Tent Fabric by the yard

Tent fabric is a heavy duty, waterproof fabric that is used to make portable shelters. Woven tightly or extruded from fibers like cotton, nylon, polyester or vinyl (PVC), Tent fabric is treated to be waterproof, mold resistant, and mildew resistant for use outdoors in any environment. Additionally, Tent fabric is easy to transport due to its pliability and light to medium weight. Easy to clean, Tent fabric is available in a variety of draping styles, colors, and patterns, some of which are UV resistant. 

Tent fabric is a versatile fabric that is durable and stylish. Use tent fabric to craft a variety of tents and other outdoor structures. Tent fabric is sold in many widths for use in projects of any size. 

Shop Tent fabric by the yard or in bulk by the roll today! Tent fabric is always sold at wholesale prices and delivered straight to your front door.

 

Best Tent Material: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing

What is the best tent material to buy?

The answer is simple…It all comes down to the kind of camping trips you’ll be going on.

Planning a backpacking trip? Weight will be at the top of your list of priorities.

Car camping? 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.

What Are Tents Made Of? Tent Materials Explained

Camping

What Are Tents Made Of? Tent Materials Explained

Alex Buchnev

 

 

When you go camping, one of the first items you think about or pack is your trustworthy tent. And a tent needs to be trustworthy. It should protect you and your fellow campers from the elements (the sun, wind, rain, or snow). 

The fabric a tent is made from is one of the main elements that makes a tent, and not all fabrics share the same qualities or features. That’s why it’s important to know what tents are made of – the tent fabric and the poles. 

So before you buy your next tent (or maybe you’re a camping newbie looking for their first tent), this is a must-read guide so you don’t make questionable choices – you should buy the best tent to suit your camping needs. 

 

What Are Tents Made Of?

Tents are commonly made from canvas, cotton, nylon, polyester, PVC, PE, poly cotton, or DCF (cuben fiber or dyneema). Tents can also be made from satin or proprietary fabrics. If the tent has a mesh roof, this part is typically made from nylon or polyester mesh. The poles of tents are usually constructed from aluminum, steel, fiberglass, or carbon fiber. 

 

Tent Fabric Explained 

Tents are made from various fabrics, and you need to know about the different tent materials so you can buy the best tent for your camping needs. After all, some fabrics may share similarities, but they are fundamentally different. 

Did you know? The first tents were made from canvas, and like today, these tents were durable, heavy, and sturdy. 

These days, however, most tents are made from nylon or polyester, which are lighter synthetic fibers. 

So let’s get into the different tent fabrics. 

 

Canvas or Cotton Tents 

Canvas tents are made from cotton fibers, or to be more precise, 1×1 cotton duck weave or plain cotton weave. To make the weave, manufacturers twist two-ply threads together, and this is why cotton tents are usually so heavy. 

A tent made from cotton offers campers better insulation than some other tent materials. It’s breathable, so the tent interior won’t be stuffy. The tent will also help keep you cool when you camp during the warm months and warm when camping during the cold months. 

You’ll commonly find these tents at glamping or luxury camping sites. They are also used for car camping, camping at established campsites, temporary offsite living, or longer camping trips. But since these tents are bulky and heavy, they aren’t suitable for backpacking or when you need to carry a tent for quite a distance. 

Canvas Pros 

Naturally waterproof since cotton absorbs water and the fibers expand 

Breathable and low heat retention properties to keep you cool during summer and spring

High insulation qualities to keep you warm during fall and winter 

Durable; the tent will last for years (10-15 at least) if you take care of it 

Better at resisting tears and abrasions 

Looks more luxurious than other more typical camping tents 

Easy to repair if there are nicks or cuts 

Canvas Cons 

Difficult to transport or carry because of the tent’s weight 

More expensive that nylon, polyester, and other types of tents

Need to weather the tent or fully waterproof it 

Need extra care since cotton is a natural material, so mold and mildew can easily set up shop 

 

Nylon Tents

Nylon fabric was created in the 1930, and it’s a byproduct of petroleum. 

Nylon is a popular fabric for tents, and nylon 66 (also written as nylon 6.6, nylon 6:6, or nylon 6/6) is most commonly used to make tents. This synthetic thermoplastic polymer material is lightweight and easy to maintain. However, it doesn’t have great breathability or insulation qualities. 

Since nylon is so lightweight (even more so than polyester), it’s a common choice among backpackers when they choose a tent. But that’s not to say other campers don’t prefer nylon tents. You’ll find tents made from nylon at established campsites too. 

The fabric shares quite a number of similarities with polyester. This material, especially when it comes to ripstop nylon, is also stronger than polyester, so it endures wear and tear better because it has a stretch to it. But nylon isn’t as abrasion-resistant as canvas or cotton. It’s also usually more expensive than polyester tents. 

