Polish army tent - Lavvu on a budget ?

  • Hey Guest, Early bird pricing on the Summer Moot (29th July - 10th August) available until April 6th, we'd love you to come. PLEASE CLICK HERE to early bird price and get more information.

9InchNinja

Settler
Feb 9, 2012
602
0
PE1
I used one of these before Christmas, had torrential storms and gale force winds. First night was fine (apart from sliding out of the tent on my kip mat) the second night however the wind got up that much that it blew it over. I awoke in the morning, with a very sore head, to find myself outside. Thankfully it had only blown over, and not away!
 

Oblio13

Settler
Sep 24, 2008
703
2
67
New Hampshire
oblio13.blogspot.com
Trooper, I don't see how your tent can leak if it's buttoned together properly. Did you perhaps pitch it inside out? In that case, rain will come through the arm holes. When you pitch it as a tent, it goes the opposite way that it does when you wear it as a poncho. The extra flap of material that goes across your shoulders should be on the inside, and that also gives you loops to hang candle lanterns from.


IMG_1293_zpsf0400fa3.jpg


Yesterday I pitched both Hungarian and Polish versions of these. I'd previously camped in the former once and the latter quite a lot, but thought a side-by-side comparison would be fun. A loop of baling twine was tied through each grommet along the bottom edges so that I could use large pegs cut from saplings, and pound them in with an axe. I don't think the small wire stakes would have held well enough, even if I could have gotten them into the frozen ground. I also like being able to just cut the twine and leave the pegs behind.


Both tents are inconspicuous in the woods, so much so that I went off for a hike and then had some difficulty finding them again. Good for "stealth" camping and preventing vandalism and theft, but be sure to note landmarks before you go wandering.



IMG_1305_zpsd09a82fb.jpg


The night was windy with sleet and snow.


The Hungarian palatka is made of a heavier, more waterproof and less breathable canvas than the Polish. Moisture condenses in it like it does in a nylon tent. The seams and arm holes button together with only a simple overlap, so snow blows in there as well as at the top where the pole fits through grommets. And if a button breaks off (one did), a gap opens up. The buttons are pressed-on metal rather than sewn-on plastic, so they're not easily replaced.


If you're going to pitch just one palatka as a minimal, open-front shelter, the Hungarian is more convenient than the Polish because of the grommet at the peak. When worn as a rain cape, it seems tight around the shoulders no matter how I button the take-ups, and that same grommet is annoying and has to be folded under on top of your head so it doesn't flop in your face. The metal buttons click against your rifle if you're hunting. As a tent, the Hungarian palatka is okay for storing gear and firewood, but not very comfortable for sleeping in.


The Polish one is much better designed and made. Quieter and more breathable material. Quieter, more comfortable and easily replaceable buttons. There's a triple layer of fabric where edges button together. No precipitation comes through the arm holes, the seams, or the tops. When worn as rain gear, the shoulder and hood drawstrings are infinitely adjustable. There's no grommet on top of your head.


When I struck the tents, the ice clung to both, making them heavy and difficult to fold, but less so to the Polish. They're hanging in my shower now, melting. Fortunately I was using a sled to haul gear, so weight and bulk were not critical. (Well, not to me, anyway, the dog was pulling it.)

If you're looking for an ultra-light or roomy tent, you won't be happy with these. But they are versatile, rugged, inconspicuous, inexpensive and easy to pitch. They shed wind well because of their pyramidal shape. The small volume means just your body heat and a candle lantern will warm them up considerably. I think the Polish palatka is a good tent, better than the Hungarian and Russian palatkas, better than the German zeltbahn and its copies, better than the US shelter half and its copies. And it's even better as a rain cape than as a tent.

 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Coastal73

dp0001

Forager
Apr 27, 2007
125
5
London
Excellent review and pictures there Oblio13, thank you. I was going to ask the question, as 9inchNinja had his blow over, if there was a way of adding more pegs, I would never have thought of adding twine (or paracord or string) between the holes to allow more pegs.

Is there a danger of CO with a candle left on overnight and the snow sealing up the tent gaps or is it always going to be draughty enough to keep the oxygen high enough?
 
