Why do most tents have black floors?

Question

From all the tents I saw, including the two I have, most of them had black floors. Sometimes, the older tents have differently colored floors, but all the new ones are all one color (usually bright orange/red/green), except the floor - it's black. Why?

To add to @gerrit it might also be cheaper, but that's just a guess. — Aravona, Sep 26 '16 at 10:15
Some dyes I know can affect the strength of certain materials. Being a tailor, I would suspect that this might have influenced the color of the floor material in tents. The floor material must be the most durable part of the tent. The reasons are obvious. — Ken Graham, Sep 26 '16 at 13:03
@gemit Not true. It is a well know fact that black floors attract white dirt. — Chris Cudmore, Sep 26 '16 at 13:51
i've had green, brown, and blue floors - admittedly, all quite dark... — HorusKol, Sep 27 '16 at 06:27
I seem to remember most tents I've owned have had a grey floor actually, assumed it was because it was neutral and didn't clash with any other colour of tent material. Or that that's the colour it's manufactured in bulk and they just use the same stuff as no-one cares about the colour you don't see from outside. — , Sep 27 '16 at 10:20
my Hannah has a gray floor, all stains and dirt perfectly visible on it... — Akabelle, Nov 24 '16 at 14:35
't seems this question doesn't have any related ones around... — user11240, Dec 20 '16 at 21:18

Rory Alsop · Accepted Answer · 2016-09-26T13:41:52.757

33

One reason (and I don't know enough to suggest this is the main reason) is for identification.

When putting a tent up you may have a bundle of fabric that you need to set down on an uneven surface, sort and erect. Having it in black distinguishes it from the varied colours of the tent walls so you can always place your tent floor down, without having to check all the sections. The floor is the strongest, most heavily waterproofed part of the tent skin, so this also means you are less likely to end up with a damp tent from placing it upside-down on damp ground, or tears from catching branches or roots on a thin piece of tent fabric.

Found another reason:

Because the floor is manufactured using a different process to the rest of the tent, making floors that matched the tops would require more complicated processes and cost more. A constant black means any floor can be fixed to a top of the correct size.

edited Sep 26 '16 at 13:41

answered Sep 26 '16 at 10:28

Rory Alsop

24,936
5
63
140

2

The different process/material is presumably to make it tougher, which also adds weight. Several backpacking tents I've used (mostly from the 90s) used the same fabric as for the flysheet, in the same colour. In practice it was still easy to put them the right way up, but 'd always practiced in good conditions before trying in the dark and wind. – Chris H Sep 26 '16 at 16:03
I'd believe it could related to black stores more heat so sleeping on top would keep the heat inside or something. – Desorder Sep 26 '16 at 22:22
@Desorder , The color of a material only matters when it comes to ultraviolet light, and even then color really doesn't change much. Some colors absorb more radiation, black for example absorbs the most amount. This would be incomparable when talking about thermal dynamics. – jjonesdesign Sep 27 '16 at 05:19
@jjonesdesign the colour matters whatever the wavelength, e.g. blue fabric reflects blue light more than black fabric, which is why it looks blue. But you're right it won't affect the tent temperature. – Chris H Sep 27 '16 at 13:03
@Desorder it may absorb more heat in the sun, but that's not much use on the floor in shade. Colour doesn't affect how much heat is stored -- that's a property of the substance from which it's made, and would require quite a lot of weight. Also you might not want to maximise heat in your tent. – Chris H Sep 27 '16 at 13:04

score 8 · Answer 2 · answered Sep 27 '16 at 05:24

For the most part, the color of the floor is ambiguous. While most newer tents have the same color floor, it's simply a matter of cost.

Dyeing plastic increases the cost, as black is the most simple natural color to produce.

The material is different however only in the sense of durability, moisture wicking qualities, and weight. While it's thickness and material does provide some protection against the elements, it's practically none.

Why do most tents have black floors?

Because it's the cheapest acceptable standard within the market. (Consumer happiness Vs. Competitive pricing).

score 4 · Answer 3 · answered Nov 24 '16 at 13:29

A quick online search among performance tents sold by a major U.S. retailer and a major U. S. based manufacturer showed no tents with black floors. Many had grey floors, in various shades, which may be what you meant. Some tents also had floors with colors that matched or coordinated with the tent body or the fly. My personal experience is that I've had both grey and matched colors on tents. Also IME, low performance tents sold by mass merchant stores are more likely to have color matching or coordinating materials on the floors.

I suspect that grey flooring material is a fashion choice. It is a neutral color to coordinate with the various colors used on the tent body and fly. The same grey is often used for netting, trim and pole sleeves in my search. It also is less likely to look shabby from dirt, stains and other wear of use, relative to more colorful fabric.

The sharing of one floor fabric color among many different colors of tents is also likely to be an cost saving choice that can be made without impacting the fashion appeal of the tent.

Why do most tents have black floors?

3 Answers3