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Canvas or Nylon Tents:    What to choose?

canvas nylon tent choice
When looking for a new tent, there are a lot of things you need to think about.    We have covered our top 10 tips to choosing a tent here, but one of the big considerations is the material of your tent.

And that comes down to canvas or nylon (we could also put polyester into this latter category, as its very similar).

For car campers, you do need to weigh up your options, and work out which material is right for you and your style of camping.

But which one?   How to choose?  Some models of tents will give you the option - canvas or nylon.    

It’s going to involve a bit of thinking from you about your needs for camping.  The way you camp.   To help make those choices clearer, we have collected 6 key points you need to think about when deciding to choose nylon or canvas tents.    


A quick point you need to note before we go further:  this story is in regards to those of you who don’t need to carry your tent great distances, and will be driving to your campsite, not hiking.  Hikers and their tent needs would be a whole different story!


First up.   Six things to consider with your purchase......
 

Weight - Can you carry it?

Canvas is heavier than nylon tents. Often quite a lot.   If you can’t carry a tent easily, or have the need to carry it any distance, you might struggle with a large canvas tent (without help).

Some of the canvas tents require  heavier, sturdier poles as part of their construction, and to support the canvas – and this adds to your weight, which might be even more noticeable if you need to put the packed up tent on a roof rack.   Think about the whole tent (poles as well) when considering your weight lifting capabilities.

Nylon tents of the same model as a canvas tent are lighter,  and frequently have lighter poles as part of their construction, reducing overall weight.


If you have to pack up your tent in a hurry due to wet weather pouring down on you and your tent, you will find that the canvas is now even heavier.   


Imagine how you are going to get that tent from the car to the site.  Is it do-able?

Some of the larger tents are not only heavy but long!  Know your vehicle and work out how you will actually transport this tent.



Will it keep me dry?

Whatever tent you buy, you want one that is going to keep you dry if it rains.  Both nylon and canvas tents are going to do that as coating has been applied to help with water resistance.

Canvas tents might have to be "seasoned" in order to shrink the canvas to make it waterproof.  The needle holes where it has been sown together will shrink after a good weathering, but you will need to do this before it actually rains.  

The canvas tent whilst getting heavy in the rain – is effective, but drying the canvas thoroughly is imperative before you put it away.  Put it away wet, and rot and mildew could set in.  Nylon might not get the rot, but will get the mildew.  

In terms of storing your tent after rain – both need to be fully dried before packing away.   Read: Tips on Caring for your tent

Breathability - the tent, not you

When the temperature soars, tents aren’t always ideal places to be.     

A nylon tent, warms up very quickly in the sun, canvas can take longer before it becomes an oven.  The good news is that canvas, being cotton, breathes better, so breathability is a plus (and why condensation isn’t such an issue in canvas).

If the tent is exposed to sunlight for a long period of time, the nylon tent is more likely to suffer from this light damage than a canvas tent.

In winter, the cold is felt less in a canvas tent, and the warmth in the tent remains there longer than nylon.

More information on how to stay cool when camping is found here.

 

How much will it cost?

Nylon tents come in all shapes and sizes, and prices.  From the very cheap to the pricey multi room tents, there really is a nylon tent for every sort of camper’s budget.  

If you are beginner camper, and not sure if camping is for you, nylon tents are an excellent way to start camping, without sending you broke.   Looking at just overnight trips?  Nylon could be the best choice.

Canvas tents are the more expensive of the tents, and that is because of the material and construction.  If you know camping is something you enjoy, and will do more than once, then canvas tents are an option to consider.

Canvas, with the proper care, will last for a very long time, and it might be the only tent you ever need!


Like many purchases, we believe you do get what you pay for. Choose the best you can afford.






buy good gear

Ease of setting up (and taking down) 

Any tent – whether its nylon or canvas – is going to take a bit of getting use to in terms of setting it up.    Practice makes perfect.    

Canvas touring tents are popular because of their minimal set up and speed in which they can be done, but for everyday tents, your ability to put up a tent is going to depend on your skills and familiarity with the tent – regardless of the material.

For weekend trips or an overnight trip, nylon tents are very popular because they typically take up less room in your vehicle and there are some models which are fast to put up.   Canvas tents are often viewed more for camping trips greater than a weekend – but they are definitely still suitable for the those short breaks too!   So don't discount them.


Which tent will last the longest?  


fixing your tent
All tents need some care taken to make them last, but canvas tents are traditionally the longer lasting, due to the material used.  (Of course, treat them poorly, and don’t dry them properly, and you can have some rot set in and your tent may not actually last as long as you had hoped).    Nylon deteriorates faster due to sunlight. 

Nylon tents can be repaired, as their material is ripstop fabric which stops a tear growing bigger and bigger – a patch can be bought to cover any such holes.

Canvas tents can also be patched or just sewn up.

More information to check out and help your gear last longer can be found at this link:   How to care for your camping gear

But which one to choose?  



CSo far,  you  have considered the following:


  • What sort of camping you do (now and in the future)
  • Weight
  • Durability
  • Breathability
  • Price
  • Conditions you are likely to use tent in
  • Setting it up


But now that you have considered all of these points, which one to choose?      

There is no right and wrong  decision.  

It's about what you want in a tent and how you want to go camping. But here are a few more things to think about:


  • Like headroom and more space? Canvas tents traditionally have more room.
  • Like fancy features eg. pop up options/fancy trimmings?    Nylon tent.
  • Don't like pole setting up?    Canvas tent for you (they have poles, but not as fiddly).  Or inflatable tents should be considered
  •  Couple of days maximum camping?   Nylon dome tents might be sufficient, but you might want to look at bigger models if its family camping.
  • Weather extremes likely?    Canvas will do better in inclement weather.
  • Fire safety issues?    Nylon goes up in flames very quickly.    
  • Unlikely to put a lot of care into your tent?    Nylon tent.
  • Not a keen camper?    Nylon tent.
  • You want to go camping a lot now and in the future?    Canvas.
  • Resale value?    Canvas tents hold their value a lot more.
  • Solo traveller?    Nylon tent is easier to manage than canvas.
  • Light sleeper?    Nylon tents in winds can be noisy.   Canvas (in my experience) is quieter in high winds.  
  • Worried about condensation?   Canvas breathes better.





 
Buying the right tent for your camping trip is a big decision, so take your time and make the best decision for you.       

Do some homework when you narrow down the make/manufacturer of the tent you like most, and read reviews, forums and find out as much as you can how the tent performs.    

We believe that quality does cost.    

Buy good gear, only cry once.  

 

 

Need more advice?  

 

Read how to care for your tent  - 5 tips to help  

Tips for family tent purchase - what to choose and how to choose

Inflatable Tents – what is available if you don’t want nylon or canvas

And when you go camping, how to choose a campsite is a big consideration!


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