A well set up and well maintained canvas wall tent can last decades, and this guide brings together setup tips, sizing advice, maintenance checklists, and safety notes from years of hunting camps and outfitter use. First published in 2002 and refined since, it is an experience based resource covering setup, frames, flies, stove safety, snow loads, and long term care. You may see parts of this guide quoted on other sites, but the most current version lives here. It is written from field experience and from years of insights shared by others who have lived in canvas wall tents, so you are getting tested advice, not recycled information.
Information in this info guide is protected under federal copyright regulations.
Table of Contents - Click the + for links to each guide.
Buying Guides
Setup and Frame Guides
Material and Fabric Guides
Heating, Weather, and Winter Use
Maintenance and Long-Term Use
Transport, Accessories, and Field Use
Ready to find your perfect tent?
Quick Comparison Charts
Open the charts below for a fast side by side view of standard features and pricing by size.
- Standard features chart compares what is included by default.
- Price chart compares tent only pricing by size.
Standard Features Compared
Summary of common standard features for quick side by side comparison.
| Standard Features |
Wilderness |
Davis |
WhiteDuck |
Big Sky |
Reliable |
Kwik Kamp |
Rainier |
| Free Standard Shipping |
YES |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
| Back Door or Back Window |
YES |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
| Eave Webbing and D Rings |
YES |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
| Double Ridge Canvas |
YES |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
| Door Storm Flap |
YES |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Price Comparison by Size
Tent only pricing by size. Wilderness pricing includes free shipping.
| Brand |
8x10 |
10x12 |
12x14 |
14x16 |
16x20 |
16x24 |
| Wilderness |
$850Free S&H
|
$900Free S&H
|
$1150Free S&H
|
$1450Free S&H
|
$1800Free S&H
|
$2000Free S&H
|
| Davis |
NA |
$1243 |
$1525 |
$1802 |
$2184 |
$2563 |
| Big Sky |
$1170 |
$1265 |
$1375 |
$1695 |
$1975 |
NA |
| Reliable |
$876 |
$1095 |
$1335 |
$1650 |
$2035 |
NA |
| Kwik Kamp |
$855 |
$1072 |
$1314 |
$1585 |
$1997 |
$2289 |
| Rainier |
NA |
$1410 |
$1819 |
NA |
$2251 |
NA |
| WhiteDuck |
With Frame |
With Frame |
With Frame |
With Frame |
With Frame |
With Frame |
Notes: Some competitor listings use nearest size equivalents. Use this as a quick reference, then verify exact specs on each product page.
Guide Topics
-
Canvas Tent Introduction - Learn the basics of canvas tents and what separates them from synthetic shelters.
-
Accessories for Canvas Tents - See which accessories improve comfort, safety, and performance in camp.
-
Army Duck Double Fill Canvas - Understand what Army Duck is, why double fill matters, and how it affects strength.
-
Conduit Usage Chart - Learn how to match conduit sizes to your internal frame plans.
-
Fly Advantages - See how a fly protects your tent and improves long term durability.
-
Floors - Learn the available floor options and how each one affects comfort and weather control.
-
Frames Cost - Get a simple breakdown of frame pricing and what drives the total.
-
Frames for Canvas Tents - Learn the frame styles available and how to choose the right setup.
-
Frame Information and Recommendations - See how different frame designs work and which one fits your needs.
-
Frame Types - Learn the difference between angle kits, internal frames, and lodgepole frames.
-
Lodge Pole Instructions - Get clear guidance on selecting, preparing, and setting up lodgepole frames.
-
General Information - Learn key details about canvas tents that help with selection and care.
-
How to Measure a Tent for Angle Kit - See how to measure your tent correctly so it fits the right-angle kit.
-
House Tent, Living in a Tent Permanently - Learn what to expect when using a canvas tent for long term living.
-
Maintenance Wall Tents - See the steps that help you maintain your tent and extend its life.
-
Montana Canvas Tent vs Wilderness Tent - Learn the core differences between the two brands.
-
Montana Canvas Additional Information - Useful build and fabric details for Montana Canvas.
-
Packing In on a Pack Animal - Learn how to pack and load your tent on horses or mules.
-
Platform Tents and Deck Tents - See when platform setups improve camp comfort and stability.
-
Purchase Recommendations for Canvas Tents - Learn what to look for before buying a canvas tent.
-
Recommendations Camping - Tips that improve comfort and planning on trips.
-
Ridge Height - Learn how ridge height affects headroom and heat flow.
-
Set Up Canvas Tents - See each step needed to set up your tent safely.
-
Shrinking Your Tent to Fit Your Internal Frame - Learn how to shrink a tent so it tightens on a frame.
-
Sleeping Capacity vs Tent Size - Understand how sleeping capacity relates to size and layout.
-
Spike Tent Set Up - Learn how to set up a spike tent quickly in the field.
-
Stakes for Canvas Tents - See which stakes work best for different soil and weather.
-
Stove Jack In a Canvas Tent - Learn how stove jacks work and how to choose the right placement.
-
Sunforger - Overview of Sunforger fabric and treatment.
-
Tents with Wood Stove - Learn how to pair a tent with a stove and what matters most.
-
Terminology Understanding - Understand common tent terms so you can read specs with clarity.
-
Tent Snow Loads - Learn how snow affects tent safety and how to prepare for winter trips.
-
Wall Tents versus Alaknak Tents - Differences in durability, layout, and performance.
-
Zipper Issues - Learn what causes zipper problems and how to prevent or fix them.
-
Wilderness Tent Weight & Peak Height - Guide to tent weights and peak heights.
