Episode 127 | Field Notes – Shelter Fabrics
Episode Summary
In this Field Notes episode, Ryan Jordan explores the science of shelter fabrics - from strength-to-weight ratios and waterproofing to coating quality, pitch stability, and storm resilience. Featuring technical insights and field-tested analysis, this episode highlights the engineering tradeoffs between Dyneema and Ultra TNT composite fabrics, silnylons and silpolys, and more.
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Show Notes:
What’s New at Backpacking Light?
- Masterclass: Shelter & Backpack Fabric Technologies
- Masterclass: How to Pitch an Ultralight Shelter
- Find information about all of our upcoming Member Q&A’s, Webinars, Live Courses, other live events, and more on our Events Calendar Page.
Featured Brands and Products
Garage Grown Gear is America's largest stockist of ultralight tents and backpacking shelters made by small, startup, and cottage brands.
The SlingFin NFT is a 9.5' x 10' flat tarp made from ultralight yet highly tear-resistant 10D Nylon 66 ripstop sil/sil fabric, which offers superior tensile strength and long-term UV resistance compared to standard nylons, silpoly, and DCF. Subtle catenary curves along the long edges ensure a taut A-frame pitch, while the flat ridgeline allows for versatile configurations. Weight: 12.3 oz (349g). Packed size: 4" x 4" x 9".
2-person, side-entry, 2-doors, dual vestibules, single-wall DCF dome-style shelter that can use trekking poles for eyebrow pole support for additional stability in extreme weather.
2-person, side-entry, freestanding, double-walled dome tent made with dimensionally-stable Challenge Ultra TNT fabric. Available with mesh or solid inner tents, and can be pitched fly-only.
Shelter Fabrics
- 5 Problems: Minimize Weight, Prevent Leakage, Long Term Durability, Dimensional Stability, Resistance to Sagging
- 3 Engineering Annoyances – Packability, Acoustic Noise, Repairability
Links, Mentions, and Related Content
- Masterclass: Fabric Technologies for Shelters and Backpacks
- Member Q&A: Choosing an Ultralight Shelter for Backpacking
- Podcast: Episode 86 | Ultralight Shelter Fabrics
Discussion
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Companion forum thread to: Episode 127 | Field Notes – Shelter Fabrics
In episode 127 of the BPL Podcast, Ryan Jordan explores shelter fabrics: strength-to-weight, waterproofing, coatings, pitch stability, storm resilience, strength-to-weight ratios and waterproofing to coating quality, pitch stability, and storm resilience.
I have been more intrigued by Durston’s 15D high tenacity silpoly than any other new fabric on the market. I was skeptical about how durable the 15D would be, but the X-Dome 1+ and 3rd Gen X-Mids are made with it and I’m not hearing about any failures. Dan wrote on another forum that his new 15D high tenacity silpoly is as strong as Slingfin’s 10D sil/sil nylon 66 and it might very well be true. I just wish I could get my hands on some of the Durston 15D silpoly for my own projects.
The only other high quality 10D sil/sil nylon 66 I know of being used is with Nordisk tarps and tents.
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