Richard Gear's Latest Answers

Q: Can you wash inner tents?

A: The name is Gear, Richard Gear and I'm a stickler for a clean tent, not because I'm a tragic obsessive, but because clean, well-maintained equipment simply works better. In the case of an inner tent, clean fabric will improve moisture transmission - according to Grangers an inactive body can produce 1.5 litres of moisture just sitting in a tent for eight hours.

That moisture needs to escape and a build-up of dirt can hinder the process. So yes, you absolutely can and should clean your tent and here's how....
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Q: I'm currently looking for a new day pack and I am leaning towards going lightweight (the Ospray Talon 33in particular). My main concern is durability. Lightweight packs are always proclaiming their durability but how do they match up to normal packs? For example would one be ill advised to put on in the hold of a plane?

 A: The name is Gear, Richard 'Durably Light' Gear and I'm very glad you asked this question. Over the past three or four years, both outdoor clothing and equipment have got lighter both generally and thanks to hardcore lightweight brands like GoLite, Montane and OMM.

That's all well and good, but inevitably, lighter, thinner materials have a tendency to be more vulnerable and less durable than their heavier predecessors. I say a 'tendency' because up to a point, some of that has been off-set by improvements in fabric technology and construction techniques that mean a modern lightweight fabric is generally tougher than an older fabric of the same weight.
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Q: Hi, I run a guide unit and need new tents which tents are really strong durable but realistically priced.

A: The name is Gear, Richard 'Traditional Tentage' Gear, mad old camping buffer and nostalgic canvas fan.

Anyway, as I was saying before I so rudely insulted myself, there's one very obvious answer when it comes to tents for youth groups and it's a tent that's introduced many thousands of young people to overnighting in the outdoors over the years, it's a classic, it's tough, effective and readily repairable and while it's not exactly cheap, it's still probably your best bet...
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