Shopping for alternative poles or just curious which kind of tent pole is the very best?
Pole materials is unquestionably an vital issue to contemplate when buying a tent.
The 2 hottest decisions are aluminum and fiberglass. However which is best?
The brief reply: aluminum poles are higher than fiberglass.
However now you could know why that’s … let’s dive in!
Aluminum Vs. Fiberglass Poles – Which is Higher?
Let’s reduce to the chase – aluminum is such a well-liked alternative for tent poles for an excellent cause.
They’ve an amazing 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 generally is a nice choice when you’re price range tenting throughout hotter months.
To know the precise distinction between the 2 varieties of poles, let’s talk about every of their benefits and downsides individually.
Aluminum Tent Poles
There’s a few 50% probability your tent got here with aluminum poles.
This materials has its good and unhealthy sides, however the benefits positively have the higher hand.
Execs 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.
Light-weight
As I already mentioned, aluminum has an amazing 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 won’t care about weight whenever you’re automobile tenting, however 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 most likely function simply two intercrossing aluminum poles.
Tent materials apart, the poles will weigh not more than a small water bottle.
Robust
Despite the fact that they’re so gentle, aluminum poles are extraordinarily sturdy.
You’ll see many massive tents choosing this kind of pole. And actually, aluminum poles do an amazing job at offering your tent with the help it wants to remain pitched.
Why is that, you would possibly ask?
Nicely, as a result of aluminum is comfortable and malleable. Now, we received’t get too technical right here, as scientific explanations can kill all of the enjoyable.
What we as campers have to know is that aluminum received’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 loads of stress placed on them.
For that cause, many canvas tents really function tent poles produced from aluminum.
Sturdy in Wind
As a result of they bend reasonably than break, aluminum poles are an amazing choice 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 really an excellent factor.
By permitting some motion as a substitute of attempting to combat it again, aluminum poles mitigate the power of the wind and its impression in your tent.
Simple to Restore
That is one more benefit ensuing from the malleability of aluminum.
When pressure is utilized to aluminum poles, they’re extra prone to bend reasonably than shatter from it.
And whilst you certainly have a pole restore package packed up with you, fixing a bent pole is all the time a lot simpler than really repairing it, particularly whenever you’re on the path.
Cons of Aluminum Tent Poles
Whereas nice, aluminum poles are in no way good. There are some disadvantages that will trigger you to assume twice earlier than getting them.
Value
Aluminum is waaaay costlier in comparison with fiberglass, which is sensible given the manufacturing course of.
Aluminum is a kind of steel present in mineral deposits across the globe, and step one in the direction of making issues out of this materials is extracting deposits – which is an costly course of.
Whereas it’s true that aluminum is probably the most widespread steel on Earth, making up greater than 8% of the Earth’s core, that doesn’t imply there’s an infinite supply of it sitting round.
In truth, we’ve been experiencing a scarcity of aluminum for a number of years now.
True, it’s largely attributable to the financial and geopolitical conditions on this planet, however that doesn’t change the truth that this materials has grow to be tougher to return by lately.
And for that cause, it grew to become much more costly.
Corrosion
In case you don’t know, corrosion is the deterioration of steel attributable to chemical or electrochemical reactions on its floor.
There are lots of causes of steel corrosion, together with publicity to oxygen, hydrogen, electrical present and even dust.
The corrosion may also stain your tent.
Within the case of aluminum, corrosion is attributable to publicity to moisture and acidic or alkaline environments.
And the most important perpetrator – tenting on the seashore.
You don’t have to drench your tent in salty sea water for it to corrode.
Whenever you’re tenting on the seashore, there’s already sufficient salt in each the air and the sand to be in fixed contact together with your tent poles.
But it surely’s not simply salt that causes aluminum to rust. An acidic setting may also be damaging, and rain is often barely acidic.
Within 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 seashore as soon as.
However 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.
However try to be conscious that there’s all the time a slight chance of that occuring, particularly in case your tent is located on the highest level in your environment.
Finest Substitute Aluminum Tent Poles
Each tent comes with poles. However perhaps you’re not glad with those that you just obtained together with your mannequin, they broke in your final journey, you misplaced them…
Regardless of the cause, you may be purchasing for good aluminum poles. In that case, I’ve two suggestions for you.
REI Co-op Shelter Setup Equipment
I do know, this set contains not simply poles but additionally guylines and stakes, crucial items of kit for holding your shelter in place.
However the precise poles you get within the package are value a point out right here.
This setup package 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.
Every 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.
In addition they function a rubber foot on one finish for slip resistance, and a spike on the opposite for becoming by means of the grommet in your tarp.
BRILLIANCE4U Aluminum Tent Poles Substitute
For those who’re in search of a extra inexpensive choice, then these alternative poles by BRILLIANCE4U may be what you want.
These poles are made from 7001 aluminum, which is aircraft-grade materials.
Which means they’re designed to resist loads of weight with out breaking.
