News — Tent Sale NZ

It's no fun going to bed feeling cold and miserable when you’re out in the wilderness. In New Zealand the weather can be changeable and throughout the year temperatures can get chilly overnight. Here are some simple tips to help you warm up and stay warm when camping out in the cold.

Have the right gear

Warm, dry clothes - Make sure you wear dry clothes when going to sleep – if possible change out of dirty, sweaty, damp clothing. Warm insulating clothes like synthetics and wool maintain your body heat – generally adding extra layers will make you warmer (don’t overdo it though).  Wear a good pair of socks to prevent cold feet and wear a warm hat as a lot of heat is lost through your head. 

A dry sleeping bag - Have a dry sleeping bag. A damp sleeping bag is uncomfortable and draws heat from your body. Moisture reduces loft and the insulating effect in down sleeping bags but not so much in synthetic sleeping bags. Dry your sleeping bag out during the day if possible and keep your bag dry in a waterproof stuff sack when on the move.

A suitable sleeping bag - Having a warm sleeping bag that can handle the conditions is really important. Sleeping bags usually have temperature ratings showing comfort limit (for women), lower limit (for men), and extreme limit (to prevent hypothermia). Choose a bag that will has temperature ratings 5 to 10 degrees Celsius lower than the temperature you expect to be using it in. Having a sleeping bag that feels too warm is easier to deal with than having a bag that leaves you shivering. 

A sleeping pad / mat with an appropriate R-value - Sleeping directly on cold ground sucks heat out of your body and will make you feel cold. When the temperature drops, having a proper insulation between your body and the ground is crucial. There are lots of foam sleeping mat, self-inflating pad and inflatable air pad options available. These come with and R rating of 1-10, the higher the number the more insulation and warner they will be. Generally 0-2 is ok for warm temps, 2-4 for most 3 season camping, 4-6 for temperatures around freezing and higher than that is suitable for snow. Many people use a combination of closed cell foam mat and inflatable air pad to increase insulation and the combined R value. If you are on your pad but still feeling cold you can also use spare clothing, blankets etc. to create another layer between you and the ground to improve insulation and warmth. 

A sleeping bag liner – one of these offers more insulation and can add a few degrees to the warmth of your sleeping bag.  

A 3-4 or 4 season tent – Check out tents for sale in NZ rated 3-4 season or 4 season which are designed for use during the harsher, colder winter months. They typically have less mesh and more fabric on the inner walls to help with warmth retention inside the tent. They may also have flaps or skirts on the outer fly that can block out cold winds. But avoid the temptation of sealing the tent up completely - ventilation is needed to prevent excessive condensation and moisture build up.  

Time for bed

Warm your body up before you get into your sleeping bag - Try a few star jumps or jumping jacks or exercises to warm up the body and get into your sleeping bag nice and warm (but don’t overdo it to the point of sweating). Warmth comes from within, and any insulation from a sleeping bag will keep it there. You can also do a few sit ups in your bag to help warm yourself up and get the blood flowing again.

Eat just before you go to bed - Keep your body’s metabolism working for as long as possible by eating dinner or a snack just before going to bed. This will keep your body warmer for longer and keep you asleep for longer. Something high in protein and fat will keep your metabolism working longer.

Stay hydrated but not too much - Keep your body running smoothly by making sure you’re hydrated. You’re less likely to feel thirsty in the cold weather but too much water before bed may mean having to go out into the cold for bathroom breaks. And a full bladder also requires more energy from your body to keep that liquid warm. Go to the bathroom before bed.  

A hot water bottle - Consider taking a bottle of hot water to bed to warm up the cold spots and keep you warm.

During the night

Sleep snug in your bag - Use the drawstrings on your sleeping bag to pull the hood tight around your face. Some have a strip of fabric around the back of your neck that prevents heat escaping from around your shoulders.

Don’t breathe into your sleeping bag - Breathing into your sleeping bag might seem like a good idea to warm things up but eventually all that moist air is going to make things damp. Keep your nose and mouth out of your sleeping bag to breathe.

More exercise – If you wake up cold in the night try a few sit ups to get the body warmed up again.

A snack – Again if you wake up cold during the night you can have a quick snack to get your metabolism going again.

Keep your tent ventilated - The heat from your body and moisture from your breath inside your tent at night can cause condensation and make everything in your tent slightly damp. Moisture and condensation will lead to colder temperatures inside your tent. It may sound counter-intuitive but you need to keep your tent ventilated at night to allow good airflow to prevent the build-up of condensation.

So there's some easy tips from us at Intents Outdoors on how to stay warm when trying to sleep out when camping in winter or when the nights get colder than you expected. Let us know if you've got any other good ideas to add to the list on how to keep warm at night. And yes, someone has already suggested 'working out' with a friend to generate some extra body heat.

