There’s nothing quite like spending a few nights beneath the Australian stars, is there?
Let’s face it, Australia does camp life very well. Clean facilities, well-equipped kitchens and BBQs; some sites even have a swimming pool! And everything made all the more enjoyable thanks to the warm climate.
Getting out and about in a caravan or pitching a tent under the stars has never been so popular. According to a recent study, as many as 1 in 3 Australians camped out in 2021, a figure that was tipped to continue increasing after the Covid restrictions lifted.
While outdoor adventures can be fun, there’s still a risk element when it comes to camping - the weather can change in a flash, with fierce winds and torrential rain all potentials during your camping trip. Plus, that golden globe in the sky can get incredibly hot, posing its own dangers to campers. You need to ensure you and your family stay protected, safe and comfortable, keeping you on the road for longer!
Here we’ll explore types of fabrics for camping and caravanning that can make - or break - your camping trip.
Life on the Road: Caravan and Camping Fabric Essentials
We all look forward to our holidays, and being out in the natural environment is a pure joy for many Australians. The last thing you need is a camping holiday ruined by equipment letting you down and failing to protect you as intended!
Caravan and camping fabrics made and used for Australian conditions will always give you a great experience. They protect you from the harsh elements, provide insulation and offer comfort when sleeping and sitting.
But which fabrics are the right ones to choose for your needs?
All You Need to Know about Camping Fabrics
Serial campers know how essential it is to make your portable home comfortable and safe. There are a few types of material used to manufacture tents – here are the common ones used in Australia.
What is a Tent Made of?
Tents in Australia reflect the diversity of the country's landscapes and climates, often requiring materials that can withstand harsh conditions while providing comfort to adventurers.
Australian-made Canvas is a woven fabric usually made from a blend of natural (cotton) and synthetic (polyester) yarns. Traditionally, all tents were crafted from cotton-based canvas, although nowadays, most canvas tent material tends to be blended. Modern canvas is renowned for its sturdiness and ability to regulate temperature, while also being waterproof. This type of fabric has been manufactured and sold for generations and is arguably the best quality canvas in the world.
Modern advancements have shifted towards lightweight synthetic materials in tent construction made from fabrics like nylon. These 100% synthetic materials offer improved portability and weather resistance, making them ideal for backpackers and outdoor enthusiasts exploring Australia's rugged terrain. Many tents now feature advanced coatings and treatments to enhance durability and waterproofing, ensuring campers stay dry even during torrential downpours or sudden storms.
Canvas Tent vs Nylon Tent
If you’re wondering are canvas tents better than nylon, you’re right to ask – although it isn’t a simple yes or no answer.
Canvas is a breathable fabric that keeps the humidity level inside the tent to a minimum. Highly durable, Canvas tents won't damage easily and are relatively simple to repair to a high standard, so you’ll get more back from your investment. If weight, storage space and set up time are not major issues for you then a canvas tent is a great option. They’re also waterproof!
Tents made with nylon fabrics are generally water resistant and can be further coated to make them fully waterproof. These tents are quick to set up and extremely lightweight. is a breathable fabric that keeps the humidity level inside the tent to a minimum. Nylon tents can become very hot quickly if they are placed directly in the sunlight. You also need to ensure that the tent is completely dry before packing it away to avoid mildew.
Tip: Consider how you’re using your tent – the duration of your trip, frequency for putting up and packing away your tent and how far you need to carry it - to help you decide which camping fabric works best for your needs.
Loomstate Canvas
Loomstate is an Australia-made woven fabric. It comes directly off the loom, with no finishing or treatment; a raw woven fabric ready to be repurposed. It finds itself used in various applications – clothes, artist canvases and camping equipment.
Loomstate used to make camping equipment is treated to become water resistant. This makes it an ideal fabric for protecting against the elements, but also when you need a waterproof option for caravan or campervan interiors.
The Coolabah and Billabong ranges of Loomstate fabrics are perfect examples of colourful, durable materials ideal for camping applications such as tents, caravan walling and roofing, awnings and annexes.
Best Caravanning Fabrics
When it comes to your home on wheels, campervan and caravan fabrics need to be practical and comfortable.
Caravan Awning Fabrics
Australian-made waterproof canvas
Breathable and long-lasting, canvas is ideal for caravan annexes and pop-up camper trailers as well as tents. With a base cloth made from a polyester/cotton blend, the fabric is available in weights from 350 gsm (grams per square metre) to 600 gsm. A special chemical finish allows the fabric to breathe while occupants underneath stay dry even in extreme weather conditions. There are also mould and mildew inhibitors in the formulation, which means that when you dry the fabric out and store it away, it's clean and ready for your next road trip.
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
When it comes to caravan fabric, PVC is everywhere – particularly when your road trip is a long-distance one spanning several weeks or months. Usually, PVC comprises of a polyester base fabric, coated or laminated with a PVC layer on the top and bottom. Fully synthetic, it is easy to clean and has several additives to resist mould and mildew buildup, making it ideal for awnings and annexe walls.
PVC fabrics come in a variety of colours and designs, printable and available in solid substrate or mesh, protecting against the sun and rain while allowing for airflow.
Caravan Upholstery Fabrics
Polyester
This synthetic fabric is one of the best fabrics for caravan seats due to its durability. Resistant to fading and mildew, it’s also easy to maintain and available in a range of colours to suit your interior design. However, polyester can feel less comfortable than some fabrics.
Vinyl
Another synthetic material popular in caravans is vinyl. A water-resistant fabric, vinyl is ideal in areas prone to spills, like cooking and eating areas and wet rooms. However, it is prone to cracking over time and may need replacing quicker than other materials.
Acrylic
Acrylic is a lightweight synthetic that resists mildew, water and fading. As such, it works really well as a seat fabric for caravans, although it lacks some of the comfort of other fabrics.
Cotton Blends
Cotton blended with synthetics like polyester or acrylic ensures breathability and durability. While they resist stains, these fabrics are less resistant to water and mildew.
Winter Camping: Essentials for the Cooler Climate
Fortunately, our mild Australian winters mean camping can be enjoyed all year round. Yet, it’s wise to consider packing a few extra items to help keep you comfortable at this time of the year.
Below are 3 accessories we recommend you install to ensure you are well prepared for the chillier weather.
- Annexe Walls: If your caravan awnings don’t have walls, it's best to install some before facing the cold. Not only will caravan walls ensure extra space, but they also provide insulation to the caravan itself.
- Draught Skirt: Installing a draught skirt prevents rain from getting under the caravan. And if the ground stays dry, the van retains warmth.
- Groundsheets: Laying down ground sheets with rubber flooring under the caravan awning (in the annex) or tent provides warmth. Don’t let your feet touch the icy ground without this barrier in place!
Final Words
The peaceful, tranquil settings dotted along our shores and further inland are among the best in the world for camping.
Yet, Australia has one of the harshest climates - and fabrics that perform well in other countries and climates won't necessarily perform the same here.
It’s important to ask questions about the products you are buying or having made for you to ensure they will ‘go the distance’. The harsh Australian weather conditions require high-quality specialist fabrics to perform in our climate. Cheap products sold to consumers often do not have the chemical formulation required to last for many years.
If the camping fabric you’re considering is cheap, it’s probably not up to the required standard. Products that have stood the test of time, produced and sold into the Australian market for many years, have done so for a reason.
At Ricky Richards, we supply the best quality fabrics for tents, awnings and caravan annexes in Sydney, in a range of textures, styles and colours to suit your camping needs.
To learn more, contact one of our experienced team members today.