I’m Bringing a HeadNet. O-R You?
By Rocky Thompson on April 3rd, 2007
These things are super awkward to wear but absolutely worth carrying if there’s any chance the bugs will be bad where you’re heading. The Outdoor Research Deluxe Spring Ring Headnet has a thin metal ring though it to keep the net off your face. It doesn’t help with the claustrophobic someone-put-a-bag-over-my-head feeling, but it does keep the net off your face so bugs can’t bite you through the netting. Remember to lift it up when you have to spit. Â
[...] One thing I hate about the outdoors is animals. The biting kind usually, but also rodents, deer, snakes. They’re all so annoying. Particularly the carnivores like bear and mountain lion. Come to think of it, I’ll just throw the whole animal kingdom in there. Species, phylum, genus. All of them. It’s really the major reason I stick to the higher elevations. I’d rather take my chances with the avalanches. But when I do venture down to lower elevations, there is nothing I despise more than the blood sucking mosquito. And I don’t think I’m alone here on this one. Even the animal lovers amongst you hate the mosquito. I know you do. On the other hand, I also hate to look bad in the outdoors, because really for me the backcountry is just another fashion show. Just another place to show off my latest soft shell or eVent jacket. That’s why I find myself in a quandary. A fix. A, how should I put it, perplexing situation. The OR Headnet undoubtedly does what it’s supposed to; keep the mosquitoes at bay. But it’s so damn ugly, that I don’t think I can be seen wearing it. No matter how many ounces of blood it could save me. I’d rather brave the mosquitoes than suffer the ridicule and laughter of my other outdoor fashionistas clad in North Face, Nau, and Patagonia. They’re worse than mosquitoes. Those blood sucking PataNau Face bastards. I hate you. You make me cry. I feel so inadequate. Why? Why? Why? Via The Goat. [...]