The midge season is well under way in the Scottish Highlands. Trying to avoid these tiny winged horrors now becomes a major factor in outdoor trips until the autumn. Camp high in a breeze, avoid damp places, (as if!), don't stop walking. But whatever you it's just about impossible not to encounter midges at some time.
Insect repellent and tightly woven clothing can stop midges biting but doesn't stop clouds of them whining round your face and head searching for an unprotected bit of flesh. This is intensely annoying and distracting. The only answer if you want to do something that requires staying still - pitching a tent, having a rest, belaying a climber, taking a photograph, watching wildlife - is a headnet. But headnets restrict vision and can feel claustrophobic. The solution is a headnet with built-in glasses. I've been trying a new one designed by photographer and climber Tim Parkin called MidgeSpecs. Short review: they work, they're excellent.
Nearly a decade ago I tried a similar headnet called the Netspex, which I wrote about here. That product is long gone and until now nothing has replaced it. It worked quite well when new but the glasses were quite small, fogged easily, and soon became scratched.
The MidgeSpecs are a big advance. The glasses are standards compliant safety ones made of strong polycarbonate and have an anti-fog treatment. They're big and clear for good vision and the arms are adjustable for fit. The net is industry standard too. It has a solid top and a bottom drawcord. MidgeSpecs come with a soft bag for carrying and a cardboard tube for storage. The weight is 58g. They cost £28 from the MidgeSpecs online shop.
I've worn the MidgeSpecs over a baseball cap, a wide-brimmed hat, and my bare head and they fit fine in every case. I've also worn them over my reading glasses and that's fine too. The wide view through the glasses gets rid of the trapped feeling of standard midge nets and lets you get on with what you're there for. I highly recommend them.
