Canvas tents are not inherently waterproof and anyone who tells you so is probably just trying to sell you their tent.
SoulPads are treated with a waterproofing agent. So although the canvas itself is not waterproof, the agent will help the canvas to repel water.
The effect of this treatment is to make water 'bead' on the surface of the canvas (see photo above) and either run-off or evaporate. The effectiveness of this treatment varies on how long and how often the tent has been used, primarily due to factors such as UV radiation, water composition and canvas wear and tear.
It's also important to remember that cotton expands when wet, closing the gaps between the cotton fibres and working with the waterproofing treatment to keep the rain out - and the soul in.
Some canvas tents will need to go through a process of weathering (the wetting and drying of a tent) in order to become completely water resistant.
SoulPad tents can withstand really heavy storms and are a very hardy shelter indeed. They are intended for light leisure use. Specifically, the SoulPads have been designed for use in the United Kingdom’s lowlands, and are ideally suited for use between the months of March and September inclusive. However, it is reported that they perform well in the snow too (see images below).
If erected and maintained properly, a SoulPad will keep you dry for many many years.
The SoulPad canvas is treated with organic fluorine to make it waterproof. Organic fluorine is not petroleum-based. Organic fluorine is extracted from fluorine ore. It has a hydrostatic head of 400mm minimum (most manufacturers will quote the maximum).
It is worth noting that the hydrostatic head reduces with exposure to UV on a nylon tent. Soulful campers should not focus solely on the hydrostatic head when selecting the right tent to purchase. Our cotton canvas and ultralite blend have numerous other beneficial characteristics which also need to be considered.
The SoulPads are intended for regular, light, leisure use.
It is our opinion that SoulPad tents do not make for a suitable permanent shelter. They are primarily a temporary structure. They are classed as a Touring Tent (type T) in accordance with ISO 5912.
We are aware that some SoulPad customers do choose to use their SoulPad for long periods at a time, and in some instances as a permanent shelter (some with far more success than others). This is done so against our recommendation.
Specifically, the SoulPads have been designed for use in the temperate regions of the United Kingdom, and are ideally suited for use between the months of March and September inclusive.
All the canvas in SoulPad tents are treated to be water, UV and mould resistant to protect it from dirt, ultraviolet radiation and fungus. SoulPads can be used straight out of the bag, without any need for treatments prior to use. However, the treatments will not last forever. Your SoulPads lifespan will depend largely on how well you care for it.
Cleaning your SoulPad
If using your SoulPad frequently or for long periods of time, a cleaning and re-proofing treatment should be applied more frequently. It is easy to spot when a SoulPad needs to be cleaned.
However, we all have different standards and a sloppy cleaning and maintenance regime will cause the SoulPad tent to deteriorate more quickly.
The sooner a dirty or stained spot is dealt with, the better. Left for too long and the problem may spread and lead to other problems such as canvas disintegration whereby the material begins to ‘dissolve’ and disappear completely.
It is advisable to first use a specialised cleaning agent on your SoulPad tent, then a specialised waterproofing agent. The other way around will cause the waterproofing agent to be washed away. If you ever spot clean an area of your SoulPad, always re-waterproof that area too. Whether it is a small area that is being treated, or the entire SoulPad, this is an important rule to follow as failure to do so will lead to leaks.
It is in your interests to keep the canvas as clean as possible and remove stains when they first appear. Dust and dried mud is better wiped away with a soft brush before a cleaning agent (and then re-waterproofing agent) is applied.
If you feel the cleaning and treatment is beyond your capabilities then your SoulPad tent can be taken to a professional canvas cleaning specialist to be cleaned and re-treated.
Feel free to contact SoulPad for details of third parties offering this service in your area.
Never try to clean your SoulPad in a washing machine. This will cause too much damage to the canvas fibres and it may also damage your washing machine.
For instructions on how to fit the Blaze-flu, please view the our video.