Well, polyester will last about 15 to 25 weeks. Polycotton will last 30 to 40 weeks. And 100% cotton will last 35 to 45 weeks
Of course, all depending on the make, and how heavy the material is. For example: 100%Cotton 320 gr/m2 will theoretical last longer than 100%Cotton 280 gr/m2 (thats why its about 35 to 45 weeks.
I think this is a debatable point because there is no such thing as an average year or location. If you read the information on the company Allweathers page they state
" poly tents have a lifespan of between 12 - 14 weeks , and polycotton around 25+." However a week ago I was with a couple on a campsite that were sending their Outwell Montana 6 to the dustbin when they returned home because this 2006 tent had become crispy and was starting to tear from UV degredation. This couple described themselves as regular campers with trips several times a year.
Note that if you were to camp in the south of France for 12 - 14 weeks this would most pobably do the same with their amazing sunshine. The make of the tent and the quality of the fabric also has a lot to do with this " lifespan "
Polycotton will of course last longer, but if you dont manage to get the tent 100% dry before packing, or store it in the correct environment, chances are mould will be your problem. Even if they do last twice as long, they cost twice as much, and progress in designs of polly tents is quite rapid ...so be prepared for spending your last years of ownership looking in envy at the newer designs surrounding your tent on the field. Another point I have seen mentioned by owners of ageing pollycotton tents is that in strong sunshine they tend to fade as the years click on.... one chap with a rather expensive Outwell Lake series tent complained bitterly about the fading on his tent after camping in the south of France for a six week trip.
I think you have to look at the big picture here, a night in a Travelodge could cost you £40 and so a week = £280 and 14 weeks would cost £3,920. A Montana 6 can be had for £399 and I just returned from an " out of season " camping trip at £9 a night for an electric pitch on a great site. So 14 weeks would cost £399 + 14 x £9 +126. OK allow for the beds cookers etc but in the end much of this stuff might last longer, but it still has to come out that it is a third the price ( at least ) of staying in the lodge, and on the pleasure stakes I dont think you can complain.
Well, polyester will last about 15 to 25 weeks. Polycotton will last 30 to 40 weeks. And 100% cotton will last 35 to 45 weeks
Of course, all depending on the make, and how heavy the material is. For example: 100%Cotton 320 gr/m2 will theoretical last longer than 100%Cotton 280 gr/m2 (thats why its about 35 to 45 weeks.
Well, I'd dispute the 35-45 weeks for cotton canvas. A good quality cotton canvas tent (well looked after) will last for 30+ years of "normal" use without any other treatment and I doubt that means only 10 days use per year. . My trailer tent is 21 years old and we were counting up the amount of time we've spent in it since we bought it...over 15 months in total, and it was 13 years old when we bought it. The friend who I bought it from did 3-4 weeks per year and she bought it at one year old. So right off the top of my head that's a minimum of 90-110 weeks use or so. Of course it is made of Cabanon canvas and you don't get much better.
Oh, and we're expecting to get a few more years out of it yet....
On display we have the studland 8 classic from kampa what comes out the same factories as outwells poly cottons which is the best one.
It went up in Feb it came down a couple of days ago for the end of the season and if we hadnt of sold it we could have put it up all next year also if we re-proofed it, even though it wasnt leaking when we took it down.
Poly tents how ever we have changed all other models other than our poly-cottons 3 times throughout the season as they turn to paper under sunlight.
Many thanks
Tom
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This is an interesting question, and probably explains why Cabanon don't do "PolyCotton" the closest they have is "All Season Polyester" which to the untrained eye, does look and feels similiar to "PolyCotton", although it is argued, that Cabanons "All Season Polyester" is stronger and longer lasting than both "Cotton" and "PolyCotton".
Cabanon told me that thier commercial customers, who supply tents for the pre-erected tent market, were now replacing thier ageing "Cotton" tents, in favour of "All Season Polyester" which in itself speaks volumes.
From what I understand, all season polyester doesn't breathe. It traps moisture between the polyester and the outer micro-porous acrylic waterproof coating. Micro-porous coating can be breathable in clothing when there is large temperature difference between inside and outside (temperature difference is the driving force), but this isn't likely to be the case in a tent I wouldn't have thought.
The use of things like all season polyester rather than canvas is just as likely to be due to economies of it all - cotton canvas is dead expensive at the moment, and the weight of it also means higher freight costs. Polyesters are both cheaper and lighter. The use of all season polyester speaks volumes to me too..... makes bigger profit margins.
I had my Jamet Arizona TT for 15 years we used it for about 5 weeks a year mainly in the South of France. It did not care about the mistral, the storms or the sun. I never treated the cotton just brushed the dirt off once in a while and it was still in perfect condition when we sold it. I make that around 75 weeks. No leaks, no problems.
You make some good points, and back in 2008 when I was buying my Biscaya 370, I had the choice of either "Polyester" "All Season Polyester" or "Cotton". Cabanon must have been the only manufacturer offering the same model tent, in 3 different canvas types. and all 3 tents could be had for the exact same price each.
Of course I went for the "Cotton", and can now say I definatley made the correct choice, for my style of camping.
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Hi Tommy247 - just a question - how did the Kampa 100 denier ultimate range of polyester tents do in the displays? Did you change them as often as the 75 denier tents?
------------- Love our set-up and need no more tents or gear, so trying to stop looking!
Quote: Originally posted by Tommy247 on 16/9/2011
Hi speedcamp only changed once throughout the year so the thicker heavier material proves worth every penny
Thanks! That concurs with what I've heard from elsewhere...and yet they are priced so keenly
------------- Love our set-up and need no more tents or gear, so trying to stop looking!
Only just seen this thread as we have been away and I think you are wrong about the Cabanon All season polyester not breathing. It does! Cabanon state clearly on their website that all their materials are breathable and the Biscaya 440 which they still make is a 220gm/sq mtr all season polyester.
We have had a Biscaya 320 which is the all season polyester for over 5 years and have never had any condensation whatsoever in whatever climate or conditions we have used it in. That includes when we use an electric fan heater as well when needed (which in this country is fairly often).
As to the OP's question on how long they last we have seen Cabanon frame tents at 25 yrs old and still going strong. If my 320 lasts half that long it will probably outlast me.
jandjstott, I'm sure I'm correct. The all-season polyester used by Cabanon is a tent fabric manufactured by Tencate. The fibres on the inside absorb moisture, and the coating on the outside makes it weatherproof. You won't get condensation because the moisture in the air is held in the fibres on the inside of the tent. It doesn't breathe, or allow passage of moisture through the fabric, in the same way as normal cotton canvas fabrics.
This is from the Tencate site
"TenCate All Season Residential™ is a high-quality tent cloth made of polyester, which ensures strength and durability. Like cotton, the PVA fibres absorb moisture and delay the onset of condensation. The microporous acrylic coating makes the tent cloth waterproof and weather-resistant. The canvas is also easy to clean. Moreover, our products meet strict environmental requirements. TenCate All Season Residential™ canvas is used primarily in front extensions, awnings and tour operator tents. The coated side of the fabric need to be used on the outside."
Clearly the coated side of the fabric needs to be on the outside otherwise it would be like any other waterproof coated polyester where you would get condensation on the waterproofed inside surface. By putting the waterproofing on the outside and having moisture absorbing polyester fibres on the inside, you end up with a fabric that enables the inside of the tent to remain free of condensation, yet is also much cheaper than cotton canvas by virtue of it being a mass produced synthetic fabric as opposed to a heavy and costly natural fabric. I'm not "dissing" the fabric in any way, just trying to point out that manufacturers will push a cheaper alternative and convince the public that it's some big improvement over other fabrics like proper canvas, with the aim of increasing profit margins.
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Topic: Life Span of a Polycotton
