Cool tent! I had a similar Kodiak. I live in the PNW where it rains a lot. These things do not leak! But, I got tired of setting it back up at home to dry out before storing since it rains at least one night of every trip, so I do the same that others have mentioned and add a tarp over the top. There's something about the solidness of canvas tents that I love, and after 5 years my Kodiak still felt "new", whereas other expensive tents I've used felt "worn out" after a couple years of use. If you enjoy it, it will last for years and years. If you decide to try other versions, I've found you can resell them quickly as people know they're buying a good "used" tent. I've downgraded to a smaller Kodiak since I mostly solo camp, but I'm a canvas lifer.
Thanks! After taking this one out several times I’m a huge fan of these canvas tents as well! Drying it would probably be a nightmare to deal with at home so I’ll always use the tarp over it. Great tents though for sure!
For the zippers, I'd try to dip them in Plasti-Dip or use shrink tubing, usually used for electrical connections. Awesome videos, thanks for all your detailed explanations!
Hey, thank you so much for this! I ordered some elastic cording to tie onto the zippers, but if that doesn't work I'll try these tips as well! I've never heard of Plasti-Dip and just looked into it and that stuff looks really interesting. The shrink tubing is a great idea as well! Thanks for the tips!
@@rtmadani Get some Sugru to put on the zipper pulls. Useful for lots of other things too. Amazing stuff. I’m considering the Classic Jack (10x10). These tents are really nice.
Oddly enough I just bought a Springbar which is probably why this video popped up. Your tent looks great! Looking forward to using mine. Lag bolts will make staking easier and quicker. I bought some 10 inch long 1/2 inch lag bolts and washers from Home Depot.
Awesome! We're really liking the Springbar, just the staking is a bit of work. I'm going to give those lag bolts and washers a try, that looks like the way to go with these tents! Thanks for the suggestion! Which model did you go with?
Nice! That’s going to be a really comfortable tent! I really liked the awning with the zip on side panels for the traveler. It’d be a perfect setup to provide shade and rain protection.
Thanks for the detailed review! I came across your review before I purchased a Springbar Oufitter. I know this video is a couple of years old and you’ve became the “Snow Peak Guy” (lol) but I have to say that I don’t think I’ll ever go back to a polyester/nylon tent ever again. I have a Snow Peak tent and the quality is amazing but I’ve already put my Springbar tent through every element and it’s a tank. I love that it’s so quiet and there are no guy-lines. Just a personal preference
Totally agree, having no fly/guy-lines is pretty awesome and the build quality of these tents are top notch! I think the outfitter is a great choice for the weight reduction. I recently picked up a springbar compact and i’m really enjoying it so far! I appreciate all your support on here!
@@rtmadaniyeah, I was deciding between the compact and outfitter for the longest time since I mostly solo camp with a dog. I ultimately decided on the outfitter because I can stand in it but the tent still has a similar footprint to the compact. It would be awesome if you showed your compact in a video.
I'm the second owner of a 10 X 14 Springbar and it's still in near perfect condition. It's at least 35 years old and I know this because all the hardware,poles are on the inside and not outside like your tent. Springbar stopped using that method years and years ago. I stopped using the tent because I'm just getting too old to pitch it and take it down for a weekend trip. I may consider using it for longer camping trip but I don't see that happening anytime soon. I still camp I now use a 8.5 X 18 ft.cargo trailer that I'm turning into a camper. No setting up and even quicker than the Springbar. You take good care of that tent and you'll have years of memorable trips with your family and then pass it down to your grandchildren.
Wow that's incredible! When I first called Springbar, the person I spoke with also had one about that long, so it's nice to hear how well they hold up. I imagine the 10 X 14 is quite heavy, the Vagabond I have is 8 by 10 and I think it's as heavy as I'm willing to bring right now. That's awesome that you're building your own camper, I've seen some really nice conversions done where they're pretty much a mobile vacation home! Thanks for sharing your experience about your Springbar!
I’ve used shoe laces that I’ve cut and go through the loop of the zipper with a fake knot, it gives you additional material to grip and it stops the metal on metal noise
Use a cordless impact driver instead of a drill, works much better. I love my Springbar Outfitter. I had a Traveller for years and loved it, too. The people at Springbar are the best for customer service in the entire world. A really nice bunch. Their April release is tomorrow at 1 - they're going to debut a new color.
Thanks for the tip, I’ll make sure it’s an impact driver. They make fantastic tents and I agree their service is top notch! I spoke with them before purchasing and they were extremely helpful!
Excellent post! Informative and comprehensive. In 2015 I purchased the Family Camper 7, it's 10' X 14' and accommodates my brother's and my large cots, bedside tables and gear bins not to mention a Buddy Heater in colder temps. It has a full-front (14') zip on awning, and I purchased the side panels for wind/sun, and wind-driven rain. Also bought the mosquito net enclosure which has come in very handy in some situations. Enjoy you tent for many years to come my friend, I suspect it will be your go-to each excursion going forward. Cheers.
Hey, thanks a lot! Yeah the family camper is definitely spacious and I really like the front awning with the side panels on it. Did Springbar make a mosquito net for it or did you create your own?
