How to Season a Canvas Tent and What Happens if You Don't!

When you get a new canvas tent you need to season it to make sure it is fully waterproof. This step-by-step video will show you how it's done and why it's important. The process isn't hard, but if you skip it you might find yourself soaking wet when it rains on your camping trip.
00:00 Why Season a Canvas Tent?
01:19 What You Need
02:04 Overview of Process
02:59 Interior Treatment
04:20 Exterior Treatment
07:21 Do's and Don'ts
08:00 Let It Dry
08:27 Review
Check out my side-by-side comparison of the Kodiak, Springbar, Teton, and White Duck canvas tents: • Best Canvas Tent? I Tr... .

[@outdoorempirecom]

So do you think you'll season your canvas tent or just let nature have its way with it?

[@countrymansdiary]

I live in the UK, we don't get 100° it's average is 65, and 55 humidity. So will canvas dry ok.

[@littlebanshee]

I don’t have a way to season my tent first (I live in the city without a yard) so unfortunately we will have to see what happens or try to water it down right when we get to camp.

[@thestrugglingoptimist2541]

​@@littlebanshee I am in a similar situation. I live in an apartment

[@kscotterable]

I didn’t do the optional seasoning step on my Classic Jack 140, some want to set up and test before the first adventure with a new tent so if doing that and have a hose nearby then quick spray once around everything is worth it, for me having not done it I did experience the light misting effect that SB says in the manual likely to experience on the first rain, it was very subtle and no one complained, it’s literally for like the first minute and then it stops once the canvas tightens up (happens instantly), so I’d say unless the slight misting bothers someone who has a specific sensitivity or if there’s gear inside that’s sensitive to slight misting like if you are using SB for glamping and have a lot of silk furniture or finished wood furniture in there, for regular camping with the sleeping bags and cots and things that were designed for mainly outdoor use I’d say the slight misting is zero concern and would be just fine to skip the optional seasoning.

[@northerniltree]

I told my wife to season our new tent, and she ended up using all our salt and pepper. I'm going to do it RIGHT this weekend!

[@outdoorempirecom]

😂 As long as she didn't waste the garlic!

[@stanbyme7874]

*asked* because you’re a good husband 🙃

[@stanbyme7874]

I’m 50/50 on watching your videos (and learning, thank you) & reading comments. You’ve got a great following. Thanks for sharing!

[@outdoorempirecom]

And thank you for watching (and reading)!

[@lisaflyrondo8065]

wow this was incredible helpful! I had no clue I could do this and help lengthen the lifespan of a tent. thank you!

[@outdoorempirecom]

You're very welcome!

[@brendafly5216]

Need to know stuff! Thanks for keeping it simple 😊

[@outdoorempirecom]

And now you know! ;)

[@jacklandismcgowan1413]

Thanks for the information. Just received my classic Jack 140. Time to season the tent. 👍😎

[@outdoorempirecom]

Glad it was helpful! And you're gonna love that Classic Jack. Mine has been fantastic.

[@doinsngoins]

Awesome thank you

[@outdoorempirecom]

You bet!

[@fly04002]

You should do a video on how to fix a punctured sprinkler line! 😂

[@outdoorempirecom]

😂Pretty sure my shoddy work on that would do more harm than good.

[@AmandaHarrison-di5rw]

thank you for this video! I just moved into a canvas hot tent with my dogs where I can't find anyone to rent to me and I did not season it. I did not know I was supposed to and was so discouraged when a heavy rain came and it leaked! This has renewed my faith and once again I am confident me and my dogs can do this.

[@outdoorempirecom]

I'm sure your dogs will follow your lead! Good luck and rememeber to focus especially on the seams. The other thing to check is that the roof is pitched right. You may need to make some adjustments with guy lines if, when it rains, ripples are forming and water is pooling up then leaking in.

[@AmandaHarrison-di5rw]

thanks. It wasnt pooling thankfully. I have it taunt. It started when the rain became very heavy in a few spots.Looking forward to more of your videos! I subscribed. @@outdoorempirecom

[@benjamincarvin8031]

Amanda get your rain fly and problem solved. Davis tent makes some

[@littlebanshee]

That’s incredibly disappointing to hear. I’d expect to expensive high quality tent to not leak even if not “seasoned” (something I think the manufacturer should take care of if needed).

[@lewisogle296]

Thank you for making this video. I've not seen anyone spraying the inside seams before. I have two Springbar tents to season and will definitely do the interior seams as well. I really love those Sprinbar tents!

[@outdoorempirecom]

Glad you found it helpful. Springbar definitely makes some great tents!

[@B-kl8vj]

Nice video. Just got the Skyliner after seeing your videos. We need some warmer weather to season it. Still need to figure out bunks(probably two disco beds) but need to understand if they will block the door or not.

[@outdoorempirecom]

Right on! One set of bunks could easily stay out of the way of the door. I think you could even get away with two bunk beds in an L configuration with one set on the back wall and the other on the end wall opposite the stove.

[@B-kl8vj]

@@outdoorempirecom Awesome, thanks.

[@littlebanshee]

This is something the company should handle, not the consumer especially if they consider their products high quality. If “seasoning” makes it more waterproof/sealed, why wouldn’t the manufacturer handle that before boxing up the product. Other than that, it looks like one of the nicest tents I’ve seen.

[@outdoorempirecom]

Fair enough. Given the labor involved I wonder how much more they'd charge for the tents to guarantee that. And to be fair, some companies say you don't need it or it's optional. And given the treatment the material goes through, I suppose it's more reassurance than anything and focuses more on the seams than the main panels. Many people just let rain fall on it when it may.

[@SuzanneWho]

Good video. Is there a water filter that can attach to the hose? And for the interior I would use distilled water. The reason I ask about the filter is knowing our hard water would leave deposits especially in the seams and zippers. Might be minute deposits but why take the chance.

[@outdoorempirecom]

Glad you liked it! Not sure about a filter for the hose. I'd probably go to Home Depot or somewhere like that and ask them.

[@josephgeorgeejr7039]

After seeing this iam thinking of using a mild electric lower temperature steamer on inside seems and outside seems then regular hose spray

[@outdoorempirecom]

Interesting idea. I imagine that'd be ok so long as it doesn't affect the silicone treatment of the canvas that most of these tents like Kodiak and others have. Might be worth an email inquiry to their customer service.

[@j.p.4541]

Great video, can you rub a waterproof wax along the seams ?

[@outdoorempirecom]

Never tried it and not sure it's necessary, but I don't see why not.

[@Gregory_Thomas]

Good video, I have a question for you? Do you do anything to season a nylon tent?

[@outdoorempirecom]

No need to season a nylon tent when they're new. Most nylon tents are treated with a waterproof coating from the factory and that may wear off offer some years of use in which case there are some nylon waterproofing sprays you can get to re-treat it.

[@Gregory_Thomas]

@@outdoorempirecom Thank you for the information. Cheers

[@100BearPaw]

I recently purchased a cowboy bedroll. I have yet to do anything with it yet. In the researching stages for care/maintenance. I can not visibly see or feel a coating. If it happens not to have anything, what then? You simply put water on it, which is what the rain would do. I get why, just not sure it wouldn’t shrink back after it dried.

[@outdoorempirecom]

That's a great question. I've never had a bedroll like that. It may or may not have been treated but I'd probably hit along any seams or stitching with a water bottle. Try and soak up the seams real well so those fibers swell up around the thread a bit. That's probably good. If you expect to sleep put in the open and want to ward off rain, you can also treat it with a silicone water resistant spray like 303 Fabric Guard. Maybe check with customer service at the manufacturer first.

[@100BearPaw]

@@outdoorempirecom thank you for your response. I emailed the company a week ago. No reply yet. Probably call this week to expedite the process. I will likely pick up some of that 303 and give it a once over after I “season it” as you mentioned. Seems like an odd thing to do, but if it works, it works. Thanks again.

[@100BearPaw]

@@outdoorempirecom I have received word. Apparently the weave is so tightly woven that it will not leak. It requires nothing they say. They further went on to say the only time an issue occurs is when someone does something to treat it, not knowing that they should not. I thought that was a bit funny. But I could see how a chemical thinner could do harm to the material. I’ve seen videos of people mixing naphtha and mineral spirits and other thinners with household caulking silicone tubes to then soak into the canvas for a homemade silicone coating. Just didn’t seem like a good idea on a nice expensive piece of equipment. Manufacturers are always the best to get ahold of first. So far if I was ever in doubt, your 303 option is the safest/smartest route. Thanks. For now I will not apply anything and simply use it. I’m fortunate that my bedroll has zero seams to concern myself with. So if the weave is tighter than a water molecule, then I will be good to go.

[@outdoorempirecom]

I'd definitely take their advice, then! Thanks for sharing here. That's about what I'd expect on the canvas, I'd only be concerned if the stitch holes along seams appeared to be a bit loose around the thread. And ya I'd steer clear of that DIY solution you mentioned. Glad you got a hold of them.

[@RoryLynott]

Huge win. Thank you.

[@BradleyCutting]

Would you recommend putting another coat of waterproofing after you've finished seasoning it?

[@outdoorempirecom]

No. And I believe most manufacturers recommend against this as well. Unless you get a canvas tent from someone who doesn't pre-treat their fabric. Most tent companies use canvas that was pre-washed or treated with a silicone or similar waterproofing treatment. So the seasoning process is mainly for the seams and imperfections. I would only use waterproofing sealant after years of use when I see water leaking, or abuse.

