Practical Tent Advice

Is a cotton tent 100% waterproof?

Yes, all of our tents are 100% waterproof when set up correctly, even during a tropical rainstorm lasting for days.

All tent fabrics from CanvasCamp have undergone a special water-repellent treatment, which means the fabric repels water upon contact.

For tent fabrics that contain cotton, it is possible that a small amount of water might seep through or that the tent may feel damp during initial use. This is very normal, and we recommend soaking the tent before its first use to activate the cotton fibers. Natural cotton swells when wet and shrinks when dry, and this process will fully seal the tent fabric after the first use, making it completely waterproof and reducing condensation.

What’s the difference between the Traveller, ProTech, and Apex models?

CanvasCamp’s Traveller series is made of polycotton and is perfect for your annual camping holidays and weekends with friends or family, in any season. The design focuses on ease of use and offers excellent value for money without compromising on comfort and functionality. It has been the best-selling Sibley Bell tent in the world for 20 years.

CanvasCamp’s Pro series has been the global reference for Sibley Bell tents for 15 years. A durable and high-quality cotton family tent that offers great comfort and is suitable for some professional use. The design focuses on comfort, style, and versatility. The Pro, made from 100% cotton, strikes the perfect balance between durability and comfort. Comfortable/glamorous camping is now the standard in over 110 countries.

The Apex series was developed with a focus on durability, versatility, and functionality, without compromising on comfort. The tents from the Apex series are made from technical cotton and are perfect for long-term setups, events, and intense professional use. With 20 years of R&D behind them, they are the most durable cotton or polycotton tents we know. Designed for heavy use, everywhere and anytime. Equipped with all possible options and functionalities. The best of the best.

Tent Color Advice?

A white or sand-colored tent provides a completely different feel and experience compared to a colored tent.

Advantages of a white tent:

Comfortable even on hot summer days
Extremely pleasant spatial experience
Colorfast
Very wide selection
Stylish and romantic experience

Disadvantages:

Dirt, such as bird droppings, is more visible.

Advantages of a colored tent:

Darker, which is better for light sleepers
Stains are less visible
Blends better into nature and fits with the style of bushcraft and youth organizations

Disadvantages:

Remarkably warmer than the sand-colored model
Color fading
Less variety

Do I need a building permit to set up a glamping tent?

Usually not. However, requirements for a building permit for setting up a glamping tent depend on local regulations and jurisdiction. In some countries/regions, a building permit may be required. It’s important to check with local authorities, such as the municipal or provincial planning department, whether a building permit is needed to set up a glamping tent on your property.

Do I need to place my tent on a wooden platform?

No, it’s not necessary unless the ground where you want to place the tent is not completely flat. If the ground isn’t fully level, you can choose to level it with sand. The groundsheet of our glamping tents is heavy, comfortable, and 100% waterproof, providing good protection even without a platform.

Cheap and creative alternative for the platform look?

You can dig a small trench around your tent, approximately 15 cm wide and 10 cm deep, and fill it with river stones. This way, you can save thousands of euros and give your tent the appearance of a natural platform without the cost of a wooden construction.

What size should my platform be?

The required platform area for your tent depends on the size of your tent and whether or not you use guy poles.

If you use guy poles, the guy rope distance can be reduced to the absolute minimum; about 30 to 60 cm depending on the size of your tent.
If you don’t use guy poles, the distance should be about 90 to 160 cm depending on the size of your tent.
For more information, check our blog: How to Build a Tent Platform.

Which fly/double roof should I choose?

Using a fly over your tent keeps it clean and greatly extends the lifespan of your tent.

The Nylon Fly acts as a temporary double roof for your tent and provides extra protection against dirt and rain. Camping under trees or want to keep the tent dry? Our Nylon Fly is perfect! Lightweight and 100% waterproof, it keeps your tent in top condition.
The UV Fly provides permanent sun protection for your tent. If your tent is exposed to strong sunlight or tends to get too hot inside, the UV Fly is an excellent solution to keep it cooler and more comfortable.
The All Purpose Fly is made of Military Grade 420 g/m² polycotton and serves as a permanent double roof for your tent. Best protection in all weather conditions and against all elements.

All Fly’s can also be used as an open shade structure without the tent.

Which tarps/helter should I choose?

The right tarp for your specific situation is best determined by the intended purpose.

The Classic Shelter series is ideal for use with your tent, on the campsite, or in your garden to provide protection from sun, wind, and rain. It can also be used as a portable, cost-effective alternative to a conventional tent when backpacking. Multifunctional uses.
The All Purpose series is suitable for diverse and heavy use. Be aware, due to the weight and strength of the tarp, larger sizes are not suitable for regular camping trips. Choose strong poles for proper setup.

Should I remove the guy lines when storing my tent?

