Comparison Terra Incognita Platou 2 vs Terra Incognita SkyLine 2

The total weight of the tent is including the frame and other accessories.

This parameter depends primarily on the purpose (see above), and after that — on seasonality, capacity, and additional functions. For example, in trekking and expedition models, the weight usually does not exceed 5 – 7.5 kg, and the lightest of these products can weigh 2 – 3 kg or even less, while being full-fledged tents for 2 people or even more. However, for a trekking tent, such a small weight with a capacity of more than 2 people usually means that this model is designed exclusively for the summer. For most camping tents, the weight starts at 6 kg, although among them there are also quite light products — by 4 – 5 kg, 3 – 4 kg, or even less (in such cases, light weight can also mean a purely summer specialization). And the most capacious and/or multifunctional models can have a weight of 10 – 15 kg, 15 – 20 kg and even more; in this weight category, you can mainly find tents, camping tents for many people and fishing tents for carp fishing (see "Destination").

When choosing a tent according to this indicator, it is worth considering that it does not always make sense to chase the maximum weight reduction. Yes, the...light tent is the most convenient to carry; on the other hand, weight reduction inevitably affects one or several other characteristics at once. So, most often, lighter models are either more expensive or smaller in size and less roomy and functional than their heavier counterparts. And sometimes weight reduction also negatively affects the security (including moisture resistance) and the overall reliability of the product. Therefore, it makes sense to specifically look for the lightest tent possible in cases where weight reduction is of key importance; a typical example is long trips, in which all the equipment has to be carried “on oneself” for a long time. And even in such cases, it is worth remembering other important characteristics. For example, for use in late autumn, when frosts are likely, it is better to choose a heavier tent with winter seasonality than a light model that is not designed for winter conditions.

An option for double-layer tents with an internal mesh awning. In fact, such a mesh protects the space of the main tent from mosquitoes and other insects, and when installed without an external awning, you can enjoy the view of the starry sky in warm, cloudless weather.

— External. The external frame is considered more convenient to set up, especially in the case of double-layer tents (see "Inner tent"), since both the inner tent and the outer awning are put on the frame at once. On the other hand, such a frame is more susceptible to the negative influence of natural conditions and does not allow the inner tent to be set up separately.

— Internal. The internal frame is somewhat more difficult to install than the external one; at the same time, it is less susceptible to the influence of unfavorable external conditions, and in double-layer tents (see "Inner tent") with an internal frame, it is usually possible to install only the inner tent, without an awning.

It should be noted that only tents in the shape of a hemisphere or half-barrel have a classic frame (see "Body shape"); in the case of gable tents, the characteristic "external/internal" refers primarily to the location of the supports, and the term "frame" is not applied at all to tent models.

— Inflatable. In such tents, the role of the frame is played by sealed hollow tubes made of flexible material (rubber or polymers), usually arched. When folded, they can be rolled up quite compactly, and when the tent is set up, they are inflated (usually with a special pump), acquiring the desired shape and sufficient rigidity to support the awning. The advantages of inflatable frames are their...light weight and ease of installation; they usually belong to quick-setup systems (see above for the latter). On the other hand, inflatable elements are very sensitive to damage: a small crack or hole, not critical for an element of a regular frame, disrupts the seal and makes the tent unusable.

— Pop-up. An automatic type of arc frame — it unfolds automatically when the tent is removed from the cover. This type of frame is often used in small budget tents, intended for those who prefer camping, nature trips and music festivals. Such tents are packed in a small round bag, which takes up a minimum of space in a car trunk or among the hand luggage of vacationers.

The number of poles provided in the frame of the tent. For hemispherical types (see "Shape") for 2-3 people, not intended for extreme conditions, 2 poles are considered quite sufficient; larger and/or reinforced models may have more poles. In the case of half-barrels, this amount is directly related to the length of the tent.

The material from which the frame of the tent (arc) is made. The main requirements for arcs are strength, resistance to deformation (elasticity) and low weight. Modern tents use several materials with different ratios of these parameters.

— Aluminium. A fairly common material: it has good strength characteristics and low weight, but it is relatively inexpensive. At the same time, aluminium is prone to deformation under long-term stress (although this is usually not critical even when parking for several days).

— Fibreglass. Composite material based on a combination of fibreglass and plastic. The main advantage of fibreglass is resistance to deformation: even under prolonged loads, the arcs do not lose their shape. In addition, this material is cheap and light in weight (although somewhat heavier than aluminium). The disadvantage of fibreglass is its sensitivity to low temperatures, which limits its use in winter conditions and at high mountains. However, most people use tents in the warm season, and therefore fibreglass has recently gained considerable popularity.

— Steel. Steel is the most durable of the described materials, in addition, it holds loads well, almost without deforming. At the same time, steel arcs have a significant weight, and therefore they are rarely used in tents.

— Durapol. A composite material that has appe...ared relatively recently and is positioned as a more advanced alternative to fibreglass. Durapol has a "puff" design: the outer layer is made of special polymer resins, metal foil is located under it, a synthetic mesh is located under it, and, finally, a layer of fibreglass. According to the creators, arcs made of this material are more durable and resistant to fracture than fibreglass, better tolerate low and high temperatures, as well as ultraviolet radiation, are less susceptible to residual deformations and have less weight.

— Nylon. Synthetic material with good water resistance and average characteristics in terms of strength and resistance to negative influences: quite main function light weather conditions, however, when wet, it loses some strength (tends to stretch), and is also sensitive to prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation. As a result, it is used relatively rarely.

— Polyester. It also refers to synthetic materials, it is considered a slightly more advanced option than nylon: it withstands wetting and heating well, is less sensitive to ultraviolet radiation, and as a result, it has greater durability. At the moment it is the most popular material for awnings.

— Polyamide. The general name for some varieties of synthetic fabrics, including, in particular, nylon and nylon described above. The properties of polyamides are similar to nylon: on the one hand, low cost, resistance to moisture and abrasion, as well as strength, on the other hand, a tendency to stretch when wet and loss of strength when exposed to UV radiation

— Polycotton. A material that combines cotton with synthetic fibers (usually polyester), usually in a ratio of 1:2 (synthetic-cotton). This combination provides durability, resistance to adverse conditions, polycotton resists moisture well and at the same time “breathes”. It's also better than pure synthetics at keeping you cool on a hot day and warm on a cold day. At the same time, this material is quite heavy and expensive, which is...why it is rarely used and only in camping tents (see "Purpose").

— Polyurethane. Typically, this refers to a polyurethane coating applied to a synthetic polyester or nylon backing. The main function of such a coating is to improve the water resistance of the awning (see below). However, the specific values of water resistance in different models can vary markedly. The base material (and, accordingly, the main features of the awning) usually depends on the price category of the tent.

— Polyethylene. Polyethylene is absolutely waterproof, but it also does not let air through. As a result, this material is found exclusively in tents (see "Destination").

— Texit membrane. A variety of high-quality membrane fabrics, combining, on the one hand, high water resistance values (10,000 mm Hg and above), on the other hand, the ability to "breathe" and let water vapor through, which contributes to thermoregulation and maintaining a comfortable climate in the tent. However, this material is expensive, and therefore it is used only in high-end expeditionary equipment.

— Cotton. Natural cotton, usually, with nylon or polyester rip-stop threads, as well as additional water-repellent impregnation. This material is durable, reliable and at the same time passes air well and provides convenient thermoregulation, keeping cool in hot weather and warm in cold weather. Its disadvantages are the high cost and rather large weight, which limits the use of cotton for advanced models of camping tents.

An indicator that reflects the ability of the tent awning to withstand moisture without getting wet. It is expressed in millimetres of water column — the height of the water column that the awning can withstand (the area of impact is out of the question, because the load per unit area under water depends only on the height of the water column and is not related to the area of \u200b\u200bits base). The significant figures indicated in the characteristics (for example, 4000 mm of water column, i.e. 4 metres) are due to the fact that raindrops can have a significant speed and, when they hit the tent, create a load at the point of impact comparable to the pressure on depth of several metres.

In general, the higher the waterproof rating, the better the awning will cope with the effects of rain and snow. Indicators up to 3000 mm w.c. Art. are considered sufficient for places where it rains rarely, awnings for 3000 – 7000 mm of water. Art. allow you not to be afraid of intense downpours, and in expeditionary (see "Destination") tents designed for extreme conditions, this figure can reach 10,000 mm of water. Art. and even more. However, more water-resistant fabrics, usually, have a significant weight, so in each individual case it makes sense to choose the option that is optimal in terms of durability and weight.

An indicator that reflects the degree of resistance of the bottom of the tent to moisture. For more information about the features of measuring this indicator, see "Tent waterproofness". Here also note that, for obvious reasons, the bottom, unlike an awning, is practically not subject to rain drops — as a result, the requirements for bottom water resistance are significantly lower. So, fabrics with a water resistance of 3000 mm of water. Art. are considered absolutely waterproof (up to the possibility of putting a tent in a puddle), and higher values usually indicate an increased thickness of the fabric and corresponding strength and wear resistance. Just like with an awning, more waterproof fabrics tend to have a significant amount of weight, so it doesn't always make sense to look for bottoms with maximum water resistance.