If you are into camping, one of the most important pieces of gear you’ll need is a good quality canvas tarp or tent. Canvas offers a wide variety of benefits over other fabrics: durability, weather-resistance, style, etc. It’s worth taking on the extra weight in your kit, as compared to other tent fabrics. However, all the different types of canvas out there mean that it can a difficult to choose the right type for your tent. If you’re considering canvas, here are five things you need to consider before making your purchases.
Consider the Water Resistance
The main purpose of a tent is to keep the weather off of you and your belongings. Therefore, the weather resistance rating of your chosen canvas should be your first concern. When it comes to choosing a waterproof canvas fabric Australia offers some unique weather concerns. If you’ll be camping during the hotter and drier seasons, a canvas with a looser weave will protect against pests while allowing for more airflow within the tent. If you’ll be venturing out into wetter areas, a tighter weave will help keep more water off. Always check the forecast before leaving for a camping trip to be sure that you are prepared.
Test the Durability
If you are a frequent camper, your canvas is likely to see a lot of use. That means you’ll want a very durable fabric for your tent- one that can handle being assembled and disassembled over and over again. Look for fabrics that have been stress-tested. That might take the form of a hydrostatic test, where water is fired at a canvas at high pressure to test the water resistance. It may also be an abuse test, where twisting and pulling motions are done by machines to test how well a fabric holds up to the physical strain. Look for a canvas that will last you for years, not one that will fall apart around you.
Measure the Right Size
You likely know that tents come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. The footprint of your tent is important. You should ask yourself how much room you’ll need inside for sleeping, storage, and other activities. You’ll also want to consider the height and pitch of your tent roof. Make sure you have enough canvas to place the roof at a comfortable height. Flat roofs can cause puddling and leaks if it rains. If you’re planning to camp in wet weather, having a pitched roof or using a second canvas as a rainfly will help water and another precipitation slide right off instead of seeping in at the seams.
Weigh Your Options
Canvas is generally heavier than other tent fabrics, and the exact weight can vary based on the type of canvas you are using. You’ll want to make sure to account for the extra weight. Once you’ve determined the type of canvas that you’ll need to suit the weather and the space, you’ll want to get the overall weight of your chosen material. If you’re trying to choose between several good options, the total weight can often be the deciding factor.
Pick the Colour and Style
When you think of canvas, you may only think of drab browns and khakis. The truth is that canvas can come in a very wide variety of colors and patterns. You can choose the design that best suits your camping style. Some manufacturers may even let you design and order your own. You may be looking for a bright inviting fabric to help spruce up a dreary campsite. Conversely, you may want a natural color scheme or pattern to help your tent blend into your surroundings. Either way, don’t let your decision only be about the function of your canvas. Let your individuality be on display too.
Tent camping can be quite a bit of fun. When you are deciding on the right type of tent for yourself, you really can’t go wrong with a tent made from canvas. This super-strong fabric can offer better water resistance and a longer useful lifespan, as well as give you plenty of options to find the perfect size, weight, and color for your camping needs. May your experiences in the great outdoors be all that you hope for.
