Polycotton also makes a lot less noise in the rain and is thicker material, it is also easier to waterproof.
Polyester is stronger therefore for the same hydrostatic head lighter, instantly waterproof (doesn't need shrinking) and shrugs sun light better (though nylon doesn't, high altitude tents are usually polyester variants because they cope with intense UV rays better).
Which is better? Don't know really, the cotton is more forgiving but more likely to leak when new, the polyester is a lot lighter and slightly more fragile but instantly sheds elements plus glue repairing it is easy.
Ultimate material for a bigh tent i'd have to say is canvas.
For a small light tent it's polyester.
Taped seams are better than stitched alone, most seams are stitched but taped seams have a watertight tape seal between the outer stich along the inside of the stiched seam.
New expedition tents and some high tech exploration materials are starting to be welded together, this will probably supercede taped seams as the process becomes cheaper.
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Topic: Polyester or Polycotton
