A tent is an essential part of a camper’s gear. Every camper needs a great tent to sleep in at night and shelter from the weather. Tents are your home away from home and the best tents will have you feeling comfortable and safe. If you are looking for a new tent, perhaps you should consider a canvas tent.

 A canvas tent is great for all year long use and they are built to last through every season. Canvas tents may seem dated, but today’s tents have been remastered to excel in their design. Now, canvas tents are an excellent choice for a camping structure, no matter the weather. There are many different canvas tent designs for you to choose from. Whether the tent attaches to your truck bed or is freestanding, with this guide you will find a design that suits your needs.

Canvas tents are a great option for a camping tent if you are looking to use one tent design throughout all four seasons. Canvas tents are strong and durable, but many designs today allow for the tent to still be well ventilated. The thicker material means that you can use this tent in colder weather too! Even a light snow! Experience nature with our list of the 10 Best Canvas Tents in 2018!

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How To Choose The Best Canvas Tent – Buying Guide

When it comes to choosing which canvas tent is best for you, it is important to consider a few key features of a tents design. There are many different canvas tent designs, and some may better suit your needs. There are elements to each design that can enhance your experience in the great outdoors. From the size to the style, these elements of the canvas tent’s design can help you decide what you need for your camping adventure. Down to the specific details, here is our guide to help you choose with canvas tent is best for you and your camping needs.

Size

One of the most important design elements you should take into consideration is how many people you would like to sleep inside your tent. The tent size is where the dimensions and size of the tent are laid out. This will tell you how long, wide, and tall your tent is. The size of the tent is important because it will dictate how many people you can bring on your trip, while still keeping all members of your party and all of your belongings safe and dry. It is up to you to decide how large of a tent you need, but you should keep in mind the goal of this tent and what kind of outings you plan on using it with.

Some canvas tents don’t have much room and have a rather compact design. Other tents offer plenty of space, including head room. Beyond how many people you want to bring along, the actual size of the tent can dictate what activity it can be used for. If you are transporting the tent by car and aren’t carrying it very far, you can easily manage a larger tent. If you plan on looking to take your canvas tent farther, it’s best to stay with a smaller size.

All canvas tents should give the dimensions of the design and an estimate for its capacity limit. You can use the manufacturer’s provided information to determine which sized canvas tent will best suit your needs.

Material

This is a straightforward answer. The material of your tent will be canvas, because you are looking for a canvas tent. However, there are differences in types of canvas. The most common type of canvas for a tent is a cotton duck fabric. You will often see the material listed as duck canvas. Duck canvas is heavier than a just a woven cotton canvas. Duck canvas is woven more tightly and can be used on sneakers, painting, sandbags, and tents. The fabric is woven from two yarn in the warp and a single yarn in the weft. Cotton duck canvas is the most abundant canvas material and is most often the preferred material over other types of canvas like polyester canvas.

Cotton canvas is waterproof, but there is a process of expansion that it must go through first to be properly waterproof. A new canvas tent will leak in the rain and that is normal. The cotton canvas must be fully drenched with water so that it can expand itself, before shrinking back down and becoming watertight. This process only needs to be done once and once it is completed, the tent will be fully waterproof. A leaking tent can be a problem for you and your gear, so it is suggested that before you take your tent out on a camping trip, you waterproof the tent yourself. You can set up or spread out the tent and drench it with water from a hose. It is important to then allow the tent to be completely dry before you pack it away into its carry bag. If you don’t allow the tent to fully dry, the holes will not have shrunk properly, and your tent is more prone to mold and rot. By completing this process yourself, before a trip, you can ensure that the rain won’t hinder your first time using your new tent.

If you do experience rain on your camping trip and must pack your tent when it is not fully dry, it is important that you unpack the tent immediately once you return home and spread it out or set it up again to fully dry. If it is still raining at your home, you can still set up the tent in the rain in your backyard and allow it to stay outside until it can completely dry and the rain passes. You tent is resistant to the water, not mold or rot. Mold and rot can occur if you pack your tent away when it is wet. A bone-dry tent should never have issues with mold and rot if it is stored properly inside its carry bag and the storage area itself is not wet either.