Besides considering size, weight, seasonality, and features of a tent, you should also check the tent’s waterproof rating whenever you’re at a tent sale. The fabric’s capacity to withstand everything from drizzles to downpours is essential for camping around NZ, where rain falls year-round and Mother Nature – while undeniably beautiful – can be rather unpredictable.

What are waterproof ratings?

Waterproof ratings are measured in millimetres (mm) and usually fall anywhere from 800mm to 10,000 mm. These figures indicate the amount of water pressure a fabric can withstand. That means a tent with a 2,000mm rating will endure a 2,000mm or two metre column of water bearing down on it before it starts to leak.

How are waterproof ratings determined?

To measure how waterproof a fabric is, tent manufacturers use a method called the Hydrostatic Head (HH) test. HH is the term for a material’s water resistance. They clamp sample material onto the bottom of a clear graded tube, then slowly fill the tube with water, waiting for at least three drops of water to finally seep through. The height of the water in millimetres at the point of leaking becomes the fabric’s waterproof rating. 

Protective coatings are applied to tent fabrics which close the gaps between threads, preventing water passing through the fabric and allowing water to bead and run off and maintain the quality of the material. Typically these coatings are polyurethane (PU) for polyester fabrics and silicone (Sil) for nylon fabrics. The application process, thickness and number of applied coatings are used to achieve the desired HH.

Is a tent with higher HH always better?

So it makes sense that higher HH ratings are better because they can withstand larger amounts of water pressure, right? That’s true, but also consider that an umbrella with a very low HH will still keep you perfectly dry. Tents are used for different purposes and exposed to various stresses including exposure to sunlight, rough winds and weather, handling, and abrasion from rough, damp ground. Higher HH fabrics are more rigid and heavier and may be unnecessary for the type of conditions you will be facing.

And it is important to remember that HH is only one factor in determining a tent’s overall ability to withstand water. A 10,000-mm tent can still leak if it is not stitched correctly, or the seams are not treated with heat taped seams (or applied sealant in the case of silnylon), or if the tent is poorly designed and water finds its way through places like zips or windows.

So which tent ratings are suitable for which conditions?

When all is said and done, there are general guidelines for picking the right water-resistant model at a tent sale. Usually tent floors have higher ratings than floors as they take the added stresses of campers above and constant contact with the ground below.

Consider the season you will be camping in and check local conditions where you will be heading out to see what the recommended HH ratings are best suited to that environment. In some countries two-to-three season tents typically have walls rated 1000 mm and floors of 1,500 mm but these may be inadequate in other climates.

In New Zealand, with downpours even in the height of summer 2 and 3 season tents should have fly waterproof ratings that exceed 1,500mm and floor ratings that run past 3,000mm which should withstand most winds and rain. In comparison, 3 and 4 season tents, which are suitable for camping in any month anywhere in NZ, can protect you from heavy rain and light to substantial snow and you should be looking at fly minimums of 3,000mm and 5,000-10,000mm on floors.

Having the right gear means you can focus on enjoying your adventure and not trying to stop that water dripping on your head. With equipment designed to keep you comfortable outdoors, the final question you can ask yourself is not so much which tent to buy – but instead, where are you headed next?

Email info@intentsoutdoors.co.nz for assistance.

Sources:

What is Hydrostatic Head? GetOutWiththeKids.co.uk

What Does Hydrostatic Head Mean? GearWeAre.com

So you’ve decided to experience the trip of a lifetime backpacking your way around New Zealand. You’ll need to get your visa sorted and plan out your trip. The summer months are a great time to visit with some glorious weather but you can also expect crowds and higher prices. The shoulder season from May to September can be colder but presents some other opportunities for backpackers to take advantage of - spectacular snow scenery, fewer tourists and cheaper rates. No matter what season you decide on you’ll need to pack suitable gear for your trip and do some research and planning on where you’re going to stay.

Backpacking Accommodation options – where to sleep

Having a place to stay is going to be one of your biggest costs, so no matter what your budget you need to consider the options available and find what’s best for you. If you’re lucky you might have someone to stay with but most travelers end up staying in a hostel or ‘backpackers’, sharing a dorm room. A hostel is a great place to meet up with like-minded people from all over the world, socialize and gather lots of information on where to go and what to do in New Zealand. Other options include hotels and motels, Airbnb, renting a room in a ‘flat’ for longer stays, finding accommodation in exchange for work, or buying a campervan to hit the road.

Camping in Tents  

Camping out in a tent is another awesome option for backpackers and is a fantastic way to cut costs and enjoy the great outdoors. The time of year might determine how long you spend out camping but with the stunning nature on hand, it is a must to try out at some stage of your trip even if only a few nights. Tents can be used at Department of Conservation (DOC) campsites with facilities ranging from very basic to fully serviced, private holiday campsites which offer fully serviced sites and amenities and many hostels also offer sites for tents as well. Then there’s the opportunity to sleep out under the stars on many of the great walks and tracks New Zealand has to offer as well. Note that freedom camping is now strictly controlled and only available for self-contained camper vehicles only in restricted areas. 

