We are here to answer any questions you may have. Below, you will find out a list of frequently asked questions. Should you have any other questions, please reach out anytime through our contact page.
Returns Policy
See our returns policy here.
Shipping Costs
Shipping within Canada is free on all tent orders (and best of all, no duties!). Shipping to the US is a flat $85 fee + applicable duties.
Shipping Time & Delivery
We aim to get your tent to you within 7 business days (often quicker depending on stock levels and shipping locations). All orders are deemed fulfilled once the shipping agent has marked the package as delivered; however, tracking of packages and accepting delivery of the tent is the customer’s responsibility.
Warranty
All of our tents sold as new come with a limited, 1-year warranty with valid proof of purchase against manufacturing defects. Any tent determined to be defective will be repaired to working order or replaced with the same or similar model at our discretion. We will also cover the cost of return shipping.
This warranty does not cover zippers, ordinary wear and tear from use or damage arising from (but not limited to): mold, mildew, spot leakage, pole failure not caused by defective workmanship, ultraviolet exposure, fire, stove/air conditioner use, improper use/assembly/storage or inclement weather conditions (as can be expected in Canada).
This warranty is void with modification, alteration, or the use of certain cleaning, treatment, or colouring agents. CitizenCanvas makes no other warranty express or implied and shall not be liable for consequential or incidental damage or injury arising from the use of CitizenCanvas products. It is the responsibility of the customer to practice care in the great Canadian outdoors. We do not refund customers for damaged products due to inclement weather so stay on top of weather forecasts, never leave your tent unattended, and practice common sense outdoors.
CitizenCanvas and our manufacturing partner CanvasCamp cannot be held liable for any damage or injury to persons or property resulting from the use or misuse of fire or flammable material. CitizenCanvas is not responsible for misuse of stoves or stove jacks, including the use of our stove jacks with any uninsulated flue (not recommended) or a third-party stove. Refunds will not be made in these circumstances.
Discounts, Donations, Sponsorships and Brand Ambassadors
Volume discounts are available and scalable to the quantity ordered. Volume discounts start with the purchase of 3+ tents. We provide rebates on purchases when you share professional photographs of your canvas tent set-ups. Contact us for more information.
Canvas Tent Care
See all our tips and tricks to keeping your canvas tents in tip-top shape here.
Tent Quality & Performance
What sets our tents apart?
Canvas bell tents come in many different styles with varying levels of function and quality. There are many high-quality features that set ours apart; from the the heftiness of our zippers (size 10), heavy-duty nickel-plated stakes/centre pole/door frame, thickness of the canvas and quality of the UV/mold/water resistant treatment, to the method of manufacturing and assembly (double stitching, flat-felled seams). Just to name a few!
Together, these features all contribute to the tent’s performance and lifespan. We recommend other (lower quality) tents on the market for occasional backyard camping or garden parties. Our tents are a life investment for technical camping or to leave them out for months at a time. There's really little comparison to the tents you will come across on Amazon, Alibaba, or other international tent suppliers with little to no local knowledge and support.
Where are CanvasCamp tents manufactured?
CanvasCamp designs their tents in Belgium. The organic cotton canvas is sourced from Brazil, and the canvas treatment is sourced from Switzerland. All of the manufacturing takes place in a factory in China owned and operated by CanvasCamp, which ensures premium quality at a great price, fair practices, and sustainably-made tents.
How do I set up a tent for maximum performance & safety?
Start by finding a stable, firm, and flat spot. Always secure the ground pegs before putting the center pole in the tent. Once you get the center pole in, make sure it’s vertical and centered, with the feet making full contact with the groundsheet. From there, start putting the stakes in the ground, ensuring the guylines are aligned to the tent seams. Next, put the door frame in before staking around the door(s). Last - but certainly not least - tension the guylines to achieve a taut tent. Adjust as needed when the tent is loses tautness.
How do CanvasCamp tents stand up to the Canadian Elements?
CanvasCamp tents can withstand winds between 65 (600 size) - 85 (300 size) km per hour when pitched properly (this excludes our twin tents which are not wind-rated). Keep in mind, the tauter the tent, the stronger the tent (so make sure to adjust the tensioners at least daily, or more often in inclement weather). Our exterior tent accessories are not wind-tested and shouldn’t be left up in extreme wind.
