Monday Kit Tip - Guy Line Tension

Guy-line tension is crucial to tent stability, but quite often, the tensioners supplied with tents aren't up to the job - they can be awkward to use, particularly with gloves, lose tension overnight, shake looks in high winds and slip in sub-zero conditions.


If you're expecting some cunning knotting solution or tweak, you're going to be disappointed. The best answer we've found are Line-Lok guy-line runners. Manufactured by a UK specialist in rope cleats, Line-Lok are a simple guy tensioners made from polypropylene and incredibly easy to use. They ultilise moulded plastic teeth to grip the guy securely, but don't fray or damage it as some sharp-edged traditional tensioners can do.

To tighten them, you simply push the cleat up the line and to release, you pull the two lines apart allowing the cleat to slide back down. They're simple, but very secure, easy to use even with gloves on and have been tested at -20˚C in a laboratory cold chamber.

They come in different colours and sizes and are even available in glow in the dark versions for added night-time happiness. And just to make the point, Line-Lok tensioners are used as standard by notoriously perfectionist Swedish tent maker, Hilleberg.

So there you go. If you're not happy that your guy-line tensioners are doing the job, Line-Lok  are a simple and effective upgrade.

More information at www.line-lok.com.