Ideally, yes. We highly recommend removing the guy lines when you break down and store your tent. If they are wet, make sure to dry them before storing them in a separate bag, away from the tent fabric.

Why? Guy lines typically dry slower than the tent fabric. If they are still wet when you pack up the tent, they may leave light-colored stains on the fabric or cause mold. These stains don’t affect the quality of your tent, but it would be a shame to have stains on such a beautiful tent. Additionally, the guy lines can get tangled, making storage more difficult.

Can I use my tent in tropical areas?

Absolutely! CanvasCamp tents are perfect for tropical regions. We highly recommend the Apex models, made from our Tentex C30 fabric. This high-quality, durable poly-cotton canvas, developed in Europe, is ideal for heavy use in all weather conditions and seasons. It performs exceptionally well in both warm and humid environments thanks to its enhanced resistance to UV and mold.

What is the lifespan of my CanvasCamp tent?

The lifespan of your tent depends on various factors, including usage patterns, setup duration, climate, exposure to UV rays, and the types of mold and bacteria it may encounter.

Do CanvasCamp tents come with sanitation facilities?

Our tents do not come with sanitation facilities. However, our team is available to provide advice and recommendations for the most suitable sanitation solutions for your specific project. Whether you need help with mobile toilets, shower facilities, or other sanitation options, feel free to reach out to us.

Can I install electricity and utilities in the glamping tent?

Yes, all our tents can be equipped with electricity.

For the Sibley 520, 620, and 720 tents, an optional technical panel is available. This panel fits into the side windows of your Bell tent and is designed to route cables and connectors, allowing you to install lighting, air conditioning, and other electrical devices in your glamping tent for added comfort.

What is the ‘Central Pole Safety System’?

In cases of excessive load, the central pole serves as a protective feature. It is designed to bend before the tent fabric tears. Without this feature, the forces could cause damage to the tent elsewhere, often resulting in damage to the fabric. It’s much easier and cheaper to replace a central pole than to repair a torn tent.

The central pole never bends on its own. When perfectly vertical and the tent is tightly pitched, it has a huge load capacity. The pole will bend in protection of the tent when certain factors occur:

The pole is not perfectly vertical.
The tent is not set up tightly enough, causing uneven distribution of forces.
One or more pegs have come loose.
Snow load. While our tents are designed to withstand a lot, heavy snowfalls in a short period require extra care. A layer of 5-10 cm of snow on the roof of a Sibley 500 series tent can weigh between 300 to 600 kg (depending on snow type). Be sure to clear snow off the roof promptly, or be present during snowfalls.

Snowload on Canvas Tents

Can I use my CanvasCamp glamping tent year-round?

Yes, you can use your tent throughout the year. However, if you plan to leave it unused for a long time, we recommend taking it down to help preserve its quality.

Is my tent a 4-season tent?

As the name suggests, a 4-season tent can be used in all four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. A "4-season" tent means you can use it year-round for camping. It’s made from durable materials, strong enough to withstand rain, snow, and UV exposure in any season.

However, this doesn't mean it can be set up permanently for four consecutive seasons. If you want to leave your tent up all year round or use it for multiple years, other factors need to be considered. For long-term use, we highly recommend the Apex models, made from our Tentex TC30 fabric. This high-quality, durable poly-cotton canvas is designed for intensive use in all weather conditions and seasons. Regular maintenance, such as cleaning and proper storage, is essential to keep your tent in good condition.

Sibley Bell Tent Instructional Set up

Can the tents be customized with my logo?

Yes, definitely! You can have your tents personalized with your logo, provided the order meets the minimum quantity requirement (50 units for most models). Contact us at info@canvascamp.com for more information on prices, fabric options, colors, customization options, and delivery times. We're happy to help you create tents that align perfectly with your branding needs!

Custom production?

If you're looking for a trusted manufacturer with over 20 years of specialized experience in producing cotton and poly-cotton tents, look no further. Our experts will work to bring your product to life with input from our designers, thorough testing, prototyping, and a proven quality management system.

Whatever your needs, our dedicated sales team is here to assist. Contact us today for more information.

How do I set up a tent properly?

Proper tent setup is crucial for longevity. Specific setup instructions for each tent can be found on the product pages. However, here are some general guidelines for setting up your tent:

Set up the tent on a firm, flat surface.
Ensure the poles are vertical and centered, and that the pole feet are securely in place.
Peg down the tent firmly, aligning the pegs with the seams.
Tighten the guy lines so the fabric is taut and evenly stretched. As the tent settles, it's advisable to periodically tighten the guy lines. A tight tent is a sturdy tent.

How do I store my tent safely?

