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Subject Topic: now thinking of polycotton (Wolf Lake) Post Reply Post New Topic
24/6/2011 at 8:31pm
 Location: Surrey
 Outfit: Outwell Wolf Lake 5
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Thanks to everyone who sent suggestions on my previous thread .... but we've been to look at more tents today and have now added polycotton into the mix so I've got a completely new set of questions ...

Hubby loves the Outwell Wolf Lake 5 and I have to admit that the difference in temperature between it and the nylon tents was noticeable - even on a day that was only vaguely warm. He has now completely forgotten that the original reason for getting a new tent was to downsize !!!

So, my questions are:
How long does it take to pitch?
How easy is it to pack away if it's wet - is it harder to pack a wet polycotton tent into it's bag compared to a nylon one?
Is a wet polycotton tent even heavier than a dry one?
Does polycotton require any maintenance?
Is there anything else we should be thinking about?

Thanks!


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24/6/2011 at 11:26pm
 Location: Aston Clinton
 Outfit: Kampa Holkham + Outwell Yukon River*
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Do they still make nylon tents these days? I would think about an overdraft facility

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Everything has been said before, but since nobody ever listens we have to keep going back and saying it all over again and again and again




24/6/2011 at 11:53pm
 Location: Oxfordshire
 Outfit: Outwell NL Vermont L Nevada XL.
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Regarding weight when wet... I packed very wet Vermont L the other week and that was noticeably heavier. The tent hadn't soaked up water, it's just that it was all *covered* in water. I envisage your polycotton Wolf Lake being the same really because the fabric won't (shouldn't) soak up the water either.

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Andrew


25/6/2011 at 5:35am
 Location: The foot hills of no
 Outfit:  A full biohazard su
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We have a wolf lake 5 and it is fab tent and it takes us about 2 hours in all to set up including all the beding etc BUT we are a couple of recycled teenages ie me 66 and my ever loving is 73     We just take our time after all we are on holiday so whats the rush?

 As for what its like when wet I don't know as we have been lucky and only packed away in the dry so far   I should think it weighs a bit more when wet  but there's wet and very wet so that is something some one else will have to answer for you . 

Hope this helps, we are very pleased we our wolfie and think it is well worth the time to put it up, I am sure younger and fitter people than us can and do put it up faster than us.

 



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David

    

I've stood on Lego and didn't even cry!!


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25/6/2011 at 6:09am
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 Outfit: 
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The WL5 was my original tent of choice when looking to buy, back in 2008, untill I stumbled across the Cabanon Biscaya 370, the Cabanon was of a similiar design and only a midges larger, at the time both tents could be had for the exact price of £699.

It was to be a tough decision as the Cabanon canvas was "All Season Polyester" which kinda looked and felt like "PolyCotton" but is arguable stronger and longer lastng.

Anyway my mind was made up, to go for the Cabanon mainley due to the quality of finish being superior imho to the Outwell, then came a spanner in the works, as I discovered that the Cabanon 370 was also available in Old Skool "Cotton" canvas, and still at the same price, now I new "Cotton" needed tlc, and was not going to be as practical as "All Season Polyester", I did not get to see the "Cotton" Biscaya before puchase, but I did get to see the Cabanon Venus TT, which is all "Cotton" and that made me decide, that "Cotton" was to be my canvas of choice.

It turned out to be the correct decision, but it all goes to show, that choosing a tent needs to be considered very carefully indeed.


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25/6/2011 at 9:10am
 Location: West Midlands
 Outfit: Kampa Hayling 4
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We've just sold a Bear Lake which sadly didn't meed our needs. I would agree that the polycotton is good for keeping warm etc. The downsides for us were we found it quite dark inside and the pitching took quite a long time.

We had to get it down in the rain which wasn't too bad but we found getting the inners in and out and zipping/unzipping the groundsheet a faff.

Like you, we wanted to downsize so have gone back to our original plan.



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25/6/2011 at 9:42am
 Location: Yorkshire
 Outfit: Adria altea 542 dt Freelander 2
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We have an Arrow lake (6 birth) so is comparable:

How long does it take to pitch?

The tent itself isn't too bad, about 3/4 hr.  It's a bit longer than a nylon tent as you really have to sip in the groundsheet and add the inners, as it could be too heavy to pitch all in one (though not tried it!), plus the ground sheet goes in a separate bag with the poles.  There are a lot of pegging points on the tent - I do this whilst OH deals with the groundsheet/inners/carpet etc (tip:  write on the groundsheet which is bed/door end - a lot of time was initially wasted figuring out which way it zips in).  As we have put the tent quite a few times now, we are getting prett quick and we know what each of use does etc.  I think a big factor in set up time for camping is all the stuff you bring into the tent once you've got it up.

How easy is it to pack away if it's wet - is it harder to pack a wet polycotton tent into it's bag compared to a nylon one? 

No different to pack, polycotton does absorb water.  The flysheet goes in its own very generous bag, so no problem getting it in there.

Is a wet polycotton tent even heavier than a dry one?

Yes.

Does polycotton require any maintenance?

No more than polyester really - keep it clean and make sure it's bone dry when you store it. Contrary to manufacturers instructions the shop recommended it should be weathered prior to use (and I agree). Avoid touching the flysheet from inside if wet too.

 
Is there anything else we should be thinking about? 

Having been in polyester and polycotton tents, I personally prefer the latter - they are cooler when its hot (important if you go abroad), warmer when cold, bit quieter (wind/rain) and never had any condensation problems - down side is bigger bags/heavier.  The ground sheet on the lake tents is really good. Our lake tent has stood up to some pretty horrenous weather conditions.  



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25/6/2011 at 12:24pm
 Location: Surrey
 Outfit: Outwell Wolf Lake 5
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Thanks for all the answers and advice.

Asenaldes - sorry, I meant polyester, not nylon - the bloke in the shop kept talking about nylon and it's stuck in my mind! Finances definitely an issue if we go for the polycotton but mostly we want to make sure we get it right this time and end up with a tent we want to keep.

Info on pitching time/ dealing with wet polycotton etc all very useful. I can feel us begin drawn more and more towards it so it might become our new tent. Just have to sell the Breckenridge then ... anyone looking for one??!!




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