Buying alternative poles or just curious which kind of tent pole is the most effective?
Pole materials is unquestionably an vital issue to contemplate when buying a tent.
The two hottest selections are aluminum and fiberglass. But which is healthier?
The brief reply: aluminum poles are higher than fiberglass.
But now you have to know why that’s … let’s dive in!
Aluminum Vs. Fiberglass Poles – Which is Better?
Let’s reduce to the chase – aluminum is such a well-liked alternative for tent poles for a great motive.
They have an incredible weight-to-strength ratio and are extremely versatile.
They’re appropriate for tents of all sizes in addition to virtually all climate situations.
That’s not the case with fiberglass. BUT, whereas not fairly as versatile as aluminum, fiberglass is usually a nice possibility when you’re price range tenting throughout hotter months.
To perceive the precise distinction between the 2 varieties of poles, let’s focus on every of their benefits and drawbacks individually.
Aluminum Tent Poles
There’s a few 50% probability your tent got here with aluminum poles.
This materials has its good and dangerous sides, however the benefits undoubtedly have the higher hand.
Pros of Aluminum Tent Poles
Aluminum poles are a well-liked alternative for his or her quite a few benefits over different supplies, together with fiberglass.
Lightweight
As I already mentioned, aluminum has an incredible weight-to-strength ratio.
A single aluminum pole can weigh not more than 6 ounces, which is hardly going to weigh you down on the path.
You may not care about weight while you’re automobile tenting, nevertheless it’s particularly vital when you’re backpacking, and that’s the place aluminum poles shine.
Backpacking tents are designed to be small and lightweight, so yours will in all probability function simply two intercrossing aluminum poles.
Tent materials apart, the poles will weigh not more than a small water bottle.
Strong
Even although they’re so gentle, aluminum poles are extraordinarily sturdy.
You’ll see many giant tents choosing any such pole. And actually, aluminum poles do an incredible job at offering your tent with the assist it wants to remain pitched.
Why is that, you would possibly ask?
Well, as a result of aluminum is smooth and malleable. Now, we gained’t get too technical right here, as scientific explanations can kill all of the enjoyable.
What we as campers must know is that aluminum gained’t snap simply underneath the load of your tent.
So as a substitute of merely breaking and collapsing from a heavy tent materials, aluminum poles will efficiently stand up to plenty of stress placed on them.
For that motive, many canvas tents truly function tent poles constituted of aluminum.
Sturdy in Wind
Because they bend quite than break, aluminum poles are an incredible possibility for windy climate.
When the wind is blowing, it hits the facet of your tent partitions, inflicting them to sway in numerous instructions.
Being so malleable, aluminum poles will permit the tent to maneuver a bit within the wind. Now, that’s truly a great factor.
By permitting some motion as a substitute of attempting to battle it again, aluminum poles mitigate the energy of the wind and its influence in your tent.
Easy to Repair
This is one more benefit ensuing from the malleability of aluminum.
When power is utilized to aluminum poles, they’re extra prone to bend quite than shatter from it.
And whilst you absolutely have a pole restore equipment packed up with you, fixing a bent pole is all the time a lot simpler than truly repairing it, particularly while you’re on the path.
Cons of Aluminum Tent Poles
While nice, aluminum poles are in no way excellent. There are some disadvantages which will trigger you to assume twice earlier than getting them.
Price
Aluminum is waaaay costlier in comparison with fiberglass, which is sensible given the manufacturing course of.
Aluminum is a kind of metallic present in mineral deposits across the globe, and step one in direction of making issues out of this materials is extracting deposits – which is an costly course of.
While it’s true that aluminum is probably the most widespread metallic on Earth, making up greater than 8% of the Earth’s core, that doesn’t imply there’s a vast supply of it sitting round.
In reality, we’ve been experiencing a scarcity of aluminum for a number of years now.
True, it’s largely brought on by the financial and geopolitical conditions on the earth, however that doesn’t change the truth that this materials has turn out to be more durable to return by in recent times.
And for that motive, it turned much more costly.
Corrosion
In case you don’t know, corrosion is the deterioration of metallic brought on by chemical or electrochemical reactions on its floor.
