Through downpours, heat and gale-force winds, we kept our summer building tasks on track inside our White Duck canvas tent workshop.
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We Tried the White Duck Canvas Tent, and It’s the Perfect Summer Workshop
Updated Sep. 11, 2024
My partner and I were going to build a formal workshop this summer. Unfortunately, those plans got put on hold, leaving us in a quandary about where to house tools and materials for a camper restoration project we had coming up.
After some digging online, I found the White Duck Alpha Wall Tent, which seemed like a good solution. Still, my partner has worked with canvas for most of his life—running awning and marine canvas businesses, plus consulting for a military tent repair facility—so when it comes to buying anything made of the stuff, he balks at the quality (or lack thereof) and the price.
Even before our White Duck canvas tent was set up, his begrudging turned to enthusiasm, and he’s been trumpeting its praises ever since. It turns out we aren’t the only fans. I talked to Zena Ives, owner of Battle Creek Camping Resort in South Dakota, who relies on White Duck tents for her glamping cabins.
“From Girl Scout trips to large families who want to all stay together, the sheer size of the tent provides rave reviews,” Zena says. “In it, we have four queen beds, a dining table with chairs and a fireplace with a sitting area. This is our third White Duck tent, and we can’t wait to add more to our glampground.”
Whether you need a quick, sturdy workshop or a cozy space for any activity, White Duck canvas tents might just be the ideal choice.
On This Page
What is the White Duck Alpha Wall Tent?
White Duck makes four canvas tent styles: wall, bell, scout, and cabin. Each comes in a multitude of sizes. We settled on the Alpha Wall Tent in the 12-foot-by-14-foot size, which appropriately fits our backyard space.
Our intended use for this tent was a little astray from its more popular applications, which include camping and outdoor entertaining, such as Airbnb glamping rentals, temporary hunting cabins, family campouts, backyard parties and weddings.
Because of that, we were initially unsure if it could withstand the rougher demands of a workshop. But as soon as we unboxed it and felt the quality of the canvas and sturdy frame, we were sure it was up to our task.
While our goal was a summer workshop, White Duck’s Alpha Wall canvas tents are touted for use in four seasons. They’re made to accommodate a wood stove, with a fire-resistant jack (opening) for the pipe. You can use your own stove or choose from a number of White Duck models. Other notable features include windows with bug mesh and storm protection, an extra layer of waterproof vinyl around the lower sides and guylines to secure them against the wind.
The tent arrived in two surprisingly large boxes, which, in total, weighed a hefty 200+ pounds. But overall, it was intuitive to erect, thanks to the helpful instructions. It is large and heavy, so it did take some muscling. It is a two-person job to lift the top to place the side upright poles, and then it’s a bit of a bear to lift the corner poles high enough to slide the side flaps underneath (which must be done neatly to avoid gaps in the outside).
Admittedly, there was a bit of swearing involved. Still, the expletives were mixed with understanding because we know the snug design is not a flaw but necessary to ensure a good seal and the canvas is adequately taut. It took one person about one hour to set it up, from unboxing it to driving in the final stakes, plus about 10 minutes of help from a second person.
My partner and I liked the aesthetic. It’s spacious without looking like a utilitarian box. It’s reminiscent of historic military tents or maybe something from the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930s. Every morning when we come outside, we chuckle that one of these days, some reenactors might be camped out inside, ready to greet us with a cup of coffee.