Nylon tents aren’t waterproof, but if it’s impregnated or mixed with silicon to form SilNylon, the tent is stronger and highly waterproof. These tents can also be coated with polyurethane (PE) or acrylic to protect the material and make it waterproof. 

Nylon Pros 

Affordable 

Lightweight and portable 

Durable because of its stretch quality and resistance to punctures and tearing

Has a good strength to weight ratio (it’s strong and lightweight) 

Low maintenance; nylon tents are easy to wash 

Nylon Cons 

Can degrade when exposed to lots of UV light 

Not breathable, so your tent needs ventilation features 

Not waterproof since nylon absorbs water – only waterproof when specially treated with PE, silicone, or similar materials 

 

Polyester Tents

Polyester is also a synthetic material made from petroleum byproducts. 

Alongside nylon, polyester is the other popular tent fabric, and it’s easy to see why. It’s also lightweight, just like nylon, which makes polyester tents easy to carry or transport. These tents are also easy to maintain and it’s quite durable, depending on the denier of the fabric. 

The denier rating indicates how dense or thick the material is, so the higher the rating, the stronger the fabric. For example, a polyester tent with a rating of 150D (D denotes the denier) will be stronger and more durable than a 75D polyester tent.

Polyester tents aren’t breathable, so if the tent doesn’t have adequate ventilation, condensation will build up. The tent will also trap heat, so it could feel like an oven inside. You will also not stay warm when camping in winter with a polyester tent, unless you use other methods of heating or insulating your tent.

Tents that are 100% polyester are not fully waterproof; when it rains, the water will seep through the fiber gaps. A polyester tent does become more water-resistant when a polyurethane (PU) coating is applied. The bad news is that the water-resistant coating can degrade over time if your tent is exposed to a lot of sunlight. 

Polyester Pros 

Affordable 

Lightweight 

Durable, especially with a high denier rating 

Maintains shape better during rain and wind because it’s not as stretchable as nylon

Has some water-repelling qualities since the fabric doesn’t absorb water (so the tent doesn’t become saggy and heavy)

UV-resistant 

Mildew and mold-resistant 

Polyester Cons 

Not breathable or well-insulated 

Lower resistance to abrasions compared to cotton or nylon 

Not naturally waterproof, but can be highly water-resistant or waterproof with a PU coating 

 

PVC Tents

Poly vinyl chloride (PVC) laminated fabric – a kind of plastic – is another material used to make tents. Most 100% PVC tents are commercial and event tents, and thus, won’t generally be found at ordinary campsites. Instead, event organizers would hire these kinds of tents to host VIPs, sponsors, and more at mass or corporate events or festivals. 

Other PVC camping tents are cotton or polyester tents that have been treated with PVC to make the tent almost completely waterproof. PVC tents are not breathable because of how heavy the material is, so air can’t travel through the tent. The tent will feel stuffy and get hot, unless it has proper ventilation vents and windows you can open.

These kinds of tents are durable, strong, tear-resistant, mold and mildew-proof, and UV resistant. 

PVC Pros 

Looks slick and professional because of the high gloss finish

Durable and strong, so it’ll hold up for a long time with proper care and maintenance 

Fully waterproof and UV-resistant 

Resistant to mildew and mold

PVC Cons 

Pricey

Bulky and heavy 

Not breathable unless there’s sufficient ventilation features 

 

Poly Cotton Tents

Poly cotton (or poly-canvas) tents are made from cotton and polyester, so you get the best of both worlds that these two fabrics have to offer. These tents are more breathable and insulated than regular polyester tents. Because of the polyester blend, they are lighter and less bulky than a 100% canvas tent.

You’ll find these tents at campsites, but they aren’t popular amongst backpackers and hikers because they are too heavy (and lighter weight tent options are available). 

A poly cotton tent isn’t fully waterproof, so it needs to be coated with silicone or PVC to increase the waterproof rating. 

Poly Cotton Pros 

Durable tent 

Reasonably breathable 

Lighter than a 100% cotton or canvas tent 

Poly Cotton Cons 

Heavier than nylon or polyester camping tents 

Pricey 

Not a common tent material 

 

Cuben Fiber (Dyneema or DCF) Tents 

If you are looking for tents that are made from advanced materials, then cuber fiber (DCF or Dyneema) tents are it. Cuben fiber tents are constructed from composite fiber, so it has a great weight to strength ratio. It’s extremely lightweight and has a high tensile strength, meaning these tents are super durable and tough. 

A cuben fiber tent is also highly waterproof so you can go camping with this baby in various weather conditions. 

