Military Tents, a Comparison | Dutch Army | Polish Lavvu | French F1 | Hungarