Confused about tent fabric

Gidday

Without any explanation of what you need the tent for makes it almost impossible to answer the question.

For a person to suggest that one material is superior to the other in all circumstances, indicates a lack of experience.

It’s not only the material you should be looking at, but design and quality of the fittings.

Regards

Kim

Just for interest, I have a sheet of canvas that was made during WW2.

It still is as good as the day it was made.

Cotton is also a good material if woven and treated correctly.

Have a good one

A bit like the Nissan/Toyota argument.
Canvas is a great material and strong, but needs some care if it's gonna last. If packed up wet, it must be dried out within a reasonable time, otherwise mildew will result.
Polyester or other woven plastics are light, reasonably strong and can be packed wet with no detriment to the fabric. And the seams can be effectively tape-sealed against leaking. But the fabric waterproofing can deteriorate, the fabric weakens with sunlight, and doesn't last forever.
My preference is for a good polyester dome tent, but that is mainly coz it packs to a relatively small package and is light, essential in my case. I get about 3-4 years out of a dome tent, then I replace it coz they're relatively cheap. They're more finicky to set up, but that's not really an issue for me.
I have used the canvas OzTent in the past, and it's brilliant, but takes up a lot of room in the vehicle.
Gerry

Have been tenting for about 50 years - from little ones carried on extended bushwalks, to big ones for family. Once the long hike days were over, and we were vehicle travelling and doing family holidays, got sick of cheaper tents leaking, tearing at inconvenient times, breaking sips etc. So spent money and bought good quality canvas tent, well made. That is still going strong, 15 years later. Canvas, every time.

Personally I think the canvas will outlast the other, (never seen a camper trailer with a polyester tent on top ??) well I haven't anyway. We use to have a canvas tent, was used a fair bit never had any issues except the weight. We have since sold the canvas one and have a few polyester ones depending on where we are going. Big advantages with the polyester ones in my opinion are, weight (big factor) fold up when wet (still need drying out) pack up to minimal size and can be wedged in where ever. We used one on our last trip to the high country and it was great. Doesnt leak, flexes a bit in strong wind but good pegs/ropes make a big difference.. Dont think we will ever buy another canvas one mainly due to the weight. Regards Steve M

I've got it alll covered.

BL Wo Turbo 300

Code: TURBT300
Fabric: 220g Ripstop poly/cotton canvas, 1000mm

heavy breathable waterproof

Best type of fabric for a tent - surely it has to be material that won't rip, doesn't get mouldy, never fades, is light and easy to handle and above all keeps the elements off you. Your choice.

How long does a canvas tent take to dry? Waiting around for the tent to dry defeats the purpose of having a quick pitch tent. What do you do if its still raining the next day and you cant dry it out.