News

Wilderness Magazine called.

Uh, huh ... must want to sell some advertising space. What? Say that again.

Intents Outdoors is a finalist in the Online Retailer of the Year category in their 2019 Reader's Choice Awards! You've received multiple nominations to place us alongside the big players in the NZ outdoors market!  

You what? Really? Surprised and super stoked. Didn't even know these annual awards existed. LOL!

"Service, range of products, reasonable prices and after sales care were the reasons this retailer was nominated." Wilderness Magazine 2019 Reader’s Choice Outdoor Awards finalists

Big, big thanks to all those who nominated Intents Outdoors. So, so good to hear that people are happy with our products and service. Not easy to run a small business and bring in our own specialised designs and branded tents and tarps direct to market online in NZ.  

OK, resolution for 2020 - raise the bar and do even better. We didn't manage to win in 2019, but now have even greater motivation to deliver more innovative products and better service than before.

And thanks again to everyone who has supported us on our journey over the years. 

Cheers from the Intents Outdoors team. 

PHOTO COMPETITION - INTENTS OUTDOORS ADVENTURES

We love life outdoors and love to see how you get on with your adventures with Intents Outdoors gear ... ultralight tents and tarps, roof top tents, and camping and glamping tents.  

And truth be told, we need your help and support. We are a small NZ business competing with bigger established outdoors companies. We need others to see real people out and about using our gear. The more they see, the more likely they are get in behind us as well.

So we're running a photo comp over the summer. It's easy. Just share photos of your adventures in an Intents Outdoors or Orson tent or tarp for a chance to win a $300 gift card to grab IO gear online. And every 2 weeks we’ll select the 2 best photos in that timeframe to be awarded a $50 gift card each as well!

Christmas is almost here and with it the holidays! But except for Christmas Day and New Year's Day it's business as usual at Intents Outdoors, .

Busiest time of the year for us so we'll be working through the hols with only 25th Dec and 1st Jan off. Will be available for roof top tent pick ups every day except Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

SHIPPING TIMES 

For courier deliveries times and recommended cut-offs are below. For items purchased before 2pm we can send out the same day. Please note the courier companies are really busy in the run up to Christmas and there might be some delay. Once an item leaves us it is up to the courier co from there.

Suggest getting items sent to business addresses or providing delivery instructions and authority to leave (ie. no signature required) for drivers if no one will be home. 

Courier companies business hours

• Christmas - Closed 25 Dec, 26 Dec
• New Year - Closed 1 Jan, 2 Jan

Apart from that business as usual.

Suggested Cut Off Times (allows for an extra day - Tuesday - just in case)

• Auckland - Send out Friday - should be delivered Monday.
• North Island - Send out Thursday - should be delivered Friday or Monday.
• South Island - Send out Wednesday - should be delivered Friday or Monday. 
• Rural delivery - if at rural addresses send out one day earlier than above times. (rural delivery typically takes and extra day). 

Freight companies (for roof tents and glamping tents)

• Christmas - Closed 25 Dec, 26 Dec
• New Year - Closed 1 Jan, 2 Jan

They will be operating as usual except for stat holidays, but will have reduced services from Dec 23rd to Jan 6th so may be a bit slower than usual depending on volumes. Contact us for details. 

Have a great Christmas and Happy New Year! Stay safe!

2019 Ultrapack SW vs. Ultrapack DW

The Intents Outdoors Ultrapack SW (single wall) and Ultrapack DW (double wall) tents are two of our best sellers. Popular with outdoors people who are mobile and have to carry all their gear - hikers, hunters and bikepackers, etc. No glamping tent, but we’ve designed them to be

• reliable and handle NZ’s changeable weather
• ultralight in weight to make your load lighter
• easy to carry with small volume when packed
• used with a trekking pole or our aluminium or ultralight carbon fibre poles
• simple to set up and take down
• affordable

2019 is the fifth year we’ve offered the Ultrapack SW. Every year we make improvements based on user feedback. The DW version came in 2017, in answer to calls for a bit more room inside, and greater ability to handle condensation in cold, still conditions. Both are the same basic design, same ultralight 20D Ripstop Nylon, mesh and PU3000mm waterproof fly and floor, small foot pole, rope, line locks and pegs.

