Startbeitrag von Askari-Team (Stefan)am 30.08.2007 06:07
Dear fishing friend,
maybe you are familiar with this situation: you would like to equip yourself with the necessary gear for a camping adventure, but you lack the know-how and find the subject challenging at first.
What is the definition of a 'good' tent?
Or a sleeping bag?
What demands can I make of the equipment?
Can this low cost model, fulfil my needs, or should I buy a more expensive model?
Before you begin comparing products, you should decide what it is that you actually want from the equipment?
Someone, for example, who plans on taking a camping holiday once or twice a year, when the weather is good, and then only for one or two nights, might be more concerned with low weight equipment and does not necessarily need to buy expensive, sophisticated products.
For those, who want to spend more time 'under canvas', possibly spending one or two weeks experiencing the joys of camping, would be well advised to look for high quality items.
Let's start by taking a look at tentage:
An important characteristic when choosing a tent is the water-resistance. It is given, in many cases, as water column. The water-resistance of tent materials begins with a water column of 1,500 mm. Quality tentage can have a water column of up to 5,000 mm. To test the material, it is stretched over a special meter and water is poured onto the material. The water column value is obtained by noting the point at which water begins to seep through the material being tested.
One of the weak points where leaks can occur is the seams, especially at those points where the tent material is supported by poles. It is therefore important to check for taped seams.
Another important characteristic, is air circulation. For longer camping adventures, the tent should be fitted with a window. With both this and the main flap open, the air can circulate throughout the tent. Without good air circulation, condensation builds within the tent. This is the reason why many quality tents have a separate inner and outer tent.
The location and the duration of your stay is an important factor in determining the suitability of frame and support poles. For short term campers, a lighter construction is more than adequate and relatively inexpensive. All-weather campers, who plan on camping for longer periods, would be well advised to look for quality tents with sturdy frames and support poles. Of course, one can also expect that they weigh a little more.
With tents, size is important. Generally speaking, occasional campers, with sleeping mat and sleeping bag, require little space. Long term campers and anglers, with cot, camping accessories / angling equipment, etc. need to pay greater attention to the internal dimensions and might ask themselves some of the following questions:
Do I need a front awning - for breakfasting in inclement weathers or for storage purposes (so that equipment does not need to be stored in the car or in the main tent)?
How high would I like the tent to be?
Do I just need somewhere to rest my head, or would I prefer to have room to sit somewhere during bad weather?
It is important to pay close attention to the tent design/construction. The overall dimensions do not necessarily reflect the amount of space within.
To the basics belong, of course, sturdy tent pegs of varying lengths and long guy lines. As the conditions of the ground on which you pitch your tent is unknown, these accessories will ensure a stable tent construction. A woollen blanket, much like those used for protecting furniture during transport, placed under the tent, will provide added protection for tent, air bed/mattress and your feet from stony ground.
When choosing a sleeping bag, think once again of your personal needs. If you are planning short trips, one of the more affordable models is more than adequate. The sleeping bag insulation (filling) is one of the most important features:- down or synthetic fibres?
Down is lightweight and compresses well (reduced pack dimensions) but is sensitive to damp. Modern synthetic fibres are not so sensitive to damp, drying quickly and tend to be less expensive. The liner material is also of great importance. Cotton feels good on the skin but tends to stain easily and does not dry as quickly as, for example, nylon or polyester. Anglers, who need to react quickly to bite alarm signals also need to look for quick opening zippers.
To conclude, a few recommendations, tailored to the various demand specifications.
Spec 1: Irregular, fine weather camper.
Requirements: affordable, short term cover for 1 or 2 nights. Generally camping with good ground and wind conditions. Sleeping on an air bed or insulating roll mat. Prefers compact transport dimensions and low weight.
Carp Tent I (Order No. 074411)
All-round Igloo Camouflage Tent (Order No. 074281)
Trekker Mummy Bag (Order No. 082027)
Mummy Sleeping Bag, 1 kg (Order No. 105368)
Spec 2: Irregular camper, spending more than 2 nights camping (in spring, summer and autumn).
Requirements: a tent that can withstand heavier downpours but not necessarily hailstorms. Sleeping on an air bed, insulating roll mat and, if need be, on a camping bed. Desires a medium-classed tent.
Perca 2 MAN DOME (Order No. 090840)
Perca Carp Overnight Dome (Order No. 104224)
Kogha Dreamland Sleeping Bag (Order No. 090842)
Mummy Sleeping Bag, Comfort (Order No. 043855)
Spec 3: The experienced camper (or carp angler) who spends many days, perhaps weeks in the open, in all seasons.
Requirements: a tent that can be pitched in all manner of terrain and weather conditions. The tent should have enough space for a bed and plenty of equipment.
