# PU! - alfred's Gemini capsule


In my experience, tents with polyester urethane (PU) waterproof coatings begin flaking or peeling within 4-7 years. 

Having read that polyether urethane (PeU) is more resistant to hydrolysis, I bought a PeU tent, but its coating began failing around the same age! I stored my tents tightly rolled up in their original stuff sacks, in a climate-controlled closet. 

However, my 7-year-old tarp and 10-yr-old bivy, both PU-coated, are still good. The difference: they came with generously-sized stuff sacks. So I suspect items with such coatings are best stored loosely. 

[I have no long-term experience with silnylon and silpoly shelter fabrics.]


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Last edited: 2026-01-20