@@rtmadani Hey there, Ryan. I'm planning my annual pilgrimage to Acadia National Park (at Blackwoods Campground) this October. My brother and I have been going there at least once every two years (but typically every year) for the past thirty. But just wanted to mention, I've decided to do a video of our Springbar experience on this trip, and I was inspired to do so by your post here. I am always struck by the lack of Springbar quality posts (yours is an exception!) and also the algorithm-driven overwhelming preponderance of Kodiak posts, (Kodiak is crap), that drive any "Springbar" posts right off the search listings. But I thought I would make a video to add a fresh new post regarding the Springbar tents as they seem to be a rarity. Your post was a welcome and refreshing addition. The more the merrier! Cheers.
Sounds like an awesome annual trip! I couldn’t agree more, Springbar doesn’t seem to get the same attention as other brands on here! Let me know when you get that video up, I can’t wait to check it out!
I really like your reviews, very detailed and informative. I just put down my order 5 min ago and I have viewed your videos back and forth many many time . Thank you for sharing.
Once you've touched any springbar tent, you will surely wanna buy it the material is so luxurious. My friend has similar tent but after an overnight of rain he wanna throw it away. lol! These canvas tents are very heavy, once wet they will be close to 2x heavier and its a pain in the ass to dry, they smell bad once not dried properly and the worst is they develop molds/stains. I think your tent is 20kg+, it will be around 35kg after heavy rain. MY friend now uses a big canopy to cover it and to avoid getting wet again.
This is something I didn't fully think through when I was purchasing mine. For some reason I thought the water would shed off the tent because that's what I'm used to with synthetic tents. I'm going to do the same as your friend and bring a large tarp to keep the tent dry! Thanks for sharing!
@@rtmadani I forgot to mention “bird droppings” yes sir,, I confirmed it again with him yesterday and he confirmed all of those who uses Springbar/Kodiak has the same issue. First few water drops will just slide by, but longer rain makes it wet althought will never sip through.
Well that’s good to know the water never actually comes through! Wow yeah these are all definitely things to consider before going this cotton canvas route. I’m thinking from now on I’ll have to use a tarp that fully covers it.
@@Matt-i2h Yeah Springbar makes some incredible tents and the simplicity of not having a fly. or tie downs, but still capable of taking on weather conditions really sets these tents apart!
I use rubber glove fingers! I use the 7mm glove fingers, and just cut to size. Or you can by barrel covers for muzzle loaders. They are like small condoms, and would work just the same! I hope this helps everyone!?!
Hi Ryan, Really enjoying your videos. Can you comment on how this tent would work on a really rainy day (with steady somewhat hard rain coming down all day)? Would you have to completely close the window to keep the interior dry? Is the fabric waterproof over many hours of rain? Otherwise it looks fantastic. My approach on an extended stay at a campground (4 days to a week) is to set up a tarp over the tent. I use the Hilleberg 20 (which is 14 by 14) with Snowpeak poles on the ends to get it higher, and Hilleberg poles on one side to allow for easily walking under it. Final questions: When would you use the Alpha Breeze vs this tent? How would you compare the ease of set up between the 2? Please keep the videos coming. Thank you.
Hi Francine! So I haven't had a chance to take it out in the rain yet, but I have talked with the people at Springbar about it to hear their personal experiences in rainy conditions. From my understanding, these tents aren't waterproof like other synthetic tents, but they will keep you dry in rainy conditions. In heavy rain, they say you may feel a very light misting inside, but no drops or anything like that should ever enter. Something I didn't consider before buying this was the weight of it after it gets wet! Another subscriber who also recently purchased a Springbar brought this to my attention and it's definitely something to consider as the tent is heavy enough when dry. Like you suggest, using a large tarp over this tent is the best option to avoid soaking it. So set up wise, the Spring bar definitely wins for me. There's really nothing to do other than stake it in the ground. There are no poles to click together, nothing to clip in or velcro, no rainfly or any guy out points. All of the components are heavy to maneuver, but other than that I don't know of an easier tent to set up that feels this solid. I am going to have see how it does in warmer weather because the Alpha Breeze was really nice in terms of all the air flow and windows. I hear the cotton duck canvas material they use breaths much better than synthetic tents, so we'll see as gets warmer out. I'm really impressed with it so far though and I think adding a large tarp over it would greatly enhance using it! We'll have some more videos showing it up here soon, thank you for watching and it's always nice hearing from you!
Hi Francine, I can share with you how well the Springbar does in rain. I own a 35+ year old 10 X 14 Springbar and I've experienced numerous downpours during the 10 years I've owned it. Only one time did I ever get water leaking and it was minimal. As a Boy Scout years ago we used canvas tents (synthetics weren't invented then) we we're taught to never touch the tent walls while it was raining because it would cause leaking. You can also waterproof the canvas,seams and zippers to make it repel water. Springbar has a video of a customer's tent withstanding a torrential downpour and tornado force winds and the tent came through unscathed. If you feel the need to string up a tarp over a Springbar for your own peace of mind by all means do it but it's not necessary and creates extra work. In conclusion the Springbar is THE BEST canvas tent available AND it's MADE IN AMERICA! DO NOT waste your money on their competitors they are all made in China! I can assure you owning a Springbar will give you years,and years of camping fun and then you can pass it down to your grandchildren and maybe Great grandchildren! Be aware they're not cheap but you are paying for quality,good customer service and longevity. Did I mention my Springbar is at least 35+ years old? Just an FYI I just found out Springbar is now selling a waterproof "Stormfly" for some of their tent models. The "stormfly" is easier to use than a rope and tarp and it actually becomes a part of the tent when setting it up. Hope this helps!