[@user-ms2my9es2d]

Thanks 👍, don't get sun burned

[@outdoorempirecom]

Cheers 😎

[@onewheelisbetterthan2]

Wouldn't the condensation of the first use wet the entire inside? I live in an apartment but im buying a bell tent the only way i can set it up other than camping is at a local park....for drying or whatever. Also if you didnt do this theres a chance you get wet during the first rain but after that it should be fine? We will see i suppose

[@outdoorempirecom]

Ya, it's tricky without the space to do it. Condensation alone may help over time, but probably won't be enough to make those cotton fibers really swell up around the seams, or in areas of the fabric where the weave may not be super tight. So there's a chance that you may see some leaking on that first real rain storm you encounter. The first rain storm will help, especially if it's a prolonged rain over several hours followed by a day or so of no rain so it totally dries out. It likely won't season your tent as evenly as manual seasoning, but the beauty of cotton canvas is it improves with age. Also, most tent companies use a water-resistant treated canvas to start with so it's probably not a big deal. Good luck!

[@barukkazhad8998]

Can you naturally season it with rain ? Im assuming it would only allow a little water in ....

[@outdoorempirecom]

Ya I think that can work, just might not be as thorough of a job since with a hose you can soak the whole tent evenly. And you may want to treat the inside seams as well to close up those stitch holes.

[@littlebanshee]

@@outdoorempirecomthat really seems like something the company should handle, I’m curious why they do not.

[@definitelynotobama6851]

Do y’all think he seasoned this tent thoroughly enough?

[@outdoorempirecom]

Word of the day, haha!

[@definitelynotobama6851]

@@outdoorempirecom Loved this video. It’s clear and straightforward, no milking the video length for extra view time. I’m buying a Springbar tent later this week and have been doing some research on how best to care for it. Cheers!

[@outdoorempirecom]

@@definitelynotobama6851 That's awesome! Which Springbar are you getting? Not sure if you've seen em yet but I did some pretty detailed reviews on the Classic Jack and more recently the Skyliner. Springbar makes some great tents.

[@definitelynotobama6851]

@@outdoorempirecom torn between the Traveler and the Vagabond. I’m local though, so I’ll stop by the factory to get their professional assessment of my camping needs

[@outdoorempirecom]

@@definitelynotobama6851 Awesome! I'm pretty sure those are their top sellers so I'm sure that's for good reason. Enjoy.

[@user-gn5uy6lx7z]

They make a spray,roll on or brush seam seal. If you think that your tent needs it use it on the seams. Getting it wet and letting it dry doesn't make it waterproof, all you did was get your tent wet. As fas as wetting the inside of your tent, your asking for it to leak. Most people when it rains and collection of water in spots don't EVER touch the inside of you're tent as this will cause it to leak. But, i guess anyone can make a stupid video and this is one of them

[@outdoorempirecom]

Sorry to hear you disagree with the methods, but thanks for stopping by! For what it's worth, canvas tent manufacturers like Kodiak and Springbar recommend seasoning a new tent from the factory primarily to cause the cotton fibers around the seams where the stitching holes are to swell up and close the gaps left from sewing needles. Seam Seal can be a good option too, especially on an older tent where seams stretch and leak from regular use. It's true that since most tent manufacturers use canvas that's treated with a waterproofing treatment at the factory, spraying the whole tent may not offer much benefit for the seamless panels. In any case, this is a recommended best practice that I've had great success with on a half dozen canvas tents that haven't leaked on me yet when out camping. Cheers.

[@kscotterable]

Seasoning a new SB and stopping leaks in an older canvas tent are two completely different topics. Seasoning is not for preventing or stopping leaks, it’s just an optional step at first set up to prevent a minute or two of slight misting, according to SB’s manual - has nothing to do with leaks. Older canvas tents leak for many different reasons, most often once the initial DWR treatment from the factory has worn off. There are many ways to reapply the DWR that are not in the purview of the video. Correct that once the initial DWR has worn off, canvas will ‘wet-out’, it’s still not technically leaking at that point, water is not dripping from walls or roof in a wet-out canvas tent, but anything touching the walls of a wetted-out canvas tent will draw in some water, usually a small amount at the touch-point, water drawn in from the touch-point then wets whatever is touching it or dribbles down the inside of the canvas to the outer perimeter of the floor where it collects. Either retreat the canvas with high quality DWR like 303 or, like the commenter mentioned, simply keep cots and things away from the sides when it’s raining. Many well maintained SB’s can go years without reapplying DWR, but other high quality canvas and other (generally nylon) tent manufacturers recommend to reapply DWR once or twice per season depending on use. SB offers another option, which is to purchase the SB rain-fly accessory. While it slightly adds to set up time it protects the DWR coating from the sun, which is the main thing that degrades the DWR, and it provides a new separate rain covering which extends the time for older SB’s that are wetted-our or getting close to wet-out and whose owners prefer to delay reapplication of DWR, which can be time consuming and 303 and seam sealer is not cheap either.

[@ericrinehardt9373]

Very nasty and incorrect comment. Canvas tent manufacturers specify seasoning tents like in the video because it tightens the seams where thread meets canvas. This is different than the waterproofing process, which should be done every few years with canvas tents.