Understanding the seams of Fjällräven tents

Attività all'aperto, Trekking, Cura e riparazione by Varuste.net / Toimisto-Jorma, 30.8.2021

We occasionally receive questions and even complaints regarding the (leaking) seams of Fjällräven tents and the silicone glue in the repair kit. Here are the key points to understand:

Fjällräven uses cotton-spun polyester thread in their tents, which expands when wet, making the seams waterproof.
However, it takes some time for the thread to expand fully and make the seams completely waterproof.
Fjällräven does not use taped seams due to the shorter lifespan of tape compared to the expanding thread when wet.

Fjällräven tents are sewn using a technique called folded seams. The edges of the fabric are folded and sewn together, so the needle pierces four layers of fabric instead of two. This makes the tent extremely durable and waterproof.

Many experienced hikers thoroughly wet the outer tent before the first use, allowing the sewing thread to swell properly before the first real hike. Seam defects in Fjällräven tents are very rare, so if the tent seams leak during the first rainy weather, they have most likely not yet swollen.

Fjällräven tents also come with a repair kit, which no longer includes a silicone tube. This is because the tube often dries out before it is needed. Therefore, hikers should consider taking a fresh seam silicone tube with them on longer hikes just in case.

Note: Fjällräven tent manuals may still contain outdated information stating that the repair kit includes a seam glue tube. However, seam glue is not included in the repair kit.

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