Rant: My old canvas tent from a yard sale in Bend is still better than any modern nylon one

I bought a heavy canvas tent for $40 at a yard sale in Bend three years ago. Everyone told me to get a lightweight nylon tent instead, but I took it on a trip last week near Crater Lake. We had a sudden hailstorm, and that thick canvas was completely silent inside, while my friend's fancy tent sounded like a drum solo. It's bulky, but the comfort is worth the extra weight in my pack. Has anyone else stuck with older gear that just works better for them?

2 comments

2 Comments

graytorres2mo ago

Seriously, wax that canvas. Game changer.

emery182mo ago

That's a fair point about the quiet factor, canvas is great for that. The weight and bulk would be a deal breaker for me on any real hike though. Setting up a wet canvas tent is a miserable, heavy chore compared to modern materials that dry fast and pack small. For car camping, sure, but I'd never go back for backpacking.