Canvas Tents: Durable and Affordable

Canvas has been utilized as a durable outdoor material for hundreds of years. The fabric is made of cotton, though hemp was used through much of canvas tent history.

Besides being used to make tents, canvas is used for sails and other outdoor equipment. When wet, canvas swells and becomes exceptionally waterproof. It is able to withstand conditions that other materials would not tolerate, making it ideal for long-term use.

The fibers of canvas tents are tightly woven, making it the perfect shade from harmful sunrays and high temperatures. Canvas tents also protect inhabitants from strong winds and other inclement weather.

The natural fibers also make canvas a better choice for fabric that breathes. The flow of air keeps the tent more comfortable and should it get wet from rain, canvas dries quickly.

The durability of the material means that it won’t suffer from rips and tears as easily as other fabrics. Extra-tough construction makes canvas tents perfect for long-term use or semi-permanent shelters.

For campers who plan to remain in one location for a long time or who enjoy extended-stay camping trips, it may make more sense to choose a canvas tent that offers durability and longevity.

Tents: The Ever-useful Temporary Structure

When you hear someone mention tents, you probably immediately think of the camping variety.

However, tents have been used around the world every day for numerous other purposes. Tents have been used in nearly every part of the world for nearly as long as recorded history.

Asian nomadic tribes lived in circular tents because this design helped the structures stand up to extreme conditions and harsh winds. The lightweight and easy deconstruction of the tents made it simple for the tribes to move on to new lands whenever necessary.

Even today, some people make permanent homes of tents. Many tent-dwellers enjoy the small ecological footprint left by tents.

Yurts, tepees and other types of tents are easy to build and rely on renewable resources for their materials. They can easily use alternative energy sources, such as solar power, which is more difficult with traditional framed homes.

Armies all around the world have made use of tents to house soldiers. They set up easily, come down quickly, and don’t require vast amounts of manpower to move to new locations.

Even camping tents aren’t the plain, boring structures they once were. There are plenty of new and interesting types of tents in use today.

The hiking tents used by serious hikers are amazing pieces of technology. The materials used in hiking tents are among the most lightweight and waterproof materials used in any consumer item, and many years of research have gone into developing them.

What Type of Tent Do You Need?

Where, how and how often you camp also can help you decide how much to spend on a tent. Use this short assessment to get started.

If you camp:

Infrequently (once or twice per year): Occasional campers probably won’t need to invest in a heavy canvas tent. Choose a tent that is lightweight, easily erected and well constructed.

Often (several times per year): The more you camp, the more your tent will be exposed to weather. The more exposure it gets, the faster it will wear out.

In this case, consider a tent that is weather-treated. You also should make sure that all of its components are made of sturdy materials. Nothing is more frustrating than having to buy a whole new tent because one tent pole snaps in the wind.

Mainly in campgrounds: Generally speaking, campgrounds are sheltered from weather extremes. In addition, the terrain usually isn’t rugged and you aren’t as likely to encounter bugs and wild animals.

Camping in moderate conditions like these means that a moderately priced tent will likely be suitable.

In the backwoods: Hunters and those who prefer to camp off the beaten path might consider stronger materials in a camping tent. The terrain is typically more rugged than one might find at the average campground. There may be rocky ground or high winds to contend with. Wild animals also can be a problem.

Look for heavy-duty materials that will withstand wind and rain and that won’t tear or snag easily.

Via backpack: A major concern for backpackers is space and weight. Campers who travel on foot should look for a small tent with lightweight components.

Pop-up Tents Prove to Be Popular

You can’t beat a camping vacation for getting away from it all. When city life leaves you a little frazzled, consider a camping vacation as your antidote to stress. Camping usually means you will be sleeping in some sort of tent. Depending on where you’re going and how many people are with you, a pop-up tent may be an option for you.

When you camp, you want to enjoy the great outdoors. At the same time, you might want to recreate some of the comforts of home. When your camping space is comfortable, you experience a more enjoyable trip. Pop-up tents allow you to achieve comfort simply and relatively inexpensively.

Pop-up tents allow for quick set-up; you simply insert a few poles through the tent fabric. Some pop-up models have Velcro attachments that make set-up even faster and more efficient. That’s what makes camping tents of this sort popular for use at camp and beach sites.

Other features of pop-up tents are fiberglass floors, which resist wear and tear and protect you from ground moisture. Zipped doors allow for proper sealing of the living unit when the day is done. They also allow for quick and easy entry and exit. Mesh windows improve ventilation and are good bug barriers.

When you choose a pop-up tent, you should choose one based on the weather conditions you expect to encounter. You also should choose based on the space you need. Keep in mind the number of people who will call the tent home for the duration of the camping trip.

Pop-up tents come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. It’s not hard to find one that perfectly matches your particular needs. Check out the wide assortment available to you and then get away for some well-deserved rest and relaxation.

A Tent for Any Season

I’ll never forget the year that we decided to camp in early May. The sun had been out for several days, and the temperatures were high. So, we decided to pack up our gear and head to the lake for a weekend.

When we arrived at the lake, temperatures had dropped to a cool but comfortable level. It was chilly, but we brought sweatshirts and extra blankets.

By 2 AM, we were packing up the tent and heading back home. The temperature had dropped to near freezing level.

Three-season tents

It never occurred to us that maybe we didn’t have the right tent for that particular season. What we had was a “three-season tent” – designed to be used mainly in the summer, but also during spring and fall. Unfortunately, we had winter weather that May, and weren’t prepared.

Three season tents have certain characteristics. They have many options for ventilation, such as mesh ceiling panels and windows. They also come with a sturdy rain fly that can be installed with utmost ease to protect you against downpours and wind on those cold spring and fall nights.
We should have considered using a winter or mountaineering tent.

Winter/mountaineering tents

The main goal of these types of tents is to play a helping hand in severe wind and weather that is more or less a norm in winter months. They typically feature a closed ventilation system along with heavy canvas fabric and high-strength aluminum poles. These are designed specifically to survive during harsh weather.

Of course, you still need to make sure that your other equipment, especially your sleeping bags, is also suited to the colder weather.

Outfitter Tents

Outfitter tents are designed around specific sport hunting and fishing seasons. That is, they are specifically designed to act as a base camp for hunting and fishing activities. The majority of these tents will be a stake-out design with some sort of pole framework.

Outfitter tents are, essentially, a portable cabin. In an ideal scenario, windows are kept to a minimum, but they are attached with other accessories - like a removable floor panel to make place for a wood burning stove, and a stove jack for the roof.

How to Pick the Right Tent

Tent camping can be an exciting experience for anyone, no matter what your situation. Tents come in all shapes and sizes, from the single-person “mummy” tent all the way to a large frame tent that can sleep a dozen people or more. Some tents are better for certain climates, and some tents have extra features for you to enjoy.

With so many different tents to choose from, it can become hard to know exactly which one is right for you. Here are some things to think about when trying to pick the right tent:

Tent Size

Your first consideration when buying a tent should be its size. Do you have a large family? You’ll want a large tent, with plenty of sleeping space. Will you be carrying the tent on your back to a remote location? You’ll want as small a tent as will suit you and your fellow campers. If you’re traveling alone, there are even lightweight single-person tents that are ideal for the single person.

Number of Rooms

Most tents are made up only of a single room. However, many larger tents may have as many as three or more rooms. Having additional rooms provides you with several benefits. First of all, one room can serve as a changing room, where campers can get dressed in privacy. If you have a camping toilet, one room can serve as a bathroom. You can even use a room to separate kids from adults. Some tents include a screened-in porch as an extra “room” as well.

Air Flow

Modern tents provide campers with all sorts of options when it comes to comfort. Gone are the days when tents had to be stuffy and humid. Today, there are tents with air flow vents that keep fresh air circulating inside the tent. There are tents with a screened ceiling, over which a canopy is placed. This prevents moisture from gathering on the tent fabric, which also increases the life of your tent.

Extra Features

Beyond all of these basics, many tents offer campers extra features that provide convenience or comfort. These include things like beverage holders, built-in mats for shoes or even a clothesline for wet towels.

Truck Bed Tent Camping

Are you ready for a whole new camping experience? If so, maybe you should try truck bed tent camping. Truck bed tent camping uses a special type of tent that can be set up in the bed of your truck. It eliminates the need for a campsite, and can make setup and tear down much easier.

Truck bed tent camping is perfect for a cross-country road trip, an undisturbed stay outdoors, or a quick bohemian escapade to a destination unknown. Truck bed camping tents are extremely durable, made of nylon or polyurethane, come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes.

Truck bed tents are designed differently than regular tents. Truck tents are designed to fit two to three adults. A breathable mesh window takes care of ventilation. Some tents might have inflatable mattresses as well as pillows, mosquito net, and even a ladder, along with a separate changing room.

The tent’s exterior is waterproof and windproof. Placed firmly on the roof rack, they cut off the direct sunrays, thus keeping the vehicle cool. The mounting straps of the truck tent can cause damage to the body of the truck, so it should be installed very carefully.

Why use a truck bed tent? Truck bed tents have several advantages over regular tents, including:

• Tents without floors are easier to install and clean.
• Truck bed tent camping can be set up in 15 minutes - transforming the back of your truck into a comfortable camper.
• They provide a dry flat surface to camp on with no fear of creepy-crawlies.
• Truck bed cabins are the most comfortable and spacious “home away from home” in the outdoor wilderness.
• The truck tents not only provide comfortable, private space but also keep you off cold, damp ground.
• They also help to keeps wildlife away from you while you sleep.
• Another great advantage is that your vehicle remains safe from any prowlers as a truck tent offers the built-in security of camping with your vehicle.
• After the camping trip, the tent can be brought down and folded into a small package to be stowed easily behind the vehicle seat.

Truck bed tent camping provides total security, comfort, and the feeling of oneness with nature during a camping trip anytime, anywhere, any place you please.

Hiking? Try a Hiking Tent

If you plan to hike to your destination, a hiking tent is ideal. Hiking tents are lightweight and waterproof, making them excellent shelters for most camping situations.

Many hiking tents are also low-profile. This makes them a great choice for camping in inclement weather since they won’t be greatly affected by high winds. They are among the most expensive choices in camping tents, but hiking tents are usually of very high quality.

When you are taking your family or friends along with you, a multi-room tent is your best bet. Multi-room tents feature ample space for your entire party along with separate sleeping chambers.

Although the thin walls don’t allow for complete privacy, they do provide some personal space. You can fit anywhere from two to eight people in standard multi-room tents, and some specialty tents can sleep even more campers.

Hiking tents also come in several different materials. Lightweight nylon or polyester can make wonderful weatherproof tents, but they do tend to degrade as they age.

Another thing to consider when shopping for hiking tents is the ground cover or groundsheet. The groundsheet is built-in on most camping tents. This configuration protects the tent from water seeping in between the walls and floor.

Some hiking tents utilize separate groundsheets so that the weight of the two pieces can be shared between two hikers. This feature is handy, but may not provide much protection from precipitation and insects.

Inexpensive Tent Camping

Tent camping is probably the least expensive way to go camping. With tent camping, you save the expense of maintenance on a trailer or camper, and you save the gas involved in pulling that trailer or camper. In addition, tents cost much less than other forms of camping shelter.

Where to buy inexpensive tents

There are even ways to find inexpensive tents. Here are some ideas of places to look:
Retail stores. Sometimes, large retailers will run specials on tents. This is especially common in the late spring. Often, those stores will have closeout specials at the end of the season, as well. If you’re smart about it and watch for those sales, you might be able to buy your tent at a decent discount.

• Wholesaler or surplus store. You may choose to buy your tent from a wholesaler. An Army Surplus store may have what you’re looking for, or you might look into a wholesaler’s store at an outlet mall.
• Second-hand stores. While you can never guarantee that a tent will be available at a second-hand store, it doesn’t hurt to look.
• Classified ads. As with retail stores, spring and fall are the best time to look for used tents in the classified advertisements.
• Online. The Internet is another place where you can get very good deals on quality tents. There are various camping clubs online, which provide you with full support and guidance in directing you to the best manufacturers.

What to look for

Understanding the different types of tents available will help when you go to look for an inexpensive tent. Here are some of the basics to keep in mind when tent shopping:

• Inexpensive camping tents are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. What you buy will largely depend upon your needs and your group size.
• Some types of tents include stand-up or pop-up tents, frame or A-frame tents, canvas tents, dome tents and cabin tents
• Inexpensive camping tents are made of many different fibers, such as canvas, nylon, and polyurethane. Canvas tents usually need some kind of treatment for protection against fire, water, or mildew.
• Nylon has the advantage of being much lighter, although canvas is good because it’s a breathable fabric.

Tenting It: Why Canvas?

Tenting has changed over the last decade.

Canvas once prevailed as the fabric of choice for tent construction. Over the years, though, new technology introduced the use of other materials in tent-making.

Nylon is popular today, along with polaris, gala and realite. Each material has unique qualities and may serve well under various conditions.

However, many die-hard campers still swear by canvas tents. Here are a few of the reasons why:

They’re strong. Canvas, which can hold up against the wildest of circus elephants, is also ideal for use in camping tents. It’s perfect for the hunter who spends days in the wild. It can take all of the abuse that nature throws its way. It will withstand wind, thunderstorms and even hail. Even curious forest creatures will have trouble penetrating a canvas tent.

They’re durable. The average life of a nylon camping tent is about three to five years, depending on frequency of use. By contrast, a canvas tent may last 10 years or more.

They’re breathable. Canvas is made from cotton. Unlike other common materials used in tent manufacturing, cotton breathes.

Nylon, polyester and other fabrics do not allow air to pass through easily. This can create a sauna-like atmosphere inside tents made from these materials. By contrast, canvas allows for the exchange of air between the interior and exterior of the structure.

Canvas is so durable that it is also used in the construction of some semi-permanent structures. Canvas covers are frequently used over traditional cement foundations and wooden frames. These “cabents” last for decades and provide a way to maintain low-cost housing.

In poor countries where extreme weather variations are rare, canvas or part-canvas homes are the norm. They stand up well to moderate weather conditions and are a cost-effective alternative to bricks and mortar.

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