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Nylon vs Polyester: Is 210T Polyester or 20D Nylon Better?

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nylon and polyester difference

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Most modern tents are made from either nylon or polyester. While nylon is the lightest and most breathable of the two, polyester is more durable and less expensive.

However, there are several factors that differentiate the two materials that I will get into here.

Normally I recommend nylon for tents as you get far more tear resistance per unit of weight, but there are many other factors to take into account.

These factors, among others, are water resistance, fire resistance, drying time, stretchability, and abrasion resistance, all of which you can read more about here.

What materials are tents made of?

All tents are not made equal and a crucial thing that makes them apart is the materials used for the flysheet or outer “walls” of the tent.

Tent sheets are traditionally made from heavy materials such as cotton, linen, or even wool but with the increasing demand for lightweight hiking gear, synthetic materials such as thin nylons and polyester have become the norm.

But high end materials such as Dyneema (cuben fiber) is starting to emerge for people with high emphasis on weight and durability!

Compared to natural materials, ripstop polyester and nylon are very light and, perhaps more importantly, much more water-resistant, which makes them ideal as tent materials.

Tents used to be made by heavy natural materials such as cotton or linen but are now mostly synthetic plastics.

Apart from the flysheet, the inner cabin fabric, and the floor material, which are usually all made up of either nylon or polyester, the tent poles and pegs are also a smaller but significant part of the weight.

These are often made up of aluminum, but may also be made from carbon fiber in the more expensive models – which is not necessarily worth the extra money. See how I come to that conclusion in my post on tent pole materials here.

Apart from tents, polyester is also used for filling sleeping bags and insulation material in jackets.

What is Nylon?

Nylon is a synthetic fabric made from polyamides. It was originally made to replace soft natural fabrics such as silk. So the initial idea was to make a soft but strong material, which succeeded quite well!

drops on nylon

However, today it is commonly used for clothing, ropes, tents, sleeping bags, and also for parachutes and hot air balloons due to its lightweight and high strength!

Compared to polyester, nylon is more stretchable and lighter for the same strength. Depending on the coating, it is as waterproof and abrasive resistant, but also more expensive.

Polyester, on the other hand, is more heat and UV resistant and does not expand when wet.

Most modern nylons are made with the so-called rip-stop technique, which means that strong threads (thicker than the main material) are woven into the fabric at regular intervals.

Rip-stop ensures that any tears of the thin main fabric do not propagate along and end up tearing the whole sheet apart.  

Nylon is the material of choice for weight-critical products that also need a degree of water resistance such as ultra-light camping tents. This is because it can be made down to ultrafine threads that allow for the very thin fabric to be made. But thicker versions are also thick enough to make sturdy and waterproof hiking backpacks.

Technically, nylon can be made down to a thickness of 7D, whereas polyester can only be made to a density of 20D (almost three times as heavy!).

However, thinner nylon materials are not waterproof but only made water resistant with the right waterproofing treatment applied.

But nylon can also be made much thicker for strength and durability up to around 1680D in thread thickness!

Read more about nylon in my recent post about the different types of nylon used for tents.

Showing a nylon and a polyester jacket side by side.
A comparison between nylon and polyester. The material on the left is nylon and the material on the right is polyester. Here the polyester sheet is slightly thinner than the nylon sheet.

What is Polyester?

Polyester is made from polyethylene terephthalate also known as PET, which is a synthetic polymer. The polyester plastic itself is used for everything from drinking bottles to TV screens and insulation material for your sleeping bag or “down” jacket!

Garments made from thin threads of polyester are mostly used for clothing such as rain gear, furniture, or tents.

Polyester is often used in fabrics, but also numerous other things such as backpacks, jackets and tents.

Polyester is suitable for (outdoor) clothing as it is warm, cheap, resistant to wrinkling, is fairly breathable as clothing and does not discolor in UV/sunlight, and is often regarded as quite rough.  

For example, polyester is a major component (mixed with cotton) of the ultra-durable G-1000 fabric from the Fjällräven outdoor brand.

Fluffed-up polyester fabric is what we know as “fleece” which is extra warm and breathable.

And polyester “wool” is often used as a filling material instead of down for sleeping bags!

When used in outdoor products such as in tents, thicker polyester threads are used because polyester is not as strong as nylon and therefore more polyester material (thicker threads) are needed to obtain the same strength.

In addition, it is simply not technically possible to make polyester threads thinner than a thickness of 20D (whereas nylon can be spun down to 7D!).

This generally makes products with polyester, including tents, heavier than comparable products where nylon is used.

As for nylon, polyester comes in different thicknesses that you can read more about here. Some of the thickest polyester types are only used for the groundsheet, backpacks, and raingear.