@@alanosborne1947 Hi Alan, Thanks for your comments. I never questioned the Springbar keeping you dry, assumed it would. My issue was the work to dry it out afterwards, plus cleaning off the tree sap etc. I figured a little extra time upfront would save me much time afterwards. Ryan has had a huge impact on my camping set up, which is something I am always tweaking. Was so impressed with the Springbar tents. I realize they can be hard to get. When I saw they had the Outfitter model available in blue, I got it. Tried it out this weekend at a local campground. I put a Hilleberg large tarp over it (14.5’ x 14.5’), using the Snowpeak 210 cm poles for enough height. Was an excellent set up, positioned tarp to give me a large front porch. True to New England it poured all night. With the overhang from the tarp, I was able to leave the front door and window open, as it was rather warm. In the morning the tent was completely dry and clean. Funny thing - I spent the first few hours crouching inside until I realized I didn’t have to.
@@francinesparks5404 Springbar now has a "stormfly" for some models of their tents. I believe it woll work for yours to help keep it dry and make cleaning easier.
@rtmadani I sent a message to springbar to modify one. Basically, they told me they have zero bandwidth for such modifications. Diy only unfortunately. 💔
Nice video! I’m looking at a Springbar right now. I love the dark brown but I camp mostly in the American south so I’m worried about the brown heating the tent too much. Did you experience any heat?
These tents are kind of interesting actually with how the fabric breaths in comparison to traditional synthetic tent fabric. Even in warm weather it doesn't feel like it heats up too much or gets stuffy. I haven't camped with it in super hot weather yet, but in the high 70s we were just fine.
I think it is a pretty nice tent, comfortable, good looking and for the quality, it is priced right. But I do think because of the weight of the tent, I would only use it if I am camping for more than 3 days in a spot, just for a weekend camping I would prefer a lighter tent......
Exactly! For those longer stays it’s so nice to have and makes it worth bringing. I’m working on building out a more minimal setup for one to two night trips.
The straight walls on all sides creates an illusion of the actual size as being smaller on the outside. Then you walk in. When I first saw Dodger Stadium it appeared to me much smaller than what I saw on TV. So folks buy early, size down and get a refund on the one that is too big
awesome, you got a springbar! I love those. I dont have one so I always womdered about the door. a bit of a bummer but does everyhting else cancel that out?
It's an amazing quality tent and I think the zipper design is something I'll just have to get used to. Having those three zippers just adds a bit of time to open and close but everything else absolutely overrides the zipper design. I'd say as long as your okay with the weight of it, you can't go wrong with one of these tents. Make sure you have a good spot to dry it out after your return from your trip. I built a rack for the tent and footprint out of two 8 foot long 2 by 4s with heavy duty closet brackets and an 8ft long metal rod that I hang the tent from between trips (two people required). It's a solid tent though and we'll be taking it out quite a bit over the next few months to test it out in the rain and warmer weather.
The Vagabond has plenty of room for two. They have models that are made to use with wood stoves, so if you're intending on having one in the tent I'd look into their wood stove compatible models. This tent in the video is an 8' by 10' and I think all the wood stove compatible ones start at 10' by 10'.
Hi Ryan. I'm really enjoying your content. Have you struggled with the Alpha Breeze in the winter, and is that why you purchased this one ? How does this one compare to the Alpha breeze when the temperature drops below 30 ?
Hey, thank you so much! I think the Alpha Breeze works great year round. We haven’t been in the snow with it much, but the floor is 300D and 5000mm PU coated, which is pretty good. Their Pro tents have 10000mm coatings though. I got the Springbar just because I’ve never had a canvas tent and was interested to try it out. The Springbar would probably handle the snow a little better, especially since it’d be way easier to just knock the snow off from inside. Both tents fully close up, so all those mesh windows on the Alpha Breeze also have solid fabric. When temps get below freezing. It’d be freezing in any tent, unless you have a heat source. So I don’t think the Springbar would be any warmer. I think just having a good sleep system and clothing is most important when winter camping. .
@@rtmadani Thank you so much for the information. It makes me happy that you're teaching your son the love for nature at such a young age. I hope you continue to make these awesome videos.
Nice!!! Btw with all the camping you do and the different locations you go to looks like you may need something with more ground clearance and 4wd. :-)
Thank you! There are so many great spots I can't make it to with my car, although it always surprises me where it can! Definitely could use some more clearance and 4wd though!
I like the idea of it, but I think with two dogs I’d probably go with the Outfitter model. Personally, I wish I went with that model myself. It’s lighter, but you still get standing height. The compact, outfitter, and vagabond all require 12 stakes, which for me is the hardest part about setting these tents up, so I’d say there’s not a lot of drawbacks going with a larger model except for weight and pack size.
