Tent components

Inner tent: This is the internal structure of the tent consisting of a ground sheet and non water proof upper. Some things to look out for are a bath-tub waterproof ground sheet to prevent flooding, mesh walls or windows to keep insects out and allow breathability, pole sleeves to allow for easy set-up and big enough doors. The waterhead on the floor is the most important and should therefore have the highest waterhead rating, a good waterhead for the tent floor is 3000mm.

Flysheet: This is the outer waterproof section and things to look out for are: Double stitching, sealed seams, rip-stop nylon, guy-lines, ventilation flaps, vestibules, a tight fit onto the inner and the waterheads on the material. The flysheet is the other part of the tent where waterproofness is important and the waterheads of a flysheet should be around 2000mm.

Poles: Usually made from fibre-glass or aluminum and are connected by elastic cord which keeps the segments together but allows the segments to be disconnected and folded alongside each other. The fibre-glass poles are cheaper and heavier but are prone to snapping easily under pressure. Aluminum poles are less bulky and much stronger, they are also easier to do an emergency repair on if they do bend or break. Auminum tent poles used to be really expensive but it is Know possible to find good aluminum poles at decent prices. All e3 tents use quality DAC aluminum poles.

Pegs: There are two options in tent pegs steel or aluminum. Steel tent pegs tend to be heavier and bend fairly easily. A good option for tent pegs are aluminum pegs with a Y shaped cross section as these pegs are strong and light. (e3 tent pegs)

Groundsheets / footprints: It is recommended to get a groundsheet for your tent, to protect the floor of your tent so that it remains waterproof. It also keeps your tent clean and provides a floor for the vestibules. Features to look out for are: eyelets around the edges to peg your groundsheet down and pockets in the corners so that you can use your groundsheet as a tarp with trekking poles or sticks. All e3 gear tents and Black Diamond tents have custom size groundsheets available as an optional extra.