What do the 20D and 210T stand for in tent fabric designations?

The D stands for “Denier” and the T in 210T can stand for “Tex” or “Thread count”.

In most cases the “T” indicates the thread count and says nothing about the thread thickness, but tex and denier do so.

These are all measures of density and are defined as follows:

Denier is the number of grams that 9000 meters of the fabric thread weigh.

Tex is the number of grams 1000 meters of the fabric thread weigh.

Thread count is a measure of the number of threads per square inch of fabric.

So for both nylon and polyester, the fabric density is denoted by a number, followed by the letters D or T.

They all say something about the density of the fabric, but none of these measures are complete!

For example, the yarn used to make 20D nylon weighs 20g per 9km, and the thread used to make 210T, assuming a Tex of 210, nylon weighs 210g per 1km! However, we get no information about the amounts of threads used for the fabric!

So we might think that 210T corresponds to 1890D by doing the calculation 210*9! Assuming that the same amount of thread is used to make the tent, this would make the 210T polyester (1890/20) 94.5 times heavier than the 20D material!

However, the thickness of 210T material is (approximately 2.5 times) thicker than the 20D so, this would also mean less thread needed to construct the same flysheet.

This is not the case when we compare the weight of two tents made from each fabric (the 210T polyester one is only 15% heavier than the 20D nylon version…).

So, here 210T must refer to the thread count, which means that 210 threads are used per square inch. For this amount of threads to fit into one square inch at a 15% extra weight, the thread thickness will have to be around 68-75D (denier) of thickness.

So 210T is actually more like 70D that we can compare to the 20D of the nylon.

Fabric designations either say something about the thickness of the thread used to weave the

In this case, which is often the case for polyester, the “T” rather stands for thread count meaning the number of polyester threads per square inch of fabric. So no say about the density of the thread used, but in these fabrics, the density is usually around 70D for polyester of this type.

See my recent post on different nylon types for an overview of the weight and water resistance of the different nylon types!

The density is also sometimes expressed in decitex (dtex), which is the weight in grams of 10 kilometers of fiber instead of the 9 kilometers used for Denier.

How much Water can Nylon and Polyester Withstand?

210T polyester and 20D nylon materials are both waterproof, however, the nylon is lighter and more waterproof as it can typically withstand a higher water column pressure compared to polyester for the same thickness.

The flysheet of a tent is often made out of either nylon or polyester, so it is important that water does not leak through.

For most manufacturers, 20D Nylon is rated to 4000 mm whereas 210T polyester can resist 3000mm water pressure despite it being quite a lot thicker!

Unlike polyester, a nylon tent may sack after rain due to the expansion of the wet nylon fibers.

A marked downside of nylon is that it expands when it gets wet! Nylon may expand as much as 3.5% when soaked whereas polyester does not expand or gain weight when it rains.

This property of nylon may explain why tents made of nylon will sack more after the rain compared to a tent made from polyester.

However, because nylon is often thinner and more breathable, nylon will dry more quickly compared to polyester.

Whereas the outer layer, or flysheet, is often made from the thinnest nylons, the floor/bottom of a lightweight tent is often also made from even thicker nylons or polyester versions e.g. 70D or 100D.

MaterialGrams/1000m
thread
Avg. Fabric densityWater resistance
(Hydrostatic Head)
7D Nylon0.819 g/m²1000-2000mm
10D Nylon1.125 g/m²1000-2000mm
15D Nylon1.730 g/m²2000mm
20D Nylon2.234 g/m²3000-4000mm
30D Nylon3.347 g/m²4000-5000mm
40D Nylon4.454 g/m²5000mmm
210D Nylon23.370 g/m²>15000mm
Differences in thickness and water resistance between the nylon fabrics most commonly used in tents. The exact water resistance depends on the surface treatment used on the fabric!

Producers of nylon tents will often try to prevent the water from being absorbed by the fabric in the first place by treating the nylon fabric with a water-repellant such as silicone or DWR.

These treatments will work best at the beginning of the tent’s lifespan, but will slowly wear down due to wear and tear – including the UV rays of the sun!

Does a Nylon or Polyester Tent Dry Faster?

How long the fabric takes to dry is a very important consideration when choosing the fly sheet material for a tent if you want to avoid having a wet moldy tent laying all day in you backpack!

Because polyester does not absorb the same amount of water when exposed to rain as nylon does, it will also dry faster.

Whereas it takes a nylon tent around four to six hours to dry under dry conditions, it takes a polyester tent more like three hours to dry completely after a heavy rain shower!

This is because nylon keeps the water embedded in between its thread fibers, whereas polyester repels it more easily which helps it dry faster.

