Modern tents come in a wide range of shapes, sizes and materials. Lightweight and easy to manage tents are popular among many campers with canvas becoming less common.
But which tents are better? Is a canvas tent better than a modern, synthetic tent?
It all depends on your needs as a camper. Canvas tents are much more durable than synthetic tents. They offer greater wind resistance and warmth and are tougher than synthetic tents and you can fit a stove to heat them. But canvas is heavier than modern tent materials and requires more maintenance, but, that said, in our view canvas rules.
Canvas tent v Synthetic tent comparison
Interior dampness and moisture
Tents can get wet inside from condensation and in this area canvas tents are better than synthetic versions.
Canvas has qualities that allow the tent to ‘breathe’ allowing water to pass through the canvas to the outside meaning that interior condensation levels are kept to a minimum.
Synthetic tents do not have this level of ‘breathability’ and the water vapour condenses on the inside walls of the tent, resulting in a wet and damp interior.
Heat Retention
Canvas is thicker than most synthetic materials and is a better insulator than nylon and the other materials that are used in tent production.
One of the great features about a canvas tent, that you cannot do with a synthetic tent, is that you can add a wood burning stove. This will keep you warm and dry throughout the year and, if you camp in an area where wood is plentiful then you have a free source of heat.
You cannot put a stove in a synthetic tent – it will melt and catch fire if you try to.
Water Resistance
Canvas is surprisingly water resistant and will keep you dry in the heaviest of downfalls. The natural qualities of canvas cause rain to slide off the tent easily and the fibres prevent water from getting through to the interior.
Plastic type tents will provide some levels of water resistance but as they become more water laden they will eventually become overwhelmed with damp levels which will make your tent feel cold and damp on the inside.
Added to this you will need to ventilate your plastic tent to get rid of the humidity, which leads to drafts and colder temperatures inside.
Strength
Canvas tents beat synthetic tents hands down when it comes to strength and durability.
Canvas is difficult to tear and, if you do manage to suffer a rip in a canvas tent, then you can repair it easily, either by sewing it up or by adding a new canvas patch to the area.
A canvas tent that is looked after, treated and well maintained will last a lifetime without any major issues.
Conversely, plastic type tents are thin and will tear easily. They are almost impossible to repair with the only option normally being to use special repair tape or duct tape to seal rips and tears.
Many plastic tents come with repair kits, similar in nature to bicycle puncture repair kits which can be used to repair small areas.
Ease of use
Both canvas and synthetic tents can be tricky to setup and often the bigger the tent the more difficult it is to set it up.
A synthetic tent would be the sensible option for anyone looking for an easy to erect tent. There are many quick ‘popup’ type synthetic tents available, some of which can be erected in as little as 5 to 15 minutes for family sized tents.
The modern materials that synthetic tents use are also lightweight and relatvely easier to handle and work with.
Our View
We have camped in both canvas and synthetic tents and, in our view canvas makes for the best camping experience. If you are camping in an area where the weather could change becoming cold or wet, then canvas is absolutely the best choice.
Synthetic tents do have some benefits though, the main ones being that they are lightweight and normally easier to setup than canvas. If you are wildcamping or camping in a climate which is hot and dry, then a synthetic tent would make a good choice.
Which canvas tent should I get?
If you have decided to get a canvas tent then there is a wide range of options available and it can be tricky to make sure that you get the best canvas tent for your camping needs.
You will want to ensure that your choice of tent is large enough for your camping party plus their equipment and that it can be transported easily to your camping pitch.
Once there you will want a tent that is easy to erect and that provides good wind and weather resistance while offering good standards of build and comfort.
We’ve looked at a range of canvas tents and narrowed our list down to five tents which we think are perfect.
