While our canvas is not "waterproof" like plastic or synthetic materials, it is tightly woven and treated to be exceptionally water-resistant. Springbar® tents are designed to keep you dry even during heavy rainfall. To further prevent leakage, we utilize specialized seam construction techniques and three different types of thread in every tent. Please note that in extremely heavy rain, minor "misting" due to hydrostatic pressure is a normal occurrence and not a cause for concern.
Seasoning is not strictly necessary, but it is highly recommended, particularly in areas with frequent rainfall. This process causes the canvas fibers to swell, enhancing the tent's watertight properties. Exposure to rain or morning dew will effectively season the canvas.
Set your Springbar® canvas tent up in an area where you can reach it with a garden hose. Make sure all the windows and zippers are fully closed. Proceed to spray down the tent until the canvas is saturated. Avoid high pressure or jet settings on the hose nozzle – the goal is to simulate rain. If you notice a small amount of leaking during the seasoning process don't be alarmed, this is normal. Make sure to allow the tent to fully dry before storage.
With proper care, reapplication of waterproofing is typically needed only after 20-30 years of use. Tents subjected to frequent use and extreme weather conditions may require re-waterproofing sooner, within 5-10 years.
Yes – Springbar® USA tents are cut and sewn by hand in the USA using the best materials and components we can source. We source domestically made or finished components whenever possible.
We also have several imported Springbar® tent models which include Classic Jack series tents, the current production Leisure Port, and Highline series tents.
We welcome all customers to visit our shop in Salt Lake City to see the workshop and the skilled tent makers who make the best tent in America every day.
Springbar® canvas tents are available in a range of sizes that can accommodate anywhere from 2 to 8 people. It’s important to consider not only how many people need a place to sleep, but also how you want to utilize and enjoy the space in the tent. While the 10x14 Skyliner can sleep up to 8 people side by side, it’s practically a portable cabin when used by 2 or 3 people – with extra space for a table, chairs, and stove. Unlike many tent styles, the unique Springbar® Tent shape provides full standing height across nearly the entire footprint of the tent, providing significantly more interior volume than many other canvas tent styles.
Springbar® canvas tents range in weight from 30 pounds for the Compact (smallest) to 95 pounds for the Skyliner (largest). Mid-size models like the Vagabond weigh in around 60 pounds. While not intended to be carried long distances like backpacking tents made of synthetic materials, Springbar® Tents are quite manageable relative to the amount of space and shelter they provide. Poles and the tent body are stored in separate carry bags to make loading and carry easier. When it comes to car camping, there’s no better tent than a Springbar®.
With proper care a Springbar® tent will last and provide good service for decades. It truly is a lifetime tent. And it’s not just talk, we have 60 years of tent making to back it up. Our repair program regularly see tents that are 40 or 50 years old and in great condition, only needing a patch or spare part.
The benefits of a Springbar® canvas tent: Easy set-up, legendary performance in harsh wind and weather, roomy interior space, interior comfort from breathable cotton canvas, long lasting durability, American made quality, and a classy vintage look.
All Springbar® products are covered by our Satisfaction Guarantee.
We are in the business of making happy campers, and we do that by providing a quality product with quality service, and by listening to our customers.
Our Satisfaction Guarantee means that we will do everything possible — within reason and at our option — to ensure that you are a happy camper.
If a Springbar® tent or product is found to be defective, we will repair or replace it at no cost to you.
What Qualifies as a Defect?
What Does Not Qualify as a Defect?
Yes – we offer a repair service for all Springbar® tents. Whether your Springbar® tent is 50 or 5 years old, we can fix it and supply parts.
However, we do not offer repairs for other brands of tents and canvas products.
For more info on how to schedule a repair visit this page: https://springbar.com/pages/warranty-repairs
Yes, our tents are designed for simple and efficient setup by a single person.
Watch the setup video here: https://springbar.com/pages/set-up-guide
The biggest task in setting up a Springbar® canvas tent is driving the tent stakes. Once the tent is staked, setup can be completed by one person in under 10 minutes.
Simplicity and ease of setup is a big reason why the Springbar® tent design has endured and gained popularity since 1961.
To clean a Springbar® tent, use water and a soft-bristle brush, then allow the tent to dry completely. It is important to avoid harsh detergents or soaps, as these can compromise the water-repellency treatment. In extreme cases, a single drop of Dawn dish soap mixed in a bucket of water is acceptable.
Most orders are processed and shipped the next day. Tent repair turnaround time is typically a few weeks, which is dependent on the current workload.
We currently do not offer custom work.
Every tent purchase includes all necessary components for proper function, such as stakes, poles, a carry bag, and care instructions. All included components are listed on each tent’s product page and field guide.
We do not currently offer international shipping.
However, there are many freight forwarder services that international Springbar® tent customers have utilized to facilitate shipping to their country.
