Merry Christmas to everyone from Intents Outdoors! Almost there. Time to get your camping tents and holiday plans sorted.

We make every effort to make sure that orders are dispatched as soon as possible but once they leave our hands, final delivery depends on the courier companies. Most orders should be delivered on time but couriers will be swamped and delays can be expected.  

We recommend allowing at least 2 extra working days to account for any potential delays. Better still, get orders in as soon as possible to make sure things get delivered ahead of time.

We will be working through the holiday period and pick up may be possible with prior confirmation.

As usual all orders will be shipped as soon as possible but we will not be able to dispatch orders on statutory holidays. The courier companies will be closed from Saturday 23^rd – Tuesday 26^th Dec. and for the New Year holiday from Dec 30^th – Jan 2^nd  

For deliveries needed before Christmas …

North Island services - For orders placed before 2pm we can do same day dispatch and it’s usually next working day delivery. We recommend placing orders by Tuesday 19^th Dec. to allow a couple more days in case of delay.  

South Island services - For orders placed before 2pm we can do same day dispatch and it’s usually takes 2 working days for delivery. We recommend placing orders by Monday 18th Dec. to allow a couple more days in case of delay.

*Rural services - Delivery to rural addresses requires an extra 1-2 working days on top of the times above.

Have a great Christmas and New Year!

What are the advantages of roof top tents? Are there any disadvantages? Here’s a quick look at the pros and cons to help you know if they're right for you. Then check out answers to a lot of common questions for people considering one of our Orson Roof Top Tents. 

What are the advantages of a roof top tent?

• Mobility – Great for a road trip. The perfect adventure on the road if you’re moving from place to place. Set up wherever your vehicle can go. Top choice for people who often head out for weekend trips, surfers moving from beach to beach, 4x4 enthusiasts and anyone looking for a bit of adventure and fun.
• Quick and easy set up – park and your tent can be set up in a few minutes. Another 10 minutes to set up the annex if required.
• Comfort – sleeping on a luxurious double mattress up off the ground for a great night’s sleep. And leave your bedding in the tent when you pack up.
• Durable – made of tougher, more durable and longer lasting weatherproof materials (like canvas, steel and aluminium tread plate) compared to ground tents which often focus on being light and portable.
• Off ground – like your own tree house - no mud or flooding, catches breezes for ventilation.
• Frees up storage space in vehicle – having the tent on the roof means you have more space in your vehicle for other gear.
• Security – up off the ground makes things less accessible to animals and people.
• Cheaper than RV – enjoy some of the comforts and mobility of an RV on a budget.

Are there any negative points to think about?

• You can’t drive off to the nearest shops if the tent is set up. If you’re planning on camping in one spot for a long time that’s not so convenient. Bring your bike.
• Getting the tent on and off the roof – a tent weighs about 60kg so will require 2 strong people to lift it up on and off. I leave mine on the vehicle for the whole camping season.
• Road handling – affects the centre of gravity on your vehicle and fuel efficiency but nothing too noticeable.
• Height – the height of the tent may make some parts difficult to access – I keep a small folding chair handy.
• Higher cost – more expensive than a ground tent.

What’s the verdict?

The pros far outweigh the cons. Having one on my roof, that's my opinion. We've made a lot of planned trips and spur of the moment overnighters when the sun has come out. A roof top tent will open you up to a whole lot of new adventures. The feedback from our customers has been ‘Absolutely love it!’ Roll on summer.

If you're still not sure about a roof top tent then contact us at Intents Outdoors and we'll do our best to help out with any info or advice you might need. 

Condensation can occur in any tent. But there are ways to prevent and manage condensation so that it doesn’t ruin your camping trip. To beat it we need to understand what it is and how it forms, and realise that there are ways to prevent it, minimise and manage it.

What is condensation?

The underside of your tent fly is wet! It’s covered in water. Is it waterproof? It might be a leaky seam but chances are that it’s condensation - the change of moisture in the air to the liquid that forms on cold surfaces like your tent fly.

Where does moisture inside the tent come from?

• Natural humidity in the air
• Breathing, we release moisture with each breath (anything from half a litre to two litres per day according to google)
• Wet clothes, boots and gear inside the tent or vestibule adds to moisture
• Cooking inside creates vapour from cooking fuel or steam from food
• Evaporation from exposed, damp ground or grass beneath the tent
• Pitching near a body of water brings greater humidity and colder temps at night.

How does condensation form?

The air inside a tent can become warm and humid from people’s body heat, moisture and lack of ventilation. On cold nights, temperatures can drop fairly quickly, and the tent fly will also be cold. When the warm air inside the tent hits the cold tent fabric, the moisture in the air condenses into a liquid and water forms on the cold surface of the inside of tent fly - much like the condensation that forms on the outside of a glass of cold water.

What kind of conditions bring on condensation?

• On clear, still, cold nights
• In wet rainy conditions, with no wind, and night time temperature drops
• After afternoon rain, with a clear, still night with low night temps

How do you prevent condensation?

• Ventilation. Ventilation. The key to preventing condensation is to ventilate the tent as much as possible. Allow the moisture to escape. Warm air holds more moisture than cold air. Open the vents, or entrance door, raise the fly edge off the ground. On cold nights it might be your natural instinct to seal the tent as much as possible to keep the warmth in and the cold out. Don’t! You’ll also be sealing in moisture and creating the perfect conditions for condensation.
• Pitch the end of the tent into the wind to enable increased airflow in and around the tent.
• Choose your campsite carefully. Avoid damp ground and low depressions which are often traps for moisture and humidity. Choose spots to benefit from any breezes.
• Use a footprint or plastic sheet as a groundsheet to create a barrier to the damp ground.
• Reduce the number of people in the tent. Not always possible, but consider that the more people in the tent the more moisture there will be.

Double wall tents

Double wall tents typically handle condensation better than single wall tents. They have an outer fly and inner wall to create a better insulating layer of air between the 2 walls reducing the build-up of condensation. The inner wall also lessens the chance of you and your gear coming into direct contact with any condensation on the fly.    

Single wall tents

Single wall tents are much lighter than double wall tents but new users often have problems dealing with condensation. See if ultralight and single wall tents are right for you. In a single wall tent any condensation is directly on the inside of your tent so remember to keep it well ventilated and ...

• As well as opening vents and doors, consider opening up any mesh entrances as this will improve ventilation a lot more.
• Use a microfiber cloth to wipe walls down.
• Try to avoid coming into direct contact with the walls.
• Dry your tent out before next use.
• Reduce number of people in the tent. A 2 person single wall tent faces greater challenges.
• Consider a sleeping bag with water resistant finish. Synthetic sleeping bags handle moisture better than down bags.

Condensation can be a pain, but knowing what causes condensation means you can take steps to reduce and manage it and focus on enjoying the great outdoors.   

Photo credit: Foter.com