Hey, so for our mattress, we use an Exped Megamat Duo LW, which has been really comfortable for us! Your sleeping Mat is probably the most important factor when considering comfort and warmth. Underneath our sleeping mat we also have a Pendleton Yakima Camp, which is basically our floor insulation. For blankets, we use queen size Pendleton Blankets and bring more or less depending on the temperature. For instance, when it gets down or below 30 degrees F, we will be using three of them. However, in the high 40s, we’re fine with just one. I will say though, if you are planning on going in colder temps, a sleeping bag paired with a wool blanket will be much more efficient packing wise. Over this past year though, we’ve only used the blankets and find them really comfortable. They’re heavy and trap the warmth in really well and wool naturally is moisture resistant so they keep you pretty comfortable throughout your trip. For sheets, we’ve been using just an extra set of queen sheets that we already had. They are cotton, so not the best material option for camping. I just got in a new set of Tencel sheets that another subscriber shared with me, so hoping these will work out better! They are the Sijo Eucalyptus sheets. And for pillows, we just bring an old set of memory foam pillows because they compress nicely in our REI Pack-away bin. While I find our sleep system comfortable, I will say it’s a bit more work to go this route vs. a sleeping bag. Let me know if you have any other questions about it!
Dude thanks a lot for taking the time to respond a very detail information of your bedding. We have the Nemo roamed XL and the double. I tried and it’s ok but wife haven’t yet and she had some back surgery in the past so finding the right bed for camping it’s been challenging
Of course! From what I am seeing, the Megamat and Nemo are both the same thickness, but Nemo uses a hollow foam design for easier inflating/deflating. I haven't tried the Nemo Roamer, but based on their "flow core" design, I think the Exped Megamat may be more comfortable. My wife is a side sleeper and I sleep on my back and we both wake up feeling good, no soreness or arms falling asleep etc. Hopefully the one you have works out though, if not I definitely recommend giving the Exped a shot.The Megamat doesn't really feel like an air mattress, adding more air just increases the firmness, but you still sink into the foam not air.
@@rtmadani Hey Ryan! Thanks for detailing your sleep setup. How do you like the Sijo sheets? Do you use a fitted or flat sheet on your Exped mat? Looking at their site, it looks like the fitted sheet would be too big for the mat...
Hey, we really like the Sijo sheets a lot! They don’t get damp and cold feeling like cotton. I’m using a queen set and I think it works pretty good. The elastic band on the Sijo sheets keeps it in place and it doesn’t really look too large on the Exped.
Yes they are water resistant. On my latest video, right around 11minutes in, I show hosing it down with my garden hose and the water just beads right off the fabric. However, keep in mind during longer periods of rain and heavy rain the fabric may start to soak more, but water will not enter the tent. During the rainy seasons I use a tarp over my springbar and have recently got their Stormfly which should help keep the tent dryer. Thank you for watching!
@@rtmadani Thank you Ryan! By the way I know you like the REI pack away bins. They are being discontinued and both sizes are 50% off right now in case you are looking to add more of those. I learned about them from your earlier videos with the Alpha breeze. I got 2 in each of the sizes! 🎉
Cool tent! I had a similar Kodiak. I live in the PNW where it rains a lot. These things do not leak! But, I got tired of setting it back up at home to dry out before storing since it rains at least one night of every trip, so I do the same that others have mentioned and add a tarp over the top. There's something about the solidness of canvas tents that I love, and after 5 years my Kodiak still felt "new", whereas other expensive tents I've used felt "worn out" after a couple years of use. If you enjoy it, it will last for years and years. If you decide to try other versions, I've found you can resell them quickly as people know they're buying a good "used" tent. I've downgraded to a smaller Kodiak since I mostly solo camp, but I'm a canvas lifer.
Thanks! After taking this one out several times I’m a huge fan of these canvas tents as well! Drying it would probably be a nightmare to deal with at home so I’ll always use the tarp over it. Great tents though for sure!
For the zippers, I'd try to dip them in Plasti-Dip or use shrink tubing, usually used for electrical connections. Awesome videos, thanks for all your detailed explanations!
Hey, thank you so much for this! I ordered some elastic cording to tie onto the zippers, but if that doesn't work I'll try these tips as well! I've never heard of Plasti-Dip and just looked into it and that stuff looks really interesting. The shrink tubing is a great idea as well! Thanks for the tips!
@@rtmadani Get some Sugru to put on the zipper pulls. Useful for lots of other things too. Amazing stuff.
I’m considering the Classic Jack (10x10). These tents are really nice.
Thanks for the tip!
Oddly enough I just bought a Springbar which is probably why this video popped up. Your tent looks great! Looking forward to using mine. Lag bolts will make staking easier and quicker. I bought some 10 inch long 1/2 inch lag bolts and washers from Home Depot.
Awesome! We're really liking the Springbar, just the staking is a bit of work. I'm going to give those lag bolts and washers a try, that looks like the way to go with these tents! Thanks for the suggestion! Which model did you go with?
