Do Bell Tents Hold Up to Wind?

Bell tents have been around for a long time, but they're still great for modern camping. They're not just tents for camping; they're like a cozy, fun, historical experience that connects you with nature. One big question is: can these stylish bell tents really handle strong wind? These tents are designed to last and to be stable, just like the old circular canvas shelters used by early explorers.

Bell Tents are a great choice if you are choosing to camp and the weather is not on your side - from the heavy canvas material, shape of the bell tent and the secure ropes that keep your tent from blowing away - they offer a more secure option then a cheaper tent.

Why Circular Tents Work Well
Circular canvas tents have been popular for a long time because they're really stable. Bell tents, with their modern design, keep this tradition going. They're great at dealing with wind because of their shape. The wind doesn't hit just one side too hard; it goes around the tent. This keeps the tent steady and comfortable, even when the weather gets rough.

Choosing Heavy Materials
Good quality Bell tents are made with heavier materials on purpose. This makes them stronger and stops them from flapping around in the wind, which can be annoying. So, you can enjoy the quiet of nature without being disturbed by noisy tent fabric.

Lessons from Polar Explorers
History shows us that early explorers in cold places like the poles used single-pole canvas tents that were easy to set up. Roald Amundsen, a famous explorer, used a circular bell tent on his South Pole trip. This shape was really good at handling strong winds, proving that this design works well even in tough conditions.

What can you do to make your Bell Tent more sturdy in the wind?

As stated - the design of the Bell Tent makes it pretty wind resistant straight out of the box, but there several things you can do to make things even more comfortable during those windy days

• Use the Natural Landscape: Use what Mother Earth gave you if possible, on a very windy day it may be a good idea to position your tent in a place where there is a natural obstruction stopping you from getting the full brunt of the wind. This could be near a large hill or a collection of trees. It is worth noting though if you are near trees to be careful of debris falling and landing on your tent. Try to make sure the wind is coming from the direction of the trees and therefore minimised rather than blowing against it.
• Getting A Windbreaker: You are able to buy windbreakers that you can set up away from the tent to minimise the wind that hits the tent. These can also be utilised for when you are outside the tent and looking to enjoy the natural air without feeling the full force of the wind. Great for outdoor cooking as well and also provide a little more privacy and security for your camping trip.
• Ensure the Guy Ropes Are Used Properly: Bell Tents come with Guy Lines that follow the slope of the roof and can be used to further anchor the tent into the ground. Ensure that the rope is nice and tight before pegging it in the ground and if need be you can always opt for seperate, heavy duty guy ropes with wooden sliders to add that extra security. Be sure to check these throughout your camping trip to make sure they stay nice and tight - often people accidentally walk into them and loosen them or they can come undone by themselves.
• Double Peg Where possible: If you have spare pegs, or even better have purchased heavy duty pegs, make sure you are utilising all the tools that you have available to make sure your tent doesn't budge, no matter the weather.
• Weigh the Tent down: Naturally you are going to bring accessories on your camping journey. From beds to stoves to decorative features to bring your tent to life and make it home. The more weight you have on the inside of the tent the less the wind will have an effect in moving it. If you don't have loads of stuff to weigh it down you can always use large stones/sticks around the edges to really pin the tent to the ground. Just make sure that they are clean first!
• Having a Strong Center Pole: You can reinforce the center pole (you know, the pole keeping the tent up!) to ensure that your main support isn't budging in the wind. By attaching another pole, through tape or zip ties, the center pole is less likely to bend or even break under the windy conditions and mean your tent will last the windy days.

Bell tents are more than just a place to sleep. They're a blend of old wisdom and modern design. When you're out camping, you can count on these tents to be strong and comfortable. They handle wind well, so you can focus on enjoying your adventure, not worrying about the weather.