Some time ago during my first camping times a canvas pup tent provided shelter. A few years later I camped in a surplus military tent for a summer out in the woods. And of course all kinds canvas shelters were used and greatly appreciated in the Army when in base camp on deployment. You can sleep in a poncho in the rain but dry is better and warm is better still.
All kinds of tarps and tents saw use in later years and while they worked, more or less, they didn't hold up as well as canvas. A Eureka 4 man wedge was likely the best I used when weight wasn't an issue. During that decades long period I did a lot motorcycle camping around the continent and backpacking in wilderness areas. I found a tarp or at most a hammock and tarp worked pretty well. Not canvas but it worked.
Years later I read about Bushcrafting and all the cool gear available, including some pretty nice canvas products and extraordinary knives.
With back packing pretty much given over to truck camping these days, it is easier to tote heavier kit and I gladly slipped back into canvas tents and tarps. A wall tent with stove for colder time, a light canvas for warmer times and a light weight canvas tarp for all the times.
Still have the other gear. Its good quality and in serviceable condition so maybe the kids or gbabies will want to use it. But I have come full circle to canvas.
Certainly no regrets about the non canvas adventures and times but for me it's just not the same as canvas. Travel has been limited for a while due to covid which is understandable and huge wildfires which is regrettable. Sometimes I'll just set one of the canvas tents on the property and go visit the older ways for a couple weeks or so.
I'm fortunate to live in the sticks. The cabin is nice but it ain't canvas. And camping is still camping. Always sleep better outside anyway.
Happy trails