Ultrapack improvements for 2019

• SW/DW - Improved guy rope set up at foot so easier to get the ridgeline taut and hold its shape better
• SW/DW - Top point of the tent has a loop on the outside to secure a guy rope(s) from for better support, or to secure to a ridgeline so as tent can be used without a pole   
• SW/DW - New improved inner mesh fabric is more robust and less likely to snag, new improved zips
• SW/DW - Added an extra peg to allow door to be set open to improve ventilation
• DW - Inner tent now attaches to outer fly using clips – means it can be left attached to the fly for easier, faster pitching
• DW - Inner tent floor is secured to outer fly pegs using rope and line locks, making set up easier and reducing number of pegs needed

Weight

We have tried to make a tent that fits most users’ needs. SW packed weight is now around 700g and DW around 900g – that’s everything included. For serious gram counters weight can be reduced further removing zip pulls, pole end pockets, and the storage pocket inside the tent, shortening or removing guy ropes and line locks. You can also substitute ultralight titanium stakes and use a carbon fibre pole (or leave the pole at home - use a stick or ridgeline).

Differences between the Ultrapack SW and DW?

• SW is for those who have weight as top priority. Single wall hybrid, smaller interior, any condensation will be inside the tent (prevention is key).
• DW is a bit heavier with complete separate inner tent and fly. Inner tent is 5cm little longer than SW but there is a gap between inner and fly so you have more room than the SW and are less likely to come into contact with outer fly. Also has better ventilation to handle condensation.

Conclusion

The Indie 2 ultralight hiking tent for 2 people from Orson and Intents Outdoors. Designed to be ultralight, roomy enough for 2, easy to pitch and built to handle a wide range of conditions. It’s manufactured with ultralight 20D Ripstop Sinylon fabric to cut weight is designed to use trekking poles (or separate alu poles) to pitch the tent. The Indie 2 is a high performance tent, minimising packed weight and volume so you can just get out and enjoy what you do outdoors.

Jonnie has bought several different tents from Intents Outdoors and here’s what he had to say about his Indie 2

I have used the Ultralight Silnylon 2 Man on three occasions now within the last month. Twice fully set up and once with just the outer and a ground sheet. The multi pitch options are great.

This time of year as we head in to winter, I prefer a bit more room - both for stowing gear and for comfort if rained in. As such the weight of this two person tent is comparable to some of my one person tents.

The double vestibule and entrance is great. It means you can keep one vestibule for gear and the other as the entrance and place to cook if in the rain.

It pitches easily and the due to the design, the inner stays dry if pitching in the rain.

One thing I’m always conscious when buying a tent is that there’s enough room for me to lay out without my foot box or head touching the ends of the tent as this generally means condensation will saturate my sleeping bag. I’m 6’2” and this tent had room to spare.

I had this tent in some pretty serious weather on the tops of The Ruahines at an elevation of 1500 meters ASL.  I spent the night in moderate rain with 60kmph and the tent performed perfectly.

Jonnie Barnard

Check out more on the Indie 1 1 man ultralight tent. We also have slightly heavier Ripstop Polyester versions of the same tents in the Max 1 and Max 2.

Any questions on these tents then let us know at Intents Outdoors

INTENTS OUTDOORS at ADVENTUREXPO 2018

The Cloud, Auckland CBD

Saturday - Sunday, 1-2 December

adventurexpo.co.nz

Intents Outdoors will be at the upcoming ADVENTUREXPO at the Cloud in Auckland on the weekend of Dec 1-2.

Come on in to see some of our new ultralight tents and gear. We’ll have some giveaways and great show specials only for XPO visitors.

Curious about our ITO and Orson tents and tarps? Great chance to touch and see our gear in the real world and have a chat about any questions you might have.

We’ll be sharing a space with dancingmoose and ninerbikes and there’s heaps of adventure gear exhibitors and action going on. Water, wheels, wind, mountain … something for everyone.

Some amazing activities and demos.

And prizes.

All in one place.

Come say hi and see you there.

Roof racks now come in all shapes and sizes. We get lots of questions about roof top tents and one of the most common is “what sort of roof racks do you need for a roof top tent?”

Not hard to see why people love the idea of roof top tents - adventure, fun, freedom, nature, comfort, convenience ... awesome!

But then there are some practical things to think about.

A few quick pointers on roof racks.

• Square bars are easier to work with than the oval shaped whisp bars. The width of square bars is narrower and most mounting plates supplied with a tent will fit them. Whisps are wider and not all plates will be suitable for them and you may have to look around for some alternative to the supplied ones.