Would love to see what you think about this tent!
@@rtmadani I went with a Traveler for some extra room. It gets here tomorrow!
Nice! That’s going to be a really comfortable tent! I really liked the awning with the zip on side panels for the traveler. It’d be a perfect setup to provide shade and rain protection.
Thanks for the detailed review! I came across your review before I purchased a Springbar Oufitter. I know this video is a couple of years old and you’ve became the “Snow Peak Guy” (lol) but I have to say that I don’t think I’ll ever go back to a polyester/nylon tent ever again. I have a Snow Peak tent and the quality is amazing but I’ve already put my Springbar tent through every element and it’s a tank. I love that it’s so quiet and there are no guy-lines. Just a personal preference
Totally agree, having no fly/guy-lines is pretty awesome and the build quality of these tents are top notch! I think the outfitter is a great choice for the weight reduction. I recently picked up a springbar compact and i’m really enjoying it so far! I appreciate all your support on here!
@@rtmadaniyeah, I was deciding between the compact and outfitter for the longest time since I mostly solo camp with a dog. I ultimately decided on the outfitter because I can stand in it but the tent still has a similar footprint to the compact. It would be awesome if you showed your compact in a video.
I'm the second owner of a 10 X 14 Springbar and it's still in near perfect condition. It's at least 35 years old and I know this because all the hardware,poles are on the inside and not outside like your tent. Springbar stopped using that method years and years ago. I stopped using the tent because I'm just getting too old to pitch it and take it down for a weekend trip. I may consider using it for longer camping trip but I don't see that happening anytime soon. I still camp I now use a 8.5 X 18 ft.cargo trailer that I'm turning into a camper. No setting up and even quicker than the Springbar. You take good care of that tent and you'll have years of memorable trips with your family and then pass it down to your grandchildren.
Wow that's incredible! When I first called Springbar, the person I spoke with also had one about that long, so it's nice to hear how well they hold up. I imagine the 10 X 14 is quite heavy, the Vagabond I have is 8 by 10 and I think it's as heavy as I'm willing to bring right now. That's awesome that you're building your own camper, I've seen some really nice conversions done where they're pretty much a mobile vacation home! Thanks for sharing your experience about your Springbar!
I’ve used shoe laces that I’ve cut and go through the loop of the zipper with a fake knot, it gives you additional material to grip and it stops the metal on metal noise
Thanks for the tip!
Use a cordless impact driver instead of a drill, works much better. I love my Springbar Outfitter. I had a Traveller for years and loved it, too. The people at Springbar are the best for customer service in the entire world. A really nice bunch. Their April release is tomorrow at 1 - they're going to debut a new color.
Thanks for the tip, I’ll make sure it’s an impact driver. They make fantastic tents and I agree their service is top notch! I spoke with them before purchasing and they were extremely helpful!
I bought this tent thanks to your video. Love it. Got the stormfly works great with it.
Awesome, glad to hear this!
What an idyllic spot. Beautiful. Good tent review also 😎
One of our favorite places! Thank you!
Excellent post! Informative and comprehensive. In 2015 I purchased the Family Camper 7, it's 10' X 14' and accommodates my brother's and my large cots, bedside tables and gear bins not to mention a Buddy Heater in colder temps. It has a full-front (14') zip on awning, and I purchased the side panels for wind/sun, and wind-driven rain. Also bought the mosquito net enclosure which has come in very handy in some situations. Enjoy you tent for many years to come my friend, I suspect it will be your go-to each excursion going forward. Cheers.
Hey, thanks a lot! Yeah the family camper is definitely spacious and I really like the front awning with the side panels on it. Did Springbar make a mosquito net for it or did you create your own?
@@rtmadani It is the Springbar mosquito net enclosure, hard to track down on their website but I'm sure they still sell them. Cheers.
Awesome thanks!
@@rtmadani Hey there, Ryan. I'm planning my annual pilgrimage to Acadia National Park (at Blackwoods Campground) this October. My brother and I have been going there at least once every two years (but typically every year) for the past thirty. But just wanted to mention, I've decided to do a video of our Springbar experience on this trip, and I was inspired to do so by your post here. I am always struck by the lack of Springbar quality posts (yours is an exception!) and also the algorithm-driven overwhelming preponderance of Kodiak posts, (Kodiak is crap), that drive any "Springbar" posts right off the search listings. But I thought I would make a video to add a fresh new post regarding the Springbar tents as they seem to be a rarity. Your post was a welcome and refreshing addition. The more the merrier! Cheers.
Sounds like an awesome annual trip! I couldn’t agree more, Springbar doesn’t seem to get the same attention as other brands on here! Let me know when you get that video up, I can’t wait to check it out!
I really like your reviews, very detailed and informative. I just put down my order 5 min ago and I have viewed your videos back and forth many many time . Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much! So glad to hear this!
What a pretty tent. Got my first Kodiak for around $750, next time I get a new tent I think ill splurge on a Springbar most likely.
I think they are definitely worth it, fantastic quality all around and the best customer service if you ever need anything!
Once you've touched any springbar tent, you will surely wanna buy it the material is so luxurious. My friend has similar tent but after an overnight of rain he wanna throw it away. lol!
