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A Helpful & Quick Guide to Buying Tent Fabrics

Quick Guide to Buying Tent Fabrics

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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!

Tent Fabrics: A Comparison of Fabric Types

"There are so many tent fabrics...what are the differences, which is best, and why?"

These are questions we get asked often, and it's a reasonable question considering the desired lifespan and expected hard usage that backpacking tents see. 

At Seek Outside we take fabric seriously, while knowing that intended use, construction, and design also play key roles in performance.  A great fabric in a poor design will never live up to its' potential.

This post will be a deep dive into the most commonly used fabrics for backpacking tents.  We will not directly compare to other manufacturers, rather focusing on best fits for uses, and providing facts to educate all tent consumers.

Why isn't tent fabric both waterproof and breathable? 

Well, we would love a strong, light, fairly priced waterproof / breathable hot tent fabric. However, this is about as likely to happen as you bringing home a live Unicorn for a kids birthday. 

There are various reasons.  First, many fabric manufacturers will not sell waterproof / breathable fabrics for use in tents (a bivy being the exception). Second, what makes it waterproof and breathable usually makes it heavier and weaker. Third, the cost of these fabrics is very high, and a comfortably sized winter camping hot tent uses a LOT of fabric, which would drastically increase the cost.  If a top end waterproof breathable jacket costs a few hundred dollars, imagine the cost of a tent. 

In the end, it's easier, lighter and less expensive to do things the way they have been done which is single wall or double wall tent designs with good ventilation. If properly ventilated, then waterproof / breathable fabric is obsoleted due to cost.  

Quick Takeaway:

Waterproof / Breathable fabrics are unlikely to gain traction in tents for a myriad of reasons.

What is Fabric Denier? 

Fabric Denier was originally a rating for how thick a fabric was in comparison to a single strand of silk (which was 1 denier and weighed one gram for Meters of thread. Over time, this has morphed and meanings may be mixed a bit however in general it is a rating of how thick a fabric is. Thus a 30 Denier fabric is thicker than a 20 denier. Heavier denier fabrics are often thought to be stronger and tougher but the toughness can be misleading because a lot of the toughness is determined by other details such as the type of thread / yarn used. 

Heavier denier fabrics do weigh more but heavier does not necessarily mean better quality or more durable. In our experience, fabrics below a high quality 30 Denier start to become pretty whispy and likely not suitable for sustained hard use. In addition, the lower denier fabrics do not start to save much weight for example a 7 Denier Nylon weighs more than half what a 30 Denier Nylon does. 

Quick Takeaway: 

Heavier Deniers are stronger if everything else is equal. Below 30 Denier, the weight saved is not that much in relation to denier. 

What is the difference in Nylon and Polyester? 

These are both synthetic fabrics, and polyester does have some subtle advantages in UV performance but Nylon is ounce for ounce tougher. Therefore a shelter made of Nylon can be lighter than one made of Polyester. Nylon is also more supple and packs smaller. Polyester is usually a lot cheaper and more common in lower end products.

Quick Takeaway:  

Nylon is Stronger than Polyester.  Polyester is cheaper and generally heavier.

What is ripstop fabric and is it an advantage? 

Ripstop is a reinforcement pattern in the fabrics that adds extra strength to help stop tears from propagating thus "ripstop". 

Ripstop is used in better products however there are some cheap fabrics that "look" like ripstop so buyer beware. The knock offs are probably worse than no ripstop at all because they give the illusion of quality or ruggedness. 

In the real world, where this will show up in a tent is if you get a hole or slight tear in the fabric. This can happen for many reasons like a branch falling, an excited dog, a bear..... the ripstop is supposed to stop the tear from ripping further (think ripping a sheet). 

A non ripstop fabric, or a cheap ripstop knock off will just tear. This is not something you want happening on an extended trip. 

Quick Takeaway:

A good ripstop adds strength but beware of knock offs. 

What are the different types of Nylon like Nylon 6 or Nylon 6.6 ? 

