We have been family camping for the last 5 years and have used a Khyam Ulitmate, one of the purple ones. We have camped 6-8 weeks a year and the fabric is now bleached almost white and seemingly very fragile.
Last year at Veryan (recommended btw) it ripped across the front door where it is pegged down. Generally the fabric has got very brittle. Initial plan was to replace with the same tent but the current Ultimate has seemingly much weaker fabric than the one we have.
I'm thinking a Vango Amazon 800 or Zanzibar 800 is a great replacement but is the Polycotton fabric worth the extra? My wife grew up with cotton tents and thinks they are a maintenance nightmare but the Khyam has only lasted 5 years. The Vango has a lifetime guarantee with Polycotton or not.
Anyone got any vews on whether the polycotton is worth the extra?
We have looked at the Norfolk Lake in polycotton at Go Outdoors in Loughborough and it seems very strong and durable (although pitched by an idiot!!) but it is too small. Is the polycotton idea on the Vango worth the extra for a longer life of the tent and reduced humidity (Condensation) or is the weight too much of a penalty.
We have a big trailer (Daxara 168 with lid) so space and weight are not really an issue.
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We have just bought a polycotton Bear Lake, had one trip and my answer would be YES!
Re maintainance, we took it down in heavy rain and when we got home hung it over the banister and down the side of the stairs for a couple of days, moving it every few hours which appears to have dried it thouroughly.
We didn't weather before we went as had nowhere to do this and despite heavy rain, had no leakage.
Compared to our older nylon tent, the Bear Lake is the Mutz Nutz. Haven't looked at the Vamgo models, but if they are favourably comparable to the Outwells they will be great
Hi dadster
The polycotton will out perform the nylon tents in all but weight.
They breath so no condensation, they are strong and stable been made from a cotton based material.
and will out last the nylon but as yet no one know by how long.
Rex.
------------- "Be the person your dog thinks you are" (BM)
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There are different qualities inherent to different fabrics such as cotton, poly, blends, nylon, etc. Picking a tent fabric, a fly fabric, a SIG fabric requires consideration of these qualities against your needs and expectations along with where, when, and for how long the tent will be in actual use.
In general, nylon is a very long lasting and strong material with excellent properties. It is subject of damage from UV, esp if unprotected so understanding and reviewing the coating specs is important. Manufacturers have the ability to apply multiple different coatings to either side of the fabric that has the ability to further enhance an already excellent fabric.
I would not write off all nylon tents due to a bad experience with one tent, esp when I do not know the entire history of use, damage, repairs, storage, cleaning, warranty, etc.
In a similar fashion I would not write off a polycotton tent either. YOu could have the same, better, or worse experience in a new polycotton tent if you do not first stop to understand the performance of the specific fabric you are about to buy.
------------- _______________________
All who wander are not lost...
Had the Coleman up in the garden yesterday to check it over for the season and I had forgotten how much I love the polycotton. There was a breeze here yesterday and not a sound from the tent, that is one of the big bonuses for me. The Coleman isn't heavy either being a smaller tent. Worth every penny in my opinion.
I too had the Polycotton/Nylon debate with myself. The price was a big factor for me followed by the weight. I spoke to some Poly'c owners who all raved about them but did highlight the maintenance issues. Like most things, they will last longer if they are properly cared for. As a family we love to camp but when you leave a site at the end of a stay it’s back home, kids out of the car, unload and back to normal ASAP. I knew that I would neglect looking after the tent as much as I should. Went for the Nylon option instead.
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We looked at the Amazon, then the Zanzibar before finally deciding on the Wolf Lake 7. The feel of the tent is so much nicer both feel of fabric & the cosiness sitting inside the tent.
Of course they take a little longer to dry out than the nylon versions but we have not had any problems so far - dried out spread across the floor inside on one occasion & laid on driveway on another. We just kept folding faric over & it dried in no time. they do need more maintenance than nylon but not as much as canvas.
It's a big tent but with a trailer you will have no probs. We stick the tent in the boot & all the other stuff in the trailer.
OK the polycotton is heavier, needs a bit more care when putting away and is a lot more expensive.
These drawbacks were completely outweighed by the many advantages. Warmer in the cold, cooler when it is hot, far less prone to condensation, quieter in the wind and rain and that indefinable feeing of luxury.
We expect to take good care of our tent and this should mean that it will outlast a synthetic tent by a considerable margin which means that the higher initial outlay will be spread over a longer period making the price issue less of a factor.
At risk of sounding like some sort of follower of Rousseau there is also the feeling that one of the attractions of camping is to get "closer to nature" and somehow the presence of natural fibres in the tent is part of that. (But then I dislike nylon socks as well!)
------------- Eagles may soar but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines!
Thanks guys. I think on balance the Polycotton Zanzibar is the option that best suits.
I am prepared to put the time in to looking after it.
We have looked at the Wolf Lake and Norfolk Lake but the Norfolk Lake seemed compromised on living space next to the Vango and the Wolf Lake bedrooms are not ideal for us.
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Topic: Polycotton or not?