These canvas tents are very heavy, once wet they will be close to 2x heavier and its a pain in the ass to dry, they smell bad once not dried properly and the worst is they develop molds/stains.
I think your tent is 20kg+, it will be around 35kg after heavy rain. MY friend now uses a big canopy to cover it and to avoid getting wet again.
This is something I didn't fully think through when I was purchasing mine. For some reason I thought the water would shed off the tent because that's what I'm used to with synthetic tents. I'm going to do the same as your friend and bring a large tarp to keep the tent dry! Thanks for sharing!
@@rtmadani I forgot to mention “bird droppings” yes sir,, I confirmed it again with him yesterday and he confirmed all of those who uses Springbar/Kodiak has the same issue. First few water drops will just slide by, but longer rain makes it wet althought will never sip through.
Well that’s good to know the water never actually comes through! Wow yeah these are all definitely things to consider before going this cotton canvas route. I’m thinking from now on I’ll have to use a tarp that fully covers it.
Very cool, imagine this tent made out of DCF. That would be the ultimate family tent.
That would actually be amazing!
You can put some sort of rubber covers on those zippers so you won't hear them in the wind. I really like that Vagabond tent, thanks for the review. ❤
Thank’s sharing the tip!
@rtmadani Love that tent, thanks again.
@@Matt-i2h Yeah Springbar makes some incredible tents and the simplicity of not having a fly. or tie downs, but still capable of taking on weather conditions really sets these tents apart!
My simple fix for the zipper noise is to wrap a rubber band around each of the zippers.
Just ordered a Vagabond!
Nice!! It’s an awesome tent, hope you enjoy yours!
I have a 2 person Kodiak tent and I love it.
Nice, canvas tents are great!
For the zippers, just use a twisty tie to hold them together.
Also for the zippers look at how Tom Bihn uses paracord to wrap around the zippers and giving a good glove grip for the zipper pulls.
That is perfect for this, thank you!
I use rubber glove fingers! I use the 7mm glove fingers, and just cut to size. Or you can by barrel covers for muzzle loaders. They are like small condoms, and would work just the same! I hope this helps everyone!?!
Hi Ryan, Really enjoying your videos. Can you comment on how this tent would work on a really rainy day (with steady somewhat hard rain coming down all day)? Would you have to completely close the window to keep the interior dry? Is the fabric waterproof over many hours of rain? Otherwise it looks fantastic. My approach on an extended stay at a campground (4 days to a week) is to set up a tarp over the tent. I use the Hilleberg 20 (which is 14 by 14) with Snowpeak poles on the ends to get it higher, and Hilleberg poles on one side to allow for easily walking under it. Final questions: When would you use the Alpha Breeze vs this tent? How would you compare the ease of set up between the 2? Please keep the videos coming. Thank you.
Hi Francine! So I haven't had a chance to take it out in the rain yet, but I have talked with the people at Springbar about it to hear their personal experiences in rainy conditions. From my understanding, these tents aren't waterproof like other synthetic tents, but they will keep you dry in rainy conditions. In heavy rain, they say you may feel a very light misting inside, but no drops or anything like that should ever enter.
Something I didn't consider before buying this was the weight of it after it gets wet! Another subscriber who also recently purchased a Springbar brought this to my attention and it's definitely something to consider as the tent is heavy enough when dry. Like you suggest, using a large tarp over this tent is the best option to avoid soaking it.
So set up wise, the Spring bar definitely wins for me. There's really nothing to do other than stake it in the ground. There are no poles to click together, nothing to clip in or velcro, no rainfly or any guy out points. All of the components are heavy to maneuver, but other than that I don't know of an easier tent to set up that feels this solid.
I am going to have see how it does in warmer weather because the Alpha Breeze was really nice in terms of all the air flow and windows. I hear the cotton duck canvas material they use breaths much better than synthetic tents, so we'll see as gets warmer out. I'm really impressed with it so far though and I think adding a large tarp over it would greatly enhance using it! We'll have some more videos showing it up here soon, thank you for watching and it's always nice hearing from you!
Hi Francine, I can share with you how well the Springbar does in rain. I own a 35+ year old 10 X 14 Springbar and I've experienced numerous downpours during the 10 years I've owned it. Only one time did I ever get water leaking and it was minimal. As a Boy Scout years ago we used canvas tents (synthetics weren't invented then) we we're taught to never touch the tent walls while it was raining because it would cause leaking. You can also waterproof the canvas,seams and zippers to make it repel water. Springbar has a video of a customer's tent withstanding a torrential downpour and tornado force winds and the tent came through unscathed. If you feel the need to string up a tarp over a Springbar for your own peace of mind by all means do it but it's not necessary and creates extra work. In conclusion the Springbar is THE BEST canvas tent available AND it's MADE IN AMERICA! DO NOT waste your money on their competitors they are all made in China! I can assure you owning a Springbar will give you years,and years of camping fun and then you can pass it down to your grandchildren and maybe Great grandchildren! Be aware they're not cheap but you are paying for quality,good customer service and longevity. Did I mention my Springbar is at least 35+ years old? Just an FYI I just found out Springbar is now selling a waterproof "Stormfly" for some of their tent models. The "stormfly" is easier to use than a rope and tarp and it actually becomes a part of the tent when setting it up. Hope this helps!
