4 Materials to avoid when selecting a rooftop tent
29 Oct, 2024
Today, the market for rooftop tents is flooded with different brands. A quick google search will easily result in dozens of companies pitching their tent as the most lightweight, durable and comfortable shelter to sleep in. But intuitively, we know that not all products are built the same. This article breaks down several commonly used materials that often lead to a short life of use for rooftop tents. We aim to provide a brief history of these materials, an explanation for why they are not ideal for use and suggest alternative materials often found in higher quality tents.
Avoid: Ripstop
Before we begin, we want to highlight that we have nothing against ripstop. It’s lightweight, tear resistant, waterproof and most importantly, affordable. When it comes to technical clothing, parachutes and backpacks, ripstop works great. It keeps you dry and doesn’t tear. The problem with using ripstop for rooftop tents is that those features are not enough. You don’t wear your rooftop tent, you live and sleep in it, and that requires a canvas that can protect you from the elements, keeps the light out, limits exterior sound and reduces interior moisture so you can get a good night’s rest. Ripstop doesn’t meet any of those needs and furthermore, because it’s lightweight, it makes a lot of noise when the wind blows which can make it hard to sleep well. As described by Bryden Apparel, the fabric’s weave can produce a noticeable “rustling or crinkling sound” with movement. While this may not impact items like jackets or backpacks, in a camping environment where peace is essential, it can disrupt rest. For more details on the characteristics of ripstop, check out Bryden Apparel’s full article.
Ripstop fabric. Image from Bryden Aparrel
At James Baroud, our fabrics are more technical. Some contain aluminum which helps to repel light. Some have elastic resins that give it memory for stretching. We also use multilayered canvases which allows us to use a material on the outside that is waterproof, and another material on the inside that soaks up moisture. All our fabrics are made by specialty technical manufacturers in Europe, and we believe they are the absolute best in the market.
James Baroud tent fabric
Avoid: Steel
Perhaps the most used metallic building material in the history of the world, steel has been around for centuries and is plentiful and affordable. It is also commonly found in rooftop tents, primarily used for structural framing or in exterior gas struts.
There are three issues with using steel on a rooftop tent. First, steel rusts and rust is difficult to keep clean. Second, steel is heavy. That extra weight on the roof of a vehicle not only impacts fuel economy but can make the tent more challenging to mount or operate. Last, unlike aluminum or other alloys, steel doesn’t have memory. Once it bends, it stays that way. This can be problematic for a roof tent because they endure a lot of physical movement and stress. So, if a steel frame gets bent, the tent will never close the same way again.
This is why at James Baroud we primarily use aluminum in all exposed framing. Not only is it lightweight but it moves with the tent and helps to maintain longevity over time.
Avoid: Injected teeth zippers
The purpose of a rooftop tent is to keep you safe, secure and protected from external elements. If a zipper breaks, then water, cold air or insects can all enter the tent, making it less desirable for use. Besides the canvas walls, zippers are the second most important component on a rooftop tent.
Injected teeth zipper. Image from ucanzippers.com
The most common rooftop tent zipper to avoid is the plastic injected teeth zipper. These are easy to identify because they’re frequently used on outerwear and bags. They are made by injecting each individual zipper tooth onto the fabric and look like a set of gears when stretched. The issue with this zipper is its inability to maintain strength when one tooth is lost. Zippers on rooftop tents endure a lot of abuse and it’s common to lose a tooth, when this happens on a plastic injected teeth zipper the entire zipper is compromised and will have to be replaced (which is incredibly challenging to do).
Plastic molded zippers, particularly the injected type, are well-suited for handbags and clothing, as they are designed for moderate use rather than for the demands of outdoor gear. This makes them less ideal for rooftop tents, where durability and resilience under stress are essential. Instead, these zippers work well in settings like bags and fashion items, where ruggedness isn’t a primary concern.
James Baroud acrylic coated nylon coil zipper
All the zippers used at James Baroud are acrylic coated nylon coil. These are made using a single strand of nylon and look like a slinky. We chose this zipper for its durability and waterproofing features. Nylon coil zippers maintain their strength when one loop is compromised because the neighboring loops are very close and there are many more points of contact. Having the strand coated in acrylic allows the zipper pull to slide smoother and reduce water intrusion. Last, all door zippers on James Baroud tents are 10MM wide, which are the largest and strongest zippers in the industry.
James Baroud high quality materials in fabric and zippers
Avoid: PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances)
An inexpensive method to waterproof canvas involves using a synthetic group of chemicals known as PFAS, which are also frequently applied as fire retardants. As CNN reports, PFAS are found in various consumer goods, from waterproof clothing to household products, posing health risks due to their persistence in the human body and environment. The use of PFAS has been heavily regulated and limited by the European Union for over 15 years due to the health risks they pose, with numerous scientific studies linking PFAS exposure to various adverse health effects. Low-quality materials used in some tents lead to quicker degradation, increasing the likelihood of PFAS exposure. When humans absorb PFAS, these chemicals tend to accumulate in the bloodstream, storing at levels that the body cannot easily eliminate, which can result in significant health concerns.
Fabric with PFAS. Image from CNN reports on PFAS
This pushed us to find a safer, more durable, and high-performing alternative long before most rooftop tents on the market even existed. To achieve this, we collaborated with the same renowned textile manufacturer that NASA trusts, resulting in a patented, high-performance canvas built specifically for outdoor use. Our unique canvas reflects heat and insulates thermally, delivering the most stable internal temperature available in any tent.
We didn’t stop there. Our attention to detail includes specialized stitching techniques, made possible only by advanced machines and experienced technicians. For example, our mesh has a spiral weave that allows rain to flow away from the tent, and our Austrian-sourced threads expand and seal at needle points to enhance waterproofing.
Rooftop tent Vision interior
To dive deeper into the advanced materials used in the James Baroud rooftop tents, check out the following video of the Odyssey rooftop tent. It covers the innovative fabrics and components selected for maximum durability, weather resistance, and comfort in all conditions:
If you want to learn more, take a look at our “How to choose your perfect rooftop tent: A comprehensive guide” blog post and dive deep into the materials we use in our rooftop tents.
Summary
If you examine the rooftop tents in the market today, you’ll find these materials in an overwhelming majority of them. That is because they are less expensive and readily available. But that doesn’t mean it’s the ideal material for the needs of the product or environment. At James Baroud, we don’t compromise on comfort or safety, and will always source the right materials to build the best rooftop tent. We hope you enjoy sleeping in them as much as we do.
Happy camping!
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