An ultralight and very compact bug Jacket

My bug jacket. Note the very screen like material!
Click to enlarge.

I haven't met another bicycle tourist yet who carries one of these very useful bug jackets on tour with them. Not only do I carry the jacket but I also cart along the pants too!

It's surprising to me that I haven't met anyone else who brings them along on their bicycle tour. In the "Elements of a Successful tour" survey that's currently running here on Bicycle Touring 101, the third most popular choice for "animals that most worry you during a tour" aren't animals at all but rather bugs!

With this in mind I decided to introduce the lowly bug jacket. I bring mine along on tour so that when I arrive at my destination in my nice smelly and sweaty bike clothing I can quickly cover up with the bug jacket and pants and proceed to put up my hammock without the torture of being eaten alive in the process.

Both the jacket and pants are made out of a tiny screen like material. Very light but it can become warm if you start exerting yourself. It's easy to fix that, you are on tour after all so take it nice and slow!

The bug jacket and pants weigh little and use almost no space.
Click to enlarge.

This clothing is also great when sitting at the picnic table writing up your daily journal while you cook your dinner.

When purchasing these items go for a lose fit. You want the screen material to be very baggy. If the material is tight then the mosquitoes will still manage to sting you from time to time. Areas that should be snug include the places where the material ends. Examples of these areas include the ends of your arms and legs and around your waist. Most jackets also contain a full hood that nicely protects your head in really bad bug environments. Keep in mind the need to keep it lose through. If the netting is tight against your head then you can still come away with a few itchy bites.

People worry about carrying too much on tour. My bug jacket and pants both fit in the little bag shown in the picture, take very little room and are always readily available in an outer pocket of my saddlebags.

It's hard to imagine a tour without them!

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