The carbon tarp poles from Ruta Locura in the US are a nice bit of kit but by the time you've added shipping and possible duty, they start to get a little expensive.

So, would there be any interest in something similar made closer to home?

I'd estimate prices around £30 for a sectional, metre long pole but that will depend a little on whether I used pultruded or wrapped tubes. Weight should be around 65g.

Can you get custom lengths rather than just metre long?

Can you get custom lengths rather than just metre long?

Yeah I'd be able to make them at custom lengths ... just used 1m as a reference point. I reckon a standard length of 125cm would be the most useful.

Can you get them adjustable like Ruta?

Can you get them adjustable like Ruta?

You mean, can I make them adjustable ... I'm looking into that. The trouble with adjustable is the adjuster becomes a weak point but that's not to say it couldn't be done.

I'd be interested then.

deffo interested Stu

currently in need of a pole/poles and have a bit of birthday money burning a hole in my pocket :D

Just awaiting some specs from the carbon suppliers. I'm thinking that offering custom lengths rather than a standard length will be the way forward.

I'm guessing that these are a bit stiffer than the random bits of carbon pole you can find on eBay?

I'm potentially interested, say 50% interest rate

Yip, one please.

Potential interest here too. If they came in 60cm sections that were modular, could use 2 front-centre and 1 each side, or 2 each front corner etc? Not sure if that's a good use tho as I'm still learning about tarp pitching.

yep - interest here - my MSR pole is great but is a bit of a lump and I wouldn't mind a lighter option

Aye, sounds of interest to me too

pultruded or wrapped tubes

Before going to Ruta Locura, I did a lot of research into poles and doing it myself. Can't recall all the details, but iirc, pultruded poles are good in compression, and wrapped ones have good longitudinal strength and resist bending better. For a tarp pole, you want both characteristics. From what I have read, the RL pole is a custom multidirectional layup that has a high compression strength and a high resistance to bending.

Before going to Ruta Locura, I did a lot of research into poles and doing it myself. Can't recall all the details, but iirc, pultruded poles are good in compression, and wrapped ones have good longitudinal strength and resist bending better. For a tarp pole, you want both characteristics. From what I have read, the RL pole is a custom multidirectional layup that has a high compression strength and a high resistance to bending.

Pultruded tubes have high longitudinal strength because they're unidirectional with the majority of the fibres running the length of the tube. They're not as good as wrapped tubes when it comes to resisting twisting or crushing but I don't think either of those forces is too much of a concern for a tarp pole. Wrapped poles are multidirectional which gives them good uniform strength in any direction.

I reckon I'd be interested too

I'd be up for one too. Have an unused siltarp2 and was thinking I needed some poleage to make the most of it...

Interested, I won't always be lucky finding branches to do the job for me.

Hopefully the first poles will be ready for testing towards the end of the week.

My plan is to make 'standard' poles in 30cm sections without shockcord down the centre so a longer pole can be used at various lengths, 150cm, 120cm or 90cm depending what's required ... custom lengths available too.

I'm hoping to do some all aluminium poles too, which should prove cheaper but slightly heavier.

Definitely interested!

First prototype carbon pole. 1m long in 3 sections,12mm diameter and weighs in at 64g. Production ones will use wrapped poles so will have that 'carbon look' to them



EDIT: News just in from the Bear Bones barn is that the 'budget aluminium version' (1m long, 3 sections and 10mm diameter) tips the scales at 81g.

I'm interested. Looking for a lighter pole than the MSR one I have for the Lair.

What about an adjustable one? I've been looking for something to hold up my trailstar and the adjustable bottom on a walking pole was great when the wind whipped up overnight and I needed to drop the height.

For adjustable you could just have a 4,5,6 inch piece to slot in to a pole 3 piece pole for a Trailstar, not technically adjustable but it would give you the option of low, windy pitch to calm high pitch.

By the way, theres a modular inner on outdoors magic for sale at the moment if your interested.

Hmmm, I'll have a think about an extra extension pole. Thanks for the inner suggestion but I've already got an Oookworks inner for it!

Stu.