There are many causes of metallic corrosion, together with publicity to oxygen, hydrogen, electrical present and even grime.
The corrosion can even stain your tent.
In the case of aluminum, corrosion is brought on by publicity to moisture and acidic or alkaline environments.
And the largest perpetrator – tenting on the seaside.
You don’t must drench your tent in salty sea water for it to corrode.
When you’re tenting on the seaside, there’s already sufficient salt in each the air and the sand to be in fixed contact together with your tent poles.
But it’s not simply salt that causes aluminum to rust. An acidic atmosphere can be damaging, and rain is often barely acidic.
In the case of proximity to energy crops and busy highways, sulfur dioxides and nitrogen oxides trigger the rain to be as acidic as tomato juice.
Now, I’m not saying that your tent poles will rust from tenting in rain or on the seaside as soon as.
But fixed publicity to such environments could make them extra liable to corrosion.
And with out correct upkeep, that may simply occur.
Electrical Conductivity
Now, I’m not saying that your aluminum poles will appeal to each single lightning strike in a radius of fifty miles.
But you have to be conscious that there’s all the time a slight chance of that taking place, particularly in case your tent is located on the highest level in your environment.
Best Replacement Aluminum Tent Poles
Every tent comes with poles. But perhaps you’re not glad with those that you just acquired together with your mannequin, they broke in your final journey, you misplaced them…
Whatever the rationale, you may be purchasing for good aluminum poles. In that case, I’ve two suggestions for you.
REI Co-op Shelter Setup Kit
I do know, this set contains not simply poles but in addition guylines and stakes, a very powerful items of kit for protecting your shelter in place.
But the precise poles you get within the equipment are price a point out right here.
This setup equipment options two 8-feet adjustable aluminum poles. They’re shock-corded and have 4 sections, permitting you to regulate them from 79 to 98 inches.
Each adjustable part options an indexing strip, which lets you line up push buttons with ease.
The poles are anodized, which means they’ve a protecting coating that permits them to withstand nicks and scratches.
They additionally function a rubber foot on one finish for slip resistance, and a spike on the opposite for becoming via the grommet in your tarp.
BRILLIANCE4U Aluminum Tent Poles Replacement
If you’re searching for a extra reasonably priced possibility, then these alternative poles by BRILLIANCE4U may be what you want.
These poles are fabricated from 7001 aluminum, which is aircraft-grade materials.
That means they’re designed to resist plenty of weight with out breaking.
Now, you’ll be able to select from varied lengths relying on what you want.
Each part is 17 inches, however the pole will be wherever from 9 to twenty ft lengthy when assembled.
So regardless of the scale of your tent, this product provides an appropriate possibility for you.
Fiberglass Tent Poles
Fiberglass is a plastic materials bolstered with glass fibers.
Tent poles fabricated from this materials are generally included in low-budget tents, and on this part, we’ll see why that’s.
Pros of Fiberglass Tent Poles
Even although fiberglass tent poles aren’t as common as aluminum ones, that doesn’t imply they’re dangerous.
In reality, there are various benefits to any such tent pole.
Cost
Unlike aluminum, fiberglass is produced in a manufacturing unit. So simply by taking away the price of mining, you get a way more reasonably priced possibility.
That’s why you see most entry-level tents that includes poles fabricated from this materials.
No Issues with Corrosion
Consisting solely of non-metal supplies, fiberglass isn’t affected by corrosion.
So whether or not it’s raining cats and canine or your tent is continually splashed by salty water, it doesn’t matter.
These climate situations gained’t have an effect on fiberglass poles the best way they have an effect on aluminum ones.
So when you’re usually tenting close to the shoreline, fiberglass poles are your finest good friend.
Doesn’t Conduct Electricity
Fiberglass will not be electrically conductive, so there’s no threat of your tent poles attracting lightning.
Of course, that doesn’t imply you’ll be able to’t get hit by the bolt when you arrange a tent on the highest level in your environment.
But the fabric alone isn’t a problem.
Cons of Fiberglass Tent Poles
While fiberglass has some fairly cool properties, it’s not with out flaws. Here are the disadvantages of this materials for tent poles.
Strength
Fiberglass isn’t significantly recognized for its energy, particularly when in comparison with aluminum.
