Not so many years ago, the only tent material available was cotton. However, since it had many drawbacks like being heavy and bulky besides not being waterproof, it fell out of favor ever since customers tasted the benefits of modern high-performance materials like nylon, polyester, and vinyl. However, since each of these materials has its pros and cons, a new breed of high-tech tent materials emerged after intensive research. Some of the top ones described:
Ripstop PVC
Being one of the toughest materials available, Ripstop PVC is widely used to manufacture popup tents intended for use in challenging conditions. Ripstop fabrics are distinctive because of their square weave patterns. The fabric gets its characteristic toughness due to threads of synthetic fiber like nylon or polyester incorporated into the weave, according to Propper. It is because of this that the weave prevents rips or tears from progressing beyond the first square. Despite the fabric is tough, you should not expect it to be indestructible. However, when used as tent material, it does deliver outstanding performance. Ripstop fabrics are also commonly coated with polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride to increase their water resistance.
Coated Vinyl
Vinyl is unarguably the most common commercial tent material because of extra resistance to water and corrosion. Commonly, vinyl is coasted with polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride to give it an outstanding performance against inclement weather. If you expect to set up your canopy tents in places that see a lot of rain, sleet, and snow, it can be worthwhile to consider coated vinyl despite it being a costly option.
Laminated Vinyl
Laminated vinyl is similar to coated vinyl, but here the scrim is placed between layers of PVC film on both sides and fused using heat and pressure in a laminating machine. The processed material weighs more, is more durable, and is weather, UV, and abrasion-resistant. Users are happy because it is cheaper than coated vinyl. Due to its performance, looks, and affordability, it has quickly become a top choice for tents.
Treated Cotton Canvas
Cotton canvas has been around since early times for fabricating tents. However, nowadays it has become less popular for commercial tent manufacture because of its weight and bulk and also because it is not waterproof. However, it remains a great choice for people who prefer natural fibers that are more environmentally friendly. Even though the cotton canvas is thick and provides excellent heat and sound insulation, it is not weather-resistant. To overcome this shortcoming, it is treated with chemicals that also make it more durable. A variety called polycotton, which is a blend of cotton and polyester, has become a fabric of choice for many canopy tent manufacturers for its excellent performance characteristics.
Conclusion
Since you can get all types of fabrics for popup tents, you should make your selection only after carefully considering your requirements. The durability and weather resistance depend on the kind of fabric and the treatment it has received. If you want a high-performance tent that is robust but lightweight, you should consider coated Ripstop or vinyl.
