Springbar and Kodiak are the top two canvas tent brands.
I have owned and used both while exploring public lands in the U.S.
From intense winds, blowing sand, heavy rain, snow, and desert rocks, my tents have been through a lot of inclement weather.
While they are similar in many ways, there are 7 key differences between Kodiak and Springbar that will make your decision easy.
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My Kodiak Tent (my full Kodiak Flex-Bow review)
My Springbar Tent (my full Springbar review)
In this article, when I refer to Springbar, I’m referring to the Springbar U.S.A line (not their imported Highline, and for Kodiak, I’m referring to the Flex-bow line (not the cabin or bell tents).
Kodiak Flex-Bow  | Springbar 7x9  | Canvas Tent Discount Codes  |
$599.99 | $999.99 | 👇👇 |
Springbar vs Kodiak Canvas Tents: The 7 Primary Differences
There are key 7 key differences between Springbar and Kodiak canvas tents.
Below is a simple graphic and then we’ll dive into the details. (by the way, you can’t go wrong with either brand, both are better than White Duck Outdoors Prota and Teton Sports Mesa, in my opinion).
Some combination of these will likely make you pick one over the other.
- Kodiak is made in China. Springbar is made in U.S.A. Thus, a Kodiak costs less. View current prices on their official website.
- I had more issues with Springbar’s durability than Kodiak. Given U.S. made vs Chinese-made, I would have expected the opposite.
- The Kodiak floor material is thicker than Springbar. It makes Kodiak great in the desert where everything is sharp. – Update: I was writing a new article and noticed Springbar says they use 12oz vinyl now. Wayback machine shows 9 oz for an Outfitter, so not 100% clear. Kodiak uses between 13.5 and 16 oz.
- Kodiak has more options for each base model tent including full-length venting windows.
- The Kodiak poles are galvanized steel and more sturdy (and heavy) compared to Springbar’s aluminum poles.
- Springbar has superior customer service compared to Kodiak. Although, the only reason I know that is because of a couple of failures in my Springbar tent.
- Springbar has more tent accessories for shade, storage, and more.
You may also be interested in The 12 Best Springbar and Kodiak Accessories and How to Heat a Canvas Tent.
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Brands included: Springbar, Kodiak, White Duck, Teton Sports
Springbar vs Kodiak? Kodiak Wins
It’s abundantly clear you get more bang for your buck with Kodiak. In fact, it could be argued that Kodiak is not only cheaper in price, but also higher in quality.
In my opinion, the only reason to use Springbar U.S.A. is if you want to support a U.S. company and have great customer support.
I still currently use a Springbar for this reason. Their customer support is great and I really like the people I’ve interacted with at the warehouse the couple of times I’ve been there.
However, I’m also a realist. If a friend asked me which tent to buy, I would tell him or her a Kodiak (full review here).
You can pay 50% less for better quality and decent customer service. It seems like a no-brainer.
I use a Springbar because I lived in Salt Lake City for 3 years and was able to get a factory second at a small discount during COVID. The team there has since grown on me so I still support their products.
If this is your first canvas tent purchase and you’re doing a basic comparison, it makes perfect sense to purchase a Kodiak.
Why Kodiak Tents are Superior to Springbar’s U.S. Canvas Tents?
Now that you have an overview, let me get into the details.
Kodiak Tent Floors are Thicker than Springbar!
This is the most obvious technical and physical difference between the tents.
The Kodiak Flexbow tent floor is 16 oz reinforced vinyl polyester compared to Springbar’s 9-12 oz (update: Springbar states 12 oz, but it does for all their tents, unclear if that’s an average or not – I used the “wayback” machine and it shows the Outfitter at 9 oz).
It is noticeable.
I prefer the thicker floor because I frequently camp in desert terrain where everything is sharp. Whether it be rocks or plant debris, the Kodiak floor felt much more durable.
My Springbar floor also began to show signs of wear after about 9 months. There wasn’t a hole or anything, it was just wearing thinner in a spot about the size of a quarter.
My Kodiak tent has never had any issues with the floor and that’s without a ground tarp.
Do You Need a Ground Tarp for a Kodiak or Springbar Tent?
Yes, you should get a ground tarp for Springbar tents. Springbar makes great ones. I didn’t feel the need to get one for a Kodiak, but you should still use one of those cheap blue tarps to keep condensation from building on the bottom of the tent and for some extra protection.
Because the Springbar floor isn’t as thick as Kodiak, I felt the need to get a heavy-duty ground tarp for protection. The first time I missed moving a small rock before setting my Springbar up, I could see that rock trying to poke through with all its might. With a Kodiak, you’d barely notice it.
In addition, ground tarps help with keeping water away from the bottom of the tent. See all the accessories you should consider.
In the desert, where rain can cause rivers around your tent, I’d recommend a ground tarp for both. Here’s the bottom after a night of rain. The tarp did its job in protecting and allowing water to flow underneath.
Springbar doesn’t really mention this on its sales page, but I think they assume you’ll get a ground tarp to go with your tent.
The Springbar ground tarps are the best ground tarps I’ve ever used. They are thick, easy to clean, and show no signs of wear after months of use.
It also helps keep moisture off the bottom of the tent. Moisture will often form on material that is in direct contact with the ground.
For proper storage, you must dry any canvas tent before storing it. Very little condensation, if any, will build on the tent floor when using a heavy-duty tarp. Using a ground tarp keeps the bottom of your tent dry. You can fold up your tent right away and simply flip the ground tarp to dry in the sun.
If you’re ever in a crunch for time, you can pack away the tent, and then just have to lay out the tarp at a later time.
This does add to the total cost of ownership of the Springbar (a heavier-duty tarp is required for them vs Kodiak). It should be included in the total cost (and weight) between the two products for a fair comparison.
Kodiak Offers Better Venting and Airflow Solutions
Kodiak offers upgrades from their base models to help during the summer. I found that once it gets above 75F to 80F, you’ll want all 4 sides to be able to vent to be comfortable.
Springbar does not have an offering with full 4-side venting, so I recommend the Kodiak VX if you camp primarily in the summer months.
