View Full Version : really dumb tent question
stonedflea
02-12-2011, 16:15
so... basically, what's the difference between a free-standing tent and a ... ? not free-standing tent?
i'm used to the tents that have poles and stakes. that's free-standing, right?
what other options are there?
You can set up a free standing tent in the middle of a basketball court.
Even though they come with stakes to hold the tent down in a gale force wind, and to stretch out the fly, you don't nee the stakes to keep the tent erected.
stonedflea
02-12-2011, 16:25
okay, so what are some examples of a non free standing tent? how many hikers use those?
garlic08
02-12-2011, 16:33
Look at the Tarptent Contrail at http://tarptent.com/contrail.html, for one popular example. Tarptents and similar shelters are very popular on the Western trails, not quite so much on the AT.
okay, so what are some examples of a non free standing tent? how many hikers use those?
One that was the standard years ago was the Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight. Most (all?) of the popular lightweight tents that use a trekking pole to hold them up are not free standing.
A free standing tent uses an internal method to keep the four (or more or less) corners of the tent spread out and the ceiling erect. Usually poles of some type.
A non free standing tent uses an external method to accomplish the same things. Usually through stakes.
Another way of looking at it is a free standing tent can be picked up and moved. You don't like where you put down the tent and it will support itself as you slide it a foot one way or another. A non-free standing tent doesn't have this ability.
Hoop(single and double) ,tunnel,pyramid/tipi,A frame tents are all example of non freestanding.
Domes, cross pole, geodesic and semi geodesic are examples of freestanding.
There are advantages and disadvantages on all of them and that is why most manufacturers use several of the designs I mentioned above.
Here is an example:
http://www.sierradesigns.com/c-22-ultralight.aspx (http://www.sierradesigns.com/c-22-ultralight.aspx)
The Clip Flashlite is a hoop tent
The Lightning is a cross pole freestanding
The Origami is a "tipi"
On this page
http://www.sierradesigns.com/c-21-4-season.aspx (http://www.sierradesigns.com/c-21-4-season.aspx)
you can see a tunell and some geodesic and semi geodesics.
Take a look at this MSR page :
http://cascadedesigns.com/msr/tents/experience-series/category (http://cascadedesigns.com/msr/tents/experience-series/category)
there you can see how a modified hoop tent (the Hoop...) can also become a freestanding by adding two extra poles , somewhat like the TT version in the Rainbow/Double Rainbow. (see the video clip of the Hoop)
Franco
stonedflea
02-12-2011, 19:24
ya learn somethin' new everyday. thank y'all :)
wrongway_08
02-12-2011, 19:36
- If you can lift your tent and set it down in a new area, without adjusting stuff, its free standing. (Hubba-Hubba)
- It you have to restake your tent after moving it for it to stand up, its non-free standing tent. (Tarptent Contrail)
A free standing tent can be staked out (Hubba-Hubba) for extra stability but doesnt need to be for use.
LoneRidgeRunner
02-12-2011, 22:09
Yes, it is...
The only dumb question is the one that you don't know the answer to but don't ask....Some people are just rude...
"The only dumb question is the one that you don't know the answer to but don't ask....Some people are just rude..."
It isn't about question itself... It is about how question was formulated. Don't take personally, please. If somebody feels not good, I'm sorry
Mongoose2
02-13-2011, 00:05
"The only dumb question is the one that you don't know the answer to but don't ask....Some people are just rude..."
It isn't about question itself... It is about how question was formulated. Don't take personally, please. If somebody feels not good, I'm sorry
Nope he was right, you are rude, no need for that.
"The only dumb question is the one that you don't know the answer to but don't ask....Some people are just rude..."
It isn't about question itself... It is about how question was formulated. Don't take personally, please. If somebody feels not good, I'm sorry
I ain't payin' your toll!
stonedflea
02-13-2011, 00:35
to loneridgerunner & mongoose... thanks, guys. :) i know it was a n00b question, which is why i gave fair warning in the thread subject. i appreciate patience/tolerance.
SassyWindsor
02-13-2011, 00:50
Anchor or tie-off any free-standing tent if you're not going to be in it, wouldn't won't a gust of wind to send it over a cliff. Especially with your sleeping bag inside. Just remember Forrest Gump, --it happens.