silnylon vs. silpoly, pros and cons question.

[Grumspiff]

When given a choice between 1.1 silnylon or 1.1 silpoly, what are the pros and cons of one over the other?

[Grumspiff]

Before posting this question I did a forum search for this and had no results. As soon as I posted this "similar posts" were listed underneath. I will read those threads to try and find my answer.

[KBr00ks]

The forum is quirky that way. Sometimes I have better luck with a Google Advanced Search.

I've been told that silpoly does not stretch much at all when wet, while silnylon will stretch some. I've only used a silpoly tarp recently so have no direct experience comparing the two.

[FJRpilot]

I’ve found that When comparing fabrics of the same weight:

Silnylon tends to be “tougher”, wears better and lasts longer. Does stretch when it gets wet, really noticeable with heavy wet snow. But for mostly fair weather camping, works great!

Silpoly, tends to be more fragile, Easy to poke holes in the fabric with branches and small twigs. Barely stretches at all, almost eliminates the need for “Cat cuts” and stays taunt throughout the night. It’s my choice for camping in wetter weather.

YMMV...



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[WalksIn2Trees]

I’ve found that When comparing fabrics of the same weight:

Silnylon tends to be “tougher”, wears better and lasts longer. Does stretch when it gets wet, really noticeable with heavy wet snow. But for mostly fair weather camping, works great!

Silpoly, tends to be more fragile, Easy to poke holes in the fabric with branches and small twigs. Barely stretches at all, almost eliminates the need for “Cat cuts” and stays taunt throughout the night. It’s my choice for camping in wetter weather.

YMMV...



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been using my first SilPoly tarp for a the last month, prior to that I always used SilNylon. so far it's true that it doesn't expand as much when wet, I'll have to get back about durability... good so far though

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[Cruiser51]

Agree with pretty much all that has been posted , so far. Except for comments on toughness .... I have found silpoly to be pretty tough. I was in Quetico at the end of August and a red squirrel decided he had to harvest the pine cones above my rig. He peppered the tarp for over an hour and there wasn't a mark or puncture anywhere to be found.

I also found the the silpoly a little easier to sew, seems to have a bit more friction, so it doesn't slip quite as much as nylon.

Brian

[scottsosmith]

I have several Hammock and ground tarps in 30D SilNylon, and a Warbonnent ThunderFly in 20D SilPoly. I believe the SilPoly to be a superior material for tarps. It definitely does not grow much when wet, and consequently does not need re-tightening. It doesn't seem to hold as much water either. It does have a bit of silNylon-like stretch when pitching, which makes its nice and easy to achieve a taught pitch. As far as durability, I can't say for sure that it is as durable as silNylon, but it seems to be. I can say it is plenty durable for a hammock tarp.

Similar cost, similar weight, similar pitchability, less growth when wet, less water retention. Why not SilPoly?

[Shug]

Silpoly and silnylon.
They are like twin brothers.
Alike yet different.
There is always one you would rather go out to lunch with and hang out with.
Shug

[TominMN]

Silpoly and silnylon.
They are like twin brothers.
Alike yet different.
There is always one you would rather go out to lunch with and hang out with.
Shug

I'd rather think in terms of "twin sisters!"

[OneClick]

"Twin siblings" in our current environment of neutrality