[Paddlewise] TENT HUNT - "PLEASE"

Rick,
I usually stay away from camping gear threads, but can't hold back on
this one. PLEASE DON'T get a non-freestanding tent. I don't care what
anyone else says, buying a tent that requires staking out is like
stepping back into antiquity, as far as I'm concerned. I absolutely
detested multiday excursions until the day I finally wised up and bought
a free standing tent. What a revelation. So seize the day, man!

Not sure what conditions your anticipating using your tent in, but over
the years I've seen it all, especially in exposed locations, in terms of
tent failures and inconveniences ranging from the sublime to the
serious. Here's what I've come to appreciate or not, as the case may be
-- top ten lists:

Non-freestanding tent
1.   Very difficult erecting in high winds.
2.   Difficulty dealing with stake-out lines with wet, numb
hands/fingers.
3.   Frozen stake-out lines.
4.   Tangled stake-out lines.
5.   More prone to soak-out in heavy rain prior to full erection (of
tent).
6.   Footprint generally bigger therefore less placement options.
7.   Line tensioners slipping in night wind -- clumped up tent=poor
condensation dissipation.
8.   More lines to trip over, and uneven terrain difficulties more
acute.
9.   Some designs require stake-out of main tent, and _then_ the fly --
better land early in the day!
10. Looks of derision and pity from fellow paddlers at camp.

Freestanding tent
1.  More options with placement and moving it after erecting the tent.
2.  Higher wind ratings.
3.  Fast set up.
4.  Usually more compact for packing.
5.  Easier to dry out in morning sun as one can easily present different
faces and bottom to sun.
6.  Easier to initially place gound sheet and then keep in place (mine
clips right to the bottom of the tent).
7.  Night star-gaze versions (lots of netting on top) are fun, and the
fly is easily added later if clouds move in.
8.  No main ridgepole, therefor better distribution of sideways wind
sheer forces.
9.  Quick tear down for fast dawn camp breaks (very important for open
water paddling).
10.Thumbs up from paddling partners!

Some general things to consider about freestanding tent:
1.  Buy aluminum poles (of course) -- but take a spare section.
2.  Overall joined pole lengths are best if each unit is the same
overall length for faster setups under duress.
3.  All poles are not created equally. Some all too easily have their
male joints pushed back inside the pole after bonding agents let go,
leaving the female furrel (sp?) end of the adjoining pole to easily
break when the overall lengths are curved under pressure. Pay the bucks
for a good tent.
4.  Some offshore tents have really poor thread counts for the
stitching. Get the best you can within your budget or better. Knock offs
are not as good if you look a little closer, though don't pay full price
for top name brands if avoidable.
5.  Get as waterproof a floor as you can. Sealed seams are much
preferred.
6.  Cheaper tents and even certain expensive designs allow certain spots
to make contact between tent walls and fly, which then drip on you and
your gear.
7.  Avoid tents that use a lot of velcro to align fly to main tent.
Tents just don't stay taught enough to retain alignment.
8.  Get a tent with enough headroom and overhead arm swing room for
proper clothing changes, etc.
9.  Pay close attention to the clip mechanisms. Some snap together
easily, but are a pain to unclip.
10.Always stake-out the lee side of your tent if erecting it in the wind
or put some gear in first.

I also prefer a tent that opens along its longer length, as opposed to
the smaller end (applies to a rectangular length). This allows easier
entry and egress, especially if the vestibule area is clogged with wet
gear. I've also had to move a tent in the middle of the night due to
torrential rains and flooding, and once to a tide miss-prediction.
Freestanding means freedom. Also, pay attention to fly taughtness and
design around the distal perimeter. Loose flys can drive you batty
during the night in a bad blow. And don't be afraid to use a tarp above
your tent in heavy rains or snow if you have an extra one. And oh yes,
speaking of, um, erecting, a tent fly that extends all the way to close
to the ground not only keeps the sidewalls dry, but avoids embarrassment
during early morning sunrises due to backlighting (if you get my drift).
(PG-13 rating on this post Kirk).

Doug Lloyd (from the wet coast)

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