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We had been poised to purchase a synthetic tent - still awaiting price-match confirmation from gooutdoors on a Vango Vail since last week - but this thread has made us think again about the canvas tent we already have.

We were going to buy the Vango Vail because of it's similarities to a traditional canvas frame tent but, after reading a recent report of scarey pitching times on another thread and then this eloquent reminder of why we have always liked canvas, we are having a re-think. 

We bought a new-but-never-used Cabanon large frame tent recently and then found it had a small hole in the roof, but had it professionally repaired last week. I suspect it might have been a bit more problematic having a synthetic tent repaired? Also, we feel it could do with a bit more ventilation and so are thinking of having a couple of zips added to make a panel which can be raised (Tent Valeting Services, in Bolton, can do anything!) Would a synthetic tent be so adaptable?

We have decided to stick to canvas. Are we boring old farts?.......

As mentioned earlier we love our frame. When we first ot in and emptied the sacks of poles on the grass me and hubby looked at each other in horror. Our poles are spring linked and we now know what we are doing so can be fully erected in an hour including pegging, groundsheets and inners etc.  I reckon lots of nylon campers think that frame tents are hard work to put up. I have to admit the only reason I wont take our Montpellier away without hubby is because I cannot physically lift the canvas onto the frame - but this tent is huge.  With the 2 of us its no problem and I am more confident that I would be able to erect a smaller frame tent alone than I am puttin up our Khyam or 3 man Relum Dome - which I can never get lined up with the bendy poles!!

Thanks to those of you telling me about your tents for sale but hubby has banned me from purchasing anymore until I sold some of my current collection first!!!! We are also saving for a trailer.  Looks like it will be next summer before I can indulges myself in some more canvas.

I had a frame tent first, for 10 years, and  I agree that there are lots of advantages in terms of ventilation, the lovely smell, size and height and being able to cook inside. However, we needed a trailer etc as it was bulky. So when I became single again and had no car in the late 80s, the advent of small, portable but reliable synthetic tents was great for me and was the only way I could continue camping.

The trend for synthetic tents getting bigger and stronger ( and therefore heavier) is quite noticeable, and it is hardly surprising that manufacturers appear to be trying out ALL the various combinations of fabric types with pole types, in view of the expanding market. Hence we now have the Outwell "Lake" range with polycotton flysheet and alloy poles. I am a huge fan of alloy poles due to their unbeatable combination of strength to weight- this influenced our choice of Vango Quest 600 last year.

At the end of the day it is all about market forces; retailers are businesses not charities. The camping market is going through a massive and rapid expansion, and my hunch is there is enough custom to support both the cheaper mass production of synthetic tents and the more specialised niches of serious mountain-type camping AND traditional cotton/steel compositions.  So I reckon there will ALWAYS be a market for frame tents, for all the reasons stated, but there will always be some campers for whom the frame tent is not an option, whether because of bulk/transport issues or budget.

Quote: Originally posted by emvid1 on 25/6/2006

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Iam currently keeping my eyes open for a SH Cabanon Elzas or something of similar size.

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There is one on ebay, £50 at the mo with 6 days to go.

I have just noticed that Milofitz, who started off this thread, has a Cabanon Aruba, Mallard 5 and Monty 6. So, come on Milofitz, what are your own views and experiences about this? Does the Monty make you feel like ditching the Aruba and, if so, why? Do Wynnster and Outwell have the edge on Cabanon? 

Our first tent was a canvas frame, fab tent , loved it, but sold it when we got a caravan. Then got a 10 berth tunnel type with steel poles, because of the similar size to the frame , and the price was all i could afford at the time. then another caravan. recently ordered a monty6, but it's doubtful if it'll even be delivered because of blacks stock system. Just found a canvas frame tent in my local paper, so will buy that IF I ever get through to them, they're ansaphone is all i can get at the mo

I like the canvas type best, but the monty style tents are appealing to me because of the price compared to a new canvas one. the size/weight issue is not a problem for us, and the pitching time on the 6 berth frame we had was only 30mins anyway. Hubby is not keen on tent camping, he prefers the caravan, but even he admits, you do feel safer in a canvas tent.