A Guide to Tent Material

A Guide to Tent Material

Choosing a tent can be a challenging business. There are a wide range of materials involved, from the fabric on the outside of your tent to the pegs you use to hold it down. This guide looks at some of the materials you are likely to encounter when buying a tent. You can find out more about other things to look for here Choosing a tent layout.

Tent fabrics

Most tents will have two layers – an outer cover known as the flysheet and an inner tent for sleeping. In almost all cases, you won’t have a choice of fabric for the inner tent, so as long as it is breathable (to prevent condensation building up overnight) you should be fine. However, there is a range of materials available for the flysheet. Read on for more details.

Polyester
Most tents on the market today are made of polyester. This man-made fabric comes in many weights and with a variety of coatings, many of which are given brand names by their respective manufacturers.
Polyester has similar properties to nylon (see below), but it does not stretch or shrink as much and by using specialist  coatings can be made to be quite UV stable. Higher grade polyester tents may also have a ripstop weave, this is identified by a cross hatching in the weave and inhibit tearing.

As a result, most tents on the market today – especially family ones – are made from polyester.

Nylon
Lightweight tents are often made of nylon. This man-made textile is normally coated to make it more durable to both abrasion and UV, with coatings such as acrylic, polyurethane (PU) or silicone. 
One disadvantage of nylon is its tendency to ‘ladder’, which is when a small hole propagates across the fabric rapidly. Top-of-the-range nylon fabrics include a ‘ripstop’ mesh of thicker nylon strands that prevent a small tear propogating. However, some cheaper nylon fabrics have a ripstop crosshatch pattern embossed – simply to look the part – so it's worth checking whether the tent you are looking at is really ripstop fabric.

Composites

The latest generation of expedition tents are using laminated polymer or composite textiles. For example ULTRA from Terra Nova uses an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) mat coated on both sides with a thin polymer film. The result is a very robust and lightweight material, the textile can also be bonded allowing for a greater tensile strength than a sewn join.

Polycotton or coated-cotton
An alternative to traditional 100% cotton canvas is polycotton, or lighter-weight cotton with a weather-resistant coating. These materials have many of the qualities of 100% cotton canvas but tend to be lighter in weight and lower cost. Many family tent manufacturers have polycotton or coated-cotton units in their ranges, such as Outwell, Sprayway and Vango.

 

Cotton
Before the 1960s, tents were generally made of natural fabrics such as cotton canvas. TheCamping and Caravanning Club’s founder Thomas Hiram Holding even used silk for his lightest tents.
Today cotton tents are available from specialist manufacturers like Cabanon, Karsten and Bell Tents. Cotton canvas is a wonderful fabric for tents because it remains cool in summer, keeps the warmth inside in winter and rarely suffers from condensation. One result of this is that you do not generally need an inner tent in a cotton canvas unit.

Canvas is also a better sound insulator, so cotton tents often seem quieter inside than nylon or polyester ones. A cotton canvas tent will normally outlast one of man-made fabric, sometimes by several decades, but it will weigh significantly more and probably cost a fair bit too.

Cotton tents can also require more maintenance than ones of man-made fabric. For example, a new cotton tent will need to be weathered to prevent it leaking. This involves soaking it a couple of times, allowing the threads in the canvas to swell slightly and close any tiny gaps where water can seep through.

Cotton’s final winning feature is its smell. You cannot beat the scent of a pure canvas tent to transport you back to childhood days outdoors – even if you did not camp then...

Groundsheets

Groundsheets in most tents today are of sturdy PVC. You will probably want a fully-waterproof groundsheet in your sleeping area, but if you have a choice, it is worth considering a breathable one elsewhere because it will keep the grass beneath your tent in better condition for future campers.

If the ground is already particularly muddy, you may want to have a footprint – which could be purpose designed or simply a piece of polythene from a DIY store or builders’ merchant – to go under your groundsheet to keep the mud at bay.

 

Poles

Glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) – also known as fibreglass –is a popular material for tent poles because it is relatively cheap to produce, lightweight and bends easily around the curves of a tent. It is often found in small- and medium-sized dome and tunnel units or as extra poles (over a porch or similar) in larger ones.

GRP is made from thin glass strands held in a resin. Some such poles are surrounded by an outer wrapping and appear under a brand name, such as Durawrap or Dynaflex. One disadvantage of the material is that when a pole breaks or fractures – and they can do, especially if they are accidentally mis-threaded in a sleeve – the break can have sharp glass splinters.

Steel

Steel tent poles are generally painted, plated or coated to prevent them rusting, and need to remain that way. Steel is a strong, heavy material, so you will normally find these poles in larger tents, and they are not designed to bend around the curves of a tent.

