Canvas Cabin Tents Pros and Cons – Which is Best for You?

For campers who enjoy a bit more space and comfort during their outdoor adventures, canvas cabin tents can be an excellent option. These tents typically offer a larger living space than traditional backpacking tents and can accommodate more people. But with so many different canvas cabin tents on the market, how do you know which one is best for you? In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of canvas cabin tents, and take a closer look at the offerings of Elk Mountain Tents.

What is a Canvas Cabin Tent?

A canvas cabin tent is a large, roomy tent that is designed to offer more space and comfort than traditional backpacking tents. A cabin tent is any tent with more verticle walls and more headroom. For this reason, a variety of tents, including even cheaper nylon tents, can be considered a cabin tent, but this article looks more specifically at canvas wall tents, also known as wall tents. These tents are typically constructed from a heavy-duty cotton canvas material, which is highly durable and resistant to water, mold, and mildew, but they can also be made of a superior materials such as poly-cotton blend canvas which is stronger, or even 100% polyester which is not only stronger but is naturally waterproof and incapable of rotting. Canvas cabin tents come in a variety of sizes and shapes, with some models featuring multiple rooms, porches, and even attached awnings.

Pros of Canvas Cabin Tents

1. Spacious: One of the most significant advantages of canvas cabin tents is the amount of space they offer. These tents are typically larger than traditional backpacking tents, providing more room for sleeping, living, and storing gear.
2. Durable: Canvas cabin tents are highly durable and long-lasting. The heavy-duty canvas material is resistant to tears, punctures, and abrasions, making it a great choice for camping in rugged environments.
3. Comfortable: With their larger size and added amenities, canvas cabin tents can provide a more comfortable camping experience than traditional backpacking tents. Some models feature built-in floors, multiple rooms, and even air conditioning units, providing a home-away-from-home feel.
4. Weather–resistant: Canvas cabin tents are designed to withstand a range of weather conditions, including rain, wind, and even some snow. The heavy-duty canvas material is mostly waterproof if treated properly and can keep campers dry in even the heaviest downpours. Polyester canavs tents are waterproof by nature. However, either way, it’s recommended that you have a rainfly for added protection.

Cons of Canvas Cabin Tents

1. Heavy: Due to their larger size and more robust construction, canvas cabin tents can be quite heavy and challenging to transport. These tents are typically best suited for car camping or base camping, rather than backpacking. Even with lighter (and yet still stronger) polyester tents, you’re still looking at a very heavy tent.
2. Expensive: Canvas cabin tents can be more expensive than traditional backpacking tents. Anything less than $1,000 is considered a very inexpensive canvas tent.
3. Time-consuming to set up: Canvas cabin tents can be more time-consuming to set up than traditional backpacking tents. These tents typically require more than one person to set up, and may take 30 minutes or more to assemble. If it is your first time setting up a canvas tent, plan for 60 minutes. Also, avoid getting one with a sewn-in floor as these are a pain in the butt.
4. Not as portable: This goes along with being heavy, but due to their size and weight, canvas cabin tents are just not as portable as traditional backpacking tents. These tents are best suited for longer camping trips, where campers plan to stay in one place for several days or more.

Elk Mountain Tents’ Canvas Cabin Tents

Elk Mountain Tents is a company that specializes in high-quality canvas cabin tents for sale. Their tents are made from a heavy-duty 100% polyester canvas material and are designed to provide a comfortable and durable camping experience.

The material really sets them apart. It boasts a strength comparable to a 14 oz cotton canvas (which is much sturdier than the industry standard cotton canvas) but comes in at only 11 oz a yard. Tent to twelve oz is considered standard for a canvas tent so it falls right in the middle with added strength. Additionally, it is naturally waterproof and incapable of rotting as it is fully synthetic.

If you want the true “cabin” tent experience, you’ll want to check out one of the wall tents: 13×13, 13×16, 13×20. These models also come with additional options / variations such as screened doors and / or an awning. However, ALL models come with the most requested features free of charge, namely screened windows, a stove jack, and an angle kit.

If you’re looking to try something a little different, check out the Yukon Bell Tent. It comes in three sizes: 13 ft diameter, 16 ft, and 20 ft. These circular tents have the same high side walls but offer a more unique experience, especially since the walls can be dropped completely for a totally open air environment if desired.

Elk Mountain Tents manages to keep their prices low by not maintaining a store front and avoiding custom orders to focus on just a handful of models. This approach also allows them to have your tent shipped out the next day!

FAQs

1. Are canvas cabin tents more durable than traditional backpacking tents?

Uh, Yes, absolutely. Canvas cabin tents are typically more durable than traditional backpacking tents. The heavy-duty canvas material is resistant to tears, punctures, and abrasions, making it a great choice for camping in rugged environments. This is further improved if you get one made of polyester.

2. Can canvas cabin tents be used in all weather conditions?

Canvas cabin tents are designed to withstand a range of weather conditions, including rain, wind, and even snow. The heavy-duty canvas material is water-resistent for cotton canvas and waterproof for polyester and can keep campers dry in even the heaviest downpours.

3. Are canvas cabin tents difficult to set up?

Canvas cabin tents can be more time-consuming to set up than traditional backpacking tents. These tents typically require more than one person to set up, and may take 30 minutes or more to assemble. Plan for 60 minutes your first time.

4. Are canvas cabin tents portable?

Due to their size and weight, canvas cabin tents are not as portable as traditional backpacking tents. These tents are best suited for longer camping trips, where campers plan to stay in one place for several days or more.

Conclusion

Canvas cabin tents can provide a spacious and comfortable camping experience for those who prefer a bit more room and amenities during their outdoor adventures. While these tents may be heavier and more expensive than traditional backpacking tents, they offer a range of benefits, including durability, weather-resistance, and comfort. Elkmountaintents offers a variety of high-quality canvas cabin tents, with options to suit a range of camping needs and group sizes.