NEMO Equipment, Inc. Bugout 9'X9'

[group shelter]

Buggy climes can send campers fleeing to their tents, but the Bugout lets you congregate for blissfully insect-free meals and card games within mesh walls that don’t obscure scenic views. “Through clouds of mosquitoes and persistent drizzle, it was a relief to retreat inside so we could look over maps, plan our day, and cook,” declares our tester, who used this 81-square-foot party room for a week in the mosquito-filled Boundary Waters.

Watermelon-sized when packed, the floorless, four-sided shelter pitches with NEMO’s optional accessory poles ($45 and 15 oz. each) or just lashed to trees, using the 15-foot guylines (included). The 75-denier polyester “roof” funnels rain into smartly designed gutters that send runoff to the corners (so it doesn’t sheet down the walls). The superfine, DWR-treated mesh repelled precipitation in all but the windiest conditions. Six people can mingle comfortably inside, the 72-inch peak height lets most campers stand up fully, and two-way zippers at two corners facilitate easy exits. Prefer a hammock to a camp chair? Open the zippers to accommodate hammock straps, and you can swing and doze in bug-free bliss. $250; 4 lbs. 1 oz.; nemoequipment.com

The Bugout series is a new category of shelters. These simple shelters consist of a well designed tarp with mesh walls that can either be stowed or easily dropped to offer instant no-see-um protection. String
the tarp between two trees or trekking poles, or use NEMO’s adjustable height poles to create an escape from rain, bugs, or sun whether you are in the front yard or backcountry. The Bugouts fit over campsite tables and provide a haven from the elements without cumbersome poles or tricky setup. A specially developed mesh with high water repellency protects against side blown rain and effortlessly sheds moisture when it’s time to pack up. Adjustable height, multiple configurations, and Footprint option make this unique shelter a multifunctional tool for your quiver.