Our Canvas Tent Choices overview
Invalid table id.1. Whiteduck Canvas Wall Tent
- STANDARD FEATURES: Canvas Alpha Wall Tent includes the complete tent with aluminum frame, rafter angle kits and free-floating PVC floor, NO NEED TO BUY THEM SEPARATELY! Basic features include the stove jack with flap, durable 3-layer large triangular windows, zippered door with storm flap, mesh, sod cloth and all standard essentials packed in a waterproof tent bag for easy transport and storage
- MULTI-FUNCTIONAL FEATURES: Our camping tents include military grade YKK Zippers that provide enhanced product life and enhanced durability. The door and windows come equipped with a PVC dipped mesh which is robust and does not tear easily. The doors have an additional buckle fastening system (both inside and outside) with an additional flap across the door panels for extra protection to keep the tent dry during heavy rain and strong winds and an extra 16” sun/weather eave shade
- INTERIOR FEATURES: Our 4 season camping tents are spacious enough to accommodate large group of people, families and friends making them ideal tents for camping. Durable 3-layer large triangular distinctive windows come with clear polyvinyl flap with a durable Velcro fastening system for letting in natural light without losing the heat from your stove, better ventilation and clear views. All the seams are double stitched, corners are reinforced for added strength
- GROUNDSHEET & SOD CLOTH: The wall skirting and free-floating groundsheet are made from weatherproof, high UV resistant, heavy duty 16 oz. polyvinyl for a weather tight seal. Each wall tent features a sod cloth that is sewn onto the tent ground seam at the bottom of the tent and extends a generous 8″ beyond the tent floor. The side walls are standard 5’ high to give a spacious unobstructed head space inside the tent to move around. Pocket organizers also included
- SETUP: Requires two or three people to pitch the tent. Include high quality powder coated metal brackets and lightweight anodized aluminum robust poles with steel wire for extra reinforcement (All stakes and rubber mallet included). Additional flexibility by adding a Porch for extra functional room that comes in different sizes or Fly Sheet for added protection. Perfectly suited for elk hunting, family tents for camping, glamping and even just living in a tent – Your home away from home!
2. Whiteduck Regatta Canvas Bell Tent
- 【BREATHABLE FABRIC and WIND ENDURANCE】 The Regatta canvas tent is made from breathable performance canvas. It’s waterproof, UV resistant and available in multiple colors. With excellent wind and rain resistance, it’s your reliable shelter in any weather. It’s also available in a flame-retardant version for 4-season camping with wood stove. Elevate your outdoor experience with the White Duck Outdoors Regatta Tent.
- 【OUTDOORS READY】 The canvas bell tent package includes a sewn-in groundsheet, stove jack, windows with mesh, roof vents, poles, a tool kit and a weatherproof bag – ALL are included with your purchase.
- 【4 FOUR SEASON CANVAS TENT】 All our bell yurt tents are built to perform in all weather conditions. Our PFC-free finish makes all tents completely water resistant. The stove jack, made from fire retardant material, allows for easy installation of a wood stove to stay warm on cold winter nights.
- 【EXTREMELY SPACIOUS GLAMPING TENT】 This yurt style glamping tent has a spacious design with standard wall height of 2’7″ which is higher than average bell tent wall heights. The super spacious interior boasts tons of stand-up space and walk-around comfort. The Regatta comes in 4 sizes, perfect for your group of any size.
- 【HIGH QUALITY FEATURES】 The Regatta canvas tent boasts 2-layered doors and windows for ultimate protection from inclement weather. An electrical cable outlet makes it easy to keep your devices charged. Pockets provide quick access to personal items. Our heavy-duty zippers are weatherproof, and maintain the longevity of the tent.
3. Danchel 4M Cotton Bell Tent
- BREATHABLE&HEAVY DUTY CANVAS:60lb. Made of 330GSM (9.7oz/yd²) cotton. No overwhelming chemical smell since the fabric does not have any PU coating, so when camping in heavy rain, we recommend using a rain fly tarp to reinforce waterproofing.
- SPACIOUS GLAMPING: 4m/13ft yurt style tent ideal for sleeping 4 comfortably. Can put two full-size beds or four 75×30” sleeping bags with all glamping gear. 8.2’/2.5m center pole, 4.9’/1.5m door height, 23.6”/60cm side wall ensure tons of stand-up space and walk-around comfort. ‘D’ ring on center pole for hanging lights.