Mold, mice, and mites pose the greatest risks to tents in storage. Follow our storage guidelines to properly protect your tent when not in use:

Never pack away a wet tent! Make sure your tent, groundsheet, and guy lines are completely dry before storing. If it's not possible to dry the tent fully before storage, unfold it for transport and let it dry completely within 48 hours. If drying outdoors isn't possible, ensure the tent dries indoors before packing.
Store your tent neatly. Vegetation and dirt can trap moisture, leading to mold. Clean both the inside and outside of the tent thoroughly before folding it.
Zipper all doors, windows, and the groundsheet before packing the tent. This makes folding easier and ensures a smoother setup next time.
Always make sure you've retrieved all tent pegs before breaking down your tent. Not just for your own sake (so you don’t run out next time), but also to avoid leaving them behind for animals or others to find.
Store the tent parts in their proper bags. This prevents dirt from transferring onto the fabric and makes it easier to find the right part when setting up again.
We recommend storing the guy lines separately as they tend to dry slower than the fabric. Wet guy lines can leave light-colored stains on the fabric, and they can also get tangled, making storage more difficult.
Store your tent in the provided canvas storage bag. Since cotton is breathable, this is the best option for packing away your tent. Make sure the bag is zipped up properly to prevent insects from getting in.
Keep the tent off the floor in a cool, dry place. Avoid storing it in damp basements or garages, or anywhere that could be prone to flooding or pooling water.
For long-term storage, especially if mice or insects are a concern, consider storing the tent in a large, clean plastic storage box with a tightly fitting lid.

How to clean, re-treat, and store cotton and poly-cotton tent fabric?

Regular cleaning and re-treatment of your tent will extend its lifespan and is an essential part of maintenance.

Repairs and Spare Parts?

At CanvasCamp, we stand behind the principle of repairing instead of replacing or returning – an ethos essential to preserving our planet. With proper maintenance and correct setup, a CanvasCamp tent can last for years without needing repairs.

Minor damages, such as small tears or holes caused by pets, equipment, furniture, or environmental factors, can often be easily repaired with needle and thread or a patch. These are typically DIY repairs. For situations requiring professional repair, we can refer you to a reliable repair shop.

Many replacement parts are available in our webshop. If you cannot find the part you need, feel free to contact us. We may have it in stock and would be happy to assist you.

Does your tent need repair? Send us an email with a few photos, and we will work with you to find the best solution for your specific situation.

Cotton CanvasCamp Tents vs. Cheaper PU-Coated Cotton Tents?

In recent years, the market has been flooded with cotton tents that have been PU-coated to make them waterproof. This is a cheap way to waterproof a cotton tent but eliminates the benefits of breathable cotton since the fabric has been plasticized. It is also a poor waterproofing method as it is prone to cracking, discoloration, and UV damage. PU-coated tents are difficult to repair and cannot be retreated. The PU coating degrades so quickly that your tent will become useless in no time, yet it will persist in a landfill for a long time.

PU coating is a layer of plastic that negatively affects the natural look and feel of the tent. PU-coated tents prevent the canvas underneath from breathing, leading to condensation on the inside.

CanvasCamp tents are impregnated to be both breathable and waterproof without PU coatings. Our cotton tents are waterproof, breathable, repairable, and reusable. When shopping for a cotton tent, pay attention to fabric weight, chemical treatments, and construction quality.

Do not buy a PU-coated tent for camping, and certainly not for glamping.

Why does CanvasCamp use such heavy ground sheets?

More than 60% of the humidity in a tent comes from the ground unless a vapor barrier is present. That’s why all CanvasCamp camping tents have a PVC bathtub floor. This means that the PVC floor extends 15 cm up the tent’s sidewalls, creating a waterproof "bathtub" that keeps you dry.

This is not a “tarp” floor like the ones found in 95% of non-CanvasCamp tents; our floors are extremely thick with an almost rubber-like texture.

You can place carpets, bean bags, luggage, mattresses, etc., directly on the groundsheet. These will not absorb moisture, even if your campsite is 10 cm underwater.

Our ripstop PVC floors are resistant to virtually all terrain conditions, puncture- and tear-proof, and designed for years of use.

Which tent pegs should I use?

Proper tent setup requires well-chosen tent pegs. The pegs included with our tents are excellent for most purposes, but different ground conditions may require specialized pegs or placements. CanvasCamp recommends the following tent pegs and stakes for different terrains:

Soft or loose ground (such as grassy fields or sand): Use wooden or plastic pegs. These offer good grip in softer soils. Wooden pegs are light and durable, while plastic pegs are convenient because they do not rust.
Sand or snow: Use shovel pegs or ground anchors. These have a broad surface that helps secure them in loose or snowy soils, providing better grip than standard metal pegs.
Rocky or frozen ground: Use steel pegs or "Tarzan" pegs (large, sturdy nails). In hard, rocky, or frozen soils, these pegs provide the most strength and stability. They can be easily installed and removed with a claw hammer.
Hard or clay soil: Long metal pegs work best, such as steel pegs or spiral pegs. These anchor well in hard ground and keep your tent firmly in place, even in dense or compacted soil.
Muddy or swampy ground: Use large spiral or auger pegs (with a "screw" shape instead of a straight pin). These provide extra grip in soft or muddy conditions.