If your chosen tent has steel poles with angled corners, check the thickness of the material at these corners because they can be weak points. An accidentally-bent steel pole can often be straightened, but it will never have all the strength of its condition before the incident.

Aluminium alloy
Aluminium is a much lighter metal than steel and it can bend around curves like GRP. For extra strength aluminium is combined with another metal to form an alloy.
These materials are more costly than GRP but the strength and weight saving (over steel) mean they are often sold with lightweight, backpacking tents.

And also…
At the top end of the market, you willfind poles in hi-tech materials. Carbon fibre ones, for example, are incredibly light, strong and perfect for the curving structures of many tents, but command a high price.

And finally…

One advantage of buying a slightly more-pricey tent from a well-known supplier is that you are likely to be able to buy a replacement part if you accidentally break or tear something. During our tent testing at the Club we expect to break at least one pole every season – so it is not as unusual as we may hope!

Replacement poles, pole sections and end caps (known as ferrules) are normally available from your local camping equipment retailer, or a specialist spares stockist such as www.tentspares.co.uk.

If replacements are no longer available for your particular tent model, you can normally buy a standard piece of pole with the correct diameter and cut it to length.

 

Pegs

When you buy a tent it is likely to be supplied with standard, straight steel pegs with a circular cross-section, sometimes called pins. If conditions are good, these may be sufficient, but in many cases it is worth investing in some additional pegs to keep your tent securely on the ground. Pins can be easy to put in the ground, but they often bend if they hit something hard in the ground and they are also easily dislodged.

Some campers with many years’ experience will carry a selection of pegs, each suited to different ground conditions. It is always worth having a few spares – even of the most basic pins – to replace any broken or lost ones.

Pressed steel or alloy
Pegs with a shank with a flat cross-section generally give better grip than standard steel pegs.

Lightweight pegs
If you are carrying your kit yourself, you may consider alloy pegs or titanium ones to reduce weight. These need to be used carefully as they are more likely to bend under the mallet. You also need to be sure they will be good enough to stay in the ground keeping your tent down in the wind.

Moulded plastic
There are many shapes and sizes of moulded plastic pegs on the market. Many are remarkably strong, even though they are light in weight. Some larger tents are sold with moulded plastic pegs for the main guylines and steel pins for the remaining guys.

Rock pegs
Rock pegs are designed for especially hard ground – perhaps stony or frozen. They are normally made from toughened steel and generally have a head to take the guyline, perhaps made of plastic.

Screw-in pegs
These pegs have a strong grip and are designed to stay in the ground unless you unscrew them. Many people use a cordless drill to put them in place and extract them.

Groundsheet pegs
Groundsheet pegs normally have flattened tops so you can stand on them without spiking your feet.

And the rest
You will find a wide range of pegs on sale at your local camping retailer or online, with extra features such as glow-in-the-dark heads or extended tops to anchor them to the ground. After a few camping trips, you will soon decide whether you would like to splash out on a different type. Many enthusiasts on camping forums are happy to discuss the options.

Putting in and removing pegs
Unfortunately there are too many campsite accidents when a peg breaks through the sole of a shoe or boot. So it is worth investing in a rubber-headed mallet to help push your pegs into the ground (unless you are only using screw-in ones). You may also like to buy a peg extractor for the end of the holiday – it is a good way to save your hands and prevent pegs being left in the ground.

A tent on fire

No tent fabric is fireproof. Many fabrics will be fire retardant but all tents will burn and most will burn remarkably quickly.

No tent fabric is fireproof. Many fabrics will be fire retardant but all tents will burn and most will burn remarkably quickly.

That’s one of the reasons you should never use any equipment with open flames in a tent and, however romantic you think it may be, never use candles in or near a tent. 

If your tent does catch fire there is only one thing to do. Get everybody out and get clear of the tent as quickly as possible. Save yourself and worry about the tent later. 

Traditional tent campers adopt an excellent habit – they all keep a fire-bucket full of water or sand outside their tent. Nothing is more effective if a tent does catch fire than half a dozen good neighbours each throwing their own bucket of water on the blaze.

The Club has a rule that units should always be 6m apart from each other. The law states that all units should be pitched at a distance to prevent the spread of fire and the outdoor industry has agreed to a minimum of 3m between tents

 

Tent Material 101: All You Need To Know

When buying a tent, how do you decide on which material to go for?

The answer is simple.

It all comes down to the kind of camping trips you’ll be going on.

Planning a backpacking trip? If the answer is yes, weight will be at the top of your list of priorities.

