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I need to replace some guylines on one of my tents. I normally use some paracord lying around but they have been getting tripped over more and more. I found some glow in the dark paracord, but before I buy this stuff I wanted to know, has anyone used it? How well does it work? Is there something else I am better off using to prevent kids from tripping over it?

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4 Answers

up vote 4 down vote accepted

One of my tents has fluorescent paracord - it doesn't glow in the dark, but is incredibly bright and can easily be seen. We also attach some of it as guidelines when pitched in wilder areas to help the kids find their way to the tents in the dark. It works well - typically the only people who trip over them are adults...if they have had one two many glasses of wine...

Glow in the dark sounds like a good idea though - if it is at a reasonable price I would suggest getting it anyway and trying it.

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I like the fluorescent idea, and paracord is a lot cheaper than the triptease. – Russell Steen♦ May 25 '12 at 14:35
I went ahead on ordered some glow in the dark and also some fluorescent. I will try both and see what I like better. – MaskedPlant May 27 '12 at 4:09
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I propose using whatever cord is strong enough, inexpensive, and compact, then marking it with fluorescent surveyor's tape.

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Another option is adding your own glow paint as needed.

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This is actually what I have been currently doing. I take a couple rolls of this stuff on every camp out and use it for all kinds of things. – MaskedPlant May 27 '12 at 4:15
@MaskedPlant since you already have it with you I suppose you find it lacking in this capacity or you wouldn't have asked this question. If you really need something everyone can see, perhaps an 8-hour chem-light or long running micro-LED light on each guy? – Mr.Wizard May 27 '12 at 4:44
LoL. It helps quite a bit but I was thinking if the entire line was glowing it might work a bit better or help illuminate the lines. I should probably tie 3 or so ribbons on the line instead of my current 1. – MaskedPlant May 27 '12 at 19:12
@MaskedPlant I also added a link to glow paint. I've not used this one myself but I understand that it is quite effective. It might be another good option if you don't need the entire wire lit. Perhaps combine it with another system. – Mr.Wizard May 27 '12 at 19:30
up vote 2 down vote

Fluorescent or glow in the dark paracord would be the way to go - I haven't tried the latter, but from looking at its colour it may blend in more in the daytime than fluorescent stuff, even if it stands out more at night. I'm happy to be proved wrong of course!

However, it seems here the question alludes to kids tripping over the lines, which isn't necessarily a problem that should just be solved by making the lines more visible (though of course it's a good step and certainly helps.) I'd also suggest the following two points:

  • Keep activities well away from the tent so kids aren't running around it and therefore tempted to get closer where they may trip over
  • Perhaps look at getting some stakes you can put in the ground as signposts - put them around the guidelines and attach yellow warning tape or similar to them, which will stand out more. They can then be instructed to not come closer to the tent than those markers (and they serve as a better visual reminder.)
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Those are definitely good suggestions. Most of the time the activities are well away but it never fails some one trips. Usually because where we tend to go there is limited flat area and the tents all end up pretty close. – MaskedPlant May 27 '12 at 4:13
up vote 5 down vote

I recommend highly reflective line. Many manufacturer's make this. I have had excellent results with Kelty Triptease. One 50' line cuts down to easily make 4 guylines for a tent. It is highly reflective and even a little light will make it really stand out at night.

You may also consider reflective markers like these made by MSR. These will also make the cord stand out more in the day just by making it blend less with the background.

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I really like the reflective markers. I have never seen those before and I think I will pick some up and try them out. I accepted Rory's answer because that's what I ended up replacing the guylines with. – MaskedPlant May 27 '12 at 4:11

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