Tent poles
 

Hi,

I've seen various people say that fibre glass poles should be avoided like the plague, etc and that aluminium are the way to go. Having browsed other tent sites, etc no-one else seems too bothered though, so I'm a bit confused.

Given that it's a lot easier to find good quality tents with fibre glass poles, is there that much difference between them?

Thanks,

Alex.

Had fibreglass ones break (they split length ways) in really cold conditions. Never with alloy ones. Also to repair, you slip a sleeve over metal poles, fibrglass need the section replaced. Depends on where you are going to use them. Several degrees below freeezing I would go for alloy.

For camping in more temperate temps fibreglass should be ok, i had only one section snap on my tent in 3 months of continuous use and a rough replacement section was easily found in an outdoor store - but it did take a couple of hours to effect the repair. Alloy would be undoubtably superior, but budget tents (<£80?) all seem to be fibreglass-poled - those from Decathlon are a good budget bet and are all alloy-poled except the 2-second jobbies.

Alloy...
 

...is what you definitely should go for.

I used fiber poles something like 30 years ago. Even with little wind they tend to break easily and (as others already mentioned) cannot be repaired. Alloy is no problem at all, it is light-wight, and will last you forever. Besides, budget tents - I don't know whether or not you should really get one. If you want something that will last you for quite some time, something that really protects you against the elements you should spend a little more money. A floor coating of at least 5.000mm (better 10.000) and a rain fly of the same quality will be perfect. You don't want to wake up in the middle of the night sleeping in a pool. But this all said, it all depends on when and where you plan to use your tent.

A very good tent producer is this company: Rejka Outgear. All in German, sorry, but it should give you some ideas.

tent poles
 

Its true fibre poles tend to break when exposed to really cold conditions. Be warned they are like needles when they break and will easily puncture both the tent or if you are unlucky enough your skin

Alex, in general, tent makers use fiberglass poles for one reason - to save money. Thus, a tent equipped with fiberglass poles can be counted on to have been made as economically as possible in other areas as well. You'll be much happier - especially in a rain and blow at 3:00 a.m. - with a better tent equipped with aluminum poles from DAC or Easton.