Selecting the right tent for your outdoor adventures can be overwhelming with the myriad of options available. Here, we break down the seven essential features to consider, ensuring you make an informed choice for your next camping trip.

The flooring in your tent is crucial as it endures constant contact with rough ground, water pooling underneath, and people walking on it. A durable floor enhances the longevity and performance of your tent.

Types of Flooring Materials:

• PE (Polyethylene) : Commonly used, durable, and available in different weaves (e.g., 14×14 weave is more durable than 10×10).
• PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) : Heavy-duty, highly resistant to elements, but adds significant weight.
• Polyester with PU Coating : Varies in durability depending on the PU (Polyurethane) coating level (3000mm PU, 5000mm PU, etc.).

Bucket Flooring: This design raises the floor edges up the sides, providing extra protection against water and wear.

Floor construction can consist of PE (Polyethylene – Tarp material) and PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride). The most common of the materials is a PE floor which can vary in durability depending on the weave of the material. A 14×14 weave is more durable then a 10×10 as the weave is tighter. The Polyester flooring can vary in durability depending on the level of PU (polyurethane) coating applied (3000mm PU, 5000mm PU etc) and the PVC is the most heavy duty and resistant against theelements but it is physically heavier.

The fly of the tent gets a lot of attention as you automatically relate the fly to protecting you from the elements such as wind and rain. The waterproofing level of the tent will generally be a rating along the lines of 2000mm or 3000mm if it is a polyester/nylon material. Canvas construction, however, will just be considered waterproof after soaking the material before use so the canvas material and stitching swell and create a waterproof seal. You may have to reapply waterproofing to the canvas years after the original purchase.

Waterproof Level

The waterproof level refers to a water column height in millimeters. For example, 3000mm would relate to a water column height of 3 meters (9.8 feet) of water. The fabric is placed at the bottom of the water column and then water is added to a certain height. The fabric must be able to withstand any water from coming through the fabric for more than one minute before the waterproof rating can be allocated.

PU (Polyurethane) Coating

A PU coating can be applied to the fly and is one of the strongest and most abrasion-resistant kinds of coating. PU optimizes the waterproof level and strength while still being lightweight.

Weathering Process for Canvas Tents

With a canvas tent, it is strongly recommended that it is “weathered” before use. This will allow the canvas to shrink and tighten, and the stitching to swell, becoming waterproof.

The Process:

1. Set up the tent.
2. Remove anything that you don’t want to get wet from within the tent if anything is there.
3. Thoroughly wet down from head to toe with a rain-like spray using a hose or if lucky enough to have rain at the time, then set and forget.
4. Allow to dry.

With the above process, it is recommended to do this a few times to really get the best performance out of the canvas.

Constructed mainly from polyester, the inner tent needs to be lightweight and breathable. Using No-see-um mesh for walls increases ventilation while keeping weight down.

The ventilation can be increased by having more No-see-um mesh as walls rather then polyester.

The ventilation systems objective is to create as much airflow to run through the tent as possible. This is achieved by having vents at the base of the tent just above the bucket flooring and in the roof of the tent. They allow the air to flow freely in and out of the tent. The windows and doors can be constructed of “No-see-um-mesh” and the inner tent can also be constructed of mesh material rather then polyester to allow for even more ventilation.
Having a gap between the Fly and Inner Tent will also allow for more ventilation.

Seam sealing prevents leaks through stitching holes. Techniques include:

• Seam Tape : Sticky tape-like material sealing seams.
• Heat Welded Seams : Often used to connect the inner tent to the floor.

You will find several different pole systems within the tent range. They could be constructed from the following:

• Aluminium: The obvious benefit to aluminium poles or aluminium pole system is that they are lightweight. The downfall to aluminium is that it is more expensive. These poles will be generally in lightweight hiking tents or Rapid pitch touring tents.

• Steel: Steel poles or steel pole systems are going to be more heavy duty compared to the other poles on the market and they can be galvanised giving them more resistance to the elements. These poles will be generally in large Canvas cabin tents.

• Fibreglass: Fibreglass poles are flexible, lightweight and come in sections so they are easily replaced if a section was to break. Fibreglass pole systems have become more user friendly over time as the can be coloured poles to match coloured tabs and pole attachment points to make working out what pole goes where a lot easier. The extra features added to fibreglass poles are Durawrap which is an additional fibreglass weave that intersects to create more strength and then the plastic coated fibreglass poles which go that extra step in strength.

