Bushwalk Australia

Hi all, I have a terra nova laser competition 2 (older model of the compact 2). As some of you will know, it uses a tent pole sleeve cover which goes over the top of the tent poles and acts as additional guy out points (sideways perpendicular to the length of the tent).

I dont have this cover. Any ideas on how I can still guyout my tent sideways? It has tabs on the tent pole sleeve itself (for which the cover normally attach to), but I’m not sure these are strong enough to acts as guypoints. I did see a guide online on how to sew one out of cuben fibre. But don’t have access to a sewing machine at this time.

As an aside, Im trying to get more guyout points as I plan to use the tent in 2025 winter. Or perhaps I should just use my Xmid1 Thoughts on the Xmid1 aus alpine winter use? Maybe for a falls - Hotham.

I just did a quick google of that hoop cover, it doesn't look like it actually does anything that a couple of tape loops wouldn't do, I don't see why you couldn't just use the tab loops already sewn into the seams unless these are in the wrong place for sideways bracing. I'd need to se it in person tho to give a better response and/or sewing advice but hand sewing can be as strong or stronger than machine sewing
Where are you located?

Second thoughts.
What size is the hoop? The High Plains get strong winds and if it is a very light pole it may not be strong enough, you could add extra grommets perhaps and double pole or get a bigger diametre pole to make sure

Hi NB
Mod the guy out points on the XMid, add some elastic, take good pegs and a snowshovel, should be fine!
John

I'm not sure how important the pole sleeve guys are for strength/stability. I have the equivalent older single person Laser Competition 1, although haven't used it for quite some time.
My understanding is that the pole sleeve's primary purpose is to make the tent fully waterproof, apparently not so without it fitted.
I haven't tested that claim in practice, always fitted and guyed the sleeve, which is a PITA in my experience. It's fiddly and seems to take longer than putting up the tent itself.
Otherwise it's a great ultralight tent for one if you're a short *&%$#! like me.
Similarly I bought the original Durston X-Mid 1, which I really like, but I've only used it for 2 nights.
Haven't done any overnighting in recent years due to various medical issues.
That said I've never had either tent in alpine conditions, heavy rain yes, and both perform well in my experience in that situation.
If it helps the discussion here is my Laser Comp set up at camp back in 2017 with the pole sleeve fitted and guyed.

Not sure if it makes a difference but the way the cover works the cord runs in a loop down to the tabs at the ends of the pole so the stress is transferred down there (at least in part).

The pole cover is to make the central seam waterproof. I attached my pole cover to the tent so it went up and down still attached.
My understanding you could seam seal the seam and do away with the pole cover. I actually threaded the guys though the loops underneath anyway.

Moondog55 wrote:I just did a quick google of that hoop cover, it doesn't look like it actually does anything that a couple of tape loops wouldn't do, I don't see why you couldn't just use the tab loops already sewn into the seams unless these are in the wrong place for sideways bracing. I'd need to se it in person tho to give a better response and/or sewing advice but hand sewing can be as strong or stronger than machine sewing
Where are you located?

Hi MD, a few people have in fact suggested what you said, guying out directly from the loops on the fly. I can do this, im only unsure because they clearly were not designed to act as guyout points, and thus are not super strong. I also emailed TN and they suggested not doing this (although they also suggested buying a new TN tent, so could be a marketing thing). Im in VIC
EDIT: i just noticed youre in Norlane. I happen to be your neighbour, im in greater geelong too. well, currently some of my time is in Gippsland, but go back to Geelong too.

johnw wrote:I'm not sure how important the pole sleeve guys are for strength/stability. I have the equivalent older single person Laser Competition 1, although haven't used it for quite some time.
My understanding is that the pole sleeve's primary purpose is to make the tent fully waterproof, apparently not so without it fitted.
I haven't tested that claim in practice, always fitted and guyed the sleeve, which is a PITA in my experience. It's fiddly and seems to take longer than putting up the tent itself.
Otherwise it's a great ultralight tent for one if you're a short *&%$#! like me.
Similarly I bought the original Durston X-Mid 1, which I really like, but I've only used it for 2 nights.
Haven't done any overnighting in recent years due to various medical issues.
That said I've never had either tent in alpine conditions, heavy rain yes, and both perform well in my experience in that situation.
If it helps the discussion here is my Laser Comp set up at camp back in 2017 with the pole sleeve fitted and guyed.

TN Laser Comp 1 Pole Sleeve setup.JPG

Hi John, what are the chances we own (basically) the exact same tents! clearly you have good taste in tents I think the pole sleeve will help in very adverse conditions, as it lets you guy out the tent sideways and protect against winds hitting against the side of the tent. all the best with your health

Bron wrote:The pole cover is to make the central seam waterproof. I attached my pole cover to the tent so it went up and down still attached.
My understanding you could seam seal the seam and do away with the pole cover. I actually threaded the guys though the loops underneath anyway.

Hey Bron, thats interesting. youre not the first person who suggested simply guying out directly from the loops on the fly. Have you noticed any issue doing this? I have also seam seeled my TN laser, so really Im just looking at the pole cover for the extra guyout points. Thanks

Noobie wrote:Hi John, what are the chances we own (basically) the exact same tents! clearly you have good taste in tents I think the pole sleeve will help in very adverse conditions, as it lets you guy out the tent sideways and protect against winds hitting against the side of the tent. all the best with your health

Haha, thank you and likewise . When I saw your post I thought what a coincidence. I think the pole sleeve guys probably do give some benefit, just not sure how much in severe weather.
As the sleeve normally just ties on at the base and at intervals along the length of the pole, in my experience it's almost like tying shoelaces. Mine always seem to loosen after a while and need re-tying.
I'm thinking it may reduce the guying benefit if following standard practice. Bron's idea of keeping the sleeve attached sounds interesting though.
Maybe you could make the attachment point tie-ons more robust somehow, and that would also strengthen the guy outs? I'm no expert though.

The X-Mid should be quite good in snow if it is pitched well. Trekking poles are sturdy and the walls are steep so it sheds snow well. I've tested it in 15 cm of snow with no issue. If it was a major snow (e.g. 30 cm) then you'd want to shovel it off once or twice. It's not a true 4-season tent for severe alpine conditions, but for regular winter use it should do well.

Yes to Dan, The XMid went well in high winds and snow in Tassie.
I have modded the guyouts with elastic cord and would suggest the winter version and snow pegs if actual snow camping.
Best wishes
John

I have used an x-mid up on Bogong high plains a few times in the snow and it coped well but there were no major snowfalls at the time.
Like always, I dug a trench around the site and erected a snow wall against the prevailing wind. This also prevents spindrift under the walls of the x-mid, athough you can peg it closer to the snow.

I also didn't bother taking the inner and used a tyvek sheet as a floor. The room inside is insane without the inner - it is a bit of a palace also no snoring from others in the huts....