Kogha Ultra Light Tent (Order No. 104229)
Kogha Protector Dome (Order No. 104225)
Kogha Deluxe Umbrella Tent (Order No. 104788)
Trakker Armo 2, two man bivvy (Order No. 110573)
Kogha Extreme Plus Sleeping Bag (Order No. 090841)
Kogha X-TREE-ME Ultra Plus Sleeping Bag (Order No. 104018)
Accessories & Clothing:
Kogha Tent Pegs (Order No. 090967)
Camping Cooker (Order No. 104844)
Camping Heater (Order No. 104630)
Kogha Featherlight Bedchair (Order No. 090969)
Salmo Anglers' Boots (Order No. 104792)
Kogha Supreme Deluxe Thermal Rain Suit (Order No. 092204)
Fishing and Camping Lamp, with Remote Control (Order No. 074593)
We hope you have a lot of on your camping adventure.
Your Askari Team
maybe you are familiar with this situation: you would like to equip yourself with the necessary gear for a camping adventure, but you lack the know-how and find the subject challenging at first.
What is the definition of a 'good' tent?
Or a sleeping bag?
What demands can I make of the equipment?
Can this low cost model, fulfil my needs, or should I buy a more expensive model?
Before you begin comparing products, you should decide what it is that you actually want from the equipment?
Someone, for example, who plans on taking a camping holiday once or twice a year, when the weather is good, and then only for one or two nights, might be more concerned with low weight equipment and does not necessarily need to buy expensive, sophisticated products.
For those, who want to spend more time 'under canvas', possibly spending one or two weeks experiencing the joys of camping, would be well advised to look for high quality items.
Let's start by taking a look at tentage:
An important characteristic when choosing a tent is the water-resistance. It is given, in many cases, as water column. The water-resistance of tent materials begins with a water column of 1,500 mm. Quality tentage can have a water column of up to 5,000 mm. To test the material, it is stretched over a special meter and water is poured onto the material. The water column value is obtained by noting the point at which water begins to seep through the material being tested.
One of the weak points where leaks can occur is the seams, especially at those points where the tent material is supported by poles. It is therefore important to check for taped seams.
Another important characteristic, is air circulation. For longer camping adventures, the tent should be fitted with a window. With both this and the main flap open, the air can circulate throughout the tent. Without good air circulation, condensation builds within the tent. This is the reason why many quality tents have a separate inner and outer tent.
The location and the duration of your stay is an important factor in determining the suitability of frame and support poles. For short term campers, a lighter construction is more than adequate and relatively inexpensive. All-weather campers, who plan on camping for longer periods, would be well advised to look for quality tents with sturdy frames and support poles. Of course, one can also expect that they weigh a little more.
With tents, size is important. Generally speaking, occasional campers, with sleeping mat and sleeping bag, require little space. Long term campers and anglers, with cot, camping accessories / angling equipment, etc. need to pay greater attention to the internal dimensions and might ask themselves some of the following questions:
Do I need a front awning - for breakfasting in inclement weathers or for storage purposes (so that equipment does not need to be stored in the car or in the main tent)?
How high would I like the tent to be?
Do I just need somewhere to rest my head, or would I prefer to have room to sit somewhere during bad weather?
It is important to pay close attention to the tent design/construction. The overall dimensions do not necessarily reflect the amount of space within.
To the basics belong, of course, sturdy tent pegs of varying lengths and long guy lines. As the conditions of the ground on which you pitch your tent is unknown, these accessories will ensure a stable tent construction. A woollen blanket, much like those used for protecting furniture during transport, placed under the tent, will provide added protection for tent, air bed/mattress and your feet from stony ground.
When choosing a sleeping bag, think once again of your personal needs. If you are planning short trips, one of the more affordable models is more than adequate. The sleeping bag insulation (filling) is one of the most important features:- down or synthetic fibres?
Down is lightweight and compresses well (reduced pack dimensions) but is sensitive to damp. Modern synthetic fibres are not so sensitive to damp, drying quickly and tend to be less expensive. The liner material is also of great importance. Cotton feels good on the skin but tends to stain easily and does not dry as quickly as, for example, nylon or polyester. Anglers, who need to react quickly to bite alarm signals also need to look for quick opening zippers.
To conclude, a few recommendations, tailored to the various demand specifications.
Spec 1: Irregular, fine weather camper.
Requirements: affordable, short term cover for 1 or 2 nights. Generally camping with good ground and wind conditions. Sleeping on an air bed or insulating roll mat. Prefers compact transport dimensions and low weight.
Carp Tent I (Order No. 074411)
All-round Igloo Camouflage Tent (Order No. 074281)
Trekker Mummy Bag (Order No. 082027)
Mummy Sleeping Bag, 1 kg (Order No. 105368)
Spec 2: Irregular camper, spending more than 2 nights camping (in spring, summer and autumn).
Requirements: a tent that can withstand heavier downpours but not necessarily hailstorms. Sleeping on an air bed, insulating roll mat and, if need be, on a camping bed. Desires a medium-classed tent.
Perca 2 MAN DOME (Order No. 090840)
Perca Carp Overnight Dome (Order No. 104224)
Kogha Dreamland Sleeping Bag (Order No. 090842)
Mummy Sleeping Bag, Comfort (Order No. 043855)
Spec 3: The experienced camper (or carp angler) who spends many days, perhaps weeks in the open, in all seasons.