Choosing the right stake is crucial for your tent’s stability, especially in extreme weather conditions.

Can I dye or paint my cotton tent?

Paint and dyes can affect the treatment of the canvas and are not covered under warranty.

That said, we understand that many of you are creative artists and see a canvas tent as a blank slate. Here are some tips:

Use matte, latex exterior paint diluted with 1/3 water. Two layers of diluted paint should remain flexible with the canvas. More layers may cause the canvas to crack. If you want to paint over an existing layer, use thinner paint. Always test the paint on a small piece of canvas first to see how it absorbs and how the color develops after drying. If the canvas becomes too stiff, dilute the paint a little more.

We’d love to see photos of your creation!

Lightning danger in a tent?

Lightning strikes are random, and it’s reassuring to know that tent poles don’t increase the risk of being struck. For a tent to be hit, lightning must already be striking nearby. Lightning typically targets higher points like mountaintops, trees, and masts, not smaller objects like tents.

If you're camping in an area prone to lightning, choose a low-lying spot away from high points. Also, keep in mind that floods are a greater risk than lightning. If you're the tallest object around, seek shelter in a car.

Is the Sibley Bell tent wind resistant?

Sibley Bell tents are an excellent choice for camping in windy conditions. Unlike most traditional tents, their unique shape makes them naturally resistant to strong winds and gusts up to 75 km/h.

The aerodynamic cone shape of our Sibley Bell tents allows them to handle more wind and snow than most other camping structures. When properly pitched, the conical roof and round walls direct the wind away.

However, there’s one important rule: the larger the tent, the less wind-resistant it becomes. A 700 or 800 series tent should not be left unattended in stormy weather.

Tip: In stormy conditions, your tent will be more stable if the door faces away from the wind.

Every year, dozens of CanvasCamp tents are used at the Burning Man festival in Nevada, where wind and dust storms are common. These storms have little effect on a well-pitched Sibley tent, while other tents often blow away.

Keep in mind that shelters, canopies, tarps, non-conical sails, and tents don’t handle high winds as well. A large flat canvas acts like a sail on a ship. Always use common sense and caution, and feel free to contact us with any questions.

Snow?

Snowflakes are a well-known metaphor for "uniqueness" because no two are alike. Each flake contains about 10 trillion water molecules that expand and bind together in an infinite range of patterns as they fall.

Due to snow’s variety, it is impossible to create exact rules on how much snow a tent can handle. For example, 25 liters of dry snow weighs about 5 kg, whereas the same volume of heavy, wet, or wind-packed snow can weigh more than 15 kg. A 40-square-meter canvas with just 5 cm of average-density snow can add 800 kg of weight to a tent.

Reducing snow accumulation in winter conditions

To minimize snow buildup in winter conditions, CanvasCamp recommends using a tent stove to heat the tent, which helps fresh snow melt off the canvas. In heavy snowfall, where accumulation exceeds the melting rate, a car scraper with a soft brush can be used to periodically brush snow off the canvas. Alternatively, gently tapping the snow from the inside allows it to slide down the slope of the canvas and off the tent.

Mold prevention?

Mold is the biggest threat to cotton and polycotton tents.

Our canvas tents are treated to enhance resistance to rain, UV rays, and mold. The products used for these treatments are biodegradable, meaning that the protective layer on the cotton fibers gradually breaks down due to environmental factors such as humidity, UV exposure, airborne vegetation particles, and mold spores. As a result, susceptibility to mold increases over time.

For occasional campers or glampers, following the cleaning and re-treatment instructions is sufficient. Always ensure your tent and all accessories are completely dry before storing them. This is the only way to prevent mold.

Detailed cleaning, re-treatment, and storage instructions can be found in the FAQ and on our blog.

If you set up your tent for an extended period or use it as shelter, that’s great! As a nature enthusiast, you value high-quality gear. Here’s everything you need to know to prevent mold growth:

Regularly inspect your tent for mold (a good time is when tightening the guy lines).
Quickly remove dirt such as dead leaves, insects, bird droppings, etc.
Set up your tent in an open area and prevent vegetation from growing against it.
Ensure adequate ventilation. Open vents, windows, doors, and even roll-up walls to let fresh air circulate.
Clean and re-treat your tent according to environmental exposure.

Mold is everywhere and can affect anyone, but being informed helps:

Identify it: Mold appears in various forms and colors, usually as small black, blue, or green spots on the canvas.
Clean it: Use CanvasCare Stain Remover.

Some cleaning methods and products can permanently damage your tent. Never use a pressure washer, washing machine, bleach, all-purpose cleaners, detergent, or dish soap.