Your cart is empty It feels desperately alone Alphabetical Sydney Print - K is for Kookaburra This is a limited edition archival Giclee print (Museum Grade: 200 years fadeproof) of the original illustration by artist Antonia Pesenti for Alphabetical Sydney, the best selling children’s book released in 2013. Alphabetical Sydney is a collaboration between architect/illustrator Antonia Pesenti and playwright Hilary Bell. Dimensions: 30cm x 42cmDew, rain, or a sudden downpour—water potentially can find its way into any shelter through needle holes in the seams or an accidental pinhole or tear. Whether your tent or tarp arrives seam-sealed and fully waterproof, factory-taped, or unsealed, eventually you may need to treat your shelter to keep the elements at bay and your shelter in good condition. Luckily, the seam-sealing process is straightforward and fairly simple. Before starting, check with your tent or tarp manufacturer to see what specific products and practices they recommend or warn against.
Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendation and your seam sealant’s directions. McNett, Kenyon, and Aquaseal are among the seam sealant brands on the market. Many tent companies recommend the following McNett products: The process of applying the two is essentially the same (follow the directions for your sealant). You’ll want to do this outside since prolonged exposure to seam sealant without adequate ventilation can be dangerous to your health. Also, pick a warm, dry day, since it will take a while for the sealant to fully cure. Now comes the part where you apply the sealant. If you’re sealing your shelter for the first time, and not in response to a specific leak, your best bet is to seal all the seams at once to ensure that your tent won’t fail when you’re in the midst of a downpour days away from a fix. Pay particular attention to the most exposed seams—the tent floor, fly, and bottom of the tent body—and the webbing attachment points, which are most likely to let in water.
Mesh areas do not need to be seam sealed. Your shelter’s manufacturer may recommend specific seams to seal or not seal. Depending on the size of your tent or the area you are applying the seam sealant to, you may require an extra or larger brush to make it easier. Do factory-taped seams mean my tent is seam sealed?No. Newer tents often come with factory-taped seams. This means a waterproof material has been double stitched between the tent’s seams. A factory-taped seam is usually very water-resistant and should hold up well in comparison to no seam sealing at all, but it is not the same as fully waterproof seam sealing. The outside seams can be sealed for maximum waterproofness. I just paid a lot of money. Why isn’t my tent already seam sealed or taped?Some manufacturers seam seal their tents. Some do not, due to the cost and time involved. It can be far cheaper for you to seam seal your shelter yourself. A few smaller companies give you the option at an additional charge.
Shelters made from silicone treated nylon are not factory-taped since seam tape does not stick to the material. So, do I need to seam seal my new tent?First, always check with your tent’s manufacturer, since most have their own guidelines on how and where to add sealant based on the materials used and the shelter’s design. There are lots of seam sealant products on the market. Can I use any sealant on my tent?No. Specific sealants are made to treat specific fabrics. Find out what materials your tent is made from (nylon versus silnylon, for example) and the manufacturer’s recommendation. The seam sealant you choose should be recommended for use with your tent’s fabric. How often should I seam seal or spot treat my tent? For most people seam sealing need only be done at the beginning of the season, unless you notice that your tent is starting to leak or wear in spots. Backpackers and campers that use their equipment particularly hard may want to apply a coating twice a year.
The easiest way to tell when treatment is needed is with regular inspections. If the sealant is missing, leaking, or cracked in sections, apply another coat. My seams feel sticky even after leaving my tent to dry for 24 hours. What should I do?If the sealant is still sticky after ample drying time, apply a little talcum powder to the seams after the sealant dries, so the seams won’t stick to the rest of the tent. I seam-sealed the floor. Do I still need a ground cloth or footprint?Yes, it’s usually recommended. A ground cloth or footprint protects your tent from the ground, prolonging its life. Be sure the ground cloth is smaller all around than the tent and does not stick out from underneath, otherwise water can get funneled underneath the tent. You can make your own ground cloth or buy one. Note: Always follow the cleaning, care, and repair recommendations of your gear’s manufacturer. Follow all directions and safety information for the seam sealant you choose to use.
Soft, warm, itch-free and odor-resistant socks, clothing and accessories for the whole family. REI offers 331 Smartwool products Start your day with Smartwool socks Shop all Smartwool socks Men's cold-weather Smartwool base layers Shop men's base layers Women's cold-weather Smartwool base layers Shop women's base layers Year-round Smartwool layers for all-season comfort Once upon a time, frustrated by cold feet and the drawbacks of old-school wool, two New England instructors teamed up to create a new breed of wool footwear that would be warm, itch-free and easy to clean. Smartwool socks were born, and with them the company's advancing campaign for comfortable feet. Today, Smartwool specializes in not only socks, but gloves, hats and sweaters, too, plus base layers made from the finest merino wool for clothing that's soft, comfortable, versatile, and odor-resistant so the whole family can stay warm and happy for any outdoor activity.