• You need about 85cm of clear, straight bar to work with. For Orson roof top tents the mounting tracks under the tent are about 80cm apart and you need clear bar to bolt them onto – no plastic fittings or curves in the racks that will get in the way.   
• Check weight ratings on roof racks. A roof tent can weigh 60+kg so best to get racks that have a load rating of 75kg at least or 100kg even better. These ratings are for dynamic weights when a vehicle is moving to cope with braking and turns. The static weight on the racks is usually much higher.
• Try to get racks that will leave a reasonable gap between roof and the racks. You have to get your hands in there to fasten/loosen the bolts. The more room the easier it will be.
• Make sure that the height from ground to the top of the roof racks is within reach of the roof top tent ladder and annex you’re after. Most ladders are around the 2m mark and annexes fit a set up around 2m in height or XL ones around 2.2m. When the racks are set at 2.4m then something’s gotta give.
• Get advice from a roof rack retailer. You can fit a set of racks (and a tent) on most vehicles but you should seek advice and also check the load capacity of your vehicle roof with the manufacturer. 

Other options

• Ute back frames – some guys are building racks and frames over the ute trays to sit the tents on. We hope to have a frame that can be fitted to ute backs in the near future.
• Rooftop baskets – need to check that the bars will hold the weight as weren’t really made to take the weight of a tent. And also check that the roof top tent ladder is tall enough with the extra height that baskets add to the set up.  
• Trailers – some are setting up the roof tents on a trailer. Gear underneath, frame and bars with roof tent and then using removable H bars over the packed tent to carry kayaks etc.
• Awnings – vehicle awnings are a cool and easy way to add a massive living area to add to your bedroom upstairs. You might want to think about a roof rack that can handle both a tent and an awning.

Sorted! Yeah nah? If you still have any questions we can help out with then give us a call 0210405991

The popularity of adventure sports and activities has led to a rise in ultralight gear. Ultralight tents and tarps, bivvys and sleeping bags, ultralight airmats, clothing and related equipment are becoming more common. The gear may be changing but the safety rules when hiking and tramping remain the same.

Weight alone is not a determining factor in how ‘good’ a tent is. In many cases ultralight tents are better than their older counterparts. They are constructed using lighter fabrics and materials like silnylon and carbon fibre, which is lighter and stronger than polyester and fibreglass. Designs may prioritise lower weight and give up some ‘comforts’ of heavier tents like size and space but performance is still the ultimate goal.

We were recently asked about the rise of ultralight hiking for an article LandSAR team warns ultralight hikers to prepare carefully this summer reminding people about safety outdoors.

Ultralight camping and hiking is about being more mobile, carrying less weight and being smarter in how you interact with the environment. A key part of being smart is safety ... making proper plans and preparations, taking the right gear for your trip, expecting the unexpected.

Of course not everyone is off to conquer the highest peaks and roughest terrain but no matter where you’re headed to, proper planning and safety is key to having a great trip.

Make sure you follow simple rules laid out in the adventuresmart outdoors safety code …

• Plan – know where you’re going, expected times and what gear is required
• Tell others – let people know where you’re going and expected times
• Be aware of the weather – check forecasts and expect changes. The weather and can be amazing one minute but also potentially fatal the next.
• Know your limits – know your physical limits and experience and what you can realistically achieve
• Take sufficient supplies – make sure you have sufficient and suitable food, clothing and gear, communication and emergency rations.  

The ultralight trend is about packing light and packing safe no matter what activity you're into. Love the experience outdoors, but above all, be safe and come home to tell everyone about it.

How do you choose a great roof top tent that’s going to be just right for you and your next adventure? Here’s 13 points to help you choose a roof top tent that is best for you.

You’ve probably already done a bit of research, had a look at roof top tents pros and cons, and pictured yourself kicking back up in your ‘room with a view’ on a beautiful beach watching the sunset, or waking up in front of a stunning snow-capped mountain.

At Intents Outdoors we’ve been designing, importing and working with roof top tents for years. So here’s some things to think about to narrow down the choices to find a roof top tent that will work for you. Catch our next blog for a list of exactly what to look for when checking out a rooftop tent in person.

But first here’s our list of things to consider beforehand to decide what kind of roof top tent will be best for you.

Budget

Like most things these days the sky’s the limit. See what's available your price range. High end tents have a lot of features and branding. And also be aware that really cheap roof top tents aren’t going to be great quality or last a long time.  

