Aluminium Tent Pipe Tube Hiking Tents

Aluminium Tent Pipe Tube Hiking Tents

The aluminium tent pipe tube hiking tents you choose will depend on several factors including the type of backpacking you do, the number of people camping with you, and how much gear you have. A general rule is to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for how many people a specific tent is designed for but keep in mind that bigger isn't always better — if your shelter is too big it will be too heavy and you may find yourself struggling with headroom, space to cook and storage.

When shopping for a tent be sure to visit a retailer with good customer service who can demonstrate the shelter by pitching it inside their shop. This will give you an idea of how the tent feels in use and also help you assess for size and build quality. It’s important to check for ventilation too; condensation can build up in a tent without adequate airflow and can make you very cold.

Aluminium is the material of choice for tent poles, largely due to its light weight and strength. It’s available in a variety of shapes, sizes and surface treatments and is ideal for tent frames, awning poles and roof supports. The most common types of aluminium used in tent construction are 6061, 7075 and cast alloys. 6061 is the most popular choice as it has good processing performance, corrosion resistance and can be welded. 7075 and cast alloys have a higher strength-to-weight ratio so are used in stronger tents and in situations where increased strength is required such as for tent poles and for support structures.

Another option for tent poles is fiberglass. This is a bit heavier than aluminum but has the advantage of not corroding. It’s also cheaper than aluminum but it is not as strong and can break under stress or if it gets bent or crushed. A broken fiberglass pole can be a serious issue, especially in freezing conditions when the brittle material can shatter rather than bend.

If you want a really lightweight and strong tent you’ll probably go for a geodesic or semi-geodesic design. These tents are extremely strong and can handle high winds and snow very well. They tend to have less space than tunnel tents but they do offer a large area of good headroom and are very quiet in windy conditions. However, they can take a bit longer to pitch than tunnel tents and are not as free-standing as ridge or pyramid designs. However, for the ultralight backpacker they’re an excellent choice.