Purchasing a Tent at a Tent Sale

If bringing a tent, hiking boots and camping gear into New Zealand you must declare them on entry and make sure that they are clean and free from dirt, grass and insects to protect the local flora and fauna. Another option is to purchase a tent suitable for local conditions at a tent sale in New Zealand where you’ll be able to get advice on what type of tent will suit the season and your specific needs. Ultralight tents are great for summer hikers, backpackers and cyclists, are light, compact and pack away easily for use whenever you might need a tent. In winter a more robust tent will be needed to handle the rain, wind and snow that you may encounter.      

Something to keep in mind if you are after maximum convenience is the option to purchase a tent and camping gear online in New Zealand and then have it sent to your hostel or accommodation for you to collect when you arrive. Online retailers with local knowledge will be able to answer any questions you might have and help you make the right choice for your backpacking trip. This will help you keep your baggage down and avoid some hassle at the airport.

Tents for Backpackers from Intents Outdoors

Intents Outdoors specializes in camping tents and has been selling camping tents and gear online in New Zealand since 2010. We have a range of quality tents suitable for backpackers and outdoors enthusiasts that meet the needs of the local New Zealand conditions and, as we import and sell directly to the public, at reasonable prices. We are more than happy to help with any questions you might have about camping tents, arranging viewing of tents on arrival in Auckland or having a tent sent to your place of stay to coincide with your arrival to start your New Zealand backpacking adventure of on the right foot.

New Zealand’s geography is characterised by breathtaking mountain ranges, scenic views and miles of coastline with clear, blue waters and sandy beaches. The country is basically a dream come true for locals and tourists who love the outdoors. If you’re an avid camper, staying overnight near the water is not something you should pass up.

To help you prepare, here are some handy tips on picking camping gear you should pack and some information on what you can expect.

Beachside and Seaside Camping

Camping is a staple part of the Kiwi lifestyle, and you’d be hard pressed to find a local who hasn’t spent a night in the outdoors either in a tent or a motorhome. If you fancy setting up camp near the coastline, a lake or a river, you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to locations.

There are many Holiday Parks that are located conveniently near beaches like the Wagener Holiday Park in Northland, the Pohara Beach Holiday Park at Golden Bay, and the Riverside Holiday Park in Mangawhai. These are perfect spots for people who want a laidback camping experience since campgrounds often provide basic facilities like kitchens, flush toilets and showers. Campers have to pay a fixed fee and are expected to clean their camp areas before leaving.

Other excellent campgrounds you should try visiting are the Kaueranga Valley in Coromandel, the Makarora Wilderness Resort in Southern Lakes, the Waipatiki Beach Farm Park along the Hawkes Bay and the Kai Iwi Lakes in Northland.

Watersports and Water Activities

Surrounded by different bodies of water, New Zealand is known far and wide as a watersports mecca. The pristine beaches will make you want to kick back and enjoy the sun as soon as you get there, but be sure to try your hand at some of the more exciting activities the water has to offer like kayaking, fishing, surfing, stand up paddle boarding, windsurfing and kitesurfing.

Sailing and going on a boat cruise are great opportunities to see the beautiful sights and learn about the native wildlife. The country has diverse marine life from various species of fish and shellfish to seals and penguins. New Zealand is also home to the world’s rarest dolphin, Hector’s dolphin and has 34 marine reserves dedicated to preserving underwater wonderlands. Check out diving or snorkeling possibilities if you want to take a closer look.

Waterproof Tents and Gear

If you’re planning to camp as close as you can to the water, you’re going to need some quality waterproof camping gear. Here are some tips you need to keep in mind the next time you head to a tent sale in NZ.

As a rule of thumb, choose your tent based on where you plan to camp. In this case, you’re going to need a tent that can withstand the hot summer sun, a bit of rain and probably some strong sea breezes. One of the first things you might hear mentioned when looking at tents is the season rating. Most tents fall into the three season category, good for use in spring, summer and autumn seasons and suitable for camping at the beach. Four season tents are for use year round and are built to stand up to harsh winter weather as well. Check that the tent design is suitable for your needs and can hold up in winds, has enough room for you and your family and all the gear and toys you’re taking to the beach. You should also look into the waterproof rating of the tent you choose and make sure it will handle showers. A tarp and paracord are a handy addition to provide shelter from the sun or if needed helps ward off rain, the cold and condensation when placed over a tent.

For the rest of your camping gear requirements, there is a huge range of handy supplies available from clothing and sleeping bags to backpacks and multi-tools. It’s good practice to pack water-resistant gear wherever you go anyway, so these are well worth your investment.  For assistance in choosing the right tent and camping gear for you and your next trip Intents Outdoors will be more than happy to help. Simply email us at info@intentsoutdoors.co.nz with any questions you might have.

Sources:

Perfect Pitch: 10 Kiwi Classic Campsites, NZHerald.co.nz

Backpacking 101: Choosing Your Gear, OutsideOnline.com