I am looking at buying the outwell trout lake 4 berth polycotton tent, it looks great and sturdy , but is polycotton as good as normal tent material and is it as waterproof?help
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Polly cotton is a better fabric in hot weather as it breaths better. Re waterproofing, the HH (waterproofing level) on pollycotton tents is not as high this is due to cotton threads expanding when wet and this makes the weave tighter thus making the fabric very waterproof. The amount of proofing applied is much less so the fabric remains breathable.
Polly cotton is more UV proof so last longer. This is why all the pollycotton tents cost that bit more.
It depends what you want!... Most 'polyester/nylon' tents are absolutely fine and do the job they are made for, keeping you dry and comfortable while you're camping...
The 'poly/cotton' tents are fine too, they are a little cooler in warm weather and a little warmer in cold weather, but do the same job, with a bit more 'quality'. They are usually well made & should (like all tents) be totally weatherproof...
Then you have the 'top quality' (and top price) tents made from 'ten cate cotton' canvas or similar and can last a lifetime (well almost!) if you look after them. The thermal properties are the best of all, as is the 'build quality'...
They will all do a good job, but have varying quality of manufacture and materials. It all depends what you want to pay, how long you want to keep a tent and whether that extra comfort & quality is important to you...
there is a trout lake on ebay at the minute, low start price too. Might be worth a look. We have just bought a Bearlake 6 and I think the polycotton is excellent. We went for it because we could see the quality, liked the ventilation and shouls hopefullt keep us cooler in France. I now have my eye on some of the smaller polycotton Outwells for a weekend tent.
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Quote: Originally posted by Andy Pandy 666 on 27/3/2007
It depends what you want!... Most 'polyester/nylon' tents are absolutely fine and do the job they are made for, keeping you dry and comfortable while you're camping...
The 'poly/cotton' tents are fine too, they are a little cooler in warm weather and a little warmer in cold weather, but do the same job, with a bit more 'quality'. They are usually well made & should (like all tents) be totally weatherproof...
Then you have the 'top quality' (and top price) tents made from 'ten cate cotton' canvas or similar and can last a lifetime (well almost!) if you look after them. The thermal properties are the best of all, as is the 'build quality'...
They will all do a good job, but have varying quality of manufacture and materials. It all depends what you want to pay, how long you want to keep a tent and whether that extra comfort & quality is important to you...
Replace Ten cate with Cabanon canvas and I'll agree with everything you put here
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I am still on the cusp of deciding .. but keen on cotton as in southern europe in the summer. Bear lake seen in Ashburton ... is absolutely fabulous ..... but £599 ... how about the Khyam Indiana 8 TC at ?? £350.00 it seems incredibly good value .. anyone used one ?