Reviews > Shelters > Tarps and Bivys > Integral Designs Silshelter Bug liner > David Sowards-Emmerd > Field Report

Field Report - Integral Designs Silshelter Bug Liner
August 2, 2005

Name: David Sowards-Emmerd
Age: 28
Gender: Male
Height: 5' 8'' (1.73 m)
Weight: 155 lb (70 kg)
Email Address: drunken_marmotATyahooDOTcom
Los Altos, California, USA

Backpacking Background:
I began backpacking semi-frequently about four years ago, soon after moving to California. I generally take weekend (1 night) trips, and occasionally take 3-4 day trips. Most of my backpacking experience is at moderate altitude, 6,000'-12,000' (1,800-3,650 m), in conditions ranging from dry desert to hail/heavy snow in the mountains. In winter and spring I split time between Southern California (SoCal) deserts and snowshoeing/skiing/snow camping in the Sierra/Cascades. Summer and fall I tend to stick to the high country. I have reduced my pack weight down to less than 50 lb (23 kg) over the past year - including food/water and a bear barrel. I'm trying to include more mountaineering, climbing and bouldering in my trips.

The product was received on May 11, 2005.

Product Description:

Manufacturer's Description:
''This liner is designed to be in conjunction with the Silshelter, or as a stand-alone refuge from no-see-ums and bugs. Set up is on a single trekking pole (handle fits into pole cup at apex of shelter). The bug screen is a grey no-see-um netting. The floor is bathtub-shaped with 2'' high side walls to keep out any ground water. Floor fabric is a lightweight 70 denier urethane-coated taffeta nylon with no seams. Corner loops are made with 1/2'' nylon webbing with ladder lock adjustments to tension off the same stakes that anchor the Silshelter. Corners are seam taped. Entry is through a 'D-shaped' 60'' zippered door. Three tie loops at the foot end enable the foot end to be elevated. A single loop above the pole cap enables the front to be staked out.

Capacity 1-2 people
Length 84'' (210cm)
Width 44'' (110cm)
Weight 17oz (485g)
MSRP $100''

Height: 38'' (96 cm)
Packed Size: 5'' x 10'' (13 cm x 25 cm) in silcoat stuff sack

Specifications (as measured by tester):
Weight(bug shelter, including guylines): 19.68 oz (558 g)
Weight(stuff sack): 0.46 oz (13 g)
Length: 86'' (218 cm)
Width(stake loop attachment to stake loop attachment): 45'' (114 cm) and both ends are same width
Height: depends on how long a trekking pole is used in setup
Packed Size: approximately 5'' x 11 '' (13 cm x 28 cm) but I can pack it smaller

Basic Description:

The bug liner is a simple, single-door, fully enclosed, mesh tent with a bathtub floor. For a more detailed description of the bug liner, see my Initial Report.

Field Use:

I've had the opportunity to use the bug liner on three backpacking trips, all of which are described below. Additionally, I set up the bug liner with rope, a stick and a tree (see photo) and used it as a refuge from the flies, mosquitoes, and bees for two days in northern Michigan. I had also hoped to use the bug liner while camping at Lava Beds National Monument, CA over Memorial Day weekend, but it sat in the car due to thunderstorms and rainy weather.

Henry Coe State Park, CA
May 21-22, 2005
Elevation: 2,200' (670 m)
Conditions: Clear and breezy, with lows around 45-55 F (7-13 C)

This was a quick local overnighter we selected to save gas (meant to go to Lassen Volcanic NP). The hike was mostly on an overgrown two-track, with a few miles of completely overgrown (waist high barley), difficult to follow trail. We were really hoping to find a cleared out space to set up camp, but eventually decided the only way would be to stop down some of the grass - see photo of camp below. However, this did provided a nice cushion to sleep on. Surprisingly, I didn't have any problem with the grass/barley 'arrows' damaging the tent (wish I could say the same for my socks and boots). The bug liner provided a little shelter from the sun, but for me, this was canceled out by the heat of the black bathtub floor. In this case, I set up the bug liner with a single trekking pole and did not tie out the foot end.

Smith Peak, Hetch Hetchy, Yosemite National Park, CA
June 11-12, 2005
Elevation: 7,700' (2,350 m)
Conditions (during use): 40-50 F (5-10 C), slight breeze, and a beautiful sunset.

This trip, we hiked in and camped on one of the high points in the Hetch Hetchy area, Smith Peak. The gravel shoulder just barely below the peak provided a nice flat campsite, and great sunset views (see photo). Bugs weren't a problem on the peak at all, although they were terrible in the meadow below that we had been in an hour or so earlier. The wind never picked up much, it was definitely blowing enough to convect some heat out from under my sleeping blanket, but the bug liner didn't generate any noise due to the wind. I set up the bug liner with one trekking pole, and tied the 'foot end' directly to the ground. The next morning, there was quite a bit of condensation on the bottom of the bug liner, but this dried out in less then 15 minutes when laid out.

Lyell Canyon, Tuolomne Meadows, Yosemite National Park, CA
July 29-31, 2005
Elevation: 8,600-9,000' (2,600-2,750m)
Conditions: clear and cool - 40 F (5 C) the first night, mostly clear and slightly warmer with a few sprinkles the second night.

