An essential part of choosing the right tent is looking at the materials of the tent sheet itself as well as for the tent poles supporting the tent. These are primary components of a tent and should not be taken lightly. Depending on the purpose you’re going to use your tent for, certain materials may be more suitable than another. There are three main selections for the tent – neoprene, canvas and nylon. These are listed in the order of popularity. I’ll go through each one in this post.

Neoprene (also called polychloroprene) is a form of synthetic rubber that is produced by polymerization (which is a process of chemical reaction) of an organic compound called chloroprene. One of the main reasons for its suitable as a tent material is its capability to insulate against the cold, you can be assured you will be kept warm. However, in warm weather, it can become very hot and thus uncomfortable. So neoprene is more well suited to cold environments or seasons only. Another appealing property is that they are a sturdy material, making them a firm shelter.

Canvas is a type of plain-woven fabric generally considered to be extremely heavy-duty. By plain-woven I mean that the warp (i.e. the lengthwise yarn which the weft is woven through) and weft (i.e. the yarn that is drawn over and under parallel warp yarns) are aligned such that a criss-cross pattern is formed. This weaving technique contributes to the strength and durability of the material. Canvas is nowadays mainly made from cotton. So the appeal with this material is that it makes a sturdy form of shelter. Canvas tents tend not to break down easily in harsher conditions (e.g. heavy winds) for lengthy periods of time. This type of tents is commonly used by the military and as temporary shelters for disaster victims. However, canvas does not allow for much breathing. This can make the tents uncomfortable as sleeping quarters during hot climates. Also, being a cotton material, canvas tents would absorb water. If left in a rain for too long, trying to dismantle them for transport can become a very difficult task.

Finally, the most common type is nylon tents. Nylon is a form of plastic (or synthetic polymer), specifically a thermoplastic silky material. Its appeal is that it is fairly light and works well in both hot and cold conditions. Nylon tents are stable enough such that in warm climates, a camper would not get too hot. They also can keep water from leaking insider and provide sufficient protection from severe elements outside (e.g. rain).