Our new 1-P Spitfire BugTent is a one-person model, designed to fit under a Ray-Way 1-Person tarp.
The Spitfire BugTent, 11.6 oz.
A stealth camp on the AT, looking at the foot end of the Spitfire BugTent. (The head end is higher.)
The Spitfire is designed specifically for the AT where pack-weight is critical, and space on the ground is sometimes at a premium. It is for serious hikers who will be in the wilds all summer, and who want to minimize their pack weight while maximizing their protection from bugs. I designed and used the Spitfire during my 2009 AT thru-hike. It was my favorite piece of gear.
As usual, I design my gear for personal use, and make the kits so that other people can use it too. All told, we think this is our best kit of all.
Size S = up to 5' 6" (not yet available)
Size L = 5' 6" to 5' 11"
Size XL = 5' 11" on up
The size L is for a person no taller than 5' 11". Someone taller would still have sufficient room to lie down, but would not likely be able to turn around (head to toe) unless they were more flexible.
If you are taller than 5' 11", we recommend the size XL. It is 4" wider, 3" taller, and 4" longer. Or if you are more concerned about weight, order the Size L.
View from inside the Spitfire.
The Spitfire requires a few added attachments on one's tarp, but these are easy to sew onto an existing tarp.
In addition the Kit, you will also need:
1) Sewing machine and thread (of course), and a zipper foot.
2) Sharpie Fine Point Permanent Marker, or an equivalent.
3) Tape measure with a metal or plastic strip at least 15 feet long, incremented in 1/16ths of an inch. Google “Tape measure”, and see Tape Measure Tool
4) A Straight Edge at least 53” long. Google “straight edge tool” such as Straight-Edge Tool. Or you can use a straight board or some such.
We have put a great deal of time and effort into the Spitfire kit, with me designing the general layout and the specific parts, and also writing the instructions; and Jenny sewing prototypes. Why so much effort? Because this was my favorite piece of gear this summer, and I intend to use it again sometime soon. Also, I want our kits to be easy to sew with clear and easy-to-follow instructions.
However, for the casual weekend hiker we recommend our standard Net-Tent Kit because it's more economical and quicker to sew. But if you have made a ray-way Kit or two, then you will likely find the Spitfire easy to sew. Or if you are a beginner, and can read and follow directions to a "T," then you will likely find the Spitfire easy also. The Spitfire is no harder to sew, but takes more time because of the additional seams. The Original Net-Tent is made up of only 5 pieces, and has no zippers. The Spitfire has 11 pieces and 3 zippers. I didn't have the zippers on my AT hike, but could have used them - since ticks have become such a hazard.
Generalizing: the Original Net-Tent is intended for weekend hikers; the Spitfire is for summer-long thru-hiking.
The Spitfire Kit has a few options for the floor. You can choose our new polyurethane nylon Spitfire floor, which I recommend for extended use, like thru-hiking the AT. We will have gray which help you spot any ticks crawling around that you had brought inside on your socks or whatever. Or to save 4.5 ounces, you can choose silicone nylon. Personally, I like the polyurethane much better, but to each his or her own.
My first ray-way prototype with a gray polyurethane floor weighs 11.6 oz. It took Jenny about 4 hours to make.
"I ordered my Spitfire kit on October 25 and finished it on November 12. I worked on it about an hour each night. The hardest part was convincing our new kitten that I really did not need her help while laying out the fabric on the hardwood floor. The kit did go together easily after I was able to visualize what the instructions were trying to convey. Once I got the mental image and reviewed the 2 pictures on your site it was smooth sailing. It'now ready for my NFT. It weighed in at 11.7oz and 11.9oz with it's stuff bag [green polyurethane floor]. I really enjoyed sewing the netting to the floor. After turning the enclosure right side out I checked the corners. The netting seam and the floor corner seam lined up perfectly. I was very proud of that." -John G.
Note: Jenny takes about four hours to make a Spitfire, and only about a third of that is the sewing.
