Wall tent material recommendations in the really wet

[James]

My hunting buddies and I are finally planning on getting a big boy wall tent after years of using our cobbled together shelter.

It will be mostly used for elk hunting on the Olympic Peninsula during modern firearm season, but maybe get some use in Montana in Oct - November.

Been reading the big wall tent thread, but my big question is material.  Waxed cotton/canvas just seems like a bad idea in the rain forest.  Being waterproof enough, keeping it waterproof, getting it dry after somehow, and making sure it doesn’t rot in the offseason, etc.

It seems to me there should be some better materials by now.

So what do my rainforest friends have to say? Best wall tent material for constant downpours? Any other pro tips?

[nwmein199]

A big ass tarp over your canvas wall tent.

[birddogdad]

A big ass tarp over your canvas wall tent. my tent is 25 years old and the material you are talking about above.. used 100% in PNW weather with a big ass tarp cover.. works just fine.. The trick is drying out before long term storage...

 

[Stein]

Whatever the Cabela's Bighorn is made out of.  It's completely waterproof including the floor.  A few years ago I rolled in after dark and pitched it in a very slight depression.  It rained 2-3" and the tent was literally in the middle of a shallow pond.  I had the stove part zipped out, so I stacked firewood under the opening to keep it above waterline.  The floor looked like a waterbed but not a drop came through.  The top and sides are equally watertight with no need to be stringing tarps all over the place.

In addition to while you are in it, think about cleaning and storing it, canvas can be a huge PIA to clean and dry out to make sure mold doesn't grow.  Synthetic dries quickly, brush big chunks off, roll and store, mold pretty much never happens.

[vandeman17]

Besides a tarp, treating your canvas and making sure it is cleaned and dried well after each use, I don't have much to add. One question is, how many guys are you thinking? Kodiak canvas flexbow are super nice, each to pitch and versatile. 1-2 of those connected with a pop up canopy and you are set.

[Buzz2401]

We have three canvas wall tents ranging from 25+ years old to 3 years old.  Not one of them have ever had a tarp on them or any kind of treatment and they dont leak.  They get put up for 4-5 weeks every year typically from mid october through second weekend in November.  Keep people from touching the roof while its raining and they wont leak.

[jackelope]

Does Grunden's make a wall tent?

 

[birddogdad]

We have three canvas wall tents ranging from 25+ years old to 3 years old.  Not one of them have ever had a tarp on them or any kind of treatment and they dont leak.  They get put up for 4-5 weeks every year typically from mid october through second weekend in November.  Keep people from touching the roof while its raining and they wont leak.

i run a plastic tarp over as it really helps to shed snow.. also an exta layer of insulation keeps the metal frame and roof from snow condensation a lot better...not that the roof has ever leaked..

[JimmyHoffa]

Have used a big tarp over the top.  The tarp also lets you anchor down the tent some more.  The winds coming off the storms during that time frame can get pretty wild.  If you run your stove the whole time, there shouldn't be too much moisture (wood stove).  The wood stove dries the air inside, sometimes too much.  The little propane ones put off lots of water.

[James]

Thanks guys.


It's usually 3-5 of us and our current shelter is 10x20 with a giant tarp.

So on the material front, I see the utility of having a cheap rainfly both for another layer and to protect from embers from when it's not raining.

What I am struggling with is the mainatince of cotton and the fact it just seems like an inferior material.

Our current tarp we can get it less wet hanging it in mine or my buddies shop after and pack it away damp without issue. I am pretty sure cotton would rot before it drys out (prob sometime late spring).

Honestly if it was thicker, had better tear and UV resistance our current tarp seems like a better plan.

There has to be better options than cotton out there right? Any wall tent manufacturers making something that is easy to deal with?

[TheStovePipeKid]

(MCPS)Modular Command Post System are 11' x 11', made of PVC coated canvas and can be connected together infinitely on all four sides. I really wanted one of these but there is a lot of bulk with the frame, canvas and accessories. Should be about the same bulk as a wall tent of similar size.

[trophyhunt]

the reel lite material like what the alakanak is made of, is very nice, you can put it away wet if you had no choice and it will be fine.  Canvas is a pain in the butt to get dry to put away for the season, if you have a big barn or garage, you can hang it up and it will be fine.  But I've had both, and the alaknak is just way easier to set up and put away.  With a good stove, the heat will feel the same as if you had canvas.

[Stein]

the reel lite material like what the alakanak is made of, is very nice, you can put it away wet if you had no choice and it will be fine.  Canvas is a pain in the butt to get dry to put away for the season, if you have a big barn or garage, you can hang it up and it will be fine.  But I've had both, and the alaknak is just way easier to set up and put away.  With a good stove, the heat will feel the same as if you had canvas.

   It's basically the same argument as trying to say that cotton hunting clothes are better than synthetics if you want to stay warm and dry.

[Magnum_Willys]

This

[ghosthunter]

Well I am in the canvas tent rain fly club.

But you seem to want something different with little effort to maintain.

 If that’s what you want look at a Costco canopy. Put a stove jack in it. 10x 20.
Material is easy to maintain. If the sides don’t hit ground cut the legs off a little.we have used one for years has cook shack. You might ha e $500.00 bucks in it plus a stove.

Or

Get your self a large pvc tarp ,like the cover hay with and keep doing what you are doing now.