KARUNA EBERL FOR FAMILY HANDYMAN
We Tried It
White Duck Alpha Wall Tent
A sturdy canvas tent from a trusted brand
Pros:
- Sturdy
- Waterproof
- Intuitive to set up
- Spacious design
- Reflects the sun's heat well
- Appealing aesthetic
- Ample accessories
- Large range of size choices
Cons:
- Heavy to move but still portable
- No door or window on back wall for cross-ventilation (on the non-pro model)
White Duck Outdoors Canvas Tent Features
- Durable 10.10 oz. Army duck cotton canvas
- Double-stitched seams with reinforced corners
- Water-repellent, mold and UV-resistant finish
- Heavy-duty frame with anodized aluminum poles
- Shock-absorbing bungee cords for weather reinforcement
- Pre-installed wood-stovepipe jack, with 5-inch and 6-inch pre-cut pattern
- PVC groundsheet made from 16 oz. polyvinyl
- Four windows with three-layer storm protection
- Bug mesh on doors and windows, which is PVC-dipped and UV-resistant
- Heavy-duty nylon guyline ropes with quick tighteners
- Six sizes, from 8’x10′ to 16’x 24′
- Upgraded “pro” version available with lighter fabric, portable AC vent, fire-repellency, second door
How We Tested It
Modifications
Our first course of action was to modify the tent’s design to fit our particular needs more comfortably. Since our model didn’t come with a back door, we cut two vertical slits to form a roll-up one, then framed out the sides of the doorway with wood to keep them from getting damaged.
For additional shelf space and wood storage, we created upper shelves on both sides by suspending a piece of plywood with a rope tied to the roof bars. It’s not the most official-looking setup, but it does seem to keep with the garrison theme, and the rigging has managed to hold whatever we’ve tossed up there.
Workshopping
Next, we filled the tent with various building materials and tools, including a chop saw, table saw, two work benches, a set of vertical shelves and a cart full of tools. Even with that load, all of the workspaces are still easy to access, and overall, it doesn’t feel cramped, thanks in part to the five-foot-high side walls and almost nine-foot ceiling peak.
As for durability, we have been trying not to let sharp wood or metal lean against the canvas, but it inevitably happens. Even when we accidentally dropped a stack of 2x4s onto one wall, they didn’t rip the canvas or create scuff marks.
The White Duck canvas tent also has some added durability features, including an internal metal wire truss above the front door to keep the tent stabilized in the wind and an extra layer of waterproof poly sewn around the bottom to keep pooling rain and splashes from mucking up the canvas.
Winds, Sun and Dust
Throughout the summer, we’ve encountered a broad spectrum of weather and other elements. We live about 7,500 feet above sea level, which means the sun blasts everything with UV rays. Three months in, the canvas shows no sign of stress or drying. Also, it reflects the sun’s heat quite well, even on the hottest days. Most of the time, it’s cooler in the tent than outside.
Ives has had similar luck with her Alpha Wall tent. “We are in a valley in the Black Hills of South Dakota, so we easily get 60 to 75 mile-an-hour winds and hail,” she says. “This tent has held up with no issues, and families who were inside during the storms all stated it kept them safe and dry and that they were impressed by the quality of the tent.”
We also get dust storms here, which come with 50+ mph winds. This is no problem for the tent, which held firm. The guylines are also made from sturdy nylon rope and include quick-tighteners, so correcting any lax lines is easy, allowing for movement.
Rain, Snow and Cold
White Duck doesn’t claim absolute waterproofness, but it hasn’t yet let in a drop of rain, even during a surprise downpour. But, in case you need more protection (like if you think it will have prolonged snow on top), the company also sells a thoroughly waterproof fly sheet for the top, which they recommend for prolonging the tent’s life by protecting it from sun damage and debris.
White Duck also sells an awning expansion for the foyer, which is meant for cooking under or storing gear. Otherwise, the tent has a nice little built-in awning overhang at the door for overhead protection.
Since the floor is a separate component, we wondered if it would allow water to seep through, but that has not happened. In fact, we feel so confident that it won’t that we’re now storing some valuable wood furniture there, too.
We haven’t yet experienced how it fares in the cold. But winter is approaching, so we’ll update this once the snow flies. Perhaps we’ll even add a wood stove to the mix to see how that works!
FAQ
Are White Duck tents waterproof?
White Duck canvas touts their tents as “water-repellent,” but even after a summer of rainstorms, ours has yet to leak or get condensation on the inside. The company also sells a fly sheet (tarp) for the top for added protection in extreme weather.
How do you clean a White Duck tent?
