Sustainability is no longer a buzzword— it’s a critical aspect of outdoor gear manufacturing, especially when it comes to tent materials. As outdoor enthusiasts become more eco-conscious, the demand for tents made from sustainable fabrics has grown significantly.
But what makes a tents material truly sustainable? In this post we’ll explore some of the key fabrics and textiles that are the old standbys of tentmaking, as well as the ones shaping the future of environmentally responsible camping and glamping.
The CARBON FOOTPRINT OF VARIOUS TENT FABRICS
Assessing the carbon footprint of various tent fabrics involves analyzing the entire lifecycle of the material, from raw material extraction and processing to manufacturing, transportation, use, and disposal.
It’s important to consider factors such as energy use, chemical treatments, transportation distances, and the end-of-life disposal options for each fabric. Below is a breakdown of the environmental impact of some of the most common tent fabrics.
1. Cotton: HIGH
- Impact: High due to intensive water use, pesticides, and energy in processing.
- Considerations: Organic cotton has a lower impact but still requires significant resources.
Pure natural fibers are easier to recycle, though recycling facilities remain limited. Cotton farming is water-intensive and often involves the use of harmful pesticides. Opting for organic cotton can help mitigate these issues, making it a more sustainable choice.
2. Hemp: LOW
- Impact: Low. Grows quickly, produces a high yield harvest, requires minimal water or pesticides, and enriches the soil. Biodegradable, making it an excellent candidate for tent materials.
- Considerations: Its texture can be coarse and rigid, and it often needs to be blended with other fibers for a more comfortable feel. It also requires treatment for water resistance. The cost of hemp can be higher due to cultivation and processing and proper maintenance is needed to preserve its quality and performance.
Hemp is emerging as a superstar in the world of sustainable textiles. It is known as one of the strongest natural fibers in the world, with the same UV-resistant, breathable and moisture regulating properties as cotton but requiring very little resources for growth or production.
3. Wool: MODERATE
- Impact Moderate to high. Emissions from sheep and energy use in processing.
- Considerations: Although renewable and compostable, there are ethical concerns regarding animal welfare and land management as it is harvested from sheep. It can also be heavier and more care-intensive and expensive compared to other materials.
Wool is a natural fiber known for its excellent insulation and moisture-wicking and temperature-regulating properties, making it an ideal material for tents in a variety of hot or cold climates. Additionally, wool’s natural resistance to water and flame enhances the safety, longevity and durability of the tent. However, the sustainability of wool also depends on the farming practices.
4. Synthetic Fabrics (Polyester/Nylon): HIGH
- Impact: High due to petroleum-based raw materials and energy-intensive manufacturing. Because they are not biodegradable, their presence can remain in the environments for decades. Polyester fibers can shed microplastics during washing, contributing to water pollution and environmental harm.
- Considerations: Highly durable, thus leading to longer product life. If left uncoated, these materials can also be recycled more efficiently than blended materials, and also manufactured by recycling post consumer plastic and other waste materials.
The majority of low-cost camping tents, and many glamping tent flys are made of 100% nylon or polyester. These fabrics are very lightweight, making them ideal for easy set up and transport. They are also highly resistant to tearing and abrasion, suitable for rough weather conditions. They can be coated to become highly water-resistant, which is essential for keeping you dry in wet conditions. While they are also less breathable than natural fabrics, they overall provide good performance at a lower price.
“Polyester is the most widely used fiber in the world due to its durability and low cost, but it has significant environmental downsides. It is derived from petroleum, contributes to microplastic pollution, and is not biodegradable. Recycling polyester can mitigate some environmental impacts, but reducing overall dependence on synthetic fibers is necessary for a truly sustainable textile industry.”
Dr. Julian Allwood, Professor of Engineering and the Environment at the University of Cambridge
5. Recycled Polyester: MEDIUM
- Impact: Lower than traditional polyester. Reduces waste and energy use compared to virgin/new polyester production and process
- Considerations: Still involves synthetic processes, but better than new synthetic fibers.
Recycled polyester, often made from post-consumer plastic bottles, is a synthetic alternative that is becoming increasingly popular in the outdoor industry. It offers a compromise by reducing the environmental impact compared to virgin synthetic fabrics like polyester or nylon. When treated with eco-friendly coatings, recycled polyester can offer the same water resistance and durability as traditional tent fabric, but with a lower negative impact on the environment.
6. Poly-Cotton Blends: VARIABLE
- Impact: The environmental impact depends on the proportions used and the processes involved in their production. Polyester can enhance the durability and lifespan of fabrics, potentially reducing the frequency of replacements.
- Considerations: While CP blends reduce some of the resource demands, such as water use, associated with pure cotton, they still rely on polyester’s fossil fuel inputs. While polyester is recyclable, and pure cotton is biodegradable a blend of the two can complicate things. Cotton-poly blends are far less biodegradable and recyclable than they are if processed separately, potentially leading to greater environmental impact at the end of the product’s life and increased landfill waste. It is possible this will change as adequate recycling facilities grow.
Tents made of CP material provide an unbeatable atmosphere that is ideal when used in a stationary or base camp in all climates. Overall, while cotton-poly blends offer benefits in terms of durability and cost, their environmental impact includes concerns related to resource use, carbon footprint, and end-of-life disposal.
7. Mycelium-Based Fabrics: STILL
- Impact: Lower compared to traditional textiles, thanks to their energy-efficient production and carbon sequestration during growth. They are also biodegradable, which reduces long-term waste and pollution.
- Considerations: The scalability of production, resource use, and durability of these materials are still under development, requiring further research to optimize their environmental benefits and performance.