 It is important to care for your tent to ensure that it will be durable and resistant when it is used on your camping trip. A canvas tent is an investment and you wouldn’t want to throw money out the window by allowing a tent to be ruined by mold or rot. A canvas tent that is properly taken care of can be passed on for generations and will excel at performing its duty on every camping trip.

Packed Size and Weight

The pack size and weight of a tent may affect your decision in which design to purchase. The pack size of a tent may not be an immediate issue for you if you are not transporting your tent on your back. However, even if you aren’t hiking with your tent a car’s space can be limited. You can’t take up all of the space in your car with the tent because you have to transport all your other camping gear and your buddies too! It is best to consider how large your tent is packed and determine whether you can easily fit the tent with all your gear and friends inside a vehicle. The pack size of a tent would be how large a tent is when it is tucked inside it’s carrying bag, based on the space that it takes up.

The pack weight of a tent may be more important than the pack size. The pack weight of a tent would be how heavy the tent is inside it’s carrying bag with all of its accessories. The accessories may include rope for guylines, a tent floor, the tent poles, and tent stakes. The weight of the tent will be affected by the size of the tent and the material. Canvas is a heavy material and when it is rolled and folded up, it can become extremely bulky without the tent poles. The weight of a tent and all its accessories can quickly add up. Even carrying the tent, a short distance from the car to your campsite can be a struggle. Many canvas tents can be 50 pounds or upwards, so it’s best to carry the tent with some help.

As well, the pack weight of a tent may be extremely important if you are looking to hike. If you are planning on hiking with your tent, you should find the tent that is the lightest and fits only what you need. If you are going solo, find a single person tent. The smaller the tent, the lighter it will be.

Stability

The stability of the tent is important because you are looking at using it as a temporary structure. Your temporary home in the great outdoors needs to be stable in its structure so that it provides a safe home away from home for you, your friends, and all your gear. Most tents are going to be extremely stable if they are set up correctly with the poles and with added guylines. The tent poles should do the job of keeping the tension of the canvas at just the right spot so that your tent isn’t sagging or tearing at its seams.

However, your tent will also need to be more stable in its structure than just resting on solid ground. You may experience wind, rain, or even snow. It all depends on what trip to plan on using your tent. It is best that you look at the manufacturer’s included information so that you can determine what conditions your tent can safely withstand. Most tents can withstand winds of up to 30 miles per hour, but snowfall may be a different story.

The weight of snow can quickly add up for a structure. Most tents cannot handle snowfall that has a large accumulation because the weight of all the snow will cause the structure to collapse. But many canvas tents are built to be used in all four seasons, which means that they can support a light snowfall. It’s best to consider the manufacturer’s guidelines and use your own judgement wisely when facing elements like wind or snow when using your canvas tent.

Durability

Every camper wants a durable tent that will last them for years to come. How long you have had a tent, how regularly it is used, and how it is cared for can affect a tent’s lasting durability. No one wants to have to buy a new tent every year. But the good news is that canvas tents and their poles are normally designed and built to be extremely durable. The thicker tent walls and extra support of guylines, means that these tents are built to withstand many different locations and elements in nature.

The durability of your canvas tent will also be greatly enhanced in the care that you take when using and storing your tent. If you store you tent properly and keep it clean, there is a good chance that you could hand down your tent for a few generations. Canvas tents are usually a little more expensive, but their durability with proper care makes them a lasting investment for you and your family.

Water Resistance

The water resistance is a very important aspect of your canvas tent. In fact, it may be the most important aspect. After all, you will likely face various weather conditions when using your tent. The great part about canvas tents is that they truly are an all year-round tent. You can use most canvas tents whether it is sunny, hot, windy, cold, rainy, or snowy. Canvas tents are durable enough to withstand most environments in a variety of weather conditions.

The best canvas tents will ensure that not only is the tent material waterproof, but that all the seams and zippers have a protection or seal against water as well. On top of the seams and zippers, the tent floor needs to be extra durable against moisture and water. The tent floor should be made of a durable and waterproof material that will ensure your tent won’t flood in a rainstorm.

But remember as written about just a few paragraphs up in this buying guide, that the first time using your tent you may not have a waterproof experience. The tent needs to be soaked through first, then once it dries all the little holes will seal themselves to make it waterproof for the duration of its use, if it is properly cared for.

FAQs

Q: What is a canvas tent?

