Are your Bell Tents waterproof?

Yes. Our Breathe Bell Tents are made from premium breathable cotton canvas that is designed to keep you dry in wet weather while still allowing moisture vapour from inside the tent to escape. Unlike many synthetic tents that can suffer from condensation, quality canvas naturally breathes, creating a far more comfortable camping experience.

Our tents are treated with a water-repellent finish and feature heavy-duty PVC groundsheets with a bathtub design to help prevent water from entering through the base. When correctly pitched with the walls taut and the guy ropes properly tensioned, rain simply beads and runs off the canvas.

Do I need to season my tent?

Yes, like all quality cotton canvas tents, we recommend seasoning your bell tent before its first extended camping trip. This simply involves thoroughly wetting the canvas and allowing it to dry naturally. As the cotton fibres swell, they close the tiny stitching holes created during manufacturing, improving the tent’s waterproof performance.

Seasoning is a simple one-time process and helps ensure your tent performs at its best for years to come.

Will canvas leak?

During the first heavy rain before seasoning, you may notice a small amount of moisture around stitched seams. This is completely normal and is why seasoning is recommended. Once seasoned, the canvas becomes highly weather resistant.

It’s also important not to touch the inside walls of the tent during heavy rain. Pressing against wet canvas can temporarily break the surface tension and allow moisture to wick through.

Can I leave my bell tent up permanently?

While our tents are exceptionally weather resistant, they are designed as camping and glamping tents rather than permanent structures. For extended setups, we recommend adding one of our roof protectors. These provide additional protection from UV exposure, bird droppings, tree sap and prolonged rainfall, helping to extend the life of your canvas.

How can I keep my tent waterproof?

To maximise the lifespan and waterproof performance of your tent:

• Always season the canvas before first use.
• Pitch the tent tightly so water runs off effectively.
• Never pack the tent away wet—allow it to dry completely first.
• Clean off dirt, leaves and bird droppings after use.
• Reproof the canvas with a suitable canvas waterproofing treatment after years of use if required.
• Consider using a roof protector for long-term or seasonal pitching.

With proper care and maintenance, a quality canvas bell tent can provide many years—even decades—of reliable waterproof performance.