It means that the tent material has a tube or cylinder placed on it and water poured into the tube until the material leaks, the amount of water in the tube at the time of leakage (measured in mm) gives the hydrostatic head and 3000mm is pretty good (I think)
The Hydrostatic Head is the length of a column of water that the tent material will withstand before leaking. It is a way of expressing pressure not weight! I have had visions of a tonne of water sitting on a tent but that's not what it means
It is just a way to compare relative waterproofness. 3000mm is pretty good and will certainly be OK for 3 season camping.
Quote: Originally posted by mr.paul on 07/2/2008
The Hydrostatic Head is the length of a column of water that the tent material will withstand before leaking. It is a way of expressing pressure not weight! I have had visions of a tonne of water sitting on a tent but that's not what it means It is just a way to compare relative waterproofness. 3000mm is pretty good and will certainly be OK for 3 season camping.
so when would you say not to use this tent then will it be ok fro easter use
the term is about the weight of water not camping we've used in the past whats now known as two season tents for years and in torrential rain ,snow and wind and it was fine.
you will be fine at easter but it may still be nippy at night!
modern tents are made very well (well the material is) so it will be the seams that leak before the material itself ,their made very well but unfortunately they all seem to be limited in life span especially the sun wrecks them and they fall apart.
you wont find as many old nylon tents as there are canvas ones
probably as with everything else it all rolls of the end of some chinese conveyor and only the way the material is stitched together makes any difference ,theres just as many bad expensive ones as there are good cheap tents .
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: waterproof rating
