 Terra
Nova's range of specialist tent fabrics are engineered to be Best in Class
and out perform existing materials. This focused development allows are Superlite
tents to break World Records and our Endurance tents to be stronger and more waterproof.
Flysheet Fabrics
Development
Terra Nova began the Watershed program in 1992 to develop a range of fabrics uniquely
suited to the demands of lightweight backpacking at one extreme and mountain tents
at the other. In 2004 we carried out over 1000 fabric tests as part of our ongoing
technical development. Our continuous research and close work with supplier's means
fabrics are manufactured to our own specifications. Resulting in Terra Nova fabrics
being the most advanced available and exclusive to us.
Watershed SL
First introduced in 2004, Watershed SL is one of the lightest and most durable flysheet
fabrics available in its class. Now using our 'Anti-blast' UV protection system
technology.
Watershed SL2
In 2005 we developed a new flysheet fabric for our Lightweight tent range, offering
greater weight savings, better UV resistance with the addition of our 'Anti-blast'
technology and with no reduction in water resistance.
Watershed Endurance
Our Endurance flysheet fabric provides one of the highest durability to weight ratios
currently available. Updated for 2005 with our 'Anti-blast' UV protection system
technology.
UV Resistance
UV degradation affects all fabrics and manifests itself initially by fading of colour
and reduction of hydrostatic head. In 2005 Terra Nova introduced 'Anti-blast', a
new UV protection technology. This new system improves the UV resistance of a fabric
in the following ways:
A balance of silicon elastomer coatings, specified by Terra Nova, is added to the
outer surface for additional UV resistance.
UV inhibitors, specified by Terra Nova, are added to the fabric components and silicon
elastomer.
Weight vs Durability
The biggest factor influencing the durability of a fabric is its weight. Our fabrics
have been carefully engineered to give optimum weight versus durability in each
class. This has been achieved by developing a denser, tightly packed fabric construction
for our Watershed Endurance fabrics and less dense, lighter fabric constructions
for our Watershed SL and SL2 fabrics.
Composition
The Watershed fabrics integrate fabric and coating technologies to produce a 'Best
in Class' result:
Silicon Elastomer is coated on the outside. This ensures greater tear strength and
resistance to UV degradation and minimal water absorption.
Polyurethane is coated on the inner surface of Watershed Endurance and Watershed
SL2. This adds a secondary water proof layer, improves fabric flexibility and allows
hot-air seam taping, to provide a guaranteed waterproof flysheet.
Silicon Elastomer is used on the inner surface of Watershed SL, to improve water
resistance further.
Water Resistance
Hydro-Static-Head test results demonstrate that Watershed fabrics far exceed the
requirement to keep out torrential rain. In addition, to guarantee a waterproof
flysheet, we seal the seams on Watershed Endurance and SL2 fabrics. The Silicon
Elastomer coating on the inside of Watershed SL, used in the Superlite range, prevents
hot air taping. However, to offer 'Best in Class' performance, tent models have
been designed with a seamless flysheet over the inner or where this is not possible
a removable waterproof hood covers key seams.
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Watershed SL
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Watershed SL2
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Watershed Endurance
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Tent range
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Superlite
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Lightweight
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Endurance
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Fabric
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Nylon. Double ripstop to increase tear strength
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Nylon. Double ripstop to increase tear strength
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Nylon. Smooth denser weave to increase UV resistance
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Weight
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50gms/m2
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64gms/m2
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110gms/m2
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Minimum Hydrostatic-Head*
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3000mm
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5000mm
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7000mm
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Typical Hydrostatic-Head*
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4000mm
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6000mm
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8000mm
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* British Standard test BS3424. Note: BS test method uses a larger fabric area than
some other test methods. BS test results will therefore give a lower figure than
a test which uses a smaller fabric area. (HSH results can vary by 200-300% using
different test methods).
Groundsheet Fabrics
Waterbloc fabrics have been specifically developed to provide lightweight, durable
and totally waterproof groundsheets which perform well even after extended use.
The secret of their outstanding performance lies in the high specification of the
fabric, its coatings and fully taped seams.
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Waterbloc
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Waterbloc SL
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Base fabric
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Nylon
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Nylon
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Coatings
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4 layers of polyurethane polymer
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3 layers of polyurethane polymer
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Minimum Hydrostatic-Head
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10000mm
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5000mm
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Typical Hydrostatic-Head
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10000mm
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6000mm
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Inner tent fabric
Our inner tent fabrics are based on Nylon ripstop cloth which is glazed on one side
and treated with a specially developed water-repellent finish. This allows water
vapour to pass easily out of the inner skin but inhibits water penetration back
through the fabric. The inner tent fabric also has a ripstop weave to increase tear
strength
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