The Beta

Ever wonder what a 1200mm waterproofness rating actually means? In this article, we dive into the science behind waterproofness ratings and explain why there's more to the story than a single number. Spoiler alert: Big Tent is lying to you. 

Before I start in with my hot takes, some context: I like hiking. I also like riding bikes. I have done a lot of both, and used a lot of...

Packaged Weight vs. Packed Weight vs. Total Weight vs. Trail Weight vs. Minimum Weight: What does it all mean? Buying a tent can be overwhelming. Even weight, which you might...

What's the best way to store your tent? You might be surprised to learn that the reason many tents need to be retired is not how hard they’re used in...

Single-Wall vs. Double-Wall Tents: Which Is Best For You? When buying a tent, one of the important decisions you need to make is whether you should get a single-wall or...

In this video Tim does a deep dive into the bike and gear he used on the 2024 Tour Divide. The 2700-mile Tour Divide is a self-supported bikepacking race that...

In this video, we walk you through two basic repair techniques for your tent's fly or floor fabric. The first technique works on small holes, like pinholes and holes smaller...

UV damage is a major factor in a tent's lifespan. For a tent that's well-maintained, sun damage will likely be the factor that determines its usable life. We conducted UV testing on a variety of fabrics to determine their resistance to UV damage. In this article we discuss how fabrics respond to prolonged sun exposure and how to mitigate UV damage to your tent to make it last as long as possible.

In this video, we walk you through how to replace individual sections of your tent poles that may have bent or broken. It's a quick and easy way to repair...

Are you looking to do some winter camping with your Portal? Or do you live somewhere with freak snowstorms year round? The Portal can handle it, but it helps if...

This video explains why the new CrossBow Four-Season may be the last tent you'll ever need.

In this video, we explain how to fix snags in your tent body's mesh canopy. Lightweight mesh can develop small imperfections from snagging on velcro, clothing, vegetation, etc. These "snags"...