Requirements: a tent that can be pitched in all manner of terrain and weather conditions. The tent should have enough space for a bed and plenty of equipment.
Kogha Ultra Light Tent (Order No. 104229)
Kogha Protector Dome (Order No. 104225)
Kogha Deluxe Umbrella Tent (Order No. 104788)
Trakker Armo 2, two man bivvy (Order No. 110573)
Kogha Extreme Plus Sleeping Bag (Order No. 090841)
Kogha X-TREE-ME Ultra Plus Sleeping Bag (Order No. 104018)
Accessories & Clothing:
Kogha Tent Pegs (Order No. 090967)
Camping Cooker (Order No. 104844)
Camping Heater (Order No. 104630)
Kogha Featherlight Bedchair (Order No. 090969)
Salmo Anglers' Boots (Order No. 104792)
Kogha Supreme Deluxe Thermal Rain Suit (Order No. 092204)
Fishing and Camping Lamp, with Remote Control (Order No. 074593)
We hope you have a lot of on your camping adventure.
Your Askari Team
Camping Adventure - Extra Content
There is one thing about tents that makes every camper a little nervous, moisture on the inside of the tent.
There are many causes for this, and it is not always a material fault!
During the colder seasons, many campers bring their cooker into the front awning to prepare food and use a camping heater to combat the cold. Due to the temperature difference between that in the tent and the outdoors, condensation forms on the inside of the tent.
Yet, even on average autumn evenings, condensation can form on the inside of the tent. The humidity in this case is caused by warm breath and body heat (more so – sweat). This is most apparent in smaller 1 or 2 man tents.
Advanced tentage (also somewhat more expensive) combats this problem with a special material which allows the tent to breath. The humidity can escape but is blocked from entering. This is similar to the technology used in quality sportswear and functional leisure wear.
The general solution to this problem is exactly the same as used in many homes – airing! To ensure effective air circulation (regardless of the height of the tent), you should ensure that when buying a tent, it has a large door area and windows fitted with mosquito nets.
If you are sure that the dampness is not due to condensation then you should start looking for leaking areas. Is there damage in the seam area or on the tent sides – maybe even a visible hole?
At best, it could just be that the tent requires impregnation after-care. We offer a suitable impregnation spray (Order No. 074641.85.585) which should help in such cases.
Many see this as a sign of low quality, but this is not the case. Of course, when used correctly, a tent should be able to withstand the rigours of a few camping trips and retain their water-resistant qualities. As with many things though, tents require regular care and attention. Tents are exposed to friction – during packing / unpacking, erecting and collapsing the tent, etc. Even the most expensive tent requires impregnation after-care. This impregnated layer is subject to wear, especially when the tent is used regularly.
Some campers make the mistake of cleaning their tent with a broom before packing it away. Dirt is abrasive and rubbing it over the impregnated layer will cause increased wear. The prudent method would be to shake the tent out and beat the dirt / dust out.
If the tent leaks, due to a hole or insecure seam, there are a variety of repair solutions. We offer a repair kit (Order No. 043463.85.585), which contains patches and glue. Worn or abused seams need to be repaired correctly with a seam sealer. This can also be used to strengthen seams.
At the end of your camping trip, you should try to ensure that your tent is dry before packing it away. When you get back home, remove the tent from the transport sack and hang it out to air and, where necessary dry. To clean the tent, take a bucket of water and a soft (!) sponge, without detergent. Keeping in mind mould and mildew stains, the tent should not be packed away again until it is completely dry.
Another problem, is snagged zippers. Usually the problem / solution is simply caused and simply relieved. Reducing tension on the guy lines is sometimes all that is required to get the zipper working again. When erecting the tent, ensure that the zipper remains closed until the tent is pegged out. If, after ensuring that the zipper is not under too much tension, the zipper remains snagged, a few drops of oil (Order No.: 062346.85.585) can help release it.
A few words on the subject, cooking.
For those who wish to cook inside the tent during inclement weather, always ensure that there is adequate air circulation: one, to prevent the build up of condensation and two, to prevent causing oxygen deficiency. It is also important to ensure that the cooker is placed far enough from the tent wall to prevent damage and fire.
When storing sleeping bags and inflatable mattresses, you should, where possible, not store them in the compression sacks / transport bags but try to hang them up somewhere. Down sleeping bags can be damaged if rolled up in a compression sack; it is therefore better to leave them crumpled up.
Generally speaking, sleeping bags should be aired after every camping adventure, rather than being washed. Down loses a little of its natural fats with every wash and thereby its fullness. Synthetic fibres also lose their coating during washing and start to form clumps. When washing a sleeping bag, a special, gentle washing powder should be used. If there are only one or two stains, it would be advisable to just clean these areas by hand.
Take care! Wet sleeping bags are incredibly heavy and it is possible to damage your washing machine. We suggest washing your sleeping bag by hand or, even better, to take it to a professional cleaner. The price of special washing powders, etc. makes the professional a cost-effective alternative.
We hope you have a lot of on your camping adventure.
Your Askari team
von Askari-Team (Stefan) - am 30.08.2007 06:12