Buying Guide

Canvas Fabric Weights & Treatments

A canvas tent’s quality depends on fabric weight, yarn strength, weave, and treatment. CanvasCamp exclusively uses high-grade, long-fiber cotton for superior durability and breathability, ensuring top performance in all conditions.

Fabric Weights
Canvas is measured in grams per square meter (g/m²). Most tent fabrics range from 250 g/m² to 440 g/m²:

• Lightweight (250–320 g/m²): Easier to carry, quicker to dry—ideal for short trips and mild weather.
• Heavyweight (320–440 g/m²): More durable, slower to dry, better for semi-permanent setups or extreme conditions.

CanvasCamp tents range from 285 g/m² to 340 g/m² (excluding our event tents, which are much thicker), offering the right balance of weight and durability:

• Classic (Ultimate) Canvas (285 g/m²): Perfect for casual camping in mild climates.
• ProTech Canvas (320 g/m²): Designed for extended use and commercial applications.
• Tentex 28 Canvas (285 g/m²): A 50/50 cotton-poly blend for enhanced durability in challenging environments.
• Tentex 36 Canvas (300 g/m²): A heavier 50/50 cotton-poly blend for even greater performance, specifically designed for long-term setups.

Our tents undergo a thermal bath and heat-curing impregnation process, ensuring even protection inside and out—without relying on PU coatings or surface sprays. This proprietary treatment maintains breathability and durability while minimizing harmful chemicals.

4-Season Tents

All of CanvasCamp's tents are 4-season. The term “4-season” implies that the tents are designed to last, which is achieved with a quality canvas and enhanced UV and mold protection. In addition, the design of the pole system also plays a crucial role in 4-season tent performance—read about it here.

However, “4-season” should not be misconstrued as insulated nor that it can withstand extreme weather events including, snow; it is the responsibility of the customer to practice care in the great outdoors. 

 
Cotton Canvas vs. PU-Coated Canvas
Many bell tents on the market use PU (polyurethane) coatings for waterproofing. While cost-effective, PU coatings block breathability, leading to:

• Condensation buildup (hello, damp sleeping bags).
• Cracking and UV degradation (goodbye, longevity).
• Non-biodegradable waste (landfill, here we come).
• PU-coated tents are also difficult to repair and can’t be retreated when their coating wears off.

CanvasCamp Difference: Our tents are waterproof, breathable, repairable, and reusable—without PU coatings. When choosing a canvas tent, look beyond marketing hype and pay attention to fabric weight, chemical treatments, and construction quality.

Bottom line: Avoid PU-coated tents!

Fire-Resistant Fabrics: What You Need to Know

No canvas tent is fireproof, no matter what marketing claims suggest. Fire resistance is not a substitute for responsible fire safety.

The term "fireproof" is misleading—every material burns under the right conditions. Fire-resistant fabrics slow ignition and reduce flame spread but do not eliminate fire risk.

Fire Safety Standards
Fire resistance in canvas tents is measured by two key tests—both of which CanvasCamp tents 'pass':

1. The Cigarette Test (basic industry standard): fabric must not ignite, smolder, or spread when exposed to a lit cigarette. A hot ember may burn a hole but won’t cause the tent to catch fire. This is the minimum safety standard for most reputable canvas tents.
2. The Open Flame Test (most stringent test): Fabric is exposed to an open flame for 12 seconds in a controlled environment. To pass, it must self-extinguish quickly and limit damage to a defined area (~6 inches for heavyweight canvas).

Important: Fire-resistant fabrics still burn, just at a slower rate!

CanvasCamp Fire-Rated Tents
Our fire-rated tents use only non-toxic fire-resistant treatments that are safe for people and the environment. We refuse to compromise on safety or sustainability—every product we make meets the highest standards for responsible outdoor use. 

Using a Tent Stove? Read This.

CanvasCamp only sells portable and glamping stoves—no gimmicks, just high-performance heating solutions designed for real-world use.

If you’re using a non-fire-rated CanvasCamp tent with a high-heat stove (especially one we don’t sell), you can apply a non-toxic fire retardant for extra protection. 

And remember, regardless of fire ratings, fire safety is always your responsibility—so always practice vigilence when operating your stove.

For installation, operation, maintenance, and safety tips when running your tent stove, check out our Tent Stove Buyer's guide.

Portable Stoves

We exclusively sell portable stoves with large fireboxes because small and medium stoves aren’t practical for North America. They require constant refueling and often use non-standard firewood sizes, making them inefficient and frustrating in the field.

All of our portable stoves are high-efficiency models, best suited for tent sizes up to 600 (square feet). Every portable stove we offer is vented vertically for optimal draft and heat distribution.

Glamping Stoves

Our glamping stoves feature larger fireboxes, meaning higher efficiency, longer burn times, and better heat output. They also offer greater ambiance, making them a centerpiece in any luxury outdoor setup. Unlike portable stoves, they provide added flexibility—they can be vented vertically (through the roof) or horizontally (through a window), depending on your tent configuration.

Tub Floors and Ground Covers

Over 60% of humidity in a tent comes from the ground. A tent with a tub floor, like our Deluxe, Ultimate, Pro, or ProTech series, is ideal for damp conditions.

• Tub Floors: Made from thick, ripstop PVC that extends 10 cm up the walls, creating a waterproof barrier. These are highly durable and resistant to punctures and tears.
• Standard Series: Features a loose oxford polyethylene ground cover, ideal for dry climates or high-traffic areas. Traditionally, this design allows for enhanced ventilation and easier maintenance.