rab element bug tent 1P Bug Shelter for Tarp Camping

1P Bug Shelter - a lightweight net tent for tarp camping

The 1P Bug Shelter is the roomier inner for the Cirriform system that also works with many basic tarps. Near-vertical end walls and a deep tub provide elbow room and keep fabric from encroaching on your face and feet while you sleep. It's built for hikers who spend most of their shelter time horizontal, but want a little more comfort when they're not - whether that's reading before bed or just having room to change layers.

Notes/FAQ:

• Do I need a groundsheet? A groundsheet is not required, but using one will help extend the life of any shelter floor.
• Do I need to seal the seams? No, the seams at the corners of the tub are taped.
• How much headroom does it have? The head apex sits at roughly 42" (107cm). Whether you can sit up comfortably depends on your height, torso length, sleeping pad thickness, and personal preference. Many hikers find it comfortable; taller hikers may want to think of it more as a glorified bivy.
• Can I use it without a tarp? The Bug Shelter provides no rain protection on its own. On nice nights, it can be pitched without a tarp using additional guyline or our stand-alone rigging kit - see the Set-up & Use tab for details.
• Will this work with a mid-style tarp? No - the Bug Shelter is designed for A-frame tarps. The height of the shelter makes clearance too tight under the sloping walls of a pyramid-style tarp.

Made in Vietnam and field-tested in Montana

Weight

Durable, Lightweight Materials

The Recycled 20D Silpoly floor uses a silicone/PeU coating for added puncture resistance and reduced pad slippage. The corners of the tub are taped - no seam sealing needed!

No-See-Um mesh provides visibility and airflow while keeping insects out.

Required items (not included):

The items needed to pitch your Bug Shelter will vary depending on your approach. See the Set up & Use tab for more info.

• A tarp: For rain protection
• Front Pole: At least ~44" (~111cm)(a taller pole is ok but you'll want to keep it under ~45" (114cm) if using it with a 1P Cirriform)
• Rear Pole: At least ~31" (~79cm)
  (taller pole is ok)
• Rigging: If you plan to pitch your Bug Shelter on its own (not under a tarp) you will need additional guyline or our Stand-alone rigging kit. If using tent poles or trekking poles without baskets, you may also need two of our guyline grommets (not needed with stand-alone kit). See the Set up & Use tab for more information.

Pitching Instructions

Download the appropriate pitching guide and look through the rigging information below to get started with your Bug Shelter.

• PDF Pitching Guide - current version; v5 & v6
• PDF Pitching Guide - previous version; v4
• PDF Pitching Guide - previous version; v3

Rigging

Your Bug Shelter comes with the following rigging included. Use this rigging to connect your Bug Shelter to your tarp per the instructions below.

• 1/16" Shockcord: 4.57m | 15'
  3/32" Shockcord: 0.91m | 3'
  This is enough to connect the Bug Shelter to the 1P Cirriform and many small to mid-size a-frame tarps.
• Tensionlocks: 4
• Mitten hooks: 6
• Mini Barrel cord locks: 2

Installing the rigging at the Apexes

3/32" Shock cord is used to suspend your Bug Shelter from your tarp's apexes or ridgeline. Using 10" (25cm) at the head end and 20" (51cm) at the foot is a good starting point for use with the 1P Cirriform.

• Note: You will do the following twice; once for each end of the net-tent.
• At one end of the shock cord, tie on a mitten hook. We suggest a clinch knot.
• Thread the cord through the webbing loop at the net-tent's apexes (front to back at the head end, and back to front at the foot end).
• Pass the cord through a cord lock.
• Tie a loop on the loose end of the cord. We suggest a simple overhand loop knot.

Installing rigging at the corners

1/16" Shock cord is used to connect the top corners of the tub to your tarp's corners. We recommend installing tensionlocks (10mm size) at the floor's corners for easy adjustment. For use with the 1P Cirriform, start with lengths of 30" (76cm) at the front corners and 24" (61cm) at the rear corners.

• Using a girth hitch, install a tensionlock on the upper tie-out loop at each of the tub's corners.
• Tie a mitten hook to the end of each cord. We like to use a clinch knot.
• Thread the untied end of the shockcord through the tensioner as shown (first through the middle opening from bottom to top, then through the remaining hole from top to bottom).
• Tie a loop in the untied end of the cord. We like to use an overhand loop knot.
• Repeat at each corner

If you want to pitch the Bug Shelter by itself (without a tarp), there are two approaches:

1. With additional guyline: You'll need six stakes, your poles and additional guyline for the apexes. 72" of line for the front and 60" for the foot is plenty. See guyline options here.
2. Stand alone rigging kit: With our stand alone rigging kit, the Bug Shelter pitches with four stakes and your poles.

The pitching guide linked at the top of the page provides instruction on each method.