Materials
Helsport’s commitment to quality is reflected in our fabric’s durability and dependability as well as its water resistance, and our choice of materials is critical to the tent’s overall performance and lifespan. This is why we at Helsport have specifically developed our own fabrics for making tents. By doing this we are able to combine unique fabric characteristics and tailor them to the intended use of the product.
Outer fabrics
As a consumer it is difficult to compare the performance of various manufacturers’ fabrics. Many consumers can be mislead 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, the results of which can vary as much as several hundred percent! In addition, by European standard a new fabric that reportedly resists water to 1500mm is enough to be considered “water resistant.” However differences in the fabric’s silicon coating will greatly affect its performance over time. Therefore, a high water resistance when new is less important than how the fabric maintains its water resistance over time.
Helsport rainguard®
We use a polyester designed specially for our trek tents, Helsport rainguard®, which includes the following features:
• Minimum 4000mm water resistant - waterproof
• High tear resistance for security
• Special durable coating which gives high abrasion resistance and long-life
• Increased uv resistance which increases product lifetime
• Fabric stability, which keeps the fly sheet taut even under variable weather and temperature conditions
• Anti-mould treatment
It is the unique combination of these features, which has made Helsport’s fly sheet fabric known the world over.
Helsport superlight® 2000.
Helsport superlight® 2000, an even lighter outer fabric designed specially for the “ringstind light” and the “rondane light”. Helsport superlight®2000 is wovened with a 20d nylon tread. the fabric has a high tear resistance, silicone coating and are waterproof with a minimum 4000mm water resistant. Helsport superlight® 2000 reduces the tents total fabric-weight with 12%.
Helsport superligHt® 1000.
In the other, to build even lighter and robust tents for our pro and x-treM series 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 silicon giving it 4000mm water resistance (waterproof) yet weighing only 52 g / m2. Helsport superlight®1000 also features strong natural resistance to uv rays and excellent fabric stability under a variety of temperatures.
Tent liner fabrics
Tent inners are not only responsible for creating an insulating air channel, but for transporting moisture and limiting condensation as well. Therefore inner tent fabrics are selected based on weight and breathability.
Polyamid
Used primarily on our trek series tents. a silicon-impregnated nylon that is water repellent and highly breathable, polyamid does not absorb water, dries quickly and weighs only 60g / m2.
Ripstop superlight polyamid
A Helsport fabric developed specifically for use in most of our pro and X-tre series inner tents, except in the rondane light and the ringstind light, where there is a 20 denier fabric, which weight 32gr/m2. the rip-stop weave dramatically increases durability yet has a minimal effect on weight and breathability. This advanced fabric weighs only 40g / m2.
Polyamid SI ground sheets and floors
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.