For that motive, it’s not the fabric you see utilized in further giant tents, because it gained’t have the ability to stand up to the load.
Of course, that additionally means fiberglass isn’t an appropriate possibility for dangerous climate both.
Typically, you see fiberglass poles for 2-season tents, that are designed to be used in truthful climate.
But 3 and 4-season tents are often required to resist heavy rain and excessive winds, and subsequently you’d need to keep away from fiberglass.
What’s extra, chilly climate additionally impacts the energy of fiberglass.
In freezing temperatures, this materials can simply break while you apply a bit extra power.
Fragility
Unlike aluminum, which bends underneath power, fiberglass splinters or cracks.
And if that occurs while you’re on the path, it’s harder to restore in comparison with a bent pole.
You’ll want a restore equipment, however that’s not even a assure {that a} pole shall be virtually pretty much as good as new.
Best Fiberglass Tent Poles
Looking for good fiberglass tent poles? Here are the 2 finest fashions you could find available on the market these days.
Coleman Replacement Tent Pole Kit
Coleman makes prime quality tenting gear, and tent poles are not any exception.
These particular poles are 27 inches lengthy and have pre-attached ferrules. You get 4 poles in a pack, so this equipment is appropriate for many small tents.
The mixture of 10 feets of shock wire and lead wire guarantee there’s sufficient stress to maintain your tent correctly taut.
And due to vinyl pole caps, you don’t have to fret about ripping the material by chance.
Gorich Beach Tent Poles
Gorich tent poles are available in a number of sizes, appropriate for 3, 4 and 6-person tents. These poles may be skinny, however don’t get fooled by that.
With fiberglass body and sturdy elastic wire, these tent poles supply fairly a little bit of bendability with out breakage.
Each part is 17 inches lengthy, and relying on the scale of the tent, there’s between 10 and 14 sections on every pole.
But the most effective half about these poles is the assure.
I’m fairly positive you’ll like them, however when you don’t, you’ll be able to contact the producer and it’ll make it proper.
| Characteristic | Aluminum Poles | Fiberglass Poles |
| Weight | Lightweight | Slightly heavier |
| Strength | High energy | Medium energy |
| Corrosiveness | Susceptible to corrosion | Corrosion resistant |
| Bendability | Bendable | Brittle |
| Price | Costly | Affordable |
Faqs
Are fiberglass tent poles cheaper than aluminum poles?
Fiberglass poles are less expensive than aluminum poles.
That’s primarily as a result of they’re fabricated from artificial materials, whereas aluminum is an ore which must be mined from mineral deposits.
Which tent poles are lighter weight?
Aluminum is extraordinarily light-weight, which makes it an ideal possibility for backpacking and trekking.
Fiberglass is comparatively gentle, however nowhere close to aluminum.
Do aluminum tent poles corrode?
Like most metals, aluminum is vulnerable to corrosion. If uncovered to moisture in addition to too alkaline or acidic atmosphere, it’ll rust over time.
However, when you keep them frequently after tenting in such an atmosphere, you’ll be able to delay the lifetime of your tent poles.
Do aluminum tent poles bend?
Aluminum is a extremely bendable materials. And when it comes to tent poles, that’s truly a great factor.
In the case of heavy rain and excessive winds, the poles will bend however not break, thus protecting your tent in place.
Do aluminum tent poles appeal to lightning?
Like another metallic, aluminum is conductive. And in case your tent is about up on the highest level in your environment, there’s an opportunity of it attracting lightning.
Which pole materials is finest to stop lightning?
Fiberglass is an artificial materials consisting of plastic and glass, neither of which is conducting electrical energy.
In the case of thunderstorms, poles fabricated from fiberglass are the best choice.
To Sum Things Up
Whether aluminum or fiberglass tent poles are higher for you, it is dependent upon your tenting atmosphere.
If you’re searching for a sturdy and durable resolution, aluminum is your finest wager. But it’s additionally quite costly.
If you’re on a price range and tenting each as soon as in a blue moon, you’ll be able to simply move with fiberglass poles.
But you’ll be able to’t go incorrect by getting each varieties of poles (and tents) and switching them relying on the kind of your tenting journey (and tent).