Should I get a tent groundsheet or footprint for my tent? Your tent should function perfectly well without one but it will add to the overall comfort, protection, and durability of your camping setup. A tent groundsheet is a relatively affordable, light bit of gear that gives you options – you might decide to take it on one trip but leave it at home next time according to the terrain and weather conditions. Here are some reasons why having a groundsheet or footprint is a great idea. 1. Protects Against Abrasion: A groundsheet acts as a protective barrier between the tent floor and t ..read more

With Father's Day coming up on Sunday the 3rd of September (a reminder if you needed it) we've created a special 'Father's Day Collection' with 20-50% off selected items including Intents Outdoors branded gear (like our range of lightweight tents, sleeping bags, tarps and more), as well as camp kitchenware and drinkware. For the Dad's that love the outdoors (and even those that don't) checkout our sale collection and grab Dad something that makes him smile.  We asked some of our Intents Outdoors Dad's what items they have their eyes on in our Father's Day collection and these are their to ..read more

Bikepacking in New Zealand offers a thrilling adventure through some stunning and varied landscapes, with a well-established network of trails, tracks and backcountry routes, friendly locals, and opportunities for a bit of cultural immersion, making for an unforgettable biking experience. There are heaps of exciting bike trails suitable for various skill levels and preferences from  novice to expert. Here are a few examples of some of the best bikepacking trails in NZ: North Island Rides Hauraki Rail Trail – An easy 160km ride which can be completed over 1-4 days. Following a h ..read more

You’re off on the trip of a lifetime cycling around NZ or have been persuaded to join some mates for a long weekend bikeriding the Hauraki Rail Trail, or the Old Ghost Road. Bikepacking is a great way to have fun and enjoy the great outdoors. So you need a suitable tent, but how do you choose the best bikepacking tent for your adventure? There’s no tent that does everything for everyone. We all have our own priorities and are heading off on different bikepacking adventures. Here are some essential things to consider when choosing your tent: Weight: Low weight is very important. Most ..read more

Matariki long weekend is upon us. You could stay rugged up at home or you could head out for a fun winter camping weekend. Matariki refers to the Pleiades star cluster, which becomes visible in the pre-dawn sky in late May or early June, marking the start of the Māori New Year. It’s a great opportunity to appreciate the beauty of the night sky stargazing on your camping trip. I love camping for its serene landscapes, getting away from the daily grind with friends and family, the thrilling outdoor activities, starry nights and cosy campfires. OK but it's winter – time to hibernate at home rugge ..read more

Summer's over and the days are getting shorter and colder, but autumn and winter is still a great time to get out camping. But it's important to choose a tent that'll handle the conditions to keep you safe, warm, and comfortable in cold weather. Here are some things to think about when choosing a tent for winter camping: Seasons: 4 season tents are true alpine tents built to handle mountains, high altitudes and winds, snow and extreme temps. But you can still use 3 or 3+ season tents year round but need to make sure the design and specs are suitable for winter camping and will handle winds, r ..read more

The Indie 2 tent is a popular ultralight 2 person tent. Craig reached out to us with an unsolicited email saying that he'd like to offer his thoughts on the Indie 2 after buying 2 and using them for more than a year. We're stoked that likes the tent and really appreciate the extra effort he went to contact us. Read on ...    Thank you for your help with the purchase of the Indie 2 - Ultralight Silnylon 2 Person Hiking Tent. You where very helpful with my many questions . I first brought the same tent in polyester first , It was cheaper but heavier by a few hundred grams. This wa ..read more

Intents Outdoors has more than 20 ultralight and lightweight camping tents, so we’ve probably got a tent that works for you. Having choices can also be confusing, so we’ve made a handy chart to compare our range of tents by checking out sizes, fabrics, specs for you to more easily identify which tent or tents will fit you and your next outdoor adventure. To choose the best tent for your needs start with how many people will be using the tent and what's your maximum weight. That should narrow it down and then check them out in more detail.  Think about... your personal priorities - si ..read more

  The Desert Cruiser hard shell roof top tent has been engineered with the ‘keep it simple’ principal in mind. Rooftop tents cleverly designed and refined to make things as easy as possible for the user - hassle free fun. Here’s why we at Intents Outdoors think this is the best hard shell roof top tent on the market.   1. Lower Cost  All the features for not much more than a soft shell tent but $2000-3000 less than comparable aluminium hard shells. Best value aluminium hard shell roof top tent on the market.   2. 60 second setup Sets up in 60 seconds with the patented gas s ..read more

You see more and more people out and about with roof top tents on the road and at campsites. Comfortable, easy to use and the freedom they offer make roof top tents a winner for quick weekends away or long road trips. There are two types of roof top tents - soft shell tents and hard shell tents. What are soft shell tents and hard shell roof top tents? What are the differences? Which is better for you? Check out the pros and cons of each. Soft Shell roof top tents More typically seen around NZ – something like our AX2 . Bi-fold roof tents are most popular with a canvas or polyester tent packe ..read more