Tent Fabric Specifications and Coatings Explained

Tent Fabric Specifications and Coatings Explained Camping Kettle & Stove

Lets take the myth and confusion out of Tent Specifications and jargon! It's important that you choose the best tent for your needs so lets quickly look at the terminology you will find in Tent specifications from manufacturers.

When looking at tents for sale, reputable brands and retailers should provide tent fabric specs so you can work out a tent’s performance capabilities and suitability to handle different conditions. Here's an introduction to different tent fabric specifications.

Hydrostatic Head (HH), water column or ‘waterproof’ ratings (measured in mm)

Polyester and nylon fabrics are not waterproof and so silicone or PU coatings are applied to give waterproof properties. The amount of water that they can ‘hold out’ is tested using a high column of water which is measured in mm. Ratings range from 800mm up to a max of 10,000mm with ratings of 1500mm and higher generally considered ‘waterproof’.

All our tents have a rating of 3,000mm so are extremely reliable in bad weather!

What is Denier?

Denier (D) is the unit measuring the weight and thickness of the individual threads used in the fabric. Fabric with a higher Denier will be thicker, stronger and more durable than the same fabric with a lower Denier – 40D Nylon will be stronger than 15D Nylon and 70D Polyester stronger than 50D Polyester. Remember that different fabrics have different strengths. Lower Denier is common in ultralight nylon tents and tarps where low weight is paramount. 

All Kelly Kettle camping tents are Polyester 70D. Something like a heavier duty event shelter may be in the region of 150D as thicker material would be required to deal with greater stresses and longer exposure to the sun and elements.

What is Thread count?

The thread count (T) is the number of threads used horizontally and vertically per square inch of fabric ... 190T means a total of 190 threads. A higher thread count represents a greater density and tighter weave in the fabric. For this reason you will often find lower Denier fabrics (with a ‘thinner’ thread) have a higher thread count.

All Kelly Kettle Tents have 190T whereas our standard Tarp has 210T.

What is Ripstop?

Ripstop tent fabrics are those with a special reinforcement to increase resistance to tearing and ripping. When weaving, a stronger thread is used at regular intervals to form a crosshatching, grid pattern visible in the fabric. This improves strength of the fabric and makes any tears or holes less likely to spread and become bigger.

We use the Ripstop fabric in ALL our Tarps & Tents to give you the best product available.

What are fabric coatings?

Chemical coatings are applied to tent fabrics to increase their performance, especially resistance to water. What is a silicone coating? What is silnylon? A silicone coating is usually applied to nylon, hence 'silnylon'. The coating ‘permeates’ the nylon fabric creating a stronger silicon ‘reinforced’, waterproof nylon fabric with better stretch and tear strength. Silicone repels water and so it’s easy to shake off excess water and dries quickly. On the down side silicone coatings are more expensive, stop ‘breathing’ in the fabric which may lead to greater condensation, and result in a very slick and slippery surface meaning that tent seams cannot be taped - Silnylon seams require manual application of a liquid seam sealant.

Our Ultralight Tarp is made from Ripstop Silnylon fabric and waterproof to 3000mm & UV50 to protect you from the suns harmful rays.

What other fabric coatings are there?

A number of other coatings can be applied to tent fabrics to improve UV resistance, water resistance (allowing water to bead and roll off), rot and mildew resistance and to add fire retardant properties to fabrics.

Kelly Kettle Tarps & Beach Shelter provide UV50 protection.

What is Fire Retardant CPAI-84

CPAI-84 is a testing method used specifically for confirming the flame resistance of fabric used in manufacturing camping tents. Suppliers must submit the various tent materials (ceiling, walls, and floor) to a third-party organization licensed to perform the required CPAI-84 flame retardancy testing. Suppliers of the tent materials that meet these standards are then awarded an official laboratory approved certificate that can be shared with their customers.

History of the Test:  In 1976, the CPAI (Canvas Products Association International), now known as the International Fabrics Association International, set the flammability standards for camping tents as means to help protect consumers by limiting accidents caused by flames near the vicinity of camping tents. The test does not declare that the material if fire proof if exposed to a continuous flame. Rather the CPAI-84 test confirms fire resistance after the material is exposed to a flame.

ALL Kelly Kettle Tents, Tarps & Beach Shelters are Fire Resistant and comply with CPAI-84

Notes on Materials

Polyester has a higher intrinsic durability than nylon. Better abrasion resistance and exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Polyester behaves better in bad weather conditions, heavy rain and strong wind. It is harder, and less permeable to water vapor than simple nylon. Polyester is less ” breathable ” than nylon. It`s holds less water than nylon. Polyester is usually padded with polyurethane (PU).
Ripstop technology refers to a technique of weaving where fibers are interwoven in a cross shape. This significantly improves the final layering and prevents the material from unraveling. Polyester is generally considered better than nylon in camping tents and/or mountain/family tents.

Ripstop Nylon (polyamide) with silicon coating. Silicon coated materials are not hydrophilic - water vapor can not pass through them. Water does not get into the material, but it forms a pellicle on the surface of it. Instead, it is extremely resistant to bad weather conditions. It also behaves much better to UV radiation and this is extremely important for mountain expeditions at high altitudes (over 4000 m).

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What to look for in your next tent fabric specs? Generally, the higher the denier count the stronger and heavier the fabric will be, and the higher the mm rating the more ‘waterproof’ it will be. Have a look at the following ... 70D 190T Polyester Ripstop 3000mm CPAI-84 – a high quality polyester, fire-retardant tent fabric suitable for bad weather that is rip resistant.  Perfect for camping tents.  All our tents have this high specification. 

40D Ripstop SilNylon 3000mm – a light 40 Denier nylon fabric suitable for ultralight tents or tarps, ripstop so has better tear resistance, silicone coating topside and underside, good waterproof rating at 3000mm should be able to deal with most rain.  Our Ultralight Tarp is made from this material.

We hope this page has helped clear any confusion about materials and specifications etc.  Our motto here at the Kelly Kettle Company is 'Outdoor Life Enjoyed'.  We hope that our very affordable range of high quality Tents & Tarps will allow you to 'get out' and enjoy life in the great outdoors!

How to choose the best tent fabric for you

Cotton/canvas tents

One of the most common tent materials you may come across is cotton or canvas. When choosing a cotton/canvas tent, you can count on extra temperature regulation: Cotton is great at keeping you cosy but also ventilates well when things get too warm.

Compared to other tent materials, cotton is less prone to condensation.

Don't forget the weathering...

However, prior to using a canvas tent for the first time, it should go through a process called ‘weathering’. Simply put your tent up before your camping trip and wait until it rains. Or make it 'rain' yourself!

This process will make the cotton fibres swell and nestle, ensuring your tent will be waterproof for your camping trip. If you do not execute the weathering process before you go camping, you may get some drops of water coming through the tent.

Canvas tents usually require weathering only once, but some tents need weathering at least three times before they’re fully waterproof. For that reason, you may want to do some waterproof testing before you head out on your camping trip with a new cotton/canvas tent.

Once weathered, your new tent will be among the more durable and waterproof tents available.

Tent Fabrics: A Comparison of Fabric Types

Principles of choosing a tent made of different materials

Travellers cannot do without a tourist tent. To purchase a product that will last long and perform basic functions, you need to understand the types of fabric of which it is made. This way you could choose the best option at an affordable price.

Many people want a waterproof and breathable tent. But when it comes to a hot tent, such characteristics are inappropriate. It takes a lot of materials to make a quality tent. It will be heavy and won’t be able to cope with the main tasks — providing a place for rest and protect from bad weather. Winter models require even more materials, so the cost will be very high.

Therefore, you can choose a single or double wall tent with good ventilation. It will be comfortable and warm inside (especially if you are lighting a stove), and cold air will not pass through the fabric. Check out the options used to make the best tents to get a high-quality and durable product.

Denier of fabric

Denier is a unit of measure used to estimate the density of textiles. The higher the denier is, the harder the tent material will be. But the indicator may turn out to be wrong, because each product has its own parameters, which are considered optimal.

The higher the den number of fabric is, the heavier it will be. But this doesn’t mean that its quality will improve too. Materials that are less than 30 den can be quite thin. They wear out quickly. If you buy a tent made of such fabric, you will probably have to choose a new one for the next season.

You can choose a nylon tent of 7 denier density, which will be several times lighter than a 30 denier product. It will be cheaper but of questionable quality. It is worth carefully studying every characteristic of the fabric so that your tent serves you as long as possible.

Nylon and polyester

Both fabrics are synthetic, but polyester has its special characteristics. It allows less UV rays in, but in practice it turns out to be very heavy. The cost is lower compared to other textiles. Models made of nylon are lighter, the fabric is more elastic, and the quality is fully consistent with the high price.

There are several types of nylon:

The most unreliable of these is nylon 6. The stronger option is Robic, which has a long service life. If you want an even higher quality tent, choose the model made of nylon 6.6, which is a high-strength material. Such fabric is less likely to tear and will better protect you against bad weather.

Cordura is based on nylon 6.6. It has good characteristics and is less prone to tearing than other material. Nylon has long fiber, which is strong and durable.

What is ripstop?

Many types of fabric have a reinforcing pattern called ripstop. So they become more durable, and individual threads of the main canvas will not slide apart and tear from the slightest touch.

This pattern is used in the manufacture of high quality products. You may come across cheap knockoffs that look like original fabrics. Such models will be stronger than if they had no pattern at all. But in order for a tent to get the best properties, it is worth making sure that the ripstop is original.

The main purpose of such a pattern is to prevent the complete rupture of textiles. If the tent clings to the branches or if you accidentally rip it, the ripstop will prevent the hole from getting bigger.

Polyurethane and silicone are the best waterproof materials

Most camping tents are made of silicone, polyurethane, or a combination of these fabrics. Polyurethane is more common. But the absence of silicone in the composition will lead to the appearance of holes on the surface. The material absorbs moisture, which causes an unpleasant odor over time. The waterproof coating would begin to flake off and the tent would lose its properties.

To buy a higher quality and waterproof tent, choose a model made of silicone. It is durable, doesn’t absorb moisture and will last much longer than similar polyurethane models. Tents made of a combination of silicone and polyurethane are most often chosen for travelling to places where there is a lot of sand. Its small particles won’t adhere to the coating, which will might lead to deterioration of textiles.

At first glance, the difference in materials is not noticeable. You might think that a tent made of a mixed fabrics would be stronger. But in fact, it turns out that silicone has better characteristics, including waterproofness.

Seam tapes are used to connect the polyurethane parts, while in silicone models, the seams are sealed. This is an additional reason why silicone tents cost more.

Description of Dyneema (Cuben Fiber)

One of the most expensive tent materials is Dyneema. It is light-weight and very strong. On its coating, you will see the ripstop pattern of the fibers of this fabric. They are connected by layers of mylar.

The main characteristics of Dyneema are as follows:

excellent waterproof performance;

low stretching;

low melting point.

The fabric has several layers, so you won't get wet even in the heaviest rain. The material doesn’t stretch well; during the installation of a tent, stakes and hinges will have a large load. Make sure the stakes are strong enough to prevent the tent from falling in strong winds.

The melting point of this fabric is lower than that of others. If the model is designed to fit a stove inside, there will be wider holes in the coating. You can purchase a special stove designed for such tents.

Dyneema also has its advantages — it is much easier to patch. If small holes appear on the coating, you can use mylar tape to fix the tent.

Influence of ultraviolet radiation

UV rays can affect the nylon fabric. The material will quickly lose its original color and look less attractive. Fibers break down and over time the tent will become unusable. Problems are especially noticeable on tents of bright colors. If your tent is grey or brown, the coating will be less sun faded.

If you go camping on sunny days, it is best to choose waterproof Dyneema tents. Regardless of the color of the coating, UV radiation will not negatively affect the surface, and the tent will retain its original appearance for a long time.

Now that you have studied the main characteristics of tents made of various materials, we can summarize. The most durable is the nylon 6.6 coating. The quality of silicone products is not inferior, the third place is taken by a combination of silicone and other fabric. Polyurethane is less strong and durable.

When choosing the right product, pay attention not only to its characteristics but also to the region you are going to. The weather will also affect the quality of your holiday. Your tent should be well protected from rain and wind, be warm enough and let in fresh air in hot weather. Choose models of the highest quality materials and enjoy your vacation.

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