I just peg it down. I have 2 peg holes and the button sleeve, which I tie a piece of cord to and peg down. I can peg it slightly forward of the main tent to create an extra space to dump my kit bag. I will be adding a few more vids shortly. I had a play with the stove and put my camp bed in to get a feel for it.

I have to say a big improvement on the old set up!
 
The weight is 3.8kg.

It is only going to be used for cold winter camps and as a base camp where a huge walk in is not necessary.

I have a 4 x 4 DD tarp for the nicer weather.

I can roll the 3 ponchos up and strap them to the bottom of my norwegian pack without any bother. My mini stove breaks down and fits onto the front of the pack. I can have a hot tent set up using 5Kg's of kit.
 

Andy BB

Full Member
Apr 19, 2010
3,290
1
Hampshire
Could do with a bit more illumination inside the tent to improve the video! Are you setting it up more as an oval rather than round?
 
Yes first time I have used the camera. Think I may stick the old head torch on next time. I filmed it in the middle of the day - bright sunshine, and yet the canvas blocks out much of the light. It goes to show the quality of the canvas.

It is more of an eliptical shape. The porch makes a huge difference to the feeling of space inside.
 
Jun 3, 2013
4
0
England
I've just bought the poles from Wilco and was wondering if anyone has cut them down a bit as there could be quite a bit of weight to save and space too?
 

rickyamos

Settler
Feb 6, 2010
622
0
Peterborough
Just ordered mine, hope to try it out when out at the March meet with whittler Kev. taking the hammock just in case. Just to get this straight you set this up the opposite way as when using it as a poncho? i.e. extra shoulder canvas bits are in the inside of the tent setup? well at the price its worth a punt.
 

Realbark

Aimless Wanderer
Jan 18, 2011
354
0
South Lincs UK
I've just bought the poles from Wilco and was wondering if anyone has cut them down a bit as there could be quite a bit of weight to save and space too?

Space was the issue for me, not weight, as i needed to keep each section at no more than 30" (for the back of my bike) BUT needed a pole length of 70" when up. I ended up buying 6 poles and adapting. I now have 6 sections - one for the tripod from each of the original 3 poles and 3 additional sections cut from the second lot of 3 poles. The Cam type twist lock pieces then fell out of the removable/removed sections. To overcome this put them in place and carefully cut a groove around the plastic cam - NOT IN HALF. Then i used some thin baling wire to secure and filed the twisted bit of wire to the cam profile. It works fine. I have used it 3 times since this mod and had no problems. It seems like a lot of hassle but i needed to shorter sections and like the lavuu so was a worthwhile excercise. I also use those bungee with a ball connectors in good weather to allow air in the tent - just threaded on the grommets. And finally i have sewn velcro on the entrance side to ground level just leaving the top 2 buttons buttoned. HTH.
 
May 30, 2010
7
0
Berlin
All folks that are interested in buying PM me so I know how many I have to buy.
As I'm limited on luggage I can carry with me, it would be on first come first served basis.
They come in black or green, and 3 different sizes depending on height of the soldier.
S1 – 160-170cm
S2 – 170-180cm
S3 – 180-190cm
I guess, the bigger the better, but can’t promise what sizes would be available.
Hello,
I have bought one too. One plan is S1 from 1978, the other is S2 from 1987. They fit together also one is 8 cm longer. I cannot imagine what this seller write:

Specific description:

  • color: olive;
  • whole set includes: 2 x poncho, poles, pins;
  • available sizes of ponchos:
    size 1 for people with height 160-170 cm,
    size 2 for people with height 170-180 cm,
    size 3 for people with height 180-190 cm;

  • to make tent you don't need same sizes of both ponchos, all sizes can be putted together, tent has always same dimensions: height 1,4 m, octagon base diameter 2,5 m;
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-person-Tent-Poncho-Zeltbahn-from-Polish-Army-NEW-/320944150060
The diameter change between 2,30 -2,50 depends on the size of the plan. Tomorrow i will try it but i think its will be narrow with my 183 cm.

Its too narrow because its nearly a Size I with these two ponchos. With two size II it would be possible but also no good. I would need two Size III. But the tent is awesome. Quickly built up and a very solid construction.
Somebody knows a source in Polen who would sent an Size III to Germany?
 
Last edited:

BCUK Shop

We have a a number of knives, T-Shirts and other items for sale.

SHOP HERE