- 4 SEASON CANVAS TENT: With big 5.9” side vent you can run electricity for portable A/C on hot days or 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 in your back yeard. 5.9” precut roof stove jack with rain flap allows for staying warm with wood stove on cold days. Extend seasons family camping for all year living.
- WELL VENTILATED: Removable bottom is for summer and it become like gazebo canopy to enjoy 360° views.Windows doors are designed with mesh and canvas, won’t feel suffocated in yurts while keeping 𝙗𝙪𝙜 out
- STURDY&DURABLE: The metal 𝐘𝐊𝐊 zippers are flexible. All seams are double-stitched for added strength and durability. Galvanized steel poles that provide stability in windy conditions and can withstand about 0.8” thick snowfall.
4. Glamcamp Canvas Bell Tent
- Size:Bell tent diameter 4m, the top height of 250 cm, side wall height of 60 cm, door high of 150CMcm. It is a polygonal base, (can place 2 Queen size bed, or 1Queen size bed with 2 single size bed), weight of 30kg. Easy setup in only a 15-30 minutes.
- Material: This bell tent is made of 280g/sqm (0.62 lbs/10ft2) Cotton Canvas with 3000mm waterproof PU coating. 500g/sqm (1.1 lbs/10ft2 ) PVC ground sheet that easily wipes clean with a duster and insulates from moisture. Center pole is made of diameter 38mm (1.5in) x thickness 1.22mm galvanized steel tubes.
- Easy Setup: The camping bell tent includes a rain cap, ground stakes, a stake hammer, a tent bag, and storage bags with handles for easy transportation and storage. You can have your bell tent up and ready for use in under 20 minutes (full instructions provided).
- Four-season tent: Bell tent supports stove in winter，Stove hole placed on the side wall avoids water leakage in rainy days. The top 5-inch stove jack is made of flame retardant material to ensure safety during heating.
- Note: Avoide use your bell tent in strong windy. Please use the canvas skirt to tightly cover the zipper and add the rain cap on rainy days to prevent leakage. Do not store fabrics and poles in a humid environment, which will greatly shorten the service life of the tent.
5. Outop Canvas 4 Season Bell Tent
- 🏕️【Spacious Space】 Waterproof, with diameter 16.4ft(5M)/door height 5.6ft(1.7m)/top height 9.9ft(3m)/side wall 23.6in(60cm),you’re able to fit a queen bed and two blow-up mattresses, the bell tent still has plenty of room to walk around.
- 🏕️【Complete Package】Our yurt tent comes with a high-quality sewn-in PVC groundsheet, a 5” wide stove jack opening, standard mesh door, 4 windows and roof vents to increase air circulation, galvanized steel center pole and A-frame pole. Additionally, the canvas tent comes with a tool kit that includes stakes, pegs, a rain cap, and a rubber mallet.
- 🏕️【Bell tent with Stove Jack】Our glamping tent is not only waterproof but also highly breathable, ensuring a comfortable and dry camping experience in any weather. The 5” stove Jack on the top made from fire retardant material, ensuring safety during heating and won’t take too much space.
- 🏕️【Versatile 2-in-1 Design】 The detachable groundsheet and roll-up walls offer 360-degree visibility and airflow, allowing you to enjoy the breeze and stunning views under the sun. This 4 person tent is suitable for use in gardens, lawns, forest camps, and is perfect for both summer and winter camping, luxurious glamping, park activities, and festivals.
- 🏕️【Easy to install】Our 4 season tent is designed for effortless set-up, allowing you to spend less time on preparation and more time enjoying the great outdoors. With just 25 minutes, you can have the tent ready to use, ensuring a hassle-free camping experience.
Conclusion
Some of the things that we considered when choosing the canvas tents above included their size and how many people they can comfortably accommodate.
Weight, build quality and ease of use were also considerations as well as whether the tent could be used in all seasons.
Therefore regardless of your choice , we guarantee that you will be investing in a quality product.
