Canvas or Nylon Tents?

[Scioto]

I am planning to buy a new tent for next hunting season and was hoping to get some opinions from those of you who are seasoned veterens.  The 2 tents that I am considering are a Pyramid tent from Panther Primitives, or a Cabelas XWT dome tent.  I am looking for a tent that will not only stand up to the harshest weather conditions, but last many, many years.  Any suggestions or input?

[T.J.]

I'm thinking really heavy on getting a pyramid tent to. I'll be watching this thread for any advise

[Tony Phillips]

I have a canvas pyramid tent from Don Strinz. It has its good points and its bad points.

The good is:

Easy to set up.
Great in cold weather with either wood stove or propane heater.
Lots of head room and space to move around.

The bad is:

Heavy.
Hard to find a place to dry it out if it gets wet in the winter.
Takes up a lot of space to store or to take on a trip.
Hot in the summer even with a window.

With all that said I'm thinking of getting a smaller one for when I go solo.

I like the nylon tents for weight savings, easier to dry and airier and cooler in the summer.

I still use my canvas tent in the summer mostly because it is larger and sets up quicker.

 
 

[dino]

Thats a hard one.  I have Eureka and north face nylon back pack tents. They have stood up to harsh conditions and provided years of faithful service.  (Actually the north face is about 20 years old and is about to see the trash can, finally worn it out I think).  Work great for short hunts and always dependable.  

For elk hunting where we were setting camp for a couple of weeks at a time I got a 10x10 canvas.  I've used a lot of canvas over the years and work the best in the winter and long term camping for me.  I like the side wall height and they hold up really well long term.

If I had to pick only one tent to have and it was mainly for hunting base camp situations, canvas would be the choice hands down.  You will get more years of service from a good canvas, easily repairable, good in harsh weather, and a comfortable "home away from home" most of the time. dino

[rtherber]

Weight considerations- go with a Kifaru or Titanium Goat tipi-(Best for Alaskan fly-in camps,wilderness pack-in camps.) For extended trips requiring the shelter to be set up I would go with canvas. An oversized tarp over the shelter will curtail ozone issues and allow you to keep a dry tent(during use and when breaking camp). "Canvak" or Thompson's Water Seal every couple of years to maintain water repellency and as long as you store the canvas DRY and away from mice it should last you a lifetime. I'm afraid the "Cabela's" products wouldn't be able to duplicate the canvas shelters.As for Tony's post about a solo shelter, the most economical canvas tent I've found for that is a newly issued military pup tent($20) modified to make it a little lighter to pack(lighter aluminum poles instead of the issued wooden ones,titanium tent pegs). Add a stove jack in the end of the shelter half and fabricate a small wood stove from a Coleman fuel can or purchase a small "Titanium Goat" wood stove and you have a "mini-version" of the larger comfortable canvas wall tents/pyramid tents. Canvas---- You can opt to get the canvas shelter without a floor(just order it with a sod cloth) and this will cut down on weight considerably. I buy the 4 mil black plastic in the roll(10' x 25') and use it for a floor. Strips of "astroturf" are used under the cots and a rubber mat at the tent opening is for muddy boots. Another advantage to not ordering the floor is that on a wall tent the sides can be rolled up if it gets too hot/stuffy in the tent.Individual military surplus mosquito bars can be used if necessary for insects. They take up very little space and are cheap(20.00)--

[rtherber]

[rtherber]

I had a good breeze going through the tent here on this Spring turkey hunt.  

[Angus]

Depends on the situation for me: car or horse camping, carrying it on my back, or doing a spike camp.  I'd love to have a canvas tent, but I don't like the problems with livestock.  I've used a North Face Toulomne tent for years, but upgraded to the lighter backpack tents when they dropped below 4lbs  split between two people.  currently, since I enjoy wilderness hunts waaaayy out in the boonies, at or just below timberline, I carry a hammock system from Eagle's Nest Outfitters.  it allows me to get off the ground, be out of the weather and bugs if necessary, is quick to put up (only need two trees), and very light weight. if I want to go high, and spot mulies from a high ridge, all I need is a flat spot, and the rain fly can be used as a bivvy cover.  Here in northern CA for our deer season, it's August, and usually hotter than blazes.  The nicest thing with this is it allows me to sit comfortably, and put my boots on, just like a chair would.  I'm too long in the tooth to enjoy sleeping on the ground any more!

[Gatekeeper]

For long extended trips and if you don’t have to pack it in or if you are using pack animals go with canvas. If you are backpacking it in, go with nylon and take a tarp for shelter outside of the tent during bad weather. My experience has been that tents are for getting out of bad weather to sleep and to help keep my gear dry. If backpacking is your goal, get a tent that has a vestibule to hold your gear.

I have The Northface  Firefly, a 2 person three season tent and Kelty’s Lite House a 1 person four season tent. I am an ounce counter so I look for the lightest equipment that I can get when backpacking and try to keep my total equipment and supply weight below 1/4 of my body weight. This helps make the trip more enjoyable for me. The rule I have used is “if I don’t use it at least once a day then its something (weight) I probably can do without.” Of course this does not include a first-aid kit.

Hope this helps.

[John 4]

I have a couple of both nylon and canvas tents.
What it comes down to for me is if I have to carry one.
If I'm camped at the lake an working out the back of my truck, I will always take a canvas tent as they are warmer.
If I'm back packing in,I take a small nylon tent.
I know it won't be quite as warm as canvas but it won't wheigh 30lb either.
As to which will handle harsh weather conditions best,I couldn't really say ,"but I've been out in some pretty mean conditions in both an I'm still here to tell about it.

[Brian Krebs]

there is something special about canvas; maybe its the number of nights spent in subzero temps in one.
 But I have to say that the Cabelas deluxe alaknak II -- is a fantastic tent. I have the 12x12; it would take a stout horse to carry it; but with a woodstove and floor; and walls; and tough poles and a plastic window in the roof to watch the stars... and vents to help keep it cool; and fold down drink etc holders; and standing room... man...its a great way to be spoiled  
 Snow falls off its steep top; and rain doesn't come through if you bump the ceiling. I like it.
  I do think Angus has the ticket for hunting over big areas; a fly camp is a fantastic way to watch around you all hours of light; and that helps your hunting.
 Canvas has a good feeling of security; nylon can beat the rain; its a sit-e-ation-el deal  

[Sawtooth]

Scioto,

A couple of questions...

How and where do you anticipate hunting?  

How do you travel while hunting...truck camp, horse packing, backpacking?

[Bill Shepard]

I use a 14X16 canvas tent.  It has all the creature comforts, floor, wood stove etc.  But, it is heavy.  You definitely won't pack it in anywhere.  But, it has proven to be very durable and the guys at Davis Tent are great to work with.

This was our setup for last spring's turkey hunt in South Dakota.