Canvas is still a thing and your grandfather was not wrong – it breathes, it does not condensate the way nylon does, and it genuinely lasts decades. Modern canvas tents heavy duty waterproof treatments solved the sponge problem, Coody’s canvas models are properly treated rather than just coated. On weight, your instinct is right: canvas is heavy, this is car camping gear, not backpacking. Their 10.0 PRO canvas runs around $1,259. One thing worth knowing: canvas needs to be fully dry before storage or you get mildew, which is what kills most of them. Your grandfather knew that. Nobody tells you anymore.
