Loue (tent)

A loue (or loude) is an ultra-light Finnish open tent used to give shelter from wind and rain during rest stops or overnight camping during hikes. Loues are popular as one or two person shelters because they are compact, light (2.2 lbs or 1 kg) and can be set up and taken down quickly.

A loue consists of a roughly conical section of fabric with the semi-circular bottom edge grounded by stakes and the tip raised with a single pole. Young trees may be used temporarily to suspend the fabric without doing permanent damage. Also a tarp tent can be rigged as loue.

It is possible to use a camp fire for warmth and cooking, provided that the loue is upwind. In the summertime, a mosquito net may be used for comfort.

While open canvas shelter is not uniquely Finnish, the shape of modern loue was developed by writer Aarne Erkki Järvinen and presented first time in Metsästys ja kalastus-magazine in 1931. After second world war loue was popular in finland among boyscouts through books of Kullervo Kemppinen and Olli Aulio.

Originally loue was made out of cotton tent canvas, later nylon.

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