Basically there is Nylon 6, Nylon 6.6 , Robic Nylon and Cordura Nylon which is a nylon 6.6 "high tenacity nylon". Nylon 6 is the least expensive and weakest but still stronger than Polyester.  Robic nylon is an improvement in strength and abrasion but it is still not as good as nylon 6.6.  Nylon 6.6 is considered "high tenacity nylon" and offers far better strength and tear resistance than Nylon 6. 

Cordura Nylon (based on nylon 6.6) in our usage and testing performs a bit different than Nylon 6.6.  The differences are subtle and are in how they tear.  In our opinion, Cordura Nylon resists tearing better than Nylon 6.6.  We suspect the difference is that Cordura looks like it uses an overlapped long fiber where some of the generic nylon 6.6 seem to tear far more cleanly when forced. For us, we decide to use fabric from a trusted source like Cordura with a long track record of durable fabrics. 

Takeaway: 

Cordura or Nylon 6.6 are both High Tenacity Nylons that are stronger than the rest. We choose to use Cordura due to their long standing reputation for quality. 

How do waterproof fabric coatings work like PU and Silicone ? 

Most backpacking tent fabrics are Silicone or PU, or a blend of both. 

PU (Polyurethane) coating is common, and has been used a long time. This is a heavier coating and PU coatings actually weaken the fabric so they tear more easily. PU also hydrolyzes over time, which causes a foul odor and peeling of the waterproof coating.  If you've ever taken a tent out of the closet after long storage and noticed a bad smell, this is what happened.

Silicone coatings on the other hand strengthen the fabrics they are applied to, so they make the fabric harder to rip or tear. Silicone coatings also do not hydrolyze, and are more durable than PU coatings.  

A third category are blend coatings, where a bit of PU is mixed into a Silicone coating on one or both sides of the fabric.  The advantages here are various, but the main reason we prefer these coatings is decreased tackiness which is desirable in sandy environments.  Our Nylon shelters use either a pure silicone or a silicone PU blend. 

Put in real world terms, I doubt most users would notice a difference between straight silicone coating and Sil/PU blend coatings, and in many cases a person could argue the the blend may be a better coating despite not being quite as strong. However, at the more extreme range of performance the pure silicone coating will result in a moderately stronger fabric. 

From a manufacturing perspective, PU coatings can be seam taped while silicone coatings require seam sealing.  This drives the cost of PU fabrics down further compared to silicone.

Quick Takeaway: 

A silicone or silicone blend coating creates a stronger lighter fabric than a PU coated fabric. 

What is Dyneema or Cuben Fiber? 

When talking materials commonly used for tents, Dyneema will offer the best strength to weight - and likely the highest cost. Dyneema is incredibly strong for it's weight and the tent material is basically a ripstop pattern of dyneema fibers sandwiched between mylar film layers. 

Dyneema is incredibly waterproof due to the impermeable laminated layers, and has an out of this world strength to weight ratio.  It also has zero stretch, which makes it easy to get a good tight pitch, but will also stress stakes, stake loops, and poles more than a silnylon in heavy wind due to the shock absorbing stretch that silnylon has.

Dyneema has a lower melting point than silnylon, so in a hot tent application ember holes will be bigger.  We recommend a longer stove pipe for dyneema tents to combat this.  On the plus side, dyneema is easier to patch than silnylon, so if you do get a hole or tear it is easy and quick to use a mylar tape to patch it, and the tape is a permanent fix.

Quick Takeaway: 

No fabric will provide the strength to weight of dyneema however it will lighten your wallet a fair amount to. 

How does UV effect these fabrics? 

This is complex, UV really does not effect Dyneema fabrics. UV does impact nylon fabrics however color is very very important. Bright nylon colors like pink, yellow etc can degrade very quickly in high UV environments. However, muted colors like our green, or brown or gray are not impacted near as much. The difference in color is substantial. 

Quick Takeaway: 

Color matters a lot. Muted colors are far less impacted. 

Summary: 

Nylon is stronger than polyester, and nylon 6.6 is stronger than nylon 6. Several coatings exist, but at the top end a silicone coating  will be the strongest followed by a silicone blend. The weakest will be a PU coating. Put simply, when you are depending on your tent for shelter, in remote places, or in extended severe weather these are the attributes to look for. When you are looking for the combination, of light , small pack size , and strong look at these fabrics. 