A: A canvas tent is a type of tent that is specifically made out of a canvas material. The most common canvas tents are made of the more tightly woven cotton duck canvas. There are some synthetic canvas tents that are made of a canvas polyester fabric, though there are not was common. Most canvas tents will also state that they can be used throughout all four seasons. For the most part, the thicker and heavier material of the canvas tent does a great job at insulating from the cold, making these tents a top pick if you plan on facing a light snow.

As well canvas is breathable, and most tents will have windows and doors that can be opened to catch a breeze if you use your tent in warmer conditions. There are many different styles of canvas tents and it’s up to you to find which one will best suit your needs. Some tents have a classic tent shape and others are more of a yurt or cabin shape. Other canvas tents feature a teepee style or can be easily attached to a truck bed. Overall, canvas tents are a heavier but durable style of camping tent that are an excellent choice if you are looking to go on adventures from summer to winter.

Q: What are the benefits of using canvas tents?

A: One of the main benefits of a canvas tent is that they truly are an all year-round tent. Canvas tents can be used throughout all four seasons. Canvas tents are breathable enough to be used during hot summers and insulating enough to be used on cold winter days. As well, canvas tents are excellent at shielding from the wind and rain. But there are many other benefits to using a canvas tent as well.

For the space conscious campers, most canvas tents provide more space when set up. They are usually a squarer shape with higher ceilings. This space gives you room to bring all your friends, store your gear, and even stand up inside your tent. For the environmentally conscious, canvas tents make a lot less noise than other tent materials. Canvas is a more natural material, which means that it won’t have the sound of a plastic bag like many synthetic tents have when you are rustling around inside or opening and closing the zippered door. This can make your campsite quieter, so you feel less intrusive to the wildlife around you. Canvas tents are also a more natural material and tend to be able to be returned to the earth naturally as well. Other tents are made of materials that will never break down, even in a hundred years.

There really isn’t a reason to not buy a canvas tent, unless it doesn’t suit you personally. If you aren’t an avid camper or are on a limited budget, a synthetic tent should get you by on your camping trips. However, you will probably find that if you invest in a canvas tent you will fall in love. If you spend a lot of time in the outdoors and camp a lot, a canvas tent is a great investment. Not only will you be able to use the tent for what you used a tent before, but perhaps a canvas tent will get you into a larger variety of environments because of their durable design. If you’ve ever questioned wanting to camp in the winter, a canvas tent is a great investment to test it out and still use the rest of the time of the year. They really are durable and sturdy tents that will enhance many of your outdoor adventures.

Q: Are canvas tents a good choice for winter camping?

A: Yes. Canvas tents are a great choice for winter camping because they are made of a thicker material that insulates from the cold. Canvas is a great material at retaining the heat and keeping out the wind. On top of that, most canvas tent designs have a space, pipe, and vent for a stove, so you can heat the tent. The best canvas tents will be fire retardant, which means you don’t have to worry about being trapped in a burning tent if a fire starts. Most likely, a fire treated canvas tent will not catch fire with flame, but rather it will melt away. You should be able to safely exit the tent in an emergency fire situation.

Not all canvas tents will be made the same. However, if you find the right one with the best design, you can easily survive a winter camping trip with a canvas tent. You will also find that if you face a light snow, canvas tents are excellent at keeping the water out too. You won’t have to worry about any water from melting snow getting inside your tent.

As always, it’s important to remember to allow your tent to fully dry before you pack it away. Snow may not seem as wet as water, but it is still moisture touching your tent. You should lay out your tent in a warmer and drier area to ensure that it is properly free of moisture before being folded and tucked away in its carry bag.

Globo Surf Overview

No matter which canvas tent design you choose, finding the best canvas tent is important. A tent should be personalized to ensure that you feel safe and comfortable when using it on your camping trips. With many different designs and sizes available, you easily have a wide variety of tents to choose what best suits your needs. The best canvas tent for camping will ensure that both you, the members of your group, and your gear will stay dry and protected throughout any of the four seasons. If you know exactly what you need, you can save time and money by investing in a top rated canvas tent for camping. Before you know it, you’ll be off having grand adventures throughout all four seasons!

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Do you own one of the canvas tents that made it onto our list? Let us know how it has worked for you in the comments section below.