Cuben Fiber Pros 

Highly durable 

Highly waterproof 

Very lightweight 

UV-resistant 

Cuben Fiber Cons 

Expensive 

Needs a lot of maintenance (needs to be folded, not stuffed into a camping bag for storage)

Doesn’t stretch, making pitching the tent a tad bit difficult 

Not heat-resistant

 

Polyethylene (PE) Tents 

Tents made from polyethylene (PE) are common. These tents have plastic coats on the inside and outside, making them highly waterproof. They don’t fare well in the breathability department, so make sure your tent has ventilation features so you can breathe while in the tent. 

While there are various camping tents made from PE, some PE tents are teepees and gazebos (canopies), and others are mainly used in the commercial and events space. 

These kinds of tents are durable, so you can use the tent over and over again for a long time. PE tents are also heavy, so hikers and backpackers won’t generally consider a PE tent as an option. 

Did you know? Because it is highly waterproof, most tent floors are made from polyethylene. 

PE Pros 

Affordable 

Tough and durable 

Waterproof 

PE Cons 

Very heavy, so not suited if you can’t carry heavy tents or for mountaineers, backpackers, or hikers 

Not very breathable 

 

Other Tent Materials 

Cotton, nylon, and polyester are the most common tent fabrics you’ll find when buying a tent. PE, PVC, poly cotton, and cuben fiber are some of the other materials used to make camping and commercial-use tents. However, those aren’t the only fabrics on the market. 

Some brands have proprietary or other materials they use to make tents. Some of these tent fabrics are: 

Satin 

Gore-Tex

Vapex 

Most 2 and 3-season tents feature mesh, which improves ventilation, breathability, and comfort, especially when you camp during warm springs and summers. Tent mesh is typically made from polyester or nylon. 

 

Tent Poles Explained

When looking at tent materials, it’s essential to consider the material tent poles are made from. Poles hold the tent up, unless you have an airframe tent. 

While you need to weigh up the tent fabric properties when purchasing a tent suited for your camping, backpacking, or hiking needs, you also need to factor in the tent poles. 

 

Fiberglass Tent Poles 

Fiberglass tent poles are suitable if you go camping in mild weather conditions. These poles will likely splinter if it gets too cold. Splintered poles make pitching or taking down the tent tough as the splinters can penetrate your skin (#ouchy). Plus, sliding damaged poles through tent pole sleeves isn’t fun. 

These poles are also not the best option for camping in windy conditions because they can snap under pressure. The reason fiberglass poles can snap is because they aren’t very flexible (like aluminum poles, for example). 

Fiberglass Poles Pros 

Relatively lightweight (lighter than steel, but heavier than aluminum) 

Affordable 

Durable, when handled correctly 

Don’t conduct electricity so safe in storms with low winds 

Don’t corrode 

Fiberglass Poles Cons 

Low strength to weight ratio and low flexibility

Not suited for adverse weather conditions; can snap under pressure and splinter in cold weather 

 

Aluminum Tent Poles

Aluminum tent poles are commonly found in backpacking tents and higher priced camping tents. These poles are lightweight and strong; they’ll hold up well in windy and cold weather conditions. Aluminum poles are flexible, so in high wind, they’ll bend and not break. 

Aluminum Poles Pros 

Lightweight 

More durable in adverse weather conditions than fiberglass poles

Relatively affordable 

Aluminum Poles Cons 

Corrodes even though manufacturers anodize the poles 

Conducts electricity, so a no-no when camping during thunderstorms 

 

Steel Tent Poles 

Steel tent poles are almost primarily used for large car-camping tents or those made from canvas. These poles are heavy and strong to support larger tent structures. 

Steel Poles Pros 

Durable 

Strong 

Ideal for adverse weather 

Steel Poles Cons 

Heavy 

Prone to rusting 

Can be pretty pricey 

 

Carbon Fiber Tent Poles 

Carbon fiber tent poles are usually used in lightweight backpacking tents because these poles aren’t heavy. Unfortunately, these poles are about 50% more expensive than other tent poles, so the tents that come with carbon fiber tents cost a couple hundred (or more) dollars. 

Carbon Fiber Poles Pros 

Extremely lightweight 

Strong 

Durable

Won’t corrode 

Carbon Fiber Poles Cons 

Typically quite pricey 

Inflexible, so not suitable for use in strong winds 

 

Characteristics of Tent Materials 

We’ve looked at the different types of materials that tents can be made from. Here are the fabric characteristics to keep in mind: 

 

Breathability and Ventilation

Most breathable tent fabric(s): Cotton/canvas
Least breathable tent fabric(s): Nylon, polyester, PVC, PE, and cu