About the different fabrics

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Key points to compare the different fabrics:

Denier: This is the yarn used to make the fabric. The higher the denier is (20D, 40D, 70D ...) the heavier the yarn and the better the resistance of the fabric.

• Nylon: very resistant to abrasion and tearing. Absorbs moisture and then expands from 0 to 2%.
• Polyester: very UV resistant, does not absorb moisture, does not expand.

Coating: A coating is applied on the fabric to make it waterproof. It will greatly impact fabric resistance.

• Silicone (sil / sil): high tear strength.
• Silicone / polyurethane (Sil / PU) or single polyurethane (PU): low tear strength, good puncture resistance.

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Fabrics for the outer tent :

 

The outer tent is considered as the key point of the tent. It must be waterproof and tear resistant to protect you during the worst weather. If the fabric suffers a puncture, a low tear strength may result on a complete tear of the tent during high winds. This is why we have only selected fabrics with silicone coating on both sides ( sil / sil ) with a high tear strength. 

These fabrics are made with polyester or nylon (polyamide) threads. Polyester is very resistant to UV rays, and is not affected by humidity. The tear strength of nylon is exceptional. However, nylon stretches when exposed to humidity or rain. Tents made out of nylon may need to be tightened as the rain starts. Both fabrics are very compact compared to polyurethane coated fabrics.

We have been using different sil / sil fabrics since 2017. From 2023, we have selected a new silpoly (polyester sil/sil) 30 deniers which is excellent in many ways : High resistance and durability, will not absorb moisture, good UV resistance.

For ultralighters, we have also selected a great silnylon (high tenacity nylon sil/sil) 20 deniers with outstanding resistance / weight ratio.

All measures shown here come from our own lab.

Fabric	Weight g/m2	Tear strength	Waterproof rating	Compactness	Stretch with humidity	Intendedse
Silnylon 20D (option)	37	> 7 DaN	> 2.500 mm	+++	Yes ( < 1% )	Ultralight hikers
Silpoly 30D	48	> 7 daN	> 3.000 mm	++	No	Hiking & Expedition
Discontinued :
Silpoly 15D	33	> 2.5 DaN	> 2.500 mm	+++	No
Silpoly 20D	43	> 4.5 DaN	> 2.500 mm	+++	No
Silpoly 40D	60	> 5 DaN	> 3.500 mm	++	No

It is also possible to use different fabrics (silnylon 40D ...), please contact us if you are interested. We will not use dyneema fabrics.

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Ground fabric for the inner tent :

Ground fabrics have different different constraints. They are not under high tensions, and the risk of ripping is low. However, a ground fabric needs to remain very waterproof and resistant to puncture. These two characteristics can be achieved by a high quality polyurethane (PU) coating. The result is a very durable and resistant ground fabric.

Fabric	Weight g/m2	Waterproof rating	Resistance to puncture	Compactness	Recommended use
Silpoly 20D	49	> 4000 mm	+	+	Light hiking
Discontinued : Nylon 40D PU	65	> 10 000 mm	++	--	Extended trips
Nylon 70D PU	93	> 10 000 mm	+++	--	Expedition, intensive

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Inner tent fabrics :

The inner tent protects you from insects and wind gusts. For all-around trips, we recommend a wind-cutter yet breathable fabric for the lower part, and mosquito netting for the upper part. For very warm countries or ultralight hikers, we can make an inner tent made of mosquito netting only.

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Zippers are on of the first first wear point of a tent. We work only with high-quality YKK zippers size #5 or #8. If you treat your zippers gently, they will last a very long time. Avoid contact with earth, dirt and especially sand : stuck sand grains in the teeth of the zipper will wear it very quickly. We do not use "waterproof" zippers (heavy, low durability).

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To keep an critical eye on the different fabrics we receive, we use our own testing devices to measure waterproofness and tear resistance. We do our best to obtain precise and true values, but our measuring devices are not labeled and our measures can only be seen as indicative values. You can find more informations about it in our development and tentmaking page.