The key to preventing mold and mildew from developing on a Springbar® canvas tent is to allow the canvas to fully dry before storage. Extra care must be taken in high humidity climates.
Making sure the tent is fully dry and clean as possible is the best way to ensure decades of reliable performance from your Springbar® tent.
Minor mildew damage can be addressed using a diluted white vinegar solution (5 parts water to 1 part vinegar). Apply the solution, clean the affected area with a soft-bristle brush, rinse thoroughly with water, and ensure the tent is completely dry before storage.
*Extra care must be taken in high-humidity climates to prevent mold and mildew damage. Always make sure a canvas tent is fully dry before storage! Prevention and proper care is the best remedy.
Unlike canvas tents of the past that would wick water if you touched a wall or roof during the rain, Springbar® canvas tents will not wick water if you touch the canvas.
USA Springbar® Tents: Constructed with Sunforger® canvas, Aluminum pole sets, and YKK zippers. They are made in-house using the best quality materials and components possible.
Imported Tents: Constructed with HardyDuck canvas, EP coated or galvanized steel poles, and SBS zippers. These tents offer a high level of performance and quality at the best value possible.
Darker-colored tents may be up to 5-6 degrees warmer than lighter-colored tents.
Springbar® tents must be staked down to function as the design relies on tension from secure anchoring to the ground. For optimal stability, it is recommended to use all available stakes when securing the tent. Securely staking the corners is essential. However, if a couple of stakes cannot be driven in the tent will usually be fine.
We do not currently offer buy-back or trade-in programs for old tents.
Our tents can be viewed in person at the Springbar® showroom and workshop located at 4026 S west temple, Millcreek UT. Our standard hours are Monday – Friday 9-5.
Only Skyliner model Springbar® tents contain material treated with fire retardant; specifically, the triangular canvas panel where the stove jack is located. As of 2026, all fabrics used in Springbar® USA tents are PFAS free.
Please call or email us with any available information regarding the older tent model. We will search our records and provide any details we can.
We closed the State Street location, formerly known as Kirkham’s, and relocated to the current Springbar® facility in Millcreek in 2019, where our primary focus is tent manufacturing and sales.
To set up your tent on a deck, you will need a large washer that fits over the stake loop, secured with a substantial bolt or screw directly into the deck.
A Stormfly® is not essential for Springbar® tent users, but it does provide benefits in certain situations. In heavy rain, a Stormfly® provides an extra layer of protection and helps keep the tent dryer, allowing for less dry time before packing up camp. In heavily forested areas, a Stormfly® can protect the tent canvas from tree sap and bird droppings. And in long term camp setups, a Stormfly® protects the cotton canvas from harsh UV, extending the lifespan of the tent.
The appropriate stake type is determined by the specific ground conditions where you are camping. In general, nail stakes are better at navigating rocky soils and the wedge-style stakes are better in loose soils or sand. It’s recommended to keep several types of tent stakes in your kit to be prepared for various tent site conditions.
We will provide a full refund on products in the first 30 days after the original date of purchase. Applies only to products that are in the new, unused condition and in the original packaging.
We advise against using chemicals to clean a Springbar® tents. Some chemicals can result in damage to the water proofing treatment or tent construction. Cleaning with only water and a soft brush is the best way to care for your Springbar® tent.
We do not have an official recommendation for interior rugs or tarps. However, many customers purchase two ground tarps: one to place underneath the tent and one for the interior floor to simplify cleanup. Packing blankets, available at any hardware store, also make great tent rugs.
Yes – certain Springbar® tent models (Skyliner, Ranger, and Classic Jack 140) are specifically designed to allow the use of a wood stove. However, not all Springbar® tent models are wood stove compatible.
More information about Springbar® Hot Tents can be located here: https://springbar.com/pages/hot-tents
Yes – cutting a hole and installing the silicone flashing kit in the stove jack is required for Springbar® Hot tents. The reason we do this is because Springbar® Hot Tents are designed to work with several different sizes of compatible stoves, and each stove size has a slightly different exit point in the tent wall. Springbar® Hot Tents include a paper template to ensure you cut the stove jack hole in the correct place to accommodate the stove you’ve selected.
More information and detailed instructions on the Springbar® Hot Tent system can be found here: https://springbar.com/pages/hot-tents
We do not currently offer a service to install stove jacks in older tent models.
Springbar® Hot Tents are specifically designed to allow for the safe use of a wood stove.
There is no right way or wrong way. As long as the tarp is beneath the tent, it will provide an extra layer of protection.
Design: Both Springbar® canvas tents and wall tents feature a boxy shape that provides generous standing height and space through much of the tent footprint. Wall tents are generally heavier and bulkier than a Springbar® tent and have a considerably longer setup time. The Springbar® frame consists of just a few poles and relies on tension from flexed spring steel bars to support the tent, Wall Tent frames consist of many poles and fittings to build a structure that supports the tent skin. For long term camp set ups wall tents can be a great option- especially in the winter months. For shorter term camp trips where ease of setup and packability are important considerations, a Springbar® tent is a good balance between comfort, space, ease of setup, and packability.
