Water Column Test Ratings let you compare Tent & Awning water-resistance – usually expressed in terms of ‘mm HH’ (millimetres of Hydrostatic Head). Here are the basics of what this means and how it helps you compare the waterproofing of different tents and awnings – whatever their make or material.

Rain isn’t the camper’s friend – but water-resistance tests are!

Above all, camping tents and caravan / motorhome awnings have to be waterproof. But they’re often made from different, branded materials, with all manufacturers claiming that theirs is the best. So that you – and we – can tell which are the best materials to go for, there’s Water Column Test Ratings.

How the Water Column Test is carried out

‘Hydrostatic Head’ is a measurement of how much water pressure a waterproof material can withstand before water penetration occurs. So, to test this, each material is placed across a tube and subjected to water at increasing pre-determined pressures (the equivalent to the weight of a measurable depth of water) for a specific time. If the material remains waterproof, it passes the test for that pressure level. If the water penetrates the material at the next pressure level, it has failed. The best test result is then stated in the material’s specification – for example ‘3000mm HH’. The higher the number in the water column rating, the better the fabric can withstand water/heavy rainfall.

What you see when comparing tent & awning water-resistance specifications

Typical water-resistance ratings for waterproof materials might be: 2000mm HH; 3000mm HH; 4000mm HH or 6000mm HH. The higher the number, the better the waterproof rating.

Note that some tent and awning products will use different grades of fabric for different panels or surfaces in their structure, depending upon where a panel is positioned and its likely vulnerability to rainfall or water pooling. (Integrated groundsheets, for instance, are sometimes made from thicker, more waterproof material.)

How to compare different Water Column Ratings

Regardless of the promoted brand names for different manufacturers’ materials, you can compare their waterproof ratings, head-to-head.

For example:

Outtex® 4000mm HH Select polyester is used to make the Outwell Knightdale 8PA Air Tent’s flysheet.

WeatherTec 4500mm HH material is used for Coleman’s Weathermaster 6XL Air Tent.

3000mm HH material is used to make the Quest Leisure Falcon 390 Poled Porch Awning.

240HDE Hex 4000mm HH material is used for the Outdoor Revolution Movelite T4E Driveaway Awning.

Just check-out the product’s specification sheet to find what you need to know. If the Water Column Rating isn’t there, either Google it or ask your retailer to find out for you. (We are having these phone conversations all the time as customers often have other things they want to ask about anyway. Buying tents and awnings can be quite an investment nowadays, so best to do your homework!)

Which Water Column Rating is best for your needs?

Ideally, all materials have to be lightweight, durable and waterproof with tents and awnings. So, how do you decide which to buy? Yes, there are many, many competitive products to weigh-up as part of your decision and a lot to think about. Because most tents and awnings get made to a relatively high standard in this day and age, they should have a good water-resistance rating of 3000mm HH or more. So, perhaps you should first prioritise other key factors that may vary to a greater degree – the size/sleeping capacity (ie. living & sleeping space), poled or air-frame, set-up/pack-up time, bulk & weight (ie. how easy is it to lift, carry and store?) – plus, do you generally like the look and feel of it to meet your needs? Then, it’s a matter of checking if any of your short-listed items are more outstanding that the others in terms of being waterproof – because comparing tent & awning water-resistance ratings might be the deciding factor between one and another.

PS: Don’t forget to check on / ask about whether the tent or awning has fully-taped seams and waterproof zips to ensure that the rain doesn’t creep through that way!

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Norwich Camping & Leisure’s superstore in Blofield, east of Norwich, Norfolk, has a wide range of outdoor heaters, indoor heaters, camping heaters and caravanning heaters in stock, one of the UK’s largest outdoor displays of tents and awnings, plus indoor showroom displays of camping & caravanning equipment, outdoor clothing, garden furniture & garden arbours, a fully-stocked garden centre, barbecues,  pizza ovens and outdoor kitchens.

Norwich Camping & Leisure also has a farm shop, coffee shop,  new & used campervan sales and hire and a professional-standard car, camper & caravan hand-wash station. With over 50 years of experience and practical, friendly advice – plus FAST, FREE DELIVERY on orders over £100 (Terms & Conditions apply) and our Best Price / Price Match Policy and low-rate finance terms why not find us online or come along and see us!  

www.norwichcamping.co.uk    Tel: 01603 717600    [email protected]    

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