Car camping? Weight shouldn’t be an issue. You might be more concerned about breathability and UV resistance.

Going camping in rough terrain? You’ll want to make sure your tent is made of a highly durable material.

Common camping tent materials you’re likely to come across in your search include:

Nylon

Polyester

Canvas

Polycotton

Cuben Fiber

In this article, I’m going to tell you what you need to know about the characteristics of each of these tent fabrics.

Once you know the pros and cons of each fabric, you should have a better idea of which one is best for you, based on your priorities.

Ready?

Let’s go!

 

 

Basic Information About Commonly Used Tent Fabrics

 

With all the different materials out there, it’s easy to get confused.

When you look up specific materials, you’ll often get a bunch of technical info that might as well be written in Swahili.

Let me simplify it for you.

Here are all the important things you should keep in mind about various materials when buying a tent, minus the technical jargon.

 

 

 

Nylon

 

The most common material you’ll encounter when looking at tents is nylon.

It’s a synthetic material, with a denier rating that indicates how thick it is. The thickness of the fabric will affect both the durability and UV resistance of your tent.

Nylon is generally the material of choice for backpackers, due to the fact that it’s so lightweight.

It’s also highly breathable. This is important because airflow prevents condensation from collecting inside your tent.

One thing that isn’t great about nylon fabric is that it’s highly absorbent. That means that it doesn’t offer great water resistance. If you anticipate rainy weather, it’s a good idea to apply waterproofing spray to your tent before you head off on your camping trip.

 

Ripstop Nylon

 

Ripstop nylon is a type of nylon that has ripstop threads woven into it, for added durability.

The advantage to getting a tent made of a ripstop material is that any small holes and tears won’t turn into big gaping holes over time. Thanks to the ripstop, the damage won’t get any worse, meaning your tent will ultimately last longer.

On the downside, ripstop nylon isn’t as lightweight as regular nylon.

 

Pros & Cons Of Nylon

 

Pros:

Lighter than polyester and much lighter than canvas

Stretchier than polyester

Good breathability

Dries quicker than canvas, making it less prone to mildew

Cons:

Absorbs water

Less durable than polyester

Not as UV resistant as polyester

 

 

Polyester

 

 

Polyester is another synthetic material that is often used to make tents.

Like nylon, polyester fabrics also have a denier rating, depending on how thick they are.

Sometimes, a nylon tent will come with a polyester rain fly. This is because polyester doesn’t absorb as much water as nylon does, making it a better choice for wet weather.

Polyester fabric is also more durable than nylon.

Why use nylon at all, then?

Well, even though nylon is less durable, it still has a far better strength-to-weight ratio than polyester. It’s also stretchier, which means it won’t rip as easily when under stress.

Plus, the fact that it’s lighter than polyester makes it a much better choice for backpackers.

That being said, it’s worth noting that in recent years the strength-to-weight ratio of polyester has improved a lot.

Durability was once reserved for thicker polyester fabrics. Now, there are more and more lightweight polyester fabrics available that are impressively tough. For this reason, polyester tents are definitely on the rise.

 

Ripstop Polyester

 

Like nylon, polyester can also have ripstop fabric woven into it, for a stronger material.

This will also slow wear and tear, as any insignificant damage won’t get worse over time.

It does, however, also add to the overall weight of the tent.

 

Pros & Cons Of Polyester

 

Pros:

Better UV and water resistance than nylon

More durable than nylon

Also dries quicker than canvas, making it less prone to mildew

Cons:

Heavier than nylon

Not as breathable as nylon

Not as stretchy as nylon, making it more prone to tearing

 

 

Canvas

 

 

Canvas is made of cotton, which is a natural material, unlike nylon and polyester.

One of the advantages of a canvas tent is that cotton is more breathable than synthetic materials.

It also performs better when it comes to UV resistance.

That all makes it great at regulating the temperature inside your tent. A canvas tent will keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter, so you’ll always get a good night’s sleep.

On the other hand, it’s also heavier and far slower to dry. Unfortunately, this can lead to problems with mildew forming inside the tent.

The water resistance of a cotton canvas tent can be improved dramatically by weathering it. The process of weathering (or seasoning) your tent involves drenching it completely and letting it dry out. This can be done once, or several times, depending on the tent in question.

Note that if you get a canvas tent that has a PVC coating, you won’t need to weather it before you use it.

Finally, canvas tents are more expensive than most nylon and polyester tents.

