Helsport’s commitment to quality is reflected in our fabric’s durability and reability. Our choice of materials is critical to the tent’s overall performance and lifespan. This is why Helsport have specifically developed our own fabrics for making tents. By varying different properties like weight, tear strength and water resistance, we‘re able to combine unique fabric characteristics and tailor them to the intended use of the product. 

FLYSHEET FABRICS 

As a consumer it is difficult to compare the performance of various manufacturers’ fabrics. Many consumers can be misled to judge a fabric’s quality based simply on its water resistance when new, without taking into account other factors. First, there are many different testing methods for fabrics - and the results may vary as much as several hundred percent!  In addition, by European standard, a new fabric that reportedly resists water to 1500 mm is enough to be considered “water resistant.” However, differences in the fabric’s coating will greatly affect its performance over time. Therefore, the fabrics ability to maintain its water resistance over time is equally as important as high water resistance when new.

Helsport Rainguard® and Helsport RAINGUARD® FR

In our TREK tents and lavvus, we use a specially developed polyester, Helsport Rainguard®, which has a water column of minimum 3000mm. The polyester is constructed to keep the flysheet taut under varying weather and temperature conditions. The fabric has an anti-mould treatment and in the lavvu a fire resistant version is used, the FR. This protects the flysheet, making it possible to use open flames safely inside the lavvu.

HELSPORT SUPERLIGHT®3000

The SuperLight tents have a newly developed polyamide micro ripstop fabric. This fabric is woven from a very thin thread, 15D, that provides a super lightweight material. It is also coated on both sides with a silicone coating, which makes the fabric extremely tear resistant and durable while providing a water column of 2000mm.

HELSPORT SUPERLIGHT®2000

Helsport Superlight® 2000 is an even lighter outer fabric designed especially for the PRO Light models. Helsport Superlight®2000 is woven with a 20D polyamide thread. The fabric has a high tear resistance, silicone coating and is waterproof with a minimum of 3000mm.

HELSPORT SUPERLIGHT®1000

For the rest of the PRO and X-TREM tents we developed Helsport Superlight®1000, an extremely light yet durable outer tent material. It is over eight times more tear and abrasion resistant than normal outer tent material. The fabric is woven with extra fine thread and coated on both sides with a newly developed silicone, giving it 3000mm water resistance (waterproof) yet weighing only 58g / m2. Helsport Superlight®1000 also features strong natural resistance to UV-rays and excellent fabric stability under a variety of temperatures. This fabric is also used as a ground sheet in the SuperLight tents.

INNER TENT FABRICS 

POLYESTER

Used primarily on our TREK series tents. A silicone-impregnated polyester that is water repellent and highly breathable. Polyester does not absorb water, dries quickly and weighs only 60g / m2. 

RIPSTOP SUPERLIGHT® POLYAMIDE

The fabrics used in most of our PRO and X-TREM inner tents are light and strong polyamide textiles. The ripstop weave dramatically increases durability, yet has a minimal effect on weight and breathability. The SuperLight tents have a new polyamide ripstop material, which is woven in 15D polyamide thread. This material has excellent breathability, which is important for minimizing condensation. The inner tent fabrics all have DWR treatment to keep out any condensation that may drip from the fly sheet.

GROUND SHEETS AND FLOOR 

POLYAMIDE SI

Ground sheets are a critical component of all tents because they are exposed to high moisture levels and additional wear and tear. Helsport’s ground sheets compliment the quality of our outer tent fabrics with higher water resistance (5000mm) and increased durability, greatly increasing the comfort and lifespan of our tents.

SEAMS AND STITCHING

Seams and stitching are other critical factors for building quality tents. Helsport uses double-needle stitching on all seams under stress. Double-needle stitch is the only seam that won’t come apart even if the thread is broken or destroyed. Other load bearing points on our tents are reinforced with bartacks and special stitching incorporated with nylon webbing.

Helsport is using a special thread to keep the seams water tight. This is specially developed using a polyester core spun with cotton fibre to produce a thread that expands when exposed to moisture, sealing the seam even tighter. Seam sealer or paraffin wax can also be applied, if seams begin to perspire over time.

SEAMS IN THE FLOOR

Some manufacturers tape the seams in the floor. Our tents are produced with silicone treated fabrics, because we know it gives better water resistance capability and reduced drying time. Overall, the result is increased lifespan and better functionality - and our sewing methods and thread materials (see details above) allow us to avoid water penetration through the seams. For lavvus it is important that the floor is fire retardant, and the necessary treatment of the fabrics is not effective in combination with silicone treatment. Consequently, the lavvus seams are taped.

For maintaining the properties of the materials, Helsport do not recommend leaving tents and lavvus exposed for UV-radiation for a longer period of time because it degrades the fabric coating.