@@alanosborne1947
Hi Alan,
Thanks for your comments. I never questioned the Springbar keeping you dry, assumed it would. My issue was the work to dry it out afterwards, plus cleaning off the tree sap etc. I figured a little extra time upfront would save me much time afterwards. Ryan has had a huge impact on my camping set up, which is something I am always tweaking. Was so impressed with the Springbar tents. I realize they can be hard to get. When I saw they had the Outfitter model available in blue, I got it. Tried it out this weekend at a local campground. I put a Hilleberg large tarp over it (14.5’ x 14.5’), using the Snowpeak 210 cm poles for enough height. Was an excellent set up, positioned tarp to give me a large front porch. True to New England it poured all night. With the overhang from the tarp, I was able to leave the front door and window open, as it was rather warm. In the morning the tent was completely dry and clean. Funny thing - I spent the first few hours crouching inside until I realized I didn’t have to.
@@francinesparks5404 Springbar now has a "stormfly" for some models of their tents. I believe it woll work for yours to help keep it dry and make cleaning easier.
@@alanosborne1947
No storm fly made for the 7 x 9 Outfitter model, unfortunately
I would love to see one converted to a hot tent
Same! Im not brave enough to do it, but it would be cool to see a hot tent version of this model!
@rtmadani I sent a message to springbar to modify one. Basically, they told me they have zero bandwidth for such modifications. Diy only unfortunately. 💔
@@DestinationUnknown4x4 Shoot, well worth a shot!
Nice video! I’m looking at a Springbar right now. I love the dark brown but I camp mostly in the American south so I’m worried about the brown heating the tent too much. Did you experience any heat?
These tents are kind of interesting actually with how the fabric breaths in comparison to traditional synthetic tent fabric. Even in warm weather it doesn't feel like it heats up too much or gets stuffy. I haven't camped with it in super hot weather yet, but in the high 70s we were just fine.
Thanks. 70’s are the evening lows around here.
@@chrisicu4236 if it's hot a lighter color will be wiser.
I’ll take a bit of extra heat over dirt showing anyway!
@@kathleenholt6008 I got my Springbar. I love it and the color.
Everyone take a drink every time Ryan says the word "actually."
Clip the zipper pulls and use paracord.
I think it is a pretty nice tent, comfortable, good looking and for the quality, it is priced right.
But I do think because of the weight of the tent, I would only use it if I am camping for more than 3 days in a spot, just for a weekend camping I would prefer a lighter tent......
Exactly! For those longer stays it’s so nice to have and makes it worth bringing. I’m working on building out a more minimal setup for one to two night trips.
The straight walls on all sides creates an illusion of the actual size as being smaller on the outside. Then you walk in. When I first saw Dodger Stadium it appeared to me much smaller than what I saw on TV. So folks buy early, size down and get a refund on the one that is too big
Definitely tricks the eye!
awesome, you got a springbar! I love those. I dont have one so I always womdered about the door. a bit of a bummer but does everyhting else cancel that out?
It's an amazing quality tent and I think the zipper design is something I'll just have to get used to. Having those three zippers just adds a bit of time to open and close but everything else absolutely overrides the zipper design.
I'd say as long as your okay with the weight of it, you can't go wrong with one of these tents. Make sure you have a good spot to dry it out after your return from your trip. I built a rack for the tent and footprint out of two 8 foot long 2 by 4s with heavy duty closet brackets and an 8ft long metal rod that I hang the tent from between trips (two people required). It's a solid tent though and we'll be taking it out quite a bit over the next few months to test it out in the rain and warmer weather.
Is there room for 2 and a wood stove?
The Vagabond has plenty of room for two. They have models that are made to use with wood stoves, so if you're intending on having one in the tent I'd look into their wood stove compatible models. This tent in the video is an 8' by 10' and I think all the wood stove compatible ones start at 10' by 10'.
Hi Ryan. I'm really enjoying your content. Have you struggled with the Alpha Breeze in the winter, and is that why you purchased this one ? How does this one compare to the Alpha breeze when the temperature drops below 30 ?
Hey, thank you so much! I think the Alpha Breeze works great year round. We haven’t been in the snow with it much, but the floor is 300D and 5000mm PU coated, which is pretty good. Their Pro tents have 10000mm coatings though. I got the Springbar just because I’ve never had a canvas tent and was interested to try it out. The Springbar would probably handle the snow a little better, especially since it’d be way easier to just knock the snow off from inside. Both tents fully close up, so all those mesh windows on the Alpha Breeze also have solid fabric. When temps get below freezing. It’d be freezing in any tent, unless you have a heat source. So I don’t think the Springbar would be any warmer. I think just having a good sleep system and clothing is most important when winter camping.
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@@rtmadani Thank you so much for the information. It makes me happy that you're teaching your son the love for nature at such a young age. I hope you continue to make these awesome videos.
Thank you so much for your support for the channel! We’ll keep the videos coming!
