We hope this tent Glossary helps you with some of the terms commonly used by tent companies to describe their tents and accessories.  If you would like additional information on Family tents click here and for information on Specialist tents click here.

Cable Entry
An entry point at which an electric cable or "hook up" can come into the tent. Many campsites have hook up facilities, which require a separate lead with a round pin plug (available separately).

Mesh Screen
Mesh screens help prevent mosquito and bugs getting into the tent and provide greater ventilation. These can be in the form of a full door or window and are in addition to a fully weatherproof window or door.

Mud Flaps
Flaps or strips around the base of the outer flysheet used to protect the tent from dirt and long wet grass. These can invariably be secured to the ground with pegs or left loose for greater ventilation. It should be noted they are not always needed due to different constructions and designs and are sometimes only on the porch of the tent.

Sewn In Groundsheets
Refers to the construction of a groundsheet that is literally sewn onto the flysheet, which may cover all, or part of the tent creating a sealed unit.

Trolley Bag
A large storage bag with wheels at one end and a handle at the other for transporting heavier tents to and from the car.

Thermometer
A small weatherproof temperature gauge supplied with many Outwell tents for this season.

Taped Seams
A way of sealing the seams against water ingress through the stitch holes, the tape is applied with a special heat process to ensure a weather tight seal. Some fabrics may not be compatible with taping e.g. cotton and rely on the natural swell of the fabric when wet. Some silicone coated fabrics do not require tape but use a special seam construction and thread that ensures a waterproof seal.

Stand up height
Quick reference to show that this tent has stand up height for the average height male. Further reference to dimensions of the tent can be seen on the floor plans and Tech Spec's shown against each tent. 


Terminology used for tent descriptions

RS
Ripstop fabric, which generally has a grid, style pattern running through the fabric and helps prevent a rip or tear getting much larger.

DAC Combi Poles
Diameter and thickness of the aluminium poles is varied to obtain the correct curve of a pole when placed under tension in a tunnel or dome tent.

DAC Press Fit Poles
This term is used to describe the method of which the ferrule or pole joint is secured into the aluminium pole. The Press Fit method is designed to eliminate gluing or crimping reducing the chances of failure at this point.

DAC Featherlite Poles
Made from lightweight aluminium the joints are swaged at one side and expanded on the other, this saves weight and creates an even bend and a constant stiffness when flexed.

Durawrap poles
A hollow fibreglass pole that has a further reinforced sheath around the outside to help strengthen the pole and help prevent unnecessary damage to the flysheet fabric in the case of a pole breakage.

Duratech poles
A hollow fibreglass pole that has a further plastic sheath around the outside helping prevent unnecessary damage to the flysheet fabric in the case of a pole breakage.

TBS
Tension Band System from Vango braces the hoop pole system with webbing or cord strap that spans from the pole end to the highest point of the pole in a triangle shape. The removable strap adds stability in windy conditions.

Simultaneous Pitching
The method used to describe the inner and the outer tent going up together which can help save time when setting up or taking down.

Pitch as one
The same meaning as simultaneous pitching.

Pitch size
An indication given to the area required to pitch this tent on a campsite. Pitch sizes vary from campsite to campsite so we have given this merely as a guide. If choosing the largest tents in our range we recommend that you make enquiries with the campsites you may have in mind.

Hydrostatic head (HH)
The term used to measure how waterproof a fabric is and is based on a column of water held above the fabric and identifies the point at which the fabric may leak. For instance 3000mm HH is a three-meter column of water and therefore a fabric measurement of 2000mm is less waterproof.
However this should be used as a guide only because there is no industry standard for carrying out the test. The test is invariably carried out on new fabric and depending on the quality of the fabric and coating this could alter in time.

Bathtub Groundsheet Protector
A term used to describe a groundsheet that is raised at the sides creating a dished or tray effect. This is shaped to fit the tent and often has a higher and lower point of attachment to the tent to ensure a good fit. Most often these extend the full length of the tent and offer further protection to the inner tent groundsheet and provide a clean dry area in the porch. If desired this can be left attached for setting up and taking down.

Footprint
A term used to describe the floor area of a tent. A footprint groundsheet is a flat sheet designed to fit the shape of the floor area often clipping onto the tent. This has some of the benefits as the bathtub option only as a flat sheet.

Minimum Weights
Some suppliers will give a minimum and maximum weight, in giving a minimum weight this refers to the tent as it could be used without such luxuries as a tent, pole or peg bag and the minimum pegs and guys that you could pitch the tent with.

U.V
Refers to Ultraviolet light, which has adverse effects on fabrics and coatings and is one of the key factors in the life span of a tent.

P.U Coating
Refers to polyurethane coating used to waterproof many of the flysheet and groundsheet fabrics. It is generally the quality of this coating that will determine the hydrostatic head of the fabric.

Pitching times
Refers to the average length of time that it will take to put the tent up. It worth noting that the given time may not include putting all the pegs and guylines in place and we recommend that you take your time to put the tent up.
It is always a good idea to put your new tent up prior to going away to check you are familiar with it when get to your destination. We are always happy to answer any questions you may have.