Snow and ice are not a friend of the canvas tent. The weight of snow, especially in damp climates, should never be underestimated. If you plan to leave the tent up in the winter (attended), you have to maintain it - i.e., scrap all ice and snow off every day. Often, the tent stove is sufficient to keep the snow off, but you will, of course, only have that going when you're inside of the tent. The team at CanvasCamp estimates that a single cubic foot of snow can weigh 10 to 30 lbs (depending on other factors like wind, moisture, etc.). That means, on average, two inches of snow can add 1,500 lbs of weight to a tent. To put that into perspective, that’s about as much as a snowmobile.
The term “4-season” implies that the tents are designed to last, which is achieved with a thicker canvas and enhanced UV and mold protection. However, “4-season” should not be misconstrued as insulated nor that it can withstand extreme weather events including, snow; it is the responsibility of the customer to practice care in the great Canadian outdoors. We do not refund customers for damaged products due to inclement weather so stay on top of weather forecasts, never leave your tent unattended, and practice common sense outdoors.
Are the tents fire-resistant?
Our tents are not treated with any fire-resistance protection. While the cotton canvas itself has some natural fire-resistant properties, we recommend applying Burnblock to any canvas that may be exposed to sparks from a wood-burning tent stove. Burnblock is natural, non-toxic, and biodegradable, making it safe for your canvas tent, family, and the environment. Reapply Burnblock along with waterproofing treatment after deep cleaning your tent.
Will I need different stakes for different landscapes?
The stakes included with CanvasCamp tents are hardy, all-purpose stakes designed for ease of use in ‘average ground conditions’ such as your backyard, grassy front-country pads, and soft to medium earth in forested areas. Alternate ground conditions – either loose, wet, or hard (on my!) – may require specialized stakes and/or specific placements. Here’s what the teams at CanvasCamp and CitizenCanvas recommend:
- Sand, snow, and loose earth: Wooden stakes or dead-man anchors.
- Hard earth, clay, light rock cover: Pro stakes for guy lines and 10” framing nail for ground sheets set with a rubber mallet.
- Mud and high winds: Long 18” bent rebar stakes. Use a sledgehammer to drive them all the way. (Rebar option #1, Rebar Option #2)
- Rocky or frozen Soil: Steel tent pegs or tarzan pegs. These are essentially giant nails with toppers to hold the guyline. 10” framing nails can be used for the inner groundsheet pegs. Place them and extract them with a claw hammer. In very cold winter conditions in Canada, we recommend a drill (with an auger bit) to bore a hole in the frozen earth before driving your pegs.
If you plan to set your canvas tent up on a wooden platform, we recommend using screws & washers to fasten the groundsheet. The best option to fasten the guylines into a wood platform is to use a hook screw. However, depending on how much room you have on your wood platform, you might require the Short Guy Poles.
Can critters get in the tent?
As long as your tent stays zipped up, you won’t have to worry about critters.
Tent & Fire Safety
General Safety Tips
When it comes to camping in any harsh condition, the proper setup of your tent is critical (see above). Size also matters; the larger the surface area, the greater the risk of compromising stability (the risk is heightened with double doors so consider this when making your purchase). These are general rules of thumb and are even more important when it comes to snow accumulation. It is the responsibility of the customer to practice care in the great Canadian outdoors. Stay on top of weather forecasts, never leave your tent unattended, and practice common sense outdoors. And remember, you should never (ever) leave your canvas tent unattended overnight, especially in the winter when snow and ice can build on the tent.
Canvas tents are not for use with open fires. Fire safety is the responsibility of the user. We encourage you to educate yourself and practice vigilant fire safety. Always check provincial fire restrictions before heading out. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns at any time. CitizenCanvas and our manufacturing partner CanvasCamp cannot be held liable for any damage or injury to persons or property resulting from the use or misuse of fire or flammable material.
Are the tents suitable for people with environmental sensitivities?
Our 100% organic cotton tents and their applied protection are not known to cause a chemical sensitivity reaction. However, the groundsheet is made from PVC for maximum durability and extreme conditions, which may cause sensitivity. The groundsheet may be removed, and an alternate floor can be used, such as a wood platform.