DIY Glamping: Elevate your comfort with the Springbar Classic Jack 140 tent

For almost two decades we camped in your standard brightly colored nylon tents, purchasing progressively larger versions as we added children to the family and as those children grew. These tents easily got too hot in warm weather, making them not ideal for our kids’ nap times. The material and the color also meant these tents just weren’t a place we ever wanted to hang out - say if the weather turned or we just wanted some indoor down-time to play games or read a book.

Then, a couple of years ago, we came across an Outside Magazine article on Springbar tents that ended up changing how we camp. We had been slowly building out our camping set up for DIY glamping - the comforts of an RV or glamping site but much more flexible, with a smaller storage footprint, and at a fraction of the price. We’d upgraded our tents several times but nothing we tried ever felt like anything more than a tent. Enter Springbar.

With its sturdy construction and thoughtful design, Springbar’s canvas tents are the perfect home base for family outdoor adventures. The cotton fabric is breathable and helps regulate temperature, the spacious interior draws you in and allows you to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere – a place where memories will be made and the stresses of everyday life will melt away. Springbar tents have honestly transformed the way our family experiences the outdoors. In this blog post, we'll take you on a journey through the features and benefits of one of their tents: the remarkable Springbar Classic Jack 140 tent. We’ll showcase how it can elevate your family camping trips to new heights of comfort, style, and convenience.

The Epitome of Spacious Comfort

One of the most striking features of the Springbar Classic Jack 140 is its generous size. With a floor area of 140 square feet and an interior height of 6'6", this tent offers ample room for the whole family to stretch out and relax. Even when full (we’ve fit 5 cots across!), the tent’s height and large windows make the space feel light and airy. Gone are the days of feeling confined and claustrophobic inside a tent. The Classic Jack 140 allows you to create a true home away from home - we like to use cots and even create a cozy seating area to read a book or play games. The spacious interior is complemented by large windows and a full-size door, providing excellent ventilation and natural light, making it feel more like a canvas cabin than a mere tent.

Take a tour of our Springbar Classic Jack 140:

Want something smaller? Springbar also makes 10x10, 8x10 , 7x9, and 6x8 models.

Durability and Craftsmanship

Springbar tents are an investment but one that will last a very long time. Remember that pricing is relative: Springbar tents are not much more expensive than top brand large nylon tents and significantly cheaper than an RV. When investing in a family tent, durability is key. Springbar tents are crafted with the utmost care and attention to detail, ensuring it will withstand the test of time and the elements. The tent is made from army duck canvas, a heavy-duty, tightly woven, breathable material that is watertight, mildew-resistant, and highly durable. This results in a tent that protects you from the elements while allowing for airflow, meaning that you won’t get condensation build up inside your tent. The seams are double-stitched and reinforced, while the sturdy aluminum frame provides a reliable structure. Springbar's commitment to quality is evident in every aspect of the tent's construction, giving you peace of mind that your investment will last decades (or longer - you can probably pass this tent down to your kids, who will have developed a deep love of camping 💚).

Setting Up a Springbar Tent

One thing to note about Springbar tents is that they set up differently than most tents. Springbar has a great video showing you how to set up your tent.

Here’s a step by step but the video is much easier to understand: You start by unrolling your tent and laying it flat on the ground. The tent comes with metal loops and large, sturdy stakes so you’ll know exactly where/how to stake it. Start by pounding in the corner stakes, then go down each side and pound stakes into each of the metal loops.

Next, assemble the roof frame (not as hard as it sounds). Remember, your tent is laying flat on the ground - just take off your shoes, walk onto the tent and you’re on the roof :) There are two sleeves on each end of the roof; slide the thinnest poles into the sleeves. There are two poles called ridge poles that have a “T” shape at the end. Lay them end to end on top of the tent, positioning the T-fitting between the sleeves on each side. Slide the thin poles into the T shape on both ends, effectively making two large T shapes, one on each end of the tent roof. One of the ridge poles will have a metal sleeve; slide that forward to connect the two ridge poles.

Okay, now get off the tent (put your shoes back on unless you like being barefoot). The poles you just installed are all laying flat. The tent comes with four additional poles - two thinner ones that are for the awning and two “uprights” that are for the two sides of the tent and will hold it - you guessed it - upright. The uprights are taller, thicker, and have shorter tips.

