In bug season, you can escape the little buzzers by using the GoLite Nest ($75), a mesh tent suspended under the Cave tarp. The Nest incorporates a waterproof coated nylon floor with mesh walls and ceiling.

To save weight, the Nest does without a door zipper — the mesh at the entrance simply has generous length to allow it to be lifted for entering or tucked in under the floor. Effective as long as you take a little care, and unlike with zippers, there is nothing to go wrong!

GoLite Cave tarp with the Nest bug shelter,
floor unit suspended beneath using
the clever adjustable suspension system

What's really clever is the way the Nest attaches under the Cave. Cords pass through grommets in the corners of the Nest, and hooks on the outside end of the cords easily attach to loops on the underside of the Cave tarp. Spring cordlocks on the inside of the Nest allow you to adjust the cord tension to pull the Nest into the correct shape, no matter what the height of the tarp. Simple, effective, and one of those ideas that tells you innovative designers are not extinct.

The Nest weighs 20.5 ounces, and although the floor area is quite small (45 inches tapering to 31 inches wide x 84 inches in length), it feels roomy because of its all-mesh construction. Combined, the Cave and Nest offer a great shelter for two people for a total weight of just 2 pounds, 6 ounces.

Upside: Light, effective, nifty suspension and adjustment, no zipper to go wrong.

Downside: Metal hooks on attachments can fall off when you don't want them to.

Move on to Sleep System: the Fur

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