Weather performance: Performance in heavy weather depends largely on the quality of materials used in the tents construction and on how well the tent has been setup. Springbar® USA canvas tents are made with Sunforger® cotton duck canvas and time-tested construction techniques that provide a high level of water resistance and strength in heavy winds. Some Wall Tents are made with high quality canvas such as Sunforger® while others utilize cheaper synthetic blend fabrics and construction techniques to provide a lower cost. Materials and construction should be a top consideration when selecting a canvas tent. When it comes to the performance of a canvas tent, you generally get what you’re willing to pay for. Wall tents typically have an angled roof pitch which can shed snow and rain, while Springbar® tents have a flatter roof shape that sheds water effectively but snow loads much be actively managed to avoid excessive snow load weight.
Ease of setup: Although canvas wall tents are roomy and stable in heavy weather, they are quite bulky, heavy, and require two or more people to setup. A wall tent features an internal frame design, meaning the wall tent frame is assembled first with steel or aluminum tubing and various fittings to construct a cabin frame shape. The tent canvas is then pulled over the top of the frame and secured with stakes and ropes. A Springbar® canvas tent can be set up by one person in just few minutes. A Springbar® canvas tent features an external frame design. The frame consists of a ridge pole, two upright poles, and spring steel tension rods to support the tent skin from the outside of the tent. A Springbar® tent can provide comparable space and comfort to a wall tent but with a much smaller pack size and faster setup time.
Design: Springbar® canvas tents have a rectangular boxy shape and provide standing height over nearly the entire footprint of the tent. The Springbar® tent frame is an external frame design consisting of a ridge pole, 2 upright poles, and flexible spring steel tension rods. Bell tents have a circular shape and a high peak supported by a single internal center pole. Bell tents may have a large footprint but standing height is often limited to the center of the tent near the main supporting pole.
Usable space: Due to the boxy shape of Springbar® tents, standing height is available in nearly the entire footprint of the tent, maximizing the usable internal space. The peaked shape of Bell tents allows campers to stand near the center of the tent but require bending over or kneeling as you move close to the edges of the tent walls.
Weather performance: Springbar® Tents are known to be very reliable in heavy wind and highly water resistant in rain. Springbar® Tents do have a flatter roof shape that requires snow loads to be actively managed to prevent excessive snow load weight. Bell tents have a very steep angled roof shape that sheds rain and snow well. The water repellency and strength of Bell tents largely depends of the quality of materials used in the construction.
Ease of setup: Both Springbar® tents and Bell tents require the tent to be staked down to function. However, Springbar® tents require stakes only around the footprint of the tent and do not require additional guy lines. Bell tents require stakes around the footprint and numerous guy lines to apply tension to the roof panels. After staking, both Springbar® tents and bell tents are relatively quick to setup. Because the Springbar® tent features an external frame design, the entire setup can be completed from the exterior without entering the tent. Bell tent setup requires the user to crawl under the tent skin to install the main center pole which is inside the tent. Springbar® tents and bell tents have a similar pack size and weight for similar footprint sizes.
Design: The Springbar® canvas tent design was invented by Jack Kirkham and first produced in 1961. The Kodiak Flex-Bow tent design was modeled closely on the original Springbar® tent design and first produced in the early 2000s. Springbar® is not a style of canvas tent, it is a trademarked brand of canvas camping tent that has been in production since 1961.
Manufacturing: Springbar® USA canvas tents are cut, sewn, and fabricated in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. Kodiak Flex-Bow tents are made in China.
Pole Set: The pole set of Springbar® USA canvas tents is domestically made with 6061 aluminum tubing, machined aluminum fittings, and spring steel tension rods that are tempered and plated. The pole set of Kodiak Flex-Bow tents is made with galvanized steel tubing and steel tension rods. Aluminum is light, strong, and does not corrode. Steel is strong but heavy and prone to corrosion over time. Springbar® tent poles are designed to be adjustable, allowing the tension to be increased or decreased to adapt to the tent canvas shrinking or stretching over time. Kodiak Flex-Bow tent poles are fixed in length.
Stake Loops: Springbar® canvas tents feature wire steel stake loops that are directly fixed to a rope sewn into the entire perimeter of the tent floor. This design distributes the pressure across all stake points and makes it nearly impossible to tear out a stake loop. Kodiak Flex-Bow tents feature a metal stake loop that is connected to the tent by a webbing tab that is sewn to the tent body.
Fabrics: Springbar® USA canvas tents are made with Sunforger® cotton duck canvas. Kodiak Flex-Bow tents are made with Hydra-shield cotton duck canvas. Springbar® USA tent materials do not contain PFAS chemicals. Kodiak Flex-Bow tent materials do contain PFAS chemicals.
