on 08/11/2006 14:10:13 MDT.

Rating: 5 / 5

I found it quite simple to sew a 2-person and 3-person net tent from the instructions in the Tarp Book (I had to scale up the dimensions for the 3-person net tent).

I purchased the materials from Outdoor Wilderness Fabrics and a few other places. I think it cost less than half the kit price.

Net tents work great, and we don't have a problem with the entrance. They are a bit heavy (particularly the 3-person version), but they provide absolute protection from bugs, and you can leave them home if it is not the bug season.

We also have used the net tent by itself (e.g. in a lean-to) in bug season.

Update 11-Nov-2009: Jardine now markets a new net tent design, one he perfected on an AT thru-hike. See the RayWay web site for details.

Edited by ewolin on 11/11/2009 13:17:34 MST.