The material of your tent is, by far, one of the most crucial features you’ll need to decide on as it affects your comfort, protection, time, and pretty much every other aspect of your stay.

Although tents made from synthetic materials (such as polyester or nylon) are more popular thanks to their affordability and convenience, many camping enthusiasts recommend investing in canvas tents instead.

But are canvas tents worth it? The following list of pros that will answer your question.

  1. Canvas Tents Are Built To Last

We’ve all heard it before while shopping for a camping tent from just about every tent brand out there; “our tent is so durable, it’ll serve you for years!” or something along those lines.

All manufacturers say that because they know how important it is for a camping tent to be sturdy and long-lasting.

While synthetic materials can offer good durability for a camping tent, canvas material is on a whole other level. Canvas is a lot thicker and denser than polyester or nylon, which means it’s much tougher and more resistant to wear and tear.

As such, canvas tents are the more durable option. A well-maintained canvas tent can perform well for decades before it’s compromised beyond saving.

  1. Canvas Material Is More Repairable

Canvas tents are evidently heavy-duty, but this doesn’t mean they’re invincible.

With repeated use and exposure to weather elements and sharp objects outdoors, the wear and tear are bound to take a toll on any tent causing it to rip. Normally, this would be the worst news for a polyester or nylon tent owner, but not if your tent is canvas material.

One of the biggest issues in polyester and nylon tests is that they’re difficult to repair in case of a couple of rips. You may even have to leave the camp and go back home because of the reduced protection.

This isn’t nearly as much of a problem with canvas tents because they’re a lot easier to patch up using another piece of canvas and some waterproof sealant.

Canvas tents can also sustain more repair jobs, which plays a huge role in their better longevity.

  1. Canvas Keeps You Cooler In The Summer And Warmer In The Winter

One of the things that we miss the most when we stay outdoors away from home is insulation.

Our homes are built with insulation to make sure the temperature outside doesn’t affect us too much. In this aspect, canvas tents tend to be superior to polyester or nylon tents.

Thanks to their thicker material, canvas tents are more effective in blocking the heat from the sun as well as preventing warmth from escaping the tent.

This results in a temperature inside the tent that’s cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

Even if you leave your tent for a long time under sunlight that it’s bound to heat up inside, it’ll take longer for that to happen if it’s made from canvas.

  1. Breathable Canvas Helps Prevent Condensation Problems

If you’re staying inside a tent that’s poorly ventilated and it’s humid outside, there’s a possibility you’ll soon be sitting in a musty or clammy cloud.

The culprit behind this is condensation, which can turn your home away from home into a smelly, stuffy place that you can’t wait to get out from. This issue often happens in polyester or nylon tents with inadequate ventilation as the synthetic material itself is not breathable.

On the other hand, cotton canvas tents are more breathable. So even if the ventilation isn’t ideal in the tent, the material can help alleviate the condensation to a less unpleasant level.

  1. Lighter Colored Canvas Material Allows Sunlight To Come Through In The Morning

When you’re camping outdoors, one of the reasons you’re there is to enjoy what nature has to offer. The fresh air, the sounds, and of course, the sunlight.

So imagine how bumped you’d be when your tent doesn’t let sunlight inside your tent. Not only won’t you be able to see very well unless you use another light source, but it’s also downright depressing!

If that doesn’t bother you, then to each their own. However, if you’re one of the many campers who like to illuminate the interior of their tents with morning sunlight, stick to lighter-colored canvas material instead of the commonly dark-colored synthetic materials.

The reverse also holds true. If you’re a late riser, be wary of light-colored tents.