Canvas Tent vs. Nylon Tent – Which is Better?
By: Carports, Tents and Sheds Staff WritersFor those who love the great outdoors, there is nothing better than grabbing a tent and heading out on a camping trip. There are many types of camping tents available and deciding which one to choose is not always an easy task. Deciding between a canvas tent and a nylon tent can be confusing but knowing the pros and cons of each will help you make the most informed decision between canvas tents and nylon tents. Deciding on the style of tent that is best for you is another consideration before making a purchase.
Canvas Tent Benefits:
There are many advantages of canvas camping tents. Here are a few reasons why you may want to choose a canvas tent for your next camping expedition.
Durability – When it comes to canvas tent material, one benefit is its extreme durability. A canvas tent is strong and should last for many years with proper care and storage. It is more rugged and durable than other tent materials.
Repairs – There will be times when any tent will need some minor repairs, and when it comes to canvas tent repairs, the strong weave of the canvas fabric in comparison to nylon fabric will make those repairs easier and the repairs will last longer. Canvas tent repair is often as easy as simply sewing up the ripped area or covering the tear with a patch and sewing it together to prevent further tearing.
Temperature Control – Canvas tent fabric is designed to reflect heat, rather than absorbing it which keeps the interior of a canvas tent cooler than a nylon tent. One drawback to a canvas tent, however, is that once the heat makes its way into the tent, there is not a great deal of ventilation and the heat remains.
Eco-friendly – A canvas tent is more eco-friendly than a nylon tent because it is made from a more sustainable and natural resource.
Nylon Tent Benefits:
Just as with a canvas tent, there are numerous benefits to purchasing a nylon tent as well. Which type of tent you select will depend primarily on which factors are most important to you.
Weight – A nylon tent is more lightweight than a canvas tent due to the makeup of the material. This is especially true once the tents get wet. Nylon tents are waterproof and canvas tents, while water resistant, are not completely waterproof and absorb some water, which makes them even heavier.
Waterproof – Nylon tents are waterproof and dry quickly when wet, while a canvas tent does not. This not only makes a canvas tent heavier when wet, but requires more time for the material to dry before it can be folded up and stored away. There are canvas tent waterproofing products which help the canvas material to resist more water, but a canvas tent will still retain some water during a rain storm and will need to be fully air dried before being stored to prevent mold and mildew from developing.
Ventilation – While a canvas tent is better at resisting the heat of the sun or allowing the heat to penetrate through the canvas tent material, when the tent is closed a nylon tent provides better ventilation. This is due to the fact that a nylon tent breathes more than a canvas tent so once the heat is trapped inside a canvas tent, it does not easily dissipate. A canvas tent is an ideal choice for colder climates where you want to retain as much heat as possible within the tent. A nylon tent is a good choice for warmer climates.
Ease of transport and storage – Since a nylon tent is lighter and more compact than a canvas tent, it is easier to store and to transport.
Nylon and Canvas Tent Styles:
No matter what type of tent material you choose, there are also different styles to choose from. A nylon or canvas wall tent is a very popular option, especially for those that need a good deal of space inside their tent or spend a lot of time inside. They work great as family tents or hunting tents. Nylon or canvas wall tents allow for better movement inside the tent than a nylon or canvas dome tent, although some large dome tents provide ample space. A nylon or canvas spike tent or pyramid tent (also called a range tent) will provide less room than the wall tent or the dome tent because it iscomprised of a frame with a canvas or nylon canopy that is draped over the frame. Since they are smaller and more lightweight, however, they are a good option for those that do not need a lot of space and do not want to carry a heavy tent.
You can find nylon and canvas tents for sale at outdoor and sporting good stores, some big box stores and at online retailers. If you do not want to invest in a new tent, you can sometimes find used canvas tents (or nylon ones, although a canvas tent is more durable and usually lasts longer)if you do some research and look around. To find one, you may want to do a search on “canvas tent for sale” or “used canvas tent” to see if any items are posted on Ebay, craigslist or similar sites.
Whether you choose to purchase a nylon or canvas tent, and no matter what style of tent you decide is best for you, having a tent and being able to hit the open road whenever the mood strikes provides a great sense of freedom and can result in loads of great memories while enjoying the great outdoors.
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