tents

[thebear]

Any avid backpackers out there? Is it good or bad to have a bright color tent when backpacking?

 

[actionshooter38]

Depends, do you get lost easily?

 

[thebear]

haha, no just wondering if its common or frowned upon, like taking away the scenery for others or yourself? Another reason is would people bother you more, or tend to notice you and give you space because they can see you.

 

[Iboschi]

Any avid backpackers out there? Is it good or bad to have a bright color tent when backpacking?

I read recently that bears are "more" curious about bright unnaturally colored equipment. Could be bogus, but I'll wager it's got validity just to err on the side of caution!

 

[thebear]

hmm never thought of that before. good point Iboschi

 

[Iboschi]

hmm never thought of that before. good point Iboschi

Just for propriety, My source: http://www.backpacker.com/ask_a_bear_bright_colors/blogs/daily_dirt/1618

 

[thebear]

good article, thanks

 

[NothingCoherent]

I prefer subdued, natural colours on a tent (or tarp). I figure, I'm out there hiking all day to get as far from modern life as reasonably possible... so why pollute the beautiful scenery with florescent "safety" coloured gear sticking out like a sore thumb? Kind of defeats the purpose of enjoying the natural environment!

 

[bkduckworth]

I definately prefer muted colors IF I can get them in the design/system I want. All things being equal I'll always choose the more natural colors, but if hunter orange (MSR) is the only color offered in the tent or tarp I want, I won't let that stop me.

 

[eomeo]

I would say there are two schools of thought here for all outdoor products.
1) Subdued colors - blend in, keep a low profile
2) Bright colors - safety, ease of finding, high-style

For tents, I don't know of any brands that offer the same tent in multiple colors. In most cases you are better off picking a tent based on all its other features, and accepting whatever color it comes in. I think you'll generally find that most of the high-end tents are bright, while the more affordable/entry level ones end up more subdued.

 

[hollowdweller]

I like darker colors because they allow me to sleep longer

I used to have a bright orange tent and at 5am it looked like it was noon.

 

[Iboschi]

I would say there are two schools of thought here for all outdoor products.
1) Subdued colors - blend in, keep a low profile
2) Bright colors - safety, ease of finding, high-style

For tents, I don't know of any brands that offer the same tent in multiple colors. In most cases you are better off picking a tent based on all its other features, and accepting whatever color it comes in. I think you'll generally find that most of the high-end tents are bright, while the more affordable/entry level ones end up more subdued.

Not sure the color vs price argument to be very valid anymore. Many, many tents are more subdued. High end ALPINE tents or 4 season SNOW tents will be brighter, for obvious reasons. Here's a great tent I own, for almost 1/2 a grand, you can have your very own 3 person home, complete with mosquito net, and in subdued colors! It's not on the cheap or anything so this ought not be deal spotting: http://www.rei.com/product/748019

 

[chenko]

I prefer subdued, natural colours on a tent (or tarp). I figure, I'm out there hiking all day to get as far from modern life as reasonably possible... so why pollute the beautiful scenery with florescent "safety" coloured gear sticking out like a sore thumb? Kind of defeats the purpose of enjoying the natural environment!

That's exactly the way I think. :thumbup:

 

[s500yards]

Purpose built backpacking tarps are available in a much wider array of colors as far as the natural earth tone spectrum goes.

 

[Ramm9]

Good question! I asked myself the same thing and bought a Golite Hex3 in blaze orange for a bunch of reasons mentioned.

Depends, do you get lost easily?

This was a big reason in my mind. I wanted to be able to spot camp easier especially from the water after fishing or returning after day hikes. It's a little cooler during the day reflecting sunlight and brighter inside in low light conditions.

You can certainly spot the blaze orange from a distance and so can everyone else. Even pitched a few hundred yards off trails anyone passing seemed to take notice. The possibility of a little stealth camping goes way down.

I used to have a bright orange tent and at 5am it looked like it was noon.

And that too, really bright inside even in low light but does make it easy to find things.

For tents, I don't know of any brands that offer the same tent in multiple colors.

When I had to replace the Hex I liked it enough to get a second one and it was also offered in a forest green...I decided to buy the green and I'm happy with the choice.

Here's an example why. In the photo you easily see the Hex and another orange tent. It probably took a moment longer to see the smaller forest green tent in the background.

I decided I preferred to bring less attention to my camp and as side benefit there's less sight pollution for others.

Still, I agree, select the right tent construction for your use and don't let the offered color make much of a difference unless either stealth is very important or you are so remote that a color may assist in a search.

 

[MustardMan]

I can see arguments for both - a bright tent color can make it easier to find your camp when you stumble off into the woods to dig a cathole at 2 am, and it could make it easier for hunters to see your tent (sometimes a concern in some of the places I've hiked). On the other hand, a darker colored tent can attract less attention from potential thieves.


Another thing to consider is temperature - a lighter color tent will tend to be cooler in summer time, and a dark tent can provide welcome extra warmth in harsh winters.


I personally rarely use a tent anymore, and generally have dark colors in my hammock tarps - not so much because I wanted to blend in, but because those were the colors I happened to grab in the tarp configurations I wanted. However, I use kelty triptease reflective cord for my tarp guylines, so I can still easily find my tarps at night - hit those puppies with my headlamp and they light up like a bonfire. Very handy.

 

[DocGP]

Personally, I prefer less obvious. I don't go camping to be around people, and I would rather not be noticed by them. I prefer to set up my tent a ways off the beaten path so that passers by will not notice it. Alot less likely that lowland cretans will notice it also.

Just my .02

 

[wildmike]

I prefer subdued colors myself. I like to attract as little attention as possible.

Probably also why I use a Camo Clark NA Jungle hammock. I generaly go around 300 yards off the trail and hang around in areas other than camp sites. I like the privacy.

 

[THE PUNISHER]

i like darker colors,i don't think it is wrong to have a bright colored tent itz your call........

 

[remmmm]

I'm of the hate bright colored tents school. If I'm wandering that far off I can either mark camp on my GPS or on a topo map, or maybe both if I'm really worried about it. I really really wish manufacturers would offer more color choices in each model though, give people a choice. I personally don't want to be seen, but obviously some people feel differently.