Extend the upright's tension screw about 1 inch. Insert the upright into the T-fitting on one side of the tent, inserting the upright pole tip into its bottom slot. While lifting, place the pole's base behind the center stake. Repeat on the other side: your tent should now stand, but might be a little loose. Tighten the uprights by lengthening them a few clicks until the tent fabric is taut but not overly stretched (the tent is heavy; be careful here).

Awning (Optional): Roll Up or Extend: Decide if you want the awning open or closed. Use the included awning poles, guy lines, and stakes to extend the awning if desired.

Eco-Friendly and Sustainable

In an era where environmental consciousness is paramount, the Springbar Classic Jack 140 stands out for its eco-friendly features. The 100% cotton canvas is a natural material that minimizes the tent's impact on the environment. Unlike synthetic materials, cotton canvas can be repaired and patched, extending the life of your tent and reducing waste. By providing the option to repair and maintain the tent, right in Salt Lake City, Utah, Springbar encourages customers to extend the life of their gear, further reducing the need for replacements and keeping tents out of landfills.

Flexible, Cost-Effective, & Long-Term

Urban families are twice as likely to indicate that they want a comfortable, glamping outdoor experience. Yet while many suburban families might achieve this comfort with an RV, parking or storage is logistically impractical when living in a city. Another option is to camp at a premade glamping site, but these campgrounds are 1) more expensive (often 3x or more the cost of standard campground fees), 2) usually outside of the best national and state parks (and thus farther away from the natural attractions you want to see and experience in the first place), and 3) noncustomizable - what they offer is what you get.

This is the beauty of DIY Glamping: for less than the cost of a one-week family vacation, you can invest in comfortable glamping equipment that you can store in your own home and which lets you create a home-away-from home at any campsite of your choosing.

And in the case of Springbar tents, their ultra durable fabric means that instead of putting your money towards a one-time glamping experience, you are putting it toward a piece of gear that will significantly upgrade your experience and last you literally decades (if not longer).

Versatility for All Seasons

While the Springbar Classic Jack 140 excels in mild to warm weather conditions, one of the standout features of the Springbar Classic Jack 140 is its compatibility with a tent stove, allowing you to extend your camping adventures into cooler seasons. The Classic Jack 140 has been specifically designed to function seamlessly with the Winnerwell woodstove and other components of the Springbar 'Hot Tent' System. This integration ensures a safe and efficient setup with external ventilation, and provides warmth and comfort on chilly nights.

Important Note: Springbar recommends using only the approved Winnerwell stove and components to maintain the integrity and safety of your tent. Modifying or altering other Springbar® tent models to accommodate a wood-burning stove is not advised and may void the warranty. As with any heating source used inside a tent, it's crucial to follow all manufacturer instructions and safety guidelines ensure a secure and enjoyable camping experience.

All of that being said, we personally didn’t want to burn wood in our tent both for ease of use and safety. Check out this video on how we adapted the Winnerwell system with a NuWay propane stove (disclaimer: please note your Springbar warranty when making adjustments and remember that your warranty and your safety are solely your responsibility).

A couple of trade-offs

As with all great things, there are a couple of trade-offs to Springbar tents. They are heavier than traditional tents, though we feel that the weight is worth it given the quality tent you receive. Be aware of the weight if your campsite is a walk-in that requires carrying the tent any kind of distance. An important point to be aware of is that Springbar tents cannot be stored wet. Your best bet is to let it dry at camp while the tent is still standing. These tents are tougher to dry at home because they can't be erected without being staked down first (see ‘Setting Up a Springbar Tent’, above). If you’re drying it at home, you’ll need a large space to lay the tent out and then as one part dries you’ll need to move it around to make sure all parts are dry. Again, best to let it dry at camp if that’s an option.

The Springbar Classic Jack 140 canvas tent has revolutionized the way our family approaches camping. It offers a perfect balance of spaciousness, durability, eco-friendliness, and compact storage – all essential factors for urban families seeking a comfortable and sustainable outdoor experience. While it may be an investment, the craftsmanship and versatility of this tent make it a worthwhile one. If you're ready to elevate your family camping trips to new heights of comfort and style, the Springbar Classic Jack 140 is the canvas castle of your dreams. So, pack up your gear, head to the great outdoors, and create lasting memories in the embrace of this remarkable tent.