Tent Floor Material Comparison

Tent floors for example require strong tear resistant fabric while rainflies need to be strong yet also supple.

Tent floor material comparison. Polyethylene is used for cheap models. It creates a waterproof barrier is more affordable has greater breathability than silicone and has a surface which allows the application of tape on tent seams. Robic nylon is an improvement in strength and abrasion but it is still not as good as nylon 6 6. Carbon fiber is incredibly lightweight but will cost a little more and have a few downsides.

1200mm silicone the last set of specs in the formula refers to fabric coatings. 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. While made slightly differently carbon fiber and fiberglass are another alternative tent material for poles.

Nylon is by far the most common material used in tents. Waterproof and water repellent coatings e g. It was originally developed by dupont in the 1930s and was used extensively for parachute production during wwii. Polyurethane or pu coatings applied to polyester and nylon fabrics are more like a layer that sticks to the surface of the tent fabric.

The difference between a tent with a floor of polyester and one of polyethylene is like the difference you feel when you dress with clothes of synthetic material or dressing in a plastic foil. But if you count every ounce when out on the trail keep this in mind if you are looking for a pole tent. Space age material with a price tag to match.