| Camping is a popular recreational activity among | | | | you should block these holes by taping or sealing |
| nature lovers and for those who love to hit the | | | | the seams. |
| trail on vacations. When out in the wild, tents | | | | Rain Resistance Tent Fabric |
| provide shelter from sun, rain and wind. | | | | Rain resistance refers to the quality of a tent |
| Therefore, they are one of the most important | | | | fabric to resist and withstand different types of |
| items necessary for camping in the lap of nature. | | | | rainy conditions. It is measured as a hydrostatic |
| Be sure about the weather conditions in which | | | | head in millimetres (mm) indicating the amount of |
| you'll be camping, as that will influence your | | | | water pressure that is required to go through the |
| decision to buy a particular type of tent. | | | | fabric. It is quite natural that light rain creates |
| Besides having practical use and being economical, | | | | much lower pressure on any fabric than heavy or |
| tents are environmentally friendly too, which is a | | | | windy rain. So, which type of fabric would be |
| highly desirable quality when you are camping in | | | | suitable for your tent? |
| the wilderness, whether alone or in a group. As a | | | | For a shower resistant tent, you’ll need fabric |
| recreational camper you should select a tent that | | | | that has a hydrostatic head rating of 1000 mm. |
| fulfils your requirements. While camping in the | | | | For summer camping, the fabric with 1500 mm |
| backcountry with your friends or family, select a | | | | hydrostatic head rating would be ideal for your |
| waterproof tent if there are chances of rainfall. | | | | tent. |
| Waterproof Tent Fabrics for Camping | | | | 2000 mm of hydrostatic head rating of a fabric is |
| Check out the different tent fabrics that are | | | | suitable for tents that are in use all round the |
| commonly available: | | | | year. |
| Cotton (Canvas) – Cotton tents can actually | | | | For expeditions, only those tents should be |
| be more waterproof than other materials as | | | | selected that have a fabric with a hydrostatic |
| cotton absorbs water, which blocks the tiny holes | | | | head rating of 3000 mm. |
| as a result of swelling, making it water resistant. | | | | Fabric with 5000 mm of hydrostatic head rating is |
| These tents can become very heavy when wet. | | | | good for groundsheets. |
| However, their resistance to water can increase | | | | Common Waterproof Tent Configurations |
| manifold when treated with paraffin. Most cotton | | | | Single Skin – Also known as Single Wall in |
| fabrics are now treated for waterproofing whilst | | | | USA, it uses just one layer of waterproof fabric |
| in production; therefore they will have a coat of | | | | that comprises the roof and the walls. |
| waterproofing when you buy them that will | | | | Single Skin with Flysheet – In such type of |
| steadily wear away. | | | | tents, a rain fly or waterproof flysheet is put up |
| Nylon and Polyester – These are much lighter | | | | over the tent's roof, overlapping it slightly. |
| when compared to cotton. They can be | | | | Double Skin – The waterproof layer of the |
| converted into waterproof tents with suitable | | | | outer tent, which definitely covers a larger area, |
| coatings. However, long exposure to ultra violet | | | | entirely covers the inner tent. This double layer is |
| rays over a course of time can deteriorate their | | | | good for insulation and also provides protection |
| quality as a result of slow chemical breakdown. | | | | from condensation. |
| Polyurethane coating or silicone impregnation is | | | | So, now that you know the type of waterproof |
| quite common treatments to make any fabric | | | | tent you'll need when going out for camping in the |
| waterproof. In case of stitched fabrics, water | | | | open, pack your rucksack and get ready for a |
| may seep through tiny holes due to stitching. | | | | nice and comfortable outing, no matter if it's |
| Therefore, to make a stitched fabric waterproof, | | | | raining. |