Here is a quick video comparison

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Your Complete Tent Materials & Fabrics Guide

Whether you are a newbie or a pro in the world of camping, most certainly you have wondered “what are the tents made of?” Tent materials and tent fabric is the major part of a tent and most tent fabrics are made of polyester, nylon, canvas, and some other materials.

However, not all the materials would be suitable for all types of camping, as they each have their own set of benefits and drawbacks. In this article, we lay out the pros and cons of different types of tent materials.

Tent Material Characteristics

Before we dive into individual fabrics, there are few important things to consider:

Breathability

In a tent, you want breathability. Breathability keeps you cool in warm weather, keeps condensation down (which is important for cold nights too), and enhances the overall experience.

Waterproofing

Tents need to be made of materials, or designed such that the people inside don’t get wet. Materials can be waterproof, fabrics can be coated in waterproofing, or parts of tents may be waterproof. Often, the more waterproof a material is, the less breathable it is, so there are pros and cons to different materials, tent designs, and manufacturing processes.

Durability & Tear Resistance

Tents need to be tear resistance for obvious reasons. Durability is key in the outdoors, and certain materials, and manufacturing processes (like Ripstop) will improve durability.

Tent Layers

Tents are often made with layer systems such that the inside later is very breathable, and an outside later (often a rain fly) can be added overtop to turn a tent waterproof, but keep it breathable, by creating space between the breathable layer, and the waterproof layer. Most tents are designed this way to get the best of both worlds.

Denier

Denier refers to how tightly woven a fabric is. A higher denier, is more tightly woven, a fabric is. Higher denier equals:

Greater water resistance

Less breathability

More durability

Weight

If your backpacking, weight of a tent is very important. Certain materials are more lightweight than others, and therefore, they lend themselves better towards backpacking. If camping next to a car, weight may not be a concern.

Tent Fabrics And Materials

Modern tent fabrics can be made of various materials like Polyester, Nylon, Canvas or Cotton, Poly-Cotton, and DCF (formerly known as Cuben Fiber).

Let’s look at each of them and find out their compatibility with your camping needs.

Nylon Tent Fabric

Nylon is a man-made fabric that is often used in tent construction. In today’s tents, this is the most common material used. It is affordable, and more lightweight than other common materials like polyester.

Nylon is a fabric that has stretch to it. This helps increase the overall durability and increases the resistance to tearing and punctures.

Nylon is not waterproof on its own, but it can be combined with silicone to form SilNylon. The silicone strengthens and waterproofs the cloth. Polyester textiles do not have this treatment.

UV light causes nylon to degrade. This is particularly important for mountaineers who use their equipment at high altitudes, where the UV index is extremely strong. It is important to note that heavier fabrics tend to be more resilient to UV rays. Nylon may not be the best materials for those spending extended periods of time at high altitudes exposed to the sun, but it is the most commonly used tent material for its balance between weight, price, performance, and durability.

Pros of Nylon Tent

Lightweight

Durable

Water-resistant.

Relatively inexpensive to manufacture

Cons of Nylon Tent

It is slightly more expensive than polyester.

Sun exposure can cause harm.

Verdict

Nylon is the most commonly recommended tent material for most backpackers and campers due to the value, strength, and versatility.

Polyester Tent Fabric

Polyester is also a very common tent material. Polyester tents are less expensive than other fabric materials because they are composed of plastic that is less expensive to manufacture and weave than other materials.

Polyester tents used to have a reputation for not having high durability, but new formulations of polyester have proven to increase strength and durability substantially while still maintaining very lightweight construction.

When compared to similar weight nylons, polyester has a lower tear strength. To match the strength of nylon, manufacturers will need to use heavier, thicker polyester.

Polyester stretches much less than Nylon, which hurts its resistance to tearing, but actually helps ease the use of a rain fly. Because it doesn’t stretch or absorb moisture as much as Nylon, a polyester rain fly may be a bit easier to set up and avoid any sagging.

Are you interested in learning more about tent fabric material? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

One of the most significant advantages of polyester is that it often results in a lighter weight tent. This can be great for ultralightweight setups, or those that don’t need a highly durable tent.