One of the most exciting innovations in sustainable textiles is the development of mycelium-based materials. Derived from the root structure of mushrooms, mycelium can be cultivated into lightweight, durable, and biodegradable fabrics. While still in its early stages, this technology holds promise for creating tents that are not only eco-friendly but also biodegradable at the end of their life cycle, which is good since it lacks end-of-life recycling solutions.
ALL ZIPPED UP
In summary, the sustainability of any fabric or textile depends on a variety of factors including production practices, certifications, and overall lifecycle impact. Ethical considerations and proper care are also crucial in determining their environmental impact.
The bottom line: There is no “perfect” fabric, and no 100% right answer when it comes to sustainable outdoor gear. While pure natural fibers are often seen as more sustainable due to their biodegradability and renewable nature, they also have drawbacks when it comes to performance and recyclability. Natural fibers like cotton, hemp, and wool generally have lower carbon footprints during production but may require significant water and land use, impacting their overall sustainability.
In contrast, synthetic fibers like polyester are derived from fossil fuels and have higher carbon emissions during production, but they are often more durable and may have a lower impact over their entire lifespan.
There is hope and promise in exploring materials that combine the best properties of natural and synthetic fibers. When blended, hybrid or recycled fabrics are treated with non-toxic coatings to enhance water resistance and UV protection without harming the environment, the possibilities are endless.
Almost every fabric will have its own sustainability challenges, highlighting the importance of ongoing innovation and continuous product development. That’s where Diamond Brand comes in.
Moving Beyond the Status Quo
For over 100 years, canvas (either 100% or cotton-poly blends) has been a top choice for Diamond Brand’s wall tents due to its exceptional durability and breathability. The plain weave pattern of canvas provides a tight, sturdy texture, making it resistant to tears and harsh weather conditions, ideal for long-term outdoor use and demanding structures like scout and glamping tents.
As mentioned, canvas insulates while allowing air circulation, helping regulate temperature and control moisture for a comfortable interior environment in all seasons and conditions. Diamond Brand’s tents offer advanced ventilation systems, reinforced details, and storm-resistance features to ensure longevity.
To improve performance even further, canvas can be treated with coatings that enhance water and UV resistance or fire retardancy, and Diamond Brand is committed to discovering treatments with the least environmental impact (more on that in a future post!)
Of course true sustainability doesn’t start and end with fabric choices. Choosing eco-friendly materials throughout the tent – from the floor to the frame, will result in a lower carbon footprint. Renewable timber, bamboo, cork, and recycled metals stand out as winners, and don’t forget about creative additions like solar panels too.
THE NEXT FRONTIER in FABRICS FOR DIAMOND BRAND TENTs
The Diamond Brand R&D team is getting closer and closer to a solution for the most environment-friendly tent materials; finding that magic blend of natural, synthetic and recycled fibers that guarantees a long lifespan.
“For outdoor fabrics, it’s really tricky to find the right blend of durability, sustainability, and price – as sometimes they can fight each other. I think we’ve struck a great balance with this collection.
One of the primary goals was to eliminate fabric blends (eg poly/cotton) because they don’t degrade and can’t be recycled. We’ve also greatly reduced the toxic chemicals from water-resistance, fade resistance and anti-mildew coatings in the collection overall.“
Caroline Cockerham, Diamond Brand’s Director of Sustainability
A Sneak Peak AT DIAMOND BRAND’S new collection…
FOR BASE TENTS
our most sustainable, PFAS-FREE COATED fabric yet
- Content: 100% Recycled Polyester “Spunout”
- Weight: 8 oz/yd2
- Backing: Polyerethane Backing
- Coatings: C0 DWR
- Recommended Climates: ALL
our BEST natural fiber option
- Content: 100% Undyed Cotton (No bleaching chemicals, no fabric dye and less water to purify)
- Weight: 10 oz/yd2
- Backing: None
- Coatings: C6 DWR (contains PFAS)
- Recommended Climates: Dry
FOR FLYS
our highest performing, PFAS-FREE COATED fly fabric
- Content: 100% Polyester Weathermax 80
- Weight: 8 oz/yd2
- Backing: None
- Coating: C0 DWR
- Recommended Climates: Harsh, sunny
Our most affordable & recyclable fly fabric
- Content: 100% Renegade PPI200 Polyurethane
- Weight: 6 oz/yd2
- Backing: None
- Coating: None
- Recommended Climates: Wet
We’re excited about the reduction of chemicals in these tent fabrics, and in the coming months, stay tuned as we continue our research, like calculating the amount of water bottles each tent has diverted from the landfill!
Diamond Brand is slowing working towards the following long-term production goals
- becoming 100% Forever Chemical/PFAs Free
- achieving 100% recycled content,
- using 100% organic materials.
Like everything, it’s one step at a time, and we appreciate your support as we work toward these ambitious goals.
One Step Forward At A Time
At Diamond Brand, we recognize that sustainability is a journey, and while we’re not perfect yet, we’re committed to making meaningful progress step by step. We’re excited about the strides we’ve made in reducing chemicals in our tent fabrics, and in the coming months, we’ll continue our research,
Diamond Brand is proud to be leading the movement towards a more eco-friendly tent. As the outdoor industry continues to experiment and innovate, the future of tentmaking looks increasingly hopeful. By choosing tents made from sustainable materials, we can all contribute to a healthier planet while enjoying the great outdoors.
At the end of the day we want to make sure our customers know that protecting the environment doesn’t mean compromising on performance or sacrificing quality or comfort. We believe in progress over perfection. And that sustainability is a process, a continuous journey where each step forward brings us closer to a happier, healthier planet and a brighter future.
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