Nice!!! Btw with all the camping you do and the different locations you go to looks like you may need something with more ground clearance and 4wd. :-)
Thank you! There are so many great spots I can't make it to with my car, although it always surprises me where it can! Definitely could use some more clearance and 4wd though!
Where are you camping and awesome tent
Hey, we’re at Graves Creek in the Olympic National Park. Thanks!
Hey Ryan what are your thoughts on the Springdale compact tent? I’m a single guy with two dogs and I can’t make up my mind on if it’s to small or not.
Springbar compact tent
I like the idea of it, but I think with two dogs I’d probably go with the Outfitter model. Personally, I wish I went with that model myself. It’s lighter, but you still get standing height. The compact, outfitter, and vagabond all require 12 stakes, which for me is the hardest part about setting these tents up, so I’d say there’s not a lot of drawbacks going with a larger model except for weight and pack size.
I’d say it also depends on how big the dogs are, cause with two smaller dogs, I’m sure it’d be just fine in the compact.
Thanks for your video. Question. What type/kind of bedding you use. Does your bed comfy?
Hey, so for our mattress, we use an Exped Megamat Duo LW, which has been really comfortable for us! Your sleeping Mat is probably the most important factor when considering comfort and warmth. Underneath our sleeping mat we also have a Pendleton Yakima Camp, which is basically our floor insulation.
For blankets, we use queen size Pendleton Blankets and bring more or less depending on the temperature. For instance, when it gets down or below 30 degrees F, we will be using three of them. However, in the high 40s, we’re fine with just one. I will say though, if you are planning on going in colder temps, a sleeping bag paired with a wool blanket will be much more efficient packing wise. Over this past year though, we’ve only used the blankets and find them really comfortable. They’re heavy and trap the warmth in really well and wool naturally is moisture resistant so they keep you pretty comfortable throughout your trip.
For sheets, we’ve been using just an extra set of queen sheets that we already had. They are cotton, so not the best material option for camping. I just got in a new set of Tencel sheets that another subscriber shared with me, so hoping these will work out better! They are the Sijo Eucalyptus sheets.
And for pillows, we just bring an old set of memory foam pillows because they compress nicely in our REI Pack-away bin.
While I find our sleep system comfortable, I will say it’s a bit more work to go this route vs. a sleeping bag. Let me know if you have any other questions about it!
Dude thanks a lot for taking the time to respond a very detail information of your bedding. We have the Nemo roamed XL and the double. I tried and it’s ok but wife haven’t yet and she had some back surgery in the past so finding the right bed for camping it’s been challenging
Of course! From what I am seeing, the Megamat and Nemo are both the same thickness, but Nemo uses a hollow foam design for easier inflating/deflating. I haven't tried the Nemo Roamer, but based on their "flow core" design, I think the Exped Megamat may be more comfortable. My wife is a side sleeper and I sleep on my back and we both wake up feeling good, no soreness or arms falling asleep etc.
Hopefully the one you have works out though, if not I definitely recommend giving the Exped a shot.The Megamat doesn't really feel like an air mattress, adding more air just increases the firmness, but you still sink into the foam not air.
@@rtmadani Hey Ryan! Thanks for detailing your sleep setup. How do you like the Sijo sheets? Do you use a fitted or flat sheet on your Exped mat? Looking at their site, it looks like the fitted sheet would be too big for the mat...
Hey, we really like the Sijo sheets a lot! They don’t get damp and cold feeling like cotton. I’m using a queen set and I think it works pretty good. The elastic band on the Sijo sheets keeps it in place and it doesn’t really look too large on the Exped.
Is the tent resistant from the rain?
Yes they are water resistant. On my latest video, right around 11minutes in, I show hosing it down with my garden hose and the water just beads right off the fabric. However, keep in mind during longer periods of rain and heavy rain the fabric may start to soak more, but water will not enter the tent. During the rainy seasons I use a tarp over my springbar and have recently got their Stormfly which should help keep the tent dryer. Thank you for watching!
Hi Ryan, are you sure it’s the Bison color? How come it looks so much like the Pearl Gray color? Thanks!
Hey, it’s probably just the light hitting it, but it’s the bison.
@@rtmadani Thank you Ryan! By the way I know you like the REI pack away bins. They are being discontinued and both sizes are 50% off right now in case you are looking to add more of those. I learned about them from your earlier videos with the Alpha breeze. I got 2 in each of the sizes! 🎉
@lartymarf That’s a great deal on those, they are fantastic for organizing! Thanks for the heads up!
I would like to ask you to tell me the exact location of the Olympic National Park. Thank you
Its Graves Creek Campground.
What Hexagonal tarp are you using in this video?
It’s a Snow Peak Hexa Tarp size medium.
Use shrinking sleeve over those zippers!
Great idea, never heard of shrinking sleeve but it looks perfect. Thanks!
Use liquid tape they sell it at harbor freight
Simple- cheap masking tape over the zipper
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I'd wrap some parafilm around the zippers
Thanks for the tip!
😁✌️🇺🇸
Shrink tubing
How’s it in the rain?
I haven’t actually used it out in the rain on it’s own. I’ve always had a tarp covering it when there’s a chance of rain.