On the first night, I quickly set up the bug liner after dark in the backpackers campground in Tuolomne Meadows. The next morning, I quickly dried the condensation off the bottom of the bug liner and packed up for the hike in along Lyell Canyon to Kuna Creek. Once we arrived at Kuna Creek, I first set up the bug liner upside-down to make sure there was enough fabric for this alternate configuration (see photo). Since the weather looked good, I took the bug liner back down and set it up normally using one 30' (10 m) length of reflective cord, all the while being attacked by mosquitoes. I tied the cord in to the 'head end' loop, tightened it to a tree, and ran the free end of the cord along the top of the bug liner and through the central 'foot end' loop and staked it out far enough to keep the 'foot end' suspended nice and high. When I finally decided to crash that night, I used light from a lantern outside the bug liner to see while arranging my sleeping setup. This way I didn't attract extra bugs (with a flashlight) into the bug liner while I transferred things in and out. The mosquitoes were swarming, but surprisingly none were in the bug liner when I zipped it shut. The other hikers claim it misted briefly that night, but I didn't notice this. There wasn't any condensation on the bottom of the floor the next morning.

Results/Observations So Far:

• The bug liner is very easy to set up, and I can set it up in under a minute if the ground is 'stake friendly'.
• I'd say sleeping two in the bug liner is pushing it, but it is possible. I haven't had a chance to test this, since my wife started testing a tent a few weeks after I received the bug liner. It's definitely cramped for playing cards.
• Visibility, as expected, is excellent from inside the bug liner. I can see stars (and obviously a full moon) through the netting. However, these and other bright lights each have a 'star' pattern around them, similar to looking through a screen door. Additionally, I can shine a flashlight out and search for animals from inside the tent. Of course, everything is visible from outside the bug liner, and my wife jokes that in my bright orange sleeping bag I look like a 'bear treat'. Finally, setting up a lantern outside the tent provides plenty of light for reading, or other activities, inside.
• I've had no condensation at all on the netting, which is just what I expected. However, the bottom (ground side) of the bathtub floor did have a good deal of condensation after two of the four nights of use, but this dried out very quickly when the liner was laid upside down.
• I haven't noticed any wind-related noise yet, like the usual flapping fabric.
• The webbing stake loops are longer and sturdier than necessary. However, this really only annoys me when packing the bug liner into the stuff sack as they get in the way. These were designed for using the bug liner in conjunction with a Silshelter. I've been girth-hitching the cord on my titanium nail stakes directly onto these loops, which creates a problem when tightening the stake loops because the cord really grabs onto the webbing loops. Since the bug liner doesn't seem to catch the wind, I'm not worried about the strength of the stake loops - especially if it's set up under a Silshelter.
• The zipper easy to open and close with one hand when set up tight with a trekking pole. It's more difficult, but doable, with one hand when the bug liner is tied off to a tree.
• As far as durability is concerned, I haven't noticed any wear so far - I had expected some damage from the Henry Coe setup in tall grass.
• Rain - I've only used the bug liner during a very brief period of misting. I didn't notice the precipitation, but my fellow hikers could hear it on their tents. However, if there's time to see a storm coming, the bug liner can be set up upside-down (see photo), providing a bit of shelter and as long as the angle of the tarp is low, there is sufficient netting/space for a single sleeping pad.
• The bug liner provides a bit of shade from the sun, but I feel there's no net gain, since the black floor re-radiates enough heat to cancel out the shade effect.
• I have had no problems with dust blowing in yet - I expected camping on Smith Peak would be a good test for this, but the wind was minimal.
• The bug liner is definitely too large to be set up normally in my GoLite Hex 2.
• It is easy to find intruders (bugs) against the background of the netting, both in daylight and at night by headlamp, and then crush them against the netting.

Things I Like:

• Relatively lightweight solution to insects when weather is fair.
• Can be set up upside-down in a pinch, resulting in a low-slung tarp to provide shelter from inclement weather.
• Very quick and easy to set up.
• Quiet in wind, no flapping material.
• Good ventilation (obviously)!
• Compact size when packed.
• Excellent view of surroundings, stars, etc. No more wondering whether the sun it out or it's just the glow of the moon on the tent!

Things I Don't Like:

• The provided guy lines are black and very thin and easy to 'miss' and trip over in dim light.

Suggestions for Improvement:

• A lighter weight material could be used for the floors (e.g., Silnylon).
• Stake loops are overkill, and could be replaced with a much lighter.

Remaining Test Plan and Testing Locations:

Testing during the next four months should include several backpacking trips in the Sierra and Cascades. I will continue to use the bug liner as my primary shelter when the weather is not threatening. However, during the last month or so of testing, I'm expecting the rainy season to start and the shelter will probably not see much use. However, if I get the chance, I'd like to take this out in the snow, since it seems like a great photo opportunity. I would also like to try out the bug liner in the upside-down configuration to see if this really is effective in inclement weather. I will strive to answer the remaining questions outlined in my Initial Report in my Long Term Report.

Read more reviews of Integral Designs gear
Read more gear reviews by David Sowards-Emmerd

Reviews > Shelters > Tarps and Bivys > Integral Designs Silshelter Bug liner > David Sowards-Emmerd > Field Report