Hello, new to camping so wanted to ask - is there any need for a tent with HH greater than 2000mm for spring/summer camping? The tent I have in mind has 2000mm HH but for a bit more I could get one with 3000mm HH - is it worth it?
Many thanks!
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So a 2000mm HH tent would struggle if the weather is anything like it has been this weekend ie very wet & windy? I'll play it safe and go for a 3000mm then - many thanks!
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Look our car leaked this weekend!!! But yes its the force as much as anything. For the little extra they cost I'd go for the 3000. Our wynster is 3000 and that is pretty good. Nothing worse than wet bedding to ruin a trip.
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It doesn't necessarily follow that the higher the HH, the higher the price tho. You just need to shop around. One of ours has a 5000HH but was under £200 for a 7 berth (which realistically is a 5 berth). Our other tent is 3000HH and cost £400 for a 9 berth (which realistically is an 8 berth). Depends on other factors such as size etc too.
Quote: Originally posted by good_in_tent on 28/5/2007
It doesn't necessarily follow that the higher the HH, the higher the price tho. You just need to shop around. One of ours has a 5000HH but was under £200 for a 7 berth (which realistically is a 5 berth). Our other tent is 3000HH and cost £400 for a 9 berth (which realistically is an 8 berth). Depends on other factors such as size etc too.
That's a good point re price. Can I ask What 5000HH 7 berth tent you bought for under £200 - sounds interesting.
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The very last thing I take any notice of when choosing a tent (and I have lots of tents) is any hydrostatic head (HH) figure. What is more important if you want to stay dry is the quality of build, quality of materials used and the method by which the coating is bonded to the materials than a set of figures used by the marketing men to make things look better than they probably are.
Don't believe me? Do a Google search for a premium brand of expedition tent. Many have an HH of 1500mm - such as this one from The North Face. As someone who has survived in one of these in horrendous conditions on the north west coast of Scotland (weather so bad it made the national news) I can tell you that in spite of its seemingly low waterproof rating, not a single drop came through, despite days of driving rain carried by winds of over fifty miles a hour, gusting up to eighty.
I have tents from a small Gelert with a 1500mm HH to a Mountain Equipment tent with a 7000mm HH and not one of them leaks. Thankfully, I don't have an Outwell, which might have an HH of 3000mm but, according to many who post on here can leak like a sieve.
Go for a good brand with a design that suits you and leave the fancy figures to the maketing men!
I agree with the above two posts. Every time HH is mentioned people will say go for the higher rating. There's no reason why you shouldn't do that if you wish but I would be extremely surprised if anyone can say, hand on heart, that their tents have leaked directly through the material. Through seams, yes...condensation on the inside, yes...but dripping in through the material...very unlikely. An umbrella isn't anywhere near 1500hh and they don't leak do they?
The British Standard is 1500hh (I believe it used to be 1000hh) and that is more than adequate for any British weather.
Quote: Originally posted by good_in_tent on 28/5/2007
It doesn't necessarily follow that the higher the HH, the higher the price tho. You just need to shop around. One of ours has a 5000HH but was under £200 for a 7 berth (which realistically is a 5 berth). Our other tent is 3000HH and cost £400 for a 9 berth (which realistically is an 8 berth). Depends on other factors such as size etc too.
That's a good point re price. Can I ask What 5000HH 7 berth tent you bought for under £200 - sounds interesting.
Ooops! Sorry, its 4000HH!!! And its gone up £20 since I bought it, just checked here:
I agree with the above two posts. Every time HH is mentioned people will say go for the higher rating. There's no reason why you shouldn't do that if you wish but I would be extremely surprised if anyone can say, hand on heart, that their tents have leaked directly through the material. Through seams, yes...condensation on the inside, yes...but dripping in through the material...very unlikely. An umbrella isn't anywhere near 1500hh and they don't leak do they?
The British Standard is 1500hh (I believe it used to be 1000hh) and that is more than adequate for any British weather.
Yes, I'm in agreement with Bob. If a higher rated Hydrostatic Head meets your needs better or it gives you more confidence when camping then go for it.
Our stanedge has a HH of 2000 and it is dry inside during rainy periods even prolonged rain stays out.
My first tent was a little Arial dome tent some years back I don't think the HH of that was spectacular but it did me proud when I just took of one day (I was only 19) on my motorbike and did a 3 month tour of Western Scotland.
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Topic: Hydrostatic Head/Water Column
