Investing in Quality: The Long-term Value of Heavy Canvas Tent Fabric

Let’s get real: Nylon and polyester tents have their place, but canvas tents will always stand the test of time. Durable, comfortable, and capable of withstanding tough, rugged environments, a canvas tent is easily capable of lasting 10 to 20 years and beyond. But when you compare their upfront costs, it’s hard to process the long-term value of heavy canvas tents.

So, if you’re looking to seriously upgrade your gear and are stuck choosing what tent style to purchase, while trying to justify the upfront cost, this guide will help you understand how the quality of heavier canvastents makes them a true investment.

Let’s dive into learning the advantages of a heavier canvasweight and how proper treatments can lead to a better long-term ROI for your personal camping adventures or glamping space.

Why Heavy Canvas Tents Make Great Investments

As a whole, a canvas tent features many benefits. However, when it comes to purchasing any product, many people focus on the initial sticker price rather than the long-term value. And since tents range in price so vastly – even amongst canvas tents and bell tents – it’s tempting to lean towards the lower end of the price bracket. Still… oftentimes, if you inspect closely, the materials and features are incomparable.

So don’t be fooled! Here’s what to look for when investing in a quality canvas tent.

A Thicker, Heavier Canvas Offers More Benefits

Simply put, not all canvas is made the same. Canvas weight, measured in ounces per square yard(oz/yd²) and grams per square meter (gsm), can range from a thinner, lightweight fabric to a more durable, robust 10 oz. The higher the number, the denser and more tear-resistant the canvas tent will be.

For comparison, the average canvas weight of a canvas tent is around 10 oz. (~339 gsm), which is the minimum you should aim for. However, Life in Tents’ bell tents are made with the heaviest canvas on the market – our proprietary Doektec canvas. Seriously, coming in at 11.5 oz. per square yard (390 gsm), you won’t find a canvas more heavy-duty! Even thicker than most rugged outfitter tents built for the backcountry don’t reach that.

At the end of the day, the canvas weight ensures your tent is capable of taking on rugged conditions and abrasions.

Better Insulation Equals Comfort and Warmth

A heavier canvas material is made with thicker, denser fibers, which means it acts more insulative. In other words, a heavy canvas tent will provide more comfort and warmth, especially on cold nights and during the winter season. Add a wood stove to generate  plenty of heat – something you can’t do with standard nylon tents! For campers and glamping operators, this improved insulation means a four-season hot tent that can be used year-round, extending your booking dates and providing glamping guests with upgraded comfort.

Tensile Strength for Stability and Abrasion

Thicker, denser canvas also means it's more resistant to tearingand breaking. Strong winds, heavy rain, and general wear and tear from pitching and breaking down can really take a toll on tents.

In general, a heavier canvas weight simply means the tent can take on extreme weather and rugged environments. Furthermore, for glamping hosts, canvas tents often remain in place for multiple seasons and even rely on the semi-permanent tent’s stability for the comfort and safety of guests. The tensile strength also means minimal maintenance over time.

Heavy Canvas Can Support Added Treatments

Aside from its weight and tensile strength, thicker canvas provides brands with the opportunity to apply crucial protective treatments. And these added treatments can be just as important as the canvas weight, strengthening the tent’s overall quality and preventing the natural fibers from deteriorating.

At a bare minimum, a canvas tent should offer water-resistant, mildew-resistant, and fire-retardant properties. However, a quality canvas tent offers even better. Take, for example, Life inTents' proprietary canvas. Our heavy-duty Doektec canvas is not only the thickest you’ll find on the market, but also offers extra measures of defense to protect it from moisture, mildew, fire, and more – while still maintaining its breathability.

Mold Resistance

Damp environments can foster the growth of mold and mildew on just about anything – including canvas tents. However, with an extra mildew-resistant treatment on high-quality canvas tents, it can discourage mold growth, keeping them pristine-looking and free of mold spores. While you must still clean and maintain the mold on your canvas, the mildew treatment will make your job easier.

Aside from being 11.5 ounces per square yard, Life inTents’ Doektec canvas was designed with several of these added treatments. Doektec’s mildew treatment is especially important and went under rigorous AATCC 30 antifungal testing. 🠜 See for yourself.

Waterproofing

Canvas fibers naturally swell and tighten, creating a water-resistant barrier all on their own. However, an added waterproofing treatment ensures water doesn’t seep into the tent. Instead, it beads and rolls off, keeping the inside (including gear, furniture, you or guests), perfectly dry.  This also helps to discourage mildew growth.

It’s helpful to know that not all canvas tents come with this. Sometimes, you have to apply a waterproofing solution yourself. Luckily, LiT’s Doektec canvas already has a waterproofing impregnated straight into its cotton fibers.

UV Resistance

Like waterproofing, canvas tents can be treated with UV protection to enhance their durability. (We can have UV protection in technical clothing, so why not tents?) Aside from the obvious advantage of UV-resistant treatments keeping you and your family safe from harmful rays, they also prevent color fading and keep materials (such as canvas and nylon or plastic components) from drying out.

If your canvas tent lacks UV resistance, know that a thicker, heavier canvas works wonders. However, you can also invest in a bell tent fly cover (which we always recommend).

Fire Retardants

A flame-retardant canvas is a MUST for tents using wood stoves or other heating elements. For glamping businesses, a fire-retardant canvas tent meets safety standards (CPAI-84 or NFPA 701) and also mitigates fire risk, which can impact insurance coverage (and fire marshal requirements).

Protecting Your Investment With Routine Maintenance

A quality canvas tent deserves proper routine maintenance. And, ultimately, your tent’s lifespan is heavily dependent on how well you care for it. Cleaning your canvas tent and ensuring it’s thoroughly dry before packing it away in storage is a good start. However, to truly prolong its lifespan, it is also beneficial to reapply protective treatments periodicallythat mother nature causes to wear off..

Fortunately, reapplying waterproof solutions and mildew treatments to canvas is easier than you’d think. And so is repairing or stitching small tears and seams, if needed. All of these routine maintenance steps will maximize the longevity of a canvas tent, regardless of its weight.

Final Thoughts: Think Decades, Not Years

As you can see, there is a hidden cost to lighter canvas tents. While lighter canvas tents and nylon-style bell tents might save you a few hundred bucks up front, they will cost more in repairs, maintenance, possibly insurance, and frustration down the road.

Instead, invest in quality heavy canvas tents that can last for decades (or longer with proper care). Choosing a high-quality canvas tent is about value over time, durability, weather protection, and better ROI… as well as peace of mind.