The company recommends regularly opening the doors and windows to vent out the tent to prevent mold and mildew. For dirt spots on the canvas, use a dry bristle brush to buff out the dirt, then a damp cloth to pat out the area. Never use bleach or other chemicals that can harm the material and protective treatments. If the tent needs heavier cleaning, soak it in mild soap and water or spray it down with a garden hose, then leave it stretched out in the sun to dry. For instructions on packing, storing, re-treating the waterproof protection and maintaining the zippers, see White Duck’s blog.
What Others Had to Say
A reviewer on Amazon who bought the 10-foot-by-12-foot Alpha Wall wrote: “We’ve had this tent up and in daily use for almost a year. It’s withstood up to 60mph winds and torrential downpours with no problems. Best tent ever!”
A reviewer for Alaska Magazine wrote of the Regatta Bell Tent, “There’s a lot I like and can say about this tent. Fun is the first word that comes to mind. Little kids love to play in tents, but the Regatta Bell was next-level fun for them. They were heartbroken when I put the tent away last fall.”
White Duck Tents vs. Kodiak Tents
The closest size Kodiak tent to our White Duck Alpha Pro 12-foot-by-14-foot is a 12-foot-by-12-foot model. It’s about half the price and weighs 75 pounds compared to White Duck’s 200 pounds. But that price and weight come with a difference in ruggedness.
White Duck vs. Kodiak stats: Anodized aluminum vs. galvanized steel; 10.1 ounces of canvas on the entire structure, vs. 10 ounces on the top and 8.5 ounces on the walls; 16-ounce polyvinyl floor vs. 13.5-ounce vinyl floor; and five external guy lines per side vs. four. Those stats may explain why White Duck tents look consistently more taught than Kodiak Tents in most photos.
A few other notable differences:
- White Duck has 5-foot-tall sides and an 8.8-foot peak, compared to Kodiak’s 5-foot walls and 7.5-foot peak. For a camping tent, the wall height might not matter much, but as a workshop, the 5-foot walls are essential to comfortably placing and using tools against the wall, such as a table or chop saw.
- White Duck’s door is a zipper with flaps that roll back and up, while Kodiak’s is more square.
- White Duck includes an awning over the doorway to protect it from the elements.
- Kodiak has one “storm” window with a pop-out awning, plus two more windows.
- White Duck can accommodate up to a 6-foot stovepipe vs. Kodiak’s 5-foot stovepipe.
- The largest Kodiak tent is 12 by 16 feet vs. White Duck’s 16 by 24 feet.
- Kodiak’s floor is sewn in; White Duck’s is separate. White Duck claims the separate floor makes cleaning and transporting it easier.
- White Duck offers a fire-repellent coating option.
- White Duck offers a secondary fly for the top for added protection.
Final Verdict
If you need a temporary workshop, White Duck’s Alpha Wall Tent is an ideal solution. It’s spacious, exceptionally sturdy against wind and rain, adaptable, quick to assemble and charming. It’s also a good choice for extended family camping trips, as well as a sheltered backyard entertainment space and even a playhouse for kids.
The only caveats are that it’s heavy and bulky to transport and takes longer than a nylon tent to set up, so it wouldn’t be suitable for a short weekend camping trip or if you have a small car. But otherwise, we can’t recommend this tent enough. Its walls are high enough to accommodate a table saw; its rafters are strong enough to hang materials from; the canvas is sturdy enough to withstand pointy objects; and the color nicely deflects the sun’s heat.
Though we were initially disappointed at not being able to build our permanent workshop this summer, the White Duck Alpha Wall tent came through in a big way, and at least for us, it has truly been the next-best solution. We can’t sing its praises enough. Once its workshop days are over, we’ll surely use it for years as a glamping tent.
Where to Buy White Duck Tents
KARUNA EBERL FOR FAMILY HANDYMAN
We Tried It
White Duck Alpha Wall Tent
Want a tent for glamping? This is the canvas tent to use.
White Duck Alpha Wall Tents cost between $1,650 and $4,350, depending on size. They are available online directly from White Duck, as well as from Cabela’s, Walmart and Amazon.
Originally Published: August 26, 2024