 

Pros & Cons Of Canvas

 

Pros:

Great breathability

Better UV resistance than polyester or nylon

Solid water resistance when weathered or coated

Cons:

Heavier than polyester and nylon

Slower to dry than polyester and nylon, making it more susceptible to mildew

More expensive than polyester or nylon, in most cases

 

 

Polycotton

 

 

If you’re leaning towards canvas, consider polycotton canvas. Polycotton is a material that’s a blend of both polyester and cotton.

By combining the two, you end up with a fabric that has all the qualities of cotton, with better durability and mildew resistance.

Unfortunately, along with all the qualities, a polycotton tent also has all the disadvantages of cotton. It’s heavier than polyester or nylon, and is also more expensive.

 

Pros & Cons Of Polycotton

 

Pros:

Very breathable

More durable than canvas

Cons:

Still heavier than polyester or nylon

Tends to be more expensive than polyester or nylon

 

 

Cuben Fiber

 

Cuben Fiber, also known as Dyneema Composite Fabric or DCF, is the newest addition to the tent materials family.

It’s incredibly lightweight with an unbelievable strength-to-weight ratio. And, get this: it’s waterproof. That’s right – it doesn’t absorb any water.

That makes it the ideal material for a backpacking tent.

What’s the catch? Well, it’s a pretty big one unfortunately. Cuben Fiber is far less resistant to wear and tear than any of the other materials we’ve talked about.

Tents made of this material can’t be expected to last nearly as long as tents made of nylon, polyester, canvas or polycotton.

That, and the fact that they aren’t by any means cheap, make Cuben Fiber tents the least economical option you can go for.

 

Pros & Cons Of Cuben Fiber

 

Pros:

Doesn’t absorb water, making it waterproof

Better strength-to-weight ratio than any other material

Excellent UV resistance

Cons:

Inferior durability

Seams prone to damage

More expensive than other materials

 

 

Nylon Vs. Polyester

 

 

Nylon and polyester are both synthetic materials. Still, there are several key differences between them.

For starters, nylon has a better strength-to-weight ratio. However, polyester has a much better strength-to-weight ratio today than it did in the past.

Nylon is also more breathable, and it’s stretchier. While some might argue that it’s stretchiness is a con, as it causes wrinkles in the fabric, this is just a minor aesthetic detail. The stretchiness of the fabric means it’s less likely to tear when it’s pulled out tightly.

A couple of things polyester has over nylon is that it absorbs less water and it’s slightly tougher.

Last but not least, it provides better UV resistance. Keep in mind, however, that in the long run this will have a lot more to do with the color and denier of the fabric than the type of fabric itself.

 

 

Canvas Vs. Nylon / Polyester

 

If your aim is to pack light, you’d be better off going for a tent made of a synthetic material such as nylon or polyester. Natural materials such as canvas tend to be significantly heavier.

If you’re car camping, this won’t be an issue. But, if you’re backpacking, you definitely want to avoid canvas.

Synthetic materials are also generally more resistant to tearing and mildew growth. However, canvas performs better when it comes to resisting UV ray damage and fading.

Canvas is also more breathable, meaning you’re less likely to have a problem with condensation inside your tent.

Despite being more breathable, it’s actually still a better insulator than nylon or polyester. This means it’ll keep you warmer when it’s cold and cooler when it’s hot.

A canvas tent will usually be pricier than a tent that’s made of nylon or polyester.

There are, however, also tents on the higher end of the price scale that are made of synthetic materials. These are 4 season and 5 season tents that are made to withstand extreme weather conditions.

 

 

The Final Verdict

 

Which fabric is the best? Well, as you can see, there isn’t one right answer. It all depends on what your top priorities are.

If you’re a backpacker looking for a lightweight tent that won’t weigh you down, nylon is definitely the way to go.

Extreme adventurers camping in rough terrain would probably be better off going for polyester.

Car campers can go for anything really, including canvas, which is an excellent choice if you don’t mind the extra weight.

Hopefully you’ve now got a clearer picture of what kind of tent is going to work for you.

Now, all that’s left to do is find a model you like. Check out our tent reviews (like this one on 4-person tents) to see some of the best tents on the market today.

A Helpful & Quick Guide To Buying Tent Fabrics

 

 

Quick Guide to Buying Tent Fabrics

A high-quality tent is an essential component of any camping trip/vacation. You’ll be lying under the open sky if you don’t have this item, which means you’ll be open to the wind, the cold, the heat, and all the weather conditions that might be thrown at you.  We’ve put together this helpful guide to buying tent fabrics to help you. 

Modern tents, fortunately, are made of a variety of materials that make them both robust and weather-resistant. The ideal tent fabric will aid with weather protection. This guide to buying tent fabrics will help you decide on the best tent materials for you, based on how well they perform. 

