Are Bell Tents any Good?

The Bell  Tent is making a resurgence in Australia. Is this resurgence based on the re-discovery of its brilliance ,on a yearning for the good-old-days…when life was wonderful in all respects, or a dissatisfaction with light weight dome and tunnel tents?

Origins of the Bell Tent

The tent many of us know as a Bell Tent is referred to in America as the Sibley Tent. Henry Hopkins Sibley patented his tent design in 1858. The Sibley (Bell) Tent is thought to be a variation of the Native American tipi. Unlike a tipi, it has walls, a raised entrance, and guy ropes, without the extendable tripod or smoke hole. (Wikipedia)

Bell Tent Design

A Bell tent is remarkably simple. A single central pole, covered in canvas. The tent is reinforced with tension by guy ropes connected around the top of the walls and held down by pegs around the circumference to the ground. It has a circular floor plan. (Wikipedia)

Putting up a Bell Tent

A Bell tent like many tents can be really easy when you have 4 people who know how to work together. One holding the central pole, while others pull /adjust and peg out the walls.

The canvas is single layer, there is no additional fly to be manoeuvred and secured. This is similar to the “Auto-tent” and much simpler than the A-frame/Fly tent combination. Dome and tunnel  tents with their flexible frames and  lightweight fabrics which can quite easily be erected by one person remain the easier option.

Protection from the Ground

Modern Bell Tents have a sewn in floor. This feature is an expectation these days as it helps to keep out unwanted creatures and protects the contents of the tent from moisture.  Older Bell Tents do not have the sewn-in floor and turning a square ground sheet into a round one is a pain in the neck. For traditional campers who are content with an natural earth or grass floor, this is not an issue.

Pitching on Wooden Platforms

In some commercial camping areas, we are seeing the introduction of wooden platforms as tent sites, rather than pitching directly onto the ground. This style of camping is a topic for a separate article, however, generally speaking, if the platform is the right size, then adjusting the guy ropes of a Bell Tent would still be easier without the added complication of avoiding the gaps between the timber platform planks when positioning the upright corner poles. Self-supporting, box-shaped tents, that is, those with no guy ropes are easier and are more suited to platform camping, however, these are less stable is poor weather.

Weather friendly

Canvas is a durable, breathable and versatile material. Modern canvas is waterproof  and suitable in all seasons.  Mildew and tears are much less likely in a well maintained canvas tent than in the lightweight nylon  tents

Foot print

The smaller the tent, and the shorter /fewer the guy ropes then the smaller the tent footprint. On those occasions where campsite area is limited, the Bell tent is not the leader of the pack.

Interior Space.

The Bell tent is remarkably spacious. Interior layout of sleeping and gear will maximize the space. The long central pole provides ample head clearance when its occupants are standing and moving  about.  Special care must be taken not to dislodge the central pole.

Moving away from the central pole area, drastically reduces head room. Interference with the canvas roof and walls can be a real problem. The high walls of an Auto tent can be a real advantage.

Naturally, in good weather, for short stay camping, spaciousness is less critical. However, in poorer weather, for extended periods, especially for campers unhappy to be bending and crouching the  are less desirable.

Aesthetics

The Bell tent looks great when erected well. The curve of the wall and the pitch and lines of the roof sections are undeniably attractive to the eye. No wonder that so many Glamping enterprises choose the Bell Tent!

Storing it

The Bell tent is fabulously compact – not like a hike tent  – of course, but  with no framing and only a single pole it is pretty good. Too bulky to back pack – but more than suitable for a trailer or roomy car

My 5 thoughts about Bell Tents?

• I love the romantic look of a Bell Tent
• Great for kids, once they get the hang of putting them up
• Remarkably stable in all weather.
• Bit too much bending for my bad back and knees
• Canvas breathes

Your thoughts?

Have you seen our article about sleeping mats?