Now, you may select from varied lengths relying on what you want.
Every part is 17 inches, however the pole will be wherever from 9 to twenty toes lengthy when assembled.
So regardless of the dimensions of your tent, this product gives an acceptable choice for you.
Fiberglass Tent Poles
Fiberglass is a plastic materials bolstered with glass fibers.
Tent poles made from this materials are generally included in low-budget tents, and on this part, we’ll see why that’s.
Execs of Fiberglass Tent Poles
Despite the fact that fiberglass tent poles aren’t as well-liked as aluminum ones, that doesn’t imply they’re unhealthy.
In truth, there are numerous benefits to this kind of tent pole.
Price
In contrast to aluminum, fiberglass is produced in a manufacturing facility. So simply by taking away the price of mining, you get a way more inexpensive choice.
That’s why you see most entry-level tents that includes poles made from this materials.
No Points with Corrosion
Consisting completely of non-metal supplies, fiberglass isn’t affected by corrosion.
So whether or not it’s raining cats and canines or your tent is continually splashed by salty water, it doesn’t matter.
These climate situations received’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 buddy.
Doesn’t Conduct Electrical energy
Fiberglass isn’t electrically conductive, so there’s no threat of your tent poles attracting lightning.
In fact, that doesn’t imply you may’t get hit by the bolt when you arrange a tent on the highest level in your environment.
However the materials alone isn’t a difficulty.
Cons of Fiberglass Tent Poles
Whereas fiberglass has some fairly cool properties, it’s not with out flaws. Listed here are the disadvantages of this materials for tent poles.
Power
Fiberglass isn’t significantly identified for its power, particularly when in comparison with aluminum.
For that cause, it’s not the fabric you see utilized in further massive tents, because it received’t be capable of stand up to the load.
In fact, that additionally means fiberglass isn’t an acceptable choice for unhealthy climate both.
Sometimes, you see fiberglass poles for 2-season tents, that are designed to be used in truthful climate.
However 3 and 4-season tents are often required to resist heavy rain and excessive winds, and subsequently you’d wish to keep away from fiberglass.
What’s extra, chilly climate additionally impacts the power of fiberglass.
In freezing temperatures, this materials can simply break whenever you apply a bit extra pressure.
Fragility
In contrast to aluminum, which bends underneath pressure, fiberglass splinters or cracks.
And if that occurs whenever you’re on the path, it’s harder to restore in comparison with a bent pole.
You’ll want a restore package, however that’s not even a assure {that a} pole might be nearly pretty much as good as new.
Finest Fiberglass Tent Poles
On the lookout for good fiberglass tent poles? Listed here are the 2 finest fashions you could find in the marketplace these days.
Coleman Substitute Tent Pole Equipment
Coleman makes top 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 package is appropriate for many small tents.
The mixture of 10 feets of shock wire and lead wire guarantee there’s sufficient rigidity to maintain your tent correctly taut.
And because of vinyl pole caps, you don’t have to fret about ripping the material by chance.
Gorich Seashore 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.
Every part is 17 inches lengthy, and relying on the dimensions of the tent, there’s between 10 and 14 sections on every pole.
However the very best half about these poles is the assure.
I’m fairly certain you’ll like them, however when you don’t, you may contact the producer and it’ll make it proper.
| Attribute | Aluminum Poles | Fiberglass Poles |
| Weight | Light-weight | Barely heavier |
| Power | Excessive power | Medium power |
| Corrosiveness | Vulnerable to corrosion | Corrosion resistant |
| Bendability | Bendable | Brittle |
| Value | Pricey | Reasonably priced |
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 made 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 choice for backpacking and trekking.
Fiberglass is comparatively gentle, however nowhere close to aluminum.
Do aluminum tent poles corrode?
Like most metals, aluminum is prone to corrosion. If uncovered to moisture in addition to too alkaline or acidic setting, it is going to rust over time.
Nonetheless, when you preserve them recurrently after tenting in such an setting, you may extend 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 really an excellent factor.
Within the case of heavy rain and excessive winds, the poles will bend however not break, thus holding your tent in place.
Do aluminum tent poles appeal to lightning?
Like some other steel, aluminum is conductive. And in case your tent is ready up on the highest level in your environment, there’s an opportunity of it attracting lightning.
Which pole materials is finest to forestall lightning?
Fiberglass is an artificial materials consisting of plastic and glass, neither of which is conducting electrical energy.
Within the case of thunderstorms, poles made from fiberglass are your best choice.
To Sum Issues Up
Whether or not aluminum or fiberglass tent poles are higher for you, it relies on your tenting setting.
For those who’re in search of a sturdy and durable answer, aluminum is your finest guess. But it surely’s additionally reasonably costly.
For those who’re on a price range and tenting each as soon as in a blue moon, you may simply cross with fiberglass poles.
However you may’t go fallacious by getting each varieties of poles (and tents) and switching them relying on the kind of your tenting journey (and tent).