 

Which Tent Material Is Best?

The best tent fabric, in general, will keep the weather out while protecting the interior. You don’t have to fear heavy precipitation soaking through and getting you wet with this fabric. It should also help you keep warm at night by trapping as much heat as possible. However, the fabric should be permeable enough to keep the tent from becoming too stuffy.

Unfortunately, there isn’t a single tent fabric that is ideal for any and all weather and camping situations. However, we’ll examine the best tent materials —nylon, canvas, polyester, and polycotton – to examine how they fare.

 

The Best Waterproof Tent Fabrics 

A tent that is waterproof is required for any camping trip, regardless of the season. Even if there isn’t a chance of rain, you must be concerned about morning dew forming on the outside. Dew can seep inside your tent if it isn’t waterproof, soaking yourself and your camping gear.

 

Tents Made Of Polyester

To make polyester, manufacturers must heat PET plastic pellets and twist them into long, thin threads. Polyester is naturally water-resistant due to its plastic composition. To make a polyester tent waterproof, the fibers must be knitted extremely tightly. Polyester is a decent choice in general, especially if you utilize a waterproof tent cover.

 

 

Tents Made Of Nylon

Nylon fibers, like polyester, are manufactured from synthetic chemicals. Nylon is made by fusing the raw ingredients into a film, then splitting it up to fuse into strings, instead of heating plastic pellets and twisting them into threads. Nylon, like polyester, is typically waterproof, though perhaps not waterproof.

Nylon is great for light rains and potential early dew, but it won’t keep you dry in a storm.

 

Tents Made Of Canvas

Canvas is an organic textile made from cotton or linen fibers. Canvas is not extremely waterproof due to its natural nature. Canvas tents, on the other hand, absorb and hold water, making them leaky. However, you may keep your canvas tent impermeable by regularly soaking it to help close the gaps between the threads.

This procedure, however, may take days to finish and is not 100% effective. Canvas, on the other hand, is by far the most permeable of the textiles and can help avoid condensation.

If you’re going to use canvas, first make sure to waterproof it and then cover it with a water-resistant tent fly.

 

Tents Made Of Polycotton

Polycotton is a polyester-and-natural-cotton combination. The mix could be 50/50 or tilt to one end, like 60% polyester and 40% cotton, depending on the manufacturer. The goal of polycotton would be to combine the greatest features of both fabrics while minimizing the drawbacks. Unfortunately, polycotton can be quite absorbent as a tent fabric, which means it’s not especially waterproof.

Sunforger Shelter Tent Duck

 

What Does A PU Coating Mean?

On their own, woven materials are not waterproof. Waterproof fabric treatments are available on several tents. A  polyether urethane coating, a silicone o,r a polyurethane one are some of the options (PE coating). Tent materials with polyurethane, silicone, or polyether coatings are more water-resistant and waterproof.

Tents also include seams that are sealed to prevent leakage at the contact points between fabrics.

 

Material Durability And Fabric Denier

The ideal camping tent fabric ought to be tough and durable in addition to being water-resistant. The tent must not only be packed and unpacked on each occasion you camp, and that it must survive the elements. Furthermore, branches and other dirt may scrape the skin.

The fabric denier rating is a simple technique to determine if a fabric is durable. Whereas the Fabric Denier isn’t perfect, it’s a decent starting point.

 

 

Fabric Denier: What Is It?

When comparing camping tent materials, you’ll find that each has a denier number. This number indicates the fabric thickness; a larger number indicates that the cloth is thicker. Tent fabrics have a value of 50 to 500 on average, but lighter tents could have a lower score.

When comparing two similar tents, the one with the greater number needs to be more durable.

Finally, keep in mind that a heavier tent implies more material, so plan appropriately, especially if you’re hiking to your campground.

All decent tents usually come with simple instructions, and after erecting a few different types of tents, you’ll see that they all have the same formula. However, if you do have the time or space, practicing setting up your tent in the yard before going on vacation is a wonderful idea. This can avoid the classic “make your tent at home” scenario that can ruin a camping trip!

Hopefully, we have covered everything you need to know about choosing the best tent fabric in our Quick Guide to Buying Tent Fabrics. However, if we left anything out, check out our website and find everything you need to know about tents and other camping equipment. 

Stay tuned for more helpful hints on buying wholesale fabric online, DIY tips and tutorials, and of course, some awesome new products! Canvas ETC is your one-stop shop for all things fabric including buying bulk fabric online and more.

Our fabric experts are on hand and ready to answer all your fabric questions, help you select the right material for your job, and even help you design custom prints. Call us today! Let’s get started!