Aluminum Vs. Fiberglass Tent Poles

Buying substitute poles or just curious which kind of tent pole is the perfect?

Pole materials is certainly an essential issue to contemplate when buying a tent.

The two hottest decisions are aluminum and fiberglass. But which is best?

The quick reply: aluminum poles are higher than fiberglass.

But now you might want to know why that’s … let’s dive in!

Aluminum Vs. Fiberglass Poles – Which is Better?

Let’s minimize to the chase – aluminum is such a well-liked alternative for tent poles for 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 choice should you’re funds tenting throughout hotter months.

To perceive the precise distinction between the 2 kinds of poles, let’s focus on every of their benefits and downsides individually.

Aluminum Tent Poles

There’s a couple of 50% likelihood 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 won’t care about weight while you’re automotive tenting, nevertheless it’s particularly essential 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 characteristic 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 the sort of pole. And actually, aluminum poles do an incredible job at offering your tent with the help it wants to remain pitched.

Why is that, you would possibly ask?

Well, 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 must know is that aluminum received’t snap simply beneath the burden of your tent.

So as an alternative of merely breaking and collapsing from a heavy tent materials, aluminum poles will efficiently face up to a whole lot of stress placed on them.

For that motive, many canvas tents really characteristic tent poles constructed from aluminum.

Sturdy in Wind

Because they bend moderately than break, aluminum poles are an incredible 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 enable the tent to maneuver a bit within the wind. Now, that’s really factor.

By permitting some motion as an alternative of making an attempt to struggle it again, aluminum poles mitigate the power of the wind and its affect in your tent.

Easy to Repair

This is yet one more benefit ensuing from the malleability of aluminum.

When pressure is utilized to aluminum poles, they’re extra more likely to bend moderately than shatter from it.

And whilst you certainly have a pole restore package packed up with you, fixing a bent pole is at all times a lot simpler than really repairing it, particularly while you’re on the path.

Cons of Aluminum Tent Poles

While nice, aluminum poles are not at all good. There are some disadvantages which will trigger you to suppose twice earlier than getting them.

Price

Aluminum is waaaay costlier in comparison with fiberglass, which is smart given the manufacturing course of.

Aluminum is a sort 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 an infinite supply of it sitting round.

In reality, we’ve been experiencing a scarcity of aluminum for a number of years now.

True, it’s principally brought on by the financial and geopolitical conditions on this planet, however that doesn’t change the truth that this materials has turn out to be tougher to return by lately.

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 may 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 seashore.

You don’t must drench your tent in salty sea water for it to corrode.

When 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’s not simply salt that causes aluminum to rust. An acidic surroundings will also be damaging, and rain is usually 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 seashore 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 try to be conscious that there’s at all times 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 possibly you’re not glad with those that you simply acquired together with your mannequin, they broke in your final journey, you misplaced them…

Whatever the explanation, you is likely to 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 additionally guylines and stakes, an important items of apparatus for preserving your shelter in place.

But the precise poles you get within the package are price 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.

Each adjustable part options an indexing strip, which lets you line up push buttons with ease.

The poles are anodized, that means they’ve a protecting coating that permits them to withstand nicks and scratches.

They additionally characteristic a rubber foot on one finish for slip resistance, and a spike on the opposite for becoming by the grommet in your tarp.

BRILLIANCE4U Aluminum Tent Poles Replacement

If you’re in search of a extra reasonably priced choice, then these substitute poles by BRILLIANCE4U is likely to be what you want.

These poles are manufactured from 7001 aluminum, which is aircraft-grade materials.

That means they’re designed to resist a whole lot of weight with out breaking.

Now, you’ll be able to select from numerous lengths relying on what you want.

Each part is 17 inches, however the pole might be wherever from 9 to twenty ft lengthy when assembled.

So regardless of the dimensions of your tent, this product affords an acceptable choice for you.

Fiberglass Tent Poles

Fiberglass is a plastic materials bolstered with glass fibers.

Tent poles manufactured 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 well-liked as aluminum ones, that doesn’t imply they’re dangerous.

In reality, there are numerous benefits to the sort of 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 choice.

That’s why you see most entry-level tents that includes poles manufactured from this materials.

No Issues with Corrosion

Consisting completely of non-metal supplies, fiberglass isn’t affected by corrosion.

So whether or not it’s raining cats and canine or your tent is consistently 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 should you’re usually tenting close to the shoreline, fiberglass poles are your greatest pal.

Doesn’t Conduct Electricity

Fiberglass is just not electrically conductive, so there’s no danger of your tent poles attracting lightning.

Of course, that doesn’t imply you’ll be able to’t get hit by the bolt should 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 power, particularly when in comparison with aluminum.

For that motive, it’s not the fabric you see utilized in further giant tents, because it received’t have the ability to face up to the burden.

Of course, that additionally means fiberglass isn’t an acceptable choice for dangerous climate both.

Typically, you see fiberglass poles for 2-season tents, that are designed to be used in honest climate.

But 3 and 4-season tents are normally 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 power of fiberglass.

In freezing temperatures, this materials can simply break while you apply a bit extra pressure.

Fragility

Unlike aluminum, which bends beneath pressure, 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 package, however that’s not even a assure {that a} pole might be nearly nearly as good as new.

Best Fiberglass Tent Poles

Looking for good fiberglass tent poles? Here are the 2 greatest fashions yow will discover available on the market these days.

Coleman Replacement Tent Pole Kit

Coleman makes top quality tenting gear, and tent poles aren’t 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 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 is likely to 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 dimensions of the tent, there’s between 10 and 14 sections on every pole.

But the perfect half about these poles is the assure.

I’m fairly positive you’ll like them, however should you don’t, you’ll be able to contact the producer and it’ll make it proper.

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 manufactured 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 vulnerable to corrosion. If uncovered to moisture in addition to too alkaline or acidic surroundings, it’ll rust over time.

However, should you keep them usually after tenting in such an surroundings, you’ll be able to lengthen the lifetime of your tent poles.

Do aluminum tent poles bend?

Aluminum is a extremely bendable materials. And by way of tent poles, that’s really factor.

In the case of heavy rain and excessive winds, the poles will bend however not break, thus preserving your tent in place.

Do aluminum tent poles appeal to lightning?

Like some other 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 greatest 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 manufactured from fiberglass are your only option.

To Sum Things Up

Whether aluminum or fiberglass tent poles are higher for you, it will depend on your tenting surroundings.

If you’re in search of a sturdy and durable resolution, aluminum is your greatest guess. But it’s additionally moderately costly.

If you’re on a funds 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 improper by getting each kinds of poles (and tents) and switching them relying on the kind of your tenting journey (and tent).

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