Is Nylon or Polyester Stronger?

Other aspects worth mentioning are the strength and flexibility of the materials. Nylon is generally stronger than polyester. It is also much more flexible and will stretch more before any damage is done.

From the graph, it is clear that ordinary polyester is weaker than nylon (green line shifted to the left), but some new innovative “nylon-like” polyesters are as strong while keeping the other benefits of polyester such as retaining its strength when wet. Reference: Tian et al. 2019 Journal of Engineered Fibers and Fabrics.

See my recent posts on some of the strongest nylons and how strength is measured!

However, it may tear more easily when the damage is done. While nylon is strongest when it comes to sudden pulls and tears, polyester is generally more resistant to pilling and UV damage, so you will see less of those annoying threads sticking out in an old polyester tent.

happy young couple having fun while resting in forest during camping
Most cheaper tents are made from polyester. This may be fine if you need a sturdy tent but don’t mind the extra weight.

Nylon is one of the strongest synthetic materials and the thicker the nylon thread gets, the stronger the fabric (generally speaking).

Graph showing the strength of different nylon fabrics. 210D vs. 420D vs. 600D vs. 1000D and 1680D.
The amount of force (in Newtons) it takes to break a nylon sheet of different deniers with the same thread count.

Whereas 600D nylon has a tensile strength of around 220N, it takes 475N to break 1680D nylon!

Compared to polyester, nylon has an approximately 30% higher tensile strength but when nylon is wet, this difference disappears and nylon can in some cases be weaker than a similar thickness polyester when soaked!

Why is nylon more expensive than polyester?

Because the production of nylon is more time and energy-intensive, nylon is the more costly of the two materials.

Both are made in a process of spinning out a polymer after reacting two chemicals, however, polyester does not require the same amount of processing and heating as nylon does.

The nylon fabric is usually also made via thinner threads, which demands more from the extrusion and spinning process than what is needed for polyester.

Both nylon and polyester can be made via recycled materials, however, it is much more expensive to reuse nylon.

Polyester can be made almost directly from reused bottles whereas nylon is more complicated and can be made from fewer materials such as old fishing nets.

Chemical facts about nylon and polyester

Chemically speaking, nylon and polyester are similar only in the sense that they are made up of polymers derived from dicarboxylic acids. Nylon contains amides in its structure, whereas polyester, as the name suggests, is a long chain of esters.

This composition makes nylon inherently more hydrophilic and therefore less waterproof and harder to color.

An overview of the chemical differences of nylon and polyester materials. Figure from Pediaa.com.

Does nylon or polyester burn more easily?

Well, both materials are synthetic plastics so they do catch fire or melt when subjected to a naked flame. However, the melting temperature rating of nylon is 220 degrees Celsius (428 F) whereas polyester melts 40 centigrade higher at 260 (500 F), which leaves polyester as the winner here.

Bot materials can be produced with or treated with flame retardant chemicals. Heat-resistant nylon can be brought up to the same temperature as polyester at around 255 C (491F) whereas polyester may be treated with flame retardants to withstand up to 440 C (824F).

Another difference in behavior between nylon and polyester when subjected to fire is, that nylon will mostly melt completely before catching fire whereas polyester will catch fire more quickly and melt simultaneously.

Why should I buy a nylon tent instead of a polyester tent?

If you are considering buying a tent, backpack or clothing item made from nylon instead of a similar item made from polyester, there are a few reasons to do so.

The most appealing one is the weight and feel of the fabric. Nylon is generally softer and more silk-like than polyester, which can seem a bit rougher in its texture. Nylon is also more compact, which makes it easier to pack down.

However, for the thicker nylon version from 70D and up, this quality is not as pronounced as they are quite hard and sturdy and are also applied as such (an not for the soft feel…).

Advantages of polyester over nylon:

  • Cheaper than nylon
  • More abrasion resistant
  • Fast drying, low moisture absorbency
  • No sagging when wet
  • No loss of strength when wet
  • Resists chemicals and dyes
  • Resistant to UV light
  • More resistant to heat
  • Less static and pilling
  • Less prone to shrinkage and wrinkles

Disadvantages of polyester over nylon:

  • Polyester is heavier than nylon for the same strength
  • The tensile strength of polyester is approximately half that of nylon
  • Polyester is harder to wash
  • Harder to color and dye
  • Catches fire rather than melting

In summary, you should go for nylon only if weight, strength and the ability to be dyed and compacted means something to you!

Naturehike Cloud Up 2 20D vs 210T

Some tent models allow you to choose between nylon and polyester. One of the brands that utilize both materials is Naturehike.

I love how you are able to choose between the two, as we have seen that they both have their pros and cons that will appeal to different people.