Polyester becomes great a great waterproof tent material with added PU coating (every tent comes with waterproof coatings).

Pros of Polyester Tent

Lightweight.

Reasonably priced

Packing and setup tends to be a touch easier due to low stretch

Highly waterproof with PU coating.

Cons of Polyester Tent

Less durable than other tent materials

Verdict

If you are someone looking for the least expensive tents, the lightest tents, or the easiest tent to set up by yourself, polyester tents might be a great option for you.

Tents Made of Dyneema Composite Fabric (Cuben Fiber)

Dyneema Composite Fabric, also known as DCF, and sometimes known as Cuben fiber, is an ultra light and strong tent material. Dyneema is the brand name for UHMWPE (ultra high molecular weight polyethylene).

This material creates an extremely durable and strong tent that is extremely lightweight. Tents manufacturers can make any equally strong tent with far less materials, which in turn reduces weight.

The weakest point of any DCF tent is often the seams as seams need to be bonded in order to protect the seams from separation.

DCF is waterproof, and doesn’t have any moisture retention, therefore, tents don’t need to be coated with any type of waterproofing, this makes this tent more durable, and reliable in wet conditions.

DCF is not an abrasion resistant material. This can be a downfall for traditional tent setups. Think about the abrasion with stuff sacks, tent poles, and other items. Therefore, they can potentially degrade quickly.

These advantages come at a far higher cost than typical nylon or polyester materials. Because of the lack of durability, and hight cost, this is not recommended as the ideal tent material.

Pros of a DCF Tent

Extremely lightweight.

Great waterproofing

Cons of Cuben Fiber Tent

Most expensive.

Susceptible to damage via abrasion

Verdict

You can choose DCF tents if you need an extremely lightweight and weather-resistant tent fabric for backpacking. But you will have to be aware of the high price and lack of long term durability.

Cotton Canvas Tents

Cotton canvas is a traditional tent fabric that has been used for quite some time.

Cotton is long-lasting and enables air to travel through, preventing musty odors and dampness from spreading. Cotton canvas absorbs water, and expands, which naturally makes this woven material waterproof. You may also find cotton canvas coated with waterproofing materials to make it even more waterproof.

It genuinely makes you feel warm on a cold, windy day, but it cools you down on a hot day.

They are much more expensive now than polyester and nylon, but they last for years. The main disadvantage of cotton fabric is its weight.

This makes it more difficult to set up, pack it up, and transport it. Cotton canvas is indeed an old-school yet secure investment. Generally speaking, canvas tents are not used for backpacking due to the weight. Canvas tents are used for car camping, or longer term camping trips where setting up a slightly more permanent structure is the plan.

Pros of Cotton Tent

All-weather durability

Material that is breathable

Damage resistant

Cons of Cotton Tent

More costly.

Much heavier.

Takes time to set up and pack it back.

Verdict

Cotton/canvas tents are a great choice if you need a 3 or 4-season tent, want to go car camping with your family, or are just looking for something comfortable that can withstand heavy weather and you have the money to spend. This is not a recommended for backpackers.

Tents Fabrics Made of Poly-Cotton

As the name indicates, poly-cotton is made of a polyester and cotton hybrid. Poly-cotton fabric is a polyester and cotton blend that is composed of 65% polyester & 35% cotton.

As a result, it aims to combine the best of both sides by mixing durability & breathability with cost and convenience of usage.

Polycotton tents are useful for family camping, single camping, and almost any type of camping you’re interested in.

This tent material is marketed as having the ideal balance, but in reality, it’s more of a “middle” compromise. It’s more breathable and warmer than a regular polyester tent, however, it’s also thicker and heavier.

Pros of Poly-Cotton Tent

Tough material.

Wind and rain resistant; reasonably breathable.

Long life expectancy.

Cons of Poly-Cotton Tent

More expensive.

It’s heavier than a polyester, nylon, or DCF tent

Verdict

If you need a tent that bridges the gaps between polyester and cotton, this may be a good option. The added cost of the blended material leads us to believe that a nylon material is likely a better option for most use cases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Tent Fabric is the Most Waterproof?