Design

There are lots of designs around. Lots of soft top styles and ‘clamshell’ hard tops mounted on roof racks. Some soft shells have an extended awning over the entrance, useful in the wet and some don’t with a clear view front and rear. Some open up by unfolding, some pop up, some are manual, some automatic, some are custom built into the roof, some open to the side or rear or both. Do some research, see what you like, know what you want. 

Use

What are you going to be using the tent for? Campsites or hardcore 4x4 offroad mud? How often are you going to be heading out? Summer camping or out in winter snow? Are you easy on your gear or give it hell? How are you going to get it on and off the roof? Have you got somewhere to store it? Will your vehicle with roof tent on top fit in the garage? Will you be leaving it up on the roof for the summer months or taking it off after every trip? Uses and needs are not the same for everyone – answers to these questions help you decide which tents are a good fit for you.  

Capacity

How many people will be using the tent? Most models are for 2 people, but 3 and 4 person ones are around. 

Weather

It hot and sunny, sometimes windy, and rains a fair bit in NZ. Is the tent weatherproof and waterproof? Make sure it has a decent rain fly over the top. If the main tent is a lighter polyester fabric, it should be PU coated and tape seamed or if a heavier canvas should be ‘weathered’ or ‘seasoned’ to become completely waterproof. Check that the internal ridge poles are sturdy or can be supported with stabiliser bars. 

Tent base

The base of the soft shell tents is aluminium - thicknesses vary. To handle knocks and scrapes from putting it on and taking off the roof racks aluminium tread plate bases are sturdier and have a more rugged look. Make sure that the sandwich base of the tent is made of waterproof polyurethane materials and not of cheap MDF or wood which if wet will not last.

Packed Tent Profile

Roof top tents add extra height and weight to your vehicle.The bigger the profile the greater the drag and higher the centre of gravity when driving. Have a look at photos and the measurements of packed tents. Square slide ladders have a big profile, telescopic ladders a low profile. Some tents also have raised hinges to allow more bedding to be packed away, but this will also mean a higher profile. 

Fabric

The rain fly over the top of the tent is usually polyester and should be a good thickness and waterproof to keep rain off the main tent (PU1500mm is usually minimum to be considered waterproof). The main tent is usually a durable polycotton canvas - 280gsm to 380gsm is fine (too light is not great but heavy canvas can be overkill, too). Some tents are polyester so will be lighter and should have an adequate PU coating to be waterproof. 

Ladder

Check that ladders fit the height for your vehicle. Roof top tents usually have an aluminium two piece sliding ladder or a telescopic ladder. Sliding ladders come in 2 pieces and extend out before locking into place. One half sits on top of the other half, so the roof top tent has a bigger profile with a large rectangular ‘bump’ in the middle. Telescopic ladder heights can be more easily adjusted and the ladders have a much lower profile when packed away. 

Vehicle Heights

It’s important to work out the height of your vehicle set up - measure from the top of the roof racks to the ground. Make sure that any tent annex and ladder are ok for your set up. 

Annex (Annexe)

That room option under the tent - some people love them and some never use them. Annexes are useful but require a bit of effort to set up and pack away.  They can give you an extra room, a space to sleep, get changed or store extra gear. They come in different setups with doors, windows, awnings and back access to the vehicle, floors, no floors, detachable floors ... see which layout appeals to you. And again, make sure the height will suit your vehicle.

Travel covers

An important and often overlooked part of the tent that needs to be watertight and waterproof to keep the tent dry. Hardshells usually have popup fibreglass or aluminium covers which double as the tent roof. Softshell tents usually have heavy duty PVC covers secured with zips or Velcro – both have pros and cons. See how the cover hangs and is stored when the tent is open. Black covers may end up getting really hot in the summer sun, grey or khaki less so. 

Extra Features

Other things to look out for are … gear lofts to stow gear, shoe hammocks to keep your shoes dry and in reach under the tent base overnight, bungy cords to help pull the tent sides in to make pack up easier, comfy mattresses with washable covers, colour combos, LED lighting, even remote controls … and make sure that the supplier carries a range of accessories and spare parts just in case.

Now you know what to look for check out our range of great Orson roof top tents. Arrange a time to come out and view one. We’ve ticked off all the boxes to come up with some great roof top tents with some unique features to fit your needs and put you on the road trip(s!) of a lifetime!