For example, those of the Naturehike Cloud up or Opalus series tents (see more in my blog post on cheap tents), where one can choose between 20D nylon and 210T polyester.  You can see how the choice of material influences the weight!

Cloud Up tent – 210T Polyester version.
4.6 lbs.
Click for price on Amazon.

Cloud Up tent – 20D Nylon version.
3.9 lbs.
Click for price on Amazon.

That’s almost one pound (0.7) weight difference from 20D Nylon to 210T Polyester for the same tent!

I would go for the 210T polyester tent if price and durability is a concern and the 20D nylon version if you want the lightest possible tent.

Consider reading my review of the Naturehike Mongar tent if you want a slightly bigger tent with the additional option of 15D Nylon for a really light tent!

Conclusion

The main difference in materials when it comes to tents is in the sheet material and the tent poles.

Whereas the overall functionality and weight properties of a tent are determined by multiple parts of the tent e.g. the tent poles, the flysheet, inner cabin, and floor make up >80% of the total tent mass.

While there are numerous similarities between nylon and polyester, they do have their crucial differences that are important to consider for tents and other outdoor applications such as rain gear and also lightweight hiking backpacks.

Because nylon is slightly more technically difficult to make (and somewhat harder on the environment) in the quality needed for tents, nylon tents are also slightly more expensive. 

For the ultralight backpacker, nylon is the obvious choice whereas the festival fanatic or occasional car camper or a tent for bikepacking will be better off with a cheaper polyester tent. I have written about my favorite lightweight tents made from nylon or polyester here!

And there is of course more to a good camping trip. I just made a list of some of my favorite budget hiking gear including everything you need for a good night’s sleep in a tent.

For more information on materials and backpacks from different brands, check my posts on Fjällrävens innovative material use, and how it compares to other outdoor brands like The North Face and Osprey.

Nylon vs. Polyester FAQs

In this section, I will answer some of the most common questions about the difference between different types of nylon and polyester.

What is the difference between 20D nylon and 75D polyester?

The main point here is that 20D nylon is thinner and lighter than 75D polyester. A 20D thread weighs 20 grams per 9000 meters whereas a 75D thread weighs 75 grams per 9000 meters of thread.

The untreated fabric made from 20D nylon typically weighs less than 1 oz/sq. yard whereas 75D polyester weighs around 2 oz per sqare yard.

Whereas 20D is a good tent fabric, 75D polyester is more often used in clothing items.

75D polyester vs 40D nylon

The 40D nylon uses twice as thick a thread as that of 20D and almost half the thickness of 75D polyester.

40D nylon fabric, however is not twice as strong as 75D polyester, but it is one one the thickest fabrics used for tents. Whereas 40D is often used for the floor of lightweight tents, 75D is rarely used for tents is more often used for clothing and flags.

You can read more about 40D nylon here.

What is the difference between 40D nylon vs. 70D polyester?

70D polyester thread is almost twice as thick as a 40D nylon thread. 40D nylon thread weighs 40g per 9 km and 70D polyester weighs 70 grams per 9 km.

These fabrics are a bit too thick for most lightweight tent flysheets, but may be used for tarps, rain jackets, ponchos and sleeping pads. The 70D polyester is the preferred choice for applications where water resistance is key.

420 Denier nylon vs 600 Denier polyester

The thickness of 600D (denier) polyester is about 1.5 times that of 420D nylon. The fabrics woven from these types of threads are very thick and are often used for durable clothing or backpacks.

600D polyester will generally be more abrasion resistant and waterproof than 420D, but will also weigh more.

You can read more about the thicker nylons including 420D and 600D in my latest post.

Did you know that nylon and polyester is widely used for rain gear, sleeping bags and sleeping pads? And do you know how it impacts the functionality? I wrote an article about the material’s impact on rain gear performance here.

Take a look at my favorite sleeping bags or check out if nylon backpacks are waterproof, and how the material can make an inflatable sleeping pad noisy to sleep on?

Other materials like the extremely durable and waterproof Dyneema material are also used more and more in outdoor gear.

References

https://www.nature.com/articles/pj200747.pdf?origin=ppub

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1110062115200785

https://www.creativemechanisms.com/blog/3d-printing-injection-molding-cnc-nylon-plastic-pa

www.pediaa.com


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2 responses to “Nylon vs Polyester: Is 210T Polyester or 20D Nylon Better?”

  1. […] Cloud Up Series Ultralight tent, the Opalus comes in two fly sheet materials: 20D and 210T (check my post on the difference between these two materials here). Again the 20D version, green in this case, is lighter and slightly more expensive compared to the […]

  2. […] What is the difference between nylon and polyester tents? […]

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