Quite often than never outdoor activity enthusiasts are found struggling to keep their tents waterproof. Regardless of whether your passion is camping, hiking, or backpacking, your tent is one of the most important pieces of gear you will buy. Canvas tent is a piece of equipment with a large outlay and advantages as compared to other pieces of an outdoor activity kit.
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When considering a hobby-based outdoor activity, it is essential you make the right choice. A tent that is comfortable and protects you from harshest of conditions is what you'd want. One of the most important factors you should look for when buying a tent is the material it is made up of. Canvas is one of the most widely used materials for tents, the other being Nylon. Let's find out why canvas tents are used for waterproof outdoor activities.
To understand how waterproofing works for tents, you first need to learn the difference between waterproof, water resistant and water repellent.
Water repellent tents are generally treated with a water-repellent finish that will cause moisture to bead up and roll down the tent. So, in an event of heavy rain the moisture is likely to pool up on the tent, ultimately resulting in leakage.
That said, what can you do to fully protect yourself from heavy rain while camping? Go for a waterproof Canvas tent. Canvas tent are finished with a material that repels moisture causing it to slide without any seepage, minimizing the risks of water pooling on top or leaks coming through.
Canvas Tents by White Duck Outdoors are made with 100% cotton canvas which is waterproof and less prone to condensation. The surface tension of rain drop prevents the water to pass through the tight weave of a quality canvas. Heavy rains cause the canvas fabric to swell further tightening the weave in wet conditions. Canvas tents do not need external water proofing as the material they are made of is sufficient to deal with extreme moisture-prone weather conditions.
That being said, a brand-new canvas tent is likely to leak near the seams as they go through weathering process. When using a waterproof Canvas tent by White Duck Outdoors it is advised that you set up the tent at home prior to taking it for camping. A wet environment would cause the fiber to swell and nestle making the weaved fabric watertight. A tent of any other material is not advisable for the purpose as they tend to compromise breath ability and comfort while protecting from harsh weather conditions.
Identifying an authentic canvas tent that is waterproof could be a task considering there has been an influx of cheaper canvas in the recent years. This has led to two things- one, people have started steering away from using canvas, and second, local manufacturers have started competing by creating quality-compromised canvas products.
White Duck Outdoors has maintained its reputation as authentic canvas tent sellers without compromising on the quality. We add an additional silicone-based treatment for higher water repellency and protection against UV rays, mold and mildew. The ultra-tight weave and silicone waterproofing combine to make an excellent barrier against moisture that will not wick water. And that is the reason it is highly recommended for those of you who love camping and outdoor activities irrespective of the weather conditions.
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Things to ask about second hand cotton tents.
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To Seller. Has it been waterproofed in the past? If so, when? If more than five years ago it will probably need redone. Pitch tent, hose down, check.
Never been proofed? Pitch tent, hose down. If it doesn't leak, you're home and dry. (!) Rejoice!!!
If it does leak, give it a good soak, let it dry well then hose down again. (This is weathering/reweathering.) Does not leak? Happy days. Leave it alone. If it still leaks, then you'll need to proof it. This especially applies if the canvas is quite old and threadbare.
Other points.
Seams are the least likely places a cotton canvas tent will leak, unless they've been sewn with the wrong thread or are badly pulled. Cotton canvas is most likely to leak at a pressure point or if it gets very saturated and starts to droop in at the roof, it will leak from the accumulated puddle. Or if it's been stained with something that breaks the waterproofing, or cleaned with detergent, or soap that hasn't been rinsed out properly. Or is just getting old and thin.
It may only leak in patches. If the canvas is discoloured at these points you'll probably need to use a good cleaner before proofing. Otherwise you can probably get away with a good brush down (when dry) and sponging mud stains off.
Yes, it works by the fibres wetting and swelling up. They don't do this after proofing, relying instead on the silicon coating. If the first mechanism is still working, why go to time and expense to replace it with another that will then need redoing every few years and which takes time, effort and money? Wait untill it needs it.
Finally, modern canvas. The good brands (Cabanon, Ten Cate, Marachel etc) are as good as ever they were. There's a lot of cheaper, unbranded, lesser quality canvas around these days though. If you buy or inherit an older tent of a quality make which is also badged as to canvas, you're probably going to be lucky unless it's been neglected.
As an example of all the above, go look at the Conway TT on my profile pix. 21 years old, made of Cabanon canvas, never been cleaned with anything except brush and water, never been proofed, has never leaked a drop when pitched correctly. Been through the Great Loire Storm and several horrific monsoons...and still the best tent I own, by a long way.
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