DCF is likely considered the most waterproof tent material, followed by polyester, cotton canvas, and then nylon. DCF doesn’t require any waterproof coating, whereas polyester and nylon both do.

Which Tent Fabric is the most durable?

Nylon is often considered the most durable tent material due to its abrasion resistance, and stretch.

Are Polyester And Nylon Waterproof?

Both polyester and nylon are water-resistant. However, polyester is more water resistant than Nylon. Furthermore, the water-resistance of polyester increases with advanced PU-Coating. But, unless coated with specific compounds, neither Polyester nor Nylon becomes highly waterproof. In most tent setups, both are adequately waterproof due to coatings, but are susceptible to those waterproof layers coming off after long term use.

Should I Get Poly-Canvas Tent for Backpacking?

Though Poly-Canvas tent fabrics have 65% Polyester, still they are not that lightweight to provide a comfortable experience while transporting. They are much heavier than other tent materials.

Do I Need a Tent Footprint or Tarp?

Carrying a tarp will give you an extra layer of protection and keep your camping area dry. Read our full article on tent footprints for more information.

Which Tent Fabric Will Be Ideal for Backpacking?

We believe that for most common backpacking needs, nylon tents have the best mix of value, durability and weight for backpacking. It has great versatility, and is an inexpensive material relatively, making most nylon tents affordable.

Conclusion

A tent is made of various materials. But the tent fabric is the most important part of a tent as it covers you from wind, rain, sunlight, and snow.

When looking for a new tent for your next camping trip, it’s crucial to know what you’re looking for in terms of tent materials. You should always look for durability, comfort, and price with the different seasons in mind.

We recommend reading our guide on the best budget backpacking tents to learn more about choosing the best tent.

Max DesMarais

Max DesMarais is the founder of hikingandfishing.com. He has a passion for the outdoors and making outdoor education and adventure more accessible. Max is a published author for various outdoor adventure, travel, and marketing websites. He is an experienced hiker, backpacker, fly fisherman, trail runner, and spends his free time in the outdoors. These adventures allow him to test gear, learn new skills, and experience new places so that he can educate others. Max grew up hiking all around New Hampshire and New England. He became obsessed with the New Hampshire mountains, and the NH 48, where he guided hikes and trail runs in the White Mountains. Since moving out west, Max has continued his frequent adventures in the mountains, always testing gear, learning skills, gaining experience, and building his endurance for outdoor sports. You can read more about his experience here: hikingandfishing/about

Tents are mainly made up of strong frames and durable fabrics. Common tent fabrics are nylon, canvas, and so on. We all know that one thing to consider when choosing a tent is tent fabric, and it is the fabric that mainly affects the performance of the tent.

So do you know the meaning of those numbers on the specification label of the tent fabric? It's not too late to know. Here we will take you through the tent fabric specification and how it affects the tent fabric to help you choose the tent fabric to buy your tent.

What Is Tent Fabric?

Actually, those tents that look like they're just made of nylon or polyester have more complex production processes than you might think. So we need to know the answer to the question first: What is tent fabric made of?

The tent material fabric is usually made up of a layer of base cloth with coating and through surface treatment. The base cloth is the main structure of the fabric and plays an important role in the tensile strength and abrasion resistance of the fabric. The nylon or polyester you see is it.

After coating treatment on the base cloth, the fabric will be waterproof, sunscreen, wear-resistant, anti-corrosion, and other properties. The tent's UV resistance, mold resistance, and self-cleaning ability are related to surface treatment.

Why Tent Fabric Specs Matter?

Now that you've had a better look at tent fabric, it's time to get to grips with fabric specifications. We will explain these technical terms in simple words, and help you understand the tent specifications and why they are important so that you can find the best tent fabric that is hard-wearing and durable.

Denier (D)

Denier is a unit of measurement of the thickness of a fiber, and its value may affect the abrasion and tear resistance of the material. Higher values indicate thicker and stronger fibers; conversely, fibers with lower denier values are lighter and softer.

Lower-denier is commonly used in ultralight nylon tents, emphasizing the lightweight and making them suitable for short hikes. While higher-denier tents (70D and above) are heavier, such as the 150D polyester tents which have higher abrasion and tear resistance and are suitable for long-distance camping trips.

