Tent Fabrics

The truth about fabrics and their performance

Community Our Best Bits Tent Fabrics

  • A Waterproof and Breathable Fabric Equals Comfort

    The most critical feature of any tent is the fabric it is made from. In New Zealand and Australia, the most common fabric used in tent manufacture is a polyester/ cotton blend. This is for the simple reason that the life, performance and strength are far greater than other fabrics. A good tent fabric needs to be breathable and waterproof. Getting the right weight ratio and thread count for the fabric to hold proofing is important to Kiwi Camping. This balance maximises the waterproofness and life of the fabric but still allows a tent to breathe naturally thus preventing condensation.

  • Waterproofing can be done through two processes:

    Impregnated Waterproof Fabrics - Kiwi Camping's Choice

    This process involves waterproofing by impregnating each fibre usually through a specially controlled immersion process. The usual water head rating is from 450-750mm.

    This method has more advantages as impregnating allows the pores of the fabric to breathe naturally, avoiding condensation. The fibres in the fabric have the ability to move back around the stitch hole to prevent seam leakage, the most common fault in any tent!

    Coated Waterproof Fabrics

    Spread coating can be likened to a coat of paint being spread onto the fabric. Most coated fabrics will have a water head rating of between 1000-1600mm. Although this method produces a higher waterproofing rating, the spread coating seals the pores in the fabric and will not allow it to breathe. Once the coating is punctured by sewing, the fabric cannot shrink easily around the stitch holes and this makes the tent less waterproof.

    Superior waterproofing and greater breathability...The essential combination for tent performance

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