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Quote: Originally posted by rpgrayson on 14/6/2008

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A 'new generation' camping fanatic here. I've just got into life under canvas after the most horrendous memories in my first decade of life in the late 70s in a canvas frame tent.

Just trying to be devil's advocate, but isn't there more than a little nostalgia and 'purchase justification reflex' in this thread?

I remember helping my dad lug a huge and incredibly heavy canvas tent up, which proceeded then to blow down on me and my brother in a storm whilst my parents were in the bloody bar!!! When we got home, we then had awful time trying to dry out a sodden 20m2 of canvas in a terraced house in the British summer.

I tentatively got back into camping a few years ago on my wife's insistence, filled with dread at the prospect. I must admit that the new developments in technology came as quite a revelation to me.

Although I'm sure not as sturdy as a frame/canvas structure in the worst conditions, I've never experienced conditions, especially with Deltapegs, which threatened to blow our modern synthetic tent down on us. I've found it well designed, spacious, warm, draught-free, easy to dry, lightweight, comfortable and from my memory hugely less 'high-maintenance' than a more traditional structure.

Do all you experienced people think there are there any overwhelming reasons to stick with the older materials? Is the market dominance of synthetic construction materials simply down to cost/simplicity/ease of manufacture? Is canvas the only choice of the 'purist'?

Maybe my memories have been coloured by the storms of summer '79, but I'm a fan of modern, lightweight, cost-effective and low-maintenance designs.

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I agree with Rex. However - if you haven't got much money. Or if you are trying it out, then the less expensive polyester tents do make some sense. We bought our Outwell for £200 because we were coming back to camping in our 50s and didn't want to spend a fortune on an expensive mistake. It was an absolute bargain, and we were hooked. So we spent big dosh on a T/T.

What I don't really "get" is spending £400-£500 on a polyester tent. It will work out very expensive in its short life-time.

Alan

I have to say I consider myself an experienced camper albeit without ehu fridge heater etc. I am more a basic camper very probably because I go by motorbike and I just don't have room for luxuries (otherwise I would lol)

I've used my Kyhams in all weathers including snow and been totaly fine. I know my Kyhams are not classed as 4 season but they have served me well and kept me warm and dry in evil weather.

I have never had a problem with condensation either to be honest. Am I alone in this?

Quote: Originally posted by rexgrant on 17/6/2008

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Hi CG.
I see Kyhams are now stating their new tents are now three season, This is a leap forward for them and I hope they are successful, otherwise they will be getting a lot of claims from customers if they are not. Outwell still only recommend all their tents as two season. not sure is it Spring and Summer, or Summer and Autumn or Summer and a bit of both,
I recon for legal reasons it will be the opposite from when a customers tent get destroyed
Regards
Rex.

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Hi Rex

I didn't know that. I suppose this means they are confident in their product.

You know I really think from reading this thread that big tents are probably far superior in canvas but smaller tents like the ones I use are just as good in nylon. It has to be a stability issue which isnt something that affects smaller tents. While I consider my tent quite roomy, I know that it's diddy compared to the average forum members kit.

What do you think?

Quote: Originally posted by rpgrayson on 17/6/2008Thanks for the useful info Rex.

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What exactly does 'x season' mean? Is your tent unwarrantied after that time, or is it likely to fail in normal use? I accept your point about manufacturers wanting to increase their sales but that's very unsound environmentally.

Do you spend lots of time 'maintaining' your frame tent when back home? I'm a confirmed fair-weather camper and make no apology for that, so I don't want to experience the conditions I remember from 1979 again! I bet that storm would've put our current tent into the Atlantic Ocean!

I like the minimal maintenance aspect to synthetic materials. Is it more hassle in this respect with a canvas tent?

Best Wishes,

Rob

I wonder again if my lack of condensation is due to my dislike of SIG's?

Loads of ventilation?

I am just a hardy welsh biker lass LOL

Nos da to yourself too