I use the Fronkie netting for some years, my first was a DIY, my second was from Dutchwaregear. I've since gone Chameleon, so I guess I have both perspectives.
My DIY Fronkie netting taught me that you need to have the bottom entry weighted. I used 1 inch nylon webbing in a loop (smaller than the width of the hammock) through a channel.
This did two things:
It kept the netting pulled tight enough that you could see well through it and "sealed" against the outside end of the hammock which helped keep the bugs away from your face, though there's still the risk that you can press against it in your sleep. I sometimes put one arm behind my head and have woken up with it pressed against the netting and covered in bites.
it allows you to find the bottom entry opening with your foot, rather than unknowingly stepping on it with one foot and then tearing it as you try to get out. This is how I ended up adding the loop of webbing to begin with, before that, I had left the opening unweighted.
The Dutchware bottom entry bug-net has a shock-cord closure which basically serves the same purpose, but i still ended up stepping on it and tearing it while exiting because it's not as "meaty" as the webbing was.
with regard to mosquitos hitchhiking in with you, I really haven't experienced much difference in the number of mosquitoes that would come in with me since switching to an integrated bug-net... just one seems to squeak in occasionally, and at first you're not sure if it's inside or outside until it lands on your nose and you go on a hunt. Usually I try to catch it in a fold of bug-net.
I find the integrated bug net less restrictive, less weight, less bulky. you still have to be mindful of not tearing it when entering or exiting.
With regards to protecting my backside while using an integrated bug net I've been just fine using the underquilt. In the heat of summer I usually only use my under-quilt and stow the top-quilt but keep it handy for the 3am chilling. (a summer weight quilt-set, of course)
actually I'm kind of surprised that Dutch hasn't revealed an integrated gear sling accessory that's accessible while zipped in. That would also keep the bugs off your butt even without an under-quilt. I would find this much more preferable to the sidecar accessory. The sidecar just throws the whole hammock out of whack, the weight of whatever it is that you put in there pulls down that whole side of the hammock, meaning you can't put much into it, definitely not water bottles, plus the opening is in the wrong spot, and the items invariably end up where you can't reach them easily.
Sent from my SM-T827V using Tapatalk
Bookmarks