I prefer a polycotton tent to a polyester one but as a mainly lone camper of advancing years, putting up a Trout Lake 4 on my own can be a challenge. I have previously looked at inflatable, polycotton tents but some reports of exploding air beams put me off. That was some years ago and hopefully, air beam technology has progressed since then. I`ve been looking at the Outwell Rock Lake 3. Easier to erect, ideal in size and polycotton BUT the ratio between cotton and polyester has been reversed. The Trout Lake 4 is 65% cotton, 35% polyester whereas the Rock Lake 3 is 65% polyester, 35% cotton. This must obviously have an impact on the weight, quality and feel of the material. I`m hoping that someone who has experience of both types of these polycotton materials could comment on their preference. Any advice appreciated though.
------------- What? Me Worry ?
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
Pretty sure the Kampa Classics were always 65% polyester, and Robens at least until Oase sold out. I imagine it will reduce weight without significantly dinging the breathability but hopefully some Kampa owners will comment.
I’ve gone from 65% cotton to pure cotton canvas and whilst there’s an appreciable difference, it’s not earth shattering.
Yes, we had both the Frinton 4 and Filey 6 in the Kampa classics range, and the were indeed...
(Photo taken due to similar discussions on here).
I was, and remain adamant that they were fine tents, and comparing £ for £ with the likes of Outwell's apparent superior mix, I had absolutely no regrets.
I did try to compare the two, but the best I could come up with was running between our tent and a neighbouring Outwell polycotton, rubbing, stroking, and caressing each. I had to stop when the neighbour returned, and never did get a definite result!
I suspect you'd need lab conditions to confirm any differences of any note.
I imagine the huge windows they’re putting in tents recently affect overall breathability more than the cotton mix. As we camp year round, it was nice to be able to batten down the hatches and crank up the fan heater without our old Concorde turning into a sauna.
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
I have a Robens Fairbanks. I think it's 65% polyester but I'm not really bothered. It's probably a bit lighter than it would be the other way round. Feels great though and has performed well both in complete hoolies in Ireland and thirty-odd degrees in southern France.
If the tent is the size and shape that you want I wouldn't get too hung up on the fabric.
I thought, incorrectly as it happens, that polycotton referred to material where cotton was the major constituent. Logically, if polyester is the majority material, breathabilty must surely be reduced (along with the weight) but as it`s been pointed out, larger windows will also contribute towards that. I think I would need to sample a tent with the higher percentage of polyester as I do like the comfort of my old Trout Lake that its material gives. I know most Robens are predominantly cotton, including the Fairbanks and their Vista 400 looks suitable for my needs. Others I`m looking into are Kampa, Vango and Outdoor Revolution and that`s not saying I`ve rejected the Rock Lake 3 either. I`m in no rush as I can still manage with the tents I have but thanks for all the invaluable advice from such seasoned, fellow campers. Not sure I`ll resort to fondling other peoples tents though, Mucker. I`ve got enough bad habits as it is !
One thing I did fail to mention was that my Kampa classics were "All Polycotton". I'm under the impression that the second line on the label refers to the Inner/Bedroom pods.
(The bottom line is the Sewn in groundsheet).
OK, it wasn't as heavy as the Outer/Flysheet of course, but polycotton nonetheless. That includes the main bedroom walls, and divider curtain.
The same goes for all the internal curtains to all windows.
I don't recall anywhere being just polyester.
Both of mine were 2011/12(?) models, from memory, but purchased later, as they were about to become extinct!
I think they went a year or two without making any more "Classics", and when they returned, I went and checked one out, purely just being nosy. I think this was the Croyde 6 Classic, and it must be 5 or 6 years ago or so now?
All the bedroom material, and all internal curtains etc were now all polyester. (I assume that's still the case now?)
It kind of detracted from the superior outer flysheet, which remained polycotton, and if truth be told, I wasn't as impressed at that stage, as I had been, and remain, for my older version. In fairness/in Kampa's defence, The new prices hadn't gone up (in price) much in those ensuing couple of years, if at all, so maybe they kept the new/modern price down by reducing the quality of the internal materials?
Personally, knowing what I knew then, and comparing the modern Classic with my slightly older Classic, that may have put me off, and I may well have looked at other manufacturers that were still doing "All Polycotton" at that time.
As a new/less wise buyer, I may well have still been tempted with the Kampa, as I wouldn't have known any different!
For the record, my opinion between polyester and polycotton is that they are worlds apart. A vast improvement.
We now have a 100% cotton canvas, and I'd agree with TimCESmith that it is yet another step up, but the difference isn't so vast.
I would go back to polycotton, in theory at least... even the 35/65 mix... but never polyester, and almost certainly never polyester bedrooms/curtains either!
Snob or not, I know what I like!
*Oh... just remembered... My Filey 6 Classic also had a separate internal roof liner, also in polycotton of course, just like the bedroom material.
I think they did away with that with the newer Classics, so another reason not to hike the prices up too much, I presume?
Also... I'm pleased to say... We sold Brenda (The Filey 6) a year or so ago, at a good and fair price, for both seller and purchaser in my opinion.
She is doing very well for herself, and is now in the good hands of a wonderful family headed by a teacher no less! Mum, Dad, 2 kids and a colour coordinated dog (Choc Lab?)! We really couldn't have asked for a better outcome for her!
She sent us a couple of photo's from their first trip together, in Cornwall last August, and she seems highly delighted to be with her new family... and rightly so!
We were sad to let her go, I cannot deny, but it was the right thing to do. She needed to be back out there, doing what she does best, protecting a loving, caring family, that can give her the love and attention (and holidays) she most certainly deserves.
xxx
The only real difference I found between the poly cotton tents with a higher cotton content was the life of the tent. When displaying a 65% cotton tent all summer next to a 35% cotton tent the higher percentage tent could be sold easily at the end of the season as an ex demo, the 35% tents were sold as spares or repairs (cheap) as I wasn't so confident looking at them if they would last much longer.
------------- Gary Cross - The masked camping guru.
Thanks, Gary. All things considered, I think I will only change my Trout Lake when it gets too much for me to put up on my own. Only then will I look for a replacement, probably an inflatable but definitely polycotton. Whatever the material ratio of that will be, remains to be seen.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Outwell Polycotton Changes ?
via mobile 25/7/2020 at 5:17pm