Guy ropes are a crucial component for ensuring that the fly of a tent can perform its job effectively, keeping you dry and secure. Here’s a more detailed look at their importance and technical aspects:

1. Tension and Stability:

   • Function: Guy ropes, when pegged out at the correct angle, ensure that the fly is taut. This tautness is essential for maintaining the structural integrity of the tent, especially in adverse weather conditions. Properly tensioned guy ropes prevent the tent from collapsing under strong winds and heavy rain.
   • Technique: The optimal angle for guy ropes is typically around 45 degrees from the tent to the ground. This angle provides the best balance of tension and stability.

2. Water Runoff:

   • Prevention of Water Pooling: A taut flysheet ensures that water runs off smoothly rather than pooling on the fabric. Pooling water can lead to leaks and added stress on the tent material.
   • Separation from Inner Tent: Ensuring that the fly remains taut and separated from the inner tent is critical. If the fly and the inner tent come into contact, moisture can be drawn through via capillary action, causing the inner tent to become damp.

3. Material and Durability:

   • Materials: Guy ropes are usually made from durable, weather-resistant materials such as polyester or nylon. These materials are chosen for their strength and resistance to stretching when wet.
   • Reflective Elements: Many modern guy ropes include reflective threads woven into them. This feature helps to prevent tripping hazards in low-light conditions.

4. Adjustability:

   • Adjusters and Tensioners: Guy ropes often come with tensioners or line-locks that allow for easy adjustment of tension. These components are crucial for making on-the-fly adjustments in varying weather conditions to ensure optimal performance.

5. Attachment Points:

   • Reinforced Attachments: The points where guy ropes attach to the tent fly are often reinforced to handle the additional stress. These reinforced points prevent tearing and ensure that the guy ropes remain secure under tension.
   • Multiple Points: High-quality tents will have multiple guy rope attachment points, allowing for better distribution of tension and improved stability.

Denier (D)

• Description: Denier refers to the density of the fibers in the fabric.
• Example: In tent descriptions, you might see something like "75D," which means the material has a denier rating of 75.
• Details: A lower denier number (e.g., 15D) indicates finer fibers, whereas a higher number (e.g., 30D) indicates denser and stronger material.

Thread Count (T)

• Description: Thread count measures the number of threads contained in one square inch or one square centimeter of fabric.
• Example: A tent fabric labeled as "185T" has 185 threads per square inch.
• Details: Higher thread counts generally mean tighter weaves, resulting in more durable and weather-resistant fabric.

Ounce (Oz) and GSM (Grams per Square Meter)

• Description: These measurements indicate the weight of the fabric.
• Details: Canvas weight is often listed in ounces (Oz) and grams per square meter (GSM). The weight refers to the mass of the raw fabric per square yard, after weaving but before proofing.
• Conversion Examples:
  • 8oz = 272gsm
  • 10oz = 339gsm
  • 12oz = 407gsm
  • 14oz = 475gsm
  • 16oz = 543gsm

Polyethylene (PE)

• Description: PE is the material used for constructing tent floors.
• Types and Ratings:
  • HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene): Known for its tensile strength and ability to be stretched.
  • MDPE (Medium-Density Polyethylene): Offers good shock and cracking resistance.
  • LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene): Pliable and not brittle, can be deformed without losing toughness.

Polyurethane (PU)

• Description: PU is a coating applied to fabrics to make them waterproof.
• Application: Commonly used on tent floors and flysheets to enhance waterproofing and durability.

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

• Description: PVC is another material used for tent floors, known for its heavy-duty nature and resistance to the elements.

Overhead/Waterproof Rating

• Description: Indicates the amount of water the fly material can withstand before leaking.
• Measurement: Determined by placing the fabric at the base of a column of water and measuring the height of the water column in millimeters.

Weave

• Description: The weave count refers to how tightly the fabric is woven.
• Details: Higher weave counts mean tighter and more durable material.

Ripstop

• Description: Ripstop fabric incorporates a grid-like pattern to add strength and durability.
• Purpose: Designed to withstand tears and rips, making it ideal for rugged outdoor use.

Camping Australia has a wide selection of camping and outdoor equipment including a wide array of quality tents for purchase online and delivered Australia wide.