What Are Army Tents Made Of? (Solved)

Are you seeking a durable tent that will last you many years, if not decades?

For hundreds if not thousands of years, army tents have been used by militaries worldwide. Yet, this tent type is not only for military personnel as campers from all walks of life can purchase and use army tents.

If you’re considering purchasing an army tent for your latest and greatest planned camping adventure, you likely want to know all you can about army tents.

Here’s The Answer To How Much Army Tents Cost:

Usually, army tents will cost between $500 and $10,000 depending on the size and amount of guests. Army tents are more reliable and have a longer lifespan than other tent types, making them a better investment in quality and durability for the seasoned camper.

What Materials Are Used For The Outer And Inner Tent?

Army tents are made of different fabrics depending on the company you’re buying your army tent from.

Before we look at what materials are used for modern military tents’ outer and inner parts, let’s look at some of the history surrounding the fabrics used for army tents.

In the Revolutionary War, manufacturers typically made the army tents out of a material known as “duck.” This material was often made from hemp or cotton, and it was good at providing American soldiers the camouflage and shelter they needed when conducting guerilla warfare. However, this tent material had two significant downsides.

Firstly these materials had to be imported, so there were continuous shortages, and they rotted easily because soldiers did not maintain them.

Shortly after the Spanish American War, tent design and the materials used experienced another change. Designers decided to start producing army tents that used waterproof fabric materials to provide their waterproofing to an extent.

Designers made these tents from khaki material, and thus they created camouflage material.

Tent Advancements:

As time went on and tent advancements continued, companies like Alaska began to move the army tent industry forward with numerous lightweight metals and composites improvements.

These technological advancements allowed military tents to be set up in minutes, and they featured shatterproof energy-efficient LED lighting systems and high-performance cooling and heating systems.

Nowadays, the material your army tent is made out of will largely depend on the company you choose to buy it from. Usually, army tents’ inner and outer fabric is now made out of heavy vinyl coated polyester fabrics, which are insulated to maintain coolness during high temperatures.

These artificial materials are often flame retardent, UV blocking, waterproof, and have anti-tear features.

Additionally, army tents feature large windows to ensure proper circulation, and these window openings have thin layers of netting installed to guard against insects. Yet not every army tent is made out of man-made materials.

Some army tents like the ones sold by Sky Tents are made out of 100% waterproof canvas, and other companies manufacture army tents that blend canvas and polyester.

Are Army Tents Made With Water-Resistant Materials?

As you are now aware from our above discussion on the history and transformation of the army tent industry, most army tents are made with water-resistant materials.

Cotton canvas army material is naturally waterproof after it has been correctly weathered. Additionally, polyester and nylon army tent fabrics are coated with waterproofing agents to ensure they are waterproof.

Unlike other tents on the market, army tents tend to stay waterproof longer because they have been specifically engineered to do so. However, this does not mean you won’t ever need to re-waterproof your army tent.

Fortunately, waterproofing your army tent is not difficult and is easy to do as long as you have the correct waterproofing agent to apply to your tent.

Are Any Of The Materials Used Toxic?

One of the frequently asked questions surrounding army tents is if any of the materials used in their construction are toxic.

The answer to this question is complex, as to whether or not an army tent contains toxic materials will depend on which manufacturer you buy your tent from.

Some army tents are made using flame retardants, and in recent years many studies have been conducted which have highlighted the potential health hazards with flame retardants being used on army tents and other tent types. According to some studies, flame retardants increase a person’s likelihood of getting cancer.

That’s why many large companies like Mountain Hardwear and REI have wholly removed flame retardants from all their tents in the future.

Essentially, if you don’t want your tent to have toxic materials like flame retardants, you need to query the tent manufacturer who is producing the army tent you’re interested in. Not every army tent supplier has removed flame retardants from its tents because they are seen as necessary.

What Material Is Used For The Poles?

As is the case with what type of materials are used for army tents, there are different poles used for army tents.

Some army tents will be equipped with traditional wooden poles, but this is rare, considering wooden poles are often more susceptible to breaking and wearing down quickly over time.

That’s likely why most military tents use fiberglass or steel tent poles because they last longer.

What Material Is Used For The Ground Sheet?

Today’s tents often come with groundsheets, which can be said for army tents.

Interestingly, most army tents will have groundsheets made from artificial materials because they tend to be more durable and provide a more damage-resistant barrier against the ground.

With that said, most army groundsheets are made out of hard-wearing polyethylene.

What Are The Benefits Of Owning An Army Tent?

Are you interested in learning more about the benefits of owning an army tent?

If so, you might want to consider having a quick look at the army tent benefits we have listed below:

• Easily transportable in carrying bags and reusable containers.
• They come in various tent sizes, usually between 6 feet to 150 feet.
• Powder-coated metal frames can withstand high winds, humidity, sea spray, and heavy snow loads.
• Less maintenance is needed because they accommodate a soldier’s lifestyle.
• Manufactured with high-strength fabric membranes for prolonged use in extreme weather environments.
• Easy and quick installation.
• They can sleep between 50 people and 500 people, making them incredibly versatile.
• Smaller army tents can sleep 2 to 6 people.
• They are cost-effective.
• They continuously undergo technological advancements to ensure they are built to last decades.
• You can set up an army tent quickly on any flat surface without using tools.

Do Army Tents Generally Last Long?

Did you know that army tents are constructed with the most advanced technology so that they can offer a cost-effective investment?

Since they utilize advanced technology and are made with durable materials, they generally last longer than a few other tent types.

Many campers believe army tents are the sturdiest and most reliable tents on the market. Yet, how long does this tent type last when compared to other tent types?

Have a quick look below to learn more about the average lifespan of an army tent and other popular tent types:

• Military tents have a lifespan of between 15 o 30 years even when used continuously.
• Nylon tents have a lifespan of between 4 to 5 years when used continuously.
• Canvas tents have a lifespan of about 5 years if used continuously throughout the years.

Citations:

The Benefits Of An Army Tent

A Study On The Effects Of Flame Retardant Found On Tents

Flame Retardants Could Cause Cancer

The History Of Military tents In America