Hello,
I'm looking at the Warbonnet Cloudburst tarp, have a quick question.
Polyester or nylon?
Also, one of the specs is 20d or 30d. I assume this is related either to weight and/or thickness.
Any insight? Suggestions from people in the know would be helpful, as usual.
Thank you all!
Last edited by m2244; 09-02-2018 at 08:26.
I can't claim to be an expert on the matter and will follow the thread for other responses but, recently purchased a camo, 30D silpoly Minifly and love the material.
In my opinion, it falls somewhere in between silnylon and DCF. It doesn't seem to absorb water or stretch like nylon and, remains taut when wet like DCF. I wonder what the downside is.
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I just ordered my WB Thunderfly yesterday in 20D silpoly so I will let you know my thoughts in a couple of weeks
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As Brandon states, the nylon is a bit stronger and the poly stretches less and doesn't absorb water.
Frankly, before poly came along, we loved sil nylon (as compared with PU-coated.) I think the water absorption and stretching concerns are mostly overblown. But the trend is definitely toward poly. Unless of course you don't mind spending the money for DCF to save a little but of weight.
My WB Edge in sil nylon has served me well.
I have one silnylon tarp and one silpoly tarp (xenon silpoly). As far as tarps go, they'll both keep you dry. I did find that the silpoly tarp didn't need to be adjusted after being hung for a long period of time. Silpoly is supposed to be more UV resistant, but the stretchiness of the silnylon makes it all around more durable I think (I maybe wrong, but that's the general consensus). If I had to choose one material, I'd probably go silpoly.
In my experiance, silnylon needs to be readjusted after it's been pitched for an hour or 2, if you want to keep it real taught. Not a biggie.
My bigger issue with nylon is it absorbs water. It may mist, but won't drip on you. I have woken up with gear drying under my tarp ridgline that was damp from it. Packing a wet tarp is not fun either.
Poly, you give a shake and its dry. No misting, no retaining water. I won't get another nylon tarp.
Thanks all for the replies in here. I'm also struggling with what the practical differences are in the fabrics other than the "nylon stretches" issue. I don't want to be missing something by going with the 20D poly on a Thunderfly although that's my gut instinct.
Any difference is strength if I add a pull-out pole mod for extra room?
I had hopes for this, but not really seeing it. I still end up with a decent sponge. Still, I sold my nylon Mamajamba and Superfly for poly. Also picked up a Thunderfly in poly. All 3 are amazing tarps. Less sagging than nylon, but not as good as DCF. Overall, 20D is "the way to go" IMO. I've been using but not abusing mine and they are still like new.Originally Posted by chapinb
My first experience with SilPoly is a Thunderfly in 20d. I have an Edge in 30D Silnylon, and had a Superfly in 30D SilNylon. I also have several ground tarps in 30D SilNylon.
I am a big fan of the SilPoly. I can confirm that it does not stretch when wet to any signficant degree, and it does not absorb nearly as much water as SilNylon.
I wouldn't get hung-up on the 20D for SilPoly vs 30D for SilNylon. Both materials have a similar weight, and they subjectively strike me as similar in durability. I have had no issues with either material. I dno't see any reason to choose SilNylon over SilPoly.
Excellent - I think you sold me. Thank you!
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