For tented commercial events, then a higher Danier fabric such as Sheltent's heavy-duty 990D PVC is required.

Thread Count (T)

Thread count refers to the number of horizontal and vertical threads per square inch of fabric, the sum of which indicates the density of the fabric and the tightness of the weave. For example, 210T means a total of 210 threads per square inch.

Typically, a higher thread count means a denser fabric. Generally speaking, low-denier fibers may be used in high Thread Count fabrics, as the finer fibers can be woven more in the same space, thus increasing the Thread Count.

However, a higher thread count doesn't always mean a stronger fabric. The strength of a fabric depends not only on the thread count but also on the type and thickness of the fibers.

Waterproof Ratings

The waterproof rating indicates the height of the water column it can withstand before water leaks through. For example, a mmH₂O rating means that the fabric can withstand a water column pressure of up to mm before leakage occurs.

Waterproofness is usually assessed using a high water column test, with grades ranging from 800 mm to a maximum of 10,000 mm. Fabrics with a rating of 1,500 mm and above are generally considered to be 'waterproof tent fabrics'.

It is important to note that a higher waterproof rating does not always mean that the fabric is durable. For example, TPU membranes have excellent waterproofing properties but are relatively thin and easily damaged by high friction or pulling.

Flame Retardant

Flame retardant standards are used to assess the reactivity of fabrics in the event of flame contact. Flame-retardant standards are usually indicated on tent labels or instructions, and you can use this information to select tents.

At Sheltent, our tents meet the international flame retardant standard DIN B1, and can effectively reduce the risk of fire, especially when glamping or holding events outdoors.

Types of Tent Fabric

After knowing what the letters and numbers on the tent label mean, let's look at seven common tent fabrics.

Nylon

Nylon is a lightweight and commonly used material that is one of the most affordable tent options on the market. It offers a good strength-to-weight ratio and abrasion resistance while being relatively inexpensive. However, nylon is prone to degradation from UV exposure.

Polyester

Polyester is a relatively inexpensive and durable tent material fabric that offers a variety of coating options.  It typically has a lower tear strength than nylon, which is similar in weight.

Polyester tents do not shrink or become heavy when in contact with water and are not easily affected by sunlight. Choose a polyester tent with a coating that will provide adequate ventilation while preventing moisture from getting through.

Cuben Fiber (Dyneema)

Cuben Fiber is a new tent fabric also known as Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF). It is not a fabric in the traditional sense, but a composite material with an optimal strength-to-weight ratio.

Despite its higher cost, it is very waterproof and easy to repair. Since it is not yet well known to the general public, its applications are relatively niche.

PVC-coated Fabric

PVC-coated fabric enhances properties by coating the base cloth with PVC. This PVC coating is commonly applied to various types of fabrics including polyester and nylon to provide better water resistance, abrasion resistance, and UV resistance.

PVC-coated fabrics are widely used in applications such as tents, rain gear, banners, and industrial purposes for their durability and ease of cleaning. It is suggested that you buy a PVC-coated fabric tent with good ventilation that keeps out condensation.

PE-coated Fabric

PE-coated fabrics have good abrasion and tear resistance and are suitable for outdoor equipment, tents, rain gear, and other products that require waterproof protection.

While PE coating is relatively economical, it is less breathable and can lead to internal moisture build-up. In addition, PE coatings have limited resistance to UV rays, and prolonged exposure to sunlight may cause the coating to degrade.

PU-coated Fabric

PU-coated fabric is a waterproof coating commonly used on polyester and nylon fabrics. It acts like a protective film that adheres to the surface of the tent, providing waterproofing, affordability, and breathability.

However, PU coating may weaken the fabric, tear easily and hydrolyze. It is also affected by UV light and breaks down over time. PU-coated fabrics need to be kept clean and dry when used.

Silicone-coated Fabric

Silicone-coated fabric is usually applied to nylon fabrics, also known as 'silnylon'. This material is widely used in tents and other outdoor equipment because of its lightweight and excellent waterproofing properties.

Due to its UV resistance, silnylon fabrics are more stable than nylon fabrics in sunlight, making them suitable for extended outdoor use.

How to Choose the Best Tent Fabric

If you want to choose the best tent fabric, in addition to knowing the tent material fabric, there are many things you need to consider. Below, we provide you with what you need to be aware of to help you make the right choice.

Price Budget

The first consideration is your price budget. The price of tent fabric varies from the material and characteristics. Nylon usually costs between $10 - $25 per square meter and is lightweight and suitable for backpacking. PVC is more expensive at around $15 - $40 per square meter but is suitable for long-term use due to its durability and waterproof properties.

You can search for tent fabric directly on Amazon, enter your budget range, and then filter the fabrics. We recommend buying a high-quality tent within your budget range; it will reduce the frequency of tent replacement and require less maintenance which will help you save money in the long run.

Fabric Features

You surely don't want to lie in a tent and still get sunburned or rained on... Then you must pay attention to its features when choosing a tent fabric. Each tent has different features, so choose one that suits your needs.

UV Resistance

UV resistance is an important factor. Nylon, for example, has poor UV resistance and bright-colored nylon tends to become brittle and lose strength when exposed to sunlight.

Therefore, if you want to choose nylon fabrics, it is recommended to choose soft tones of nylon to prevent degradation under prolonged sun exposure.

Alternatively, Dyneema is also a good choice with excellent UV resistance that maintains its strength and durability in the sun.

Waterproof

Choosing the right waterproof coating or material can improve the performance and longevity of your tent. Nylon and polyester fabrics are not waterproof, so silicone or PU coatings are usually used to enhance their waterproof capability.

On the other hand, Cuben fiber and PVC materials have excellent waterproofing properties on their own, so they don't need additional waterproof coatings.

Tear Resistance

Tear strength is a key indicator of the durability of tent fabrics, directly affecting their performance in harsh environments. Cuben fiber excels in tear strength, making it suitable for extreme camping. Other tent fabrics, such as polyester, can be enhanced with additional PVC coatings to increase tear resistance.

In addition, good tent construction design can effectively disperse external forces and reduce the risk of tearing.

Durability

The durability of the tent fabric, also known as its longevity, is usually linked to the characteristics of the tent fabric itself. For example, nylon fabrics usually have a life expectancy of around three years, while PVC fabrics have a life expectancy of five years. And, regular cleaning and proper maintenance can extend the life of your tent.

Usages

The higher the waterproof rating of the tent fabric, the thicker the coating and the heavier and stiffer the tent may be. Therefore, you need to find a balance between your budget as well as tent fabric properties such as sun and water resistance, tear resistance, and longevity to choose the right tent. It is suggested that choose tent fabric according to your usage.

• For backpacking, high-density nylon is recommended. It offers a good balance of weight and strength and resists tearing and abrasion.

• For camping holidays, polyester or PU-coated nylon are good choices. Polyester performs well in terms of abrasion resistance and waterproofing, while coated nylon offers extra waterproofing to ensure you stay dry in rainy weather.

• For outdoor parties, high-quality polyester with PVC-coated fabric is more suitable. They can be used frequently to withstand weather changes, and are easy to clean and maintain.

Choose Sheltent Tent Fabric to Enjoy a Reliable Tent Party

Objectively speaking, the PVC fabric used in Sheltent tents is probably the best tent fabric to enjoy a reliable tent party, which blends aesthetics and functionality well at the right price.

Our tents are made from 990D high strength PVC coated polyester fabric. It has an excellent UV coating and is water resistant to ensure comfort in any environment. The fabric complies with international fire safety standards (DIN: B1/M2) ensuring the tent is safe to use.

In addition, the tent tops are available in white, clear, or custom colors to suit your event theme or brand logo. Our tents are also available in full shade, semi-shade, and full clear shade ratings.

Conclusion

Hopefully, this information will make a real difference to your choice of tent. Also, a tip for you, check the life expectancy of the tent directly, which is usually trustworthy.

Sheltent's tents use PVC fabrics that last up to 5 years. To further extend the life of your tent, Sheltent also offers a professional cleaning and repair service to ensure your tent is always in top condition. Visit our website today for more information and services!

For more information, please visit vehicle fabric.