Behind me, you can see examples like the Liteway Illusion Solo, a Scout 3, and a Biggie tarp, all crafted from the same fundamental fabric. This leads to the core of the question: why do we primarily use Levitex 20D ripstop silpoly in our ultralight shelters?
While we also offer options like Tyvek for outer shells and a dyneema fabric offering called Ultra, and acknowledge the common use of silnylon in tents, we have specific reasons for our preference for silpoly.
Firstly, silpoly demonstrates superior resistance to the harsh UV rays prevalent here in New Zealand compared to silnylon. This ensures the longevity and durability of our products.
Secondly, silpoly offers a slight advantage in packability due to its ability to compress into a smaller size.
Furthermore, the hydrophobic nature of silpoly is a key differentiator. Hydrophobic materials repel water, whereas silnylon is hydrophilic, meaning it absorbs and attracts water. This difference has significant implications for performance. You’ll notice our ultralight shelters pitch taut and stay that way. When it rains, or even as temperatures drop overnight, a silnylon tent will often sag due to moisture absorption, losing its tautness. Silpoly, however, maintains its shape, sagging or stretching significantly less than silnylon.
The hydrophobic property of silpoly also makes it easier to manage in wet conditions. In the morning, you can shake off most of the water, allowing for quicker and drier pack-up. Silnylon tents, having absorbed more water, will remain heavier and wetter even after shaking.
Finally, silpoly exhibits less stretch than silnylon under wind load. This means our ultralight tents and tarps maintain their structural integrity and perform better in windy conditions.
These are the primary reasons why we choose silpoly for the majority of our products. We firmly believe its properties make it a superior choice to silnylon in many crucial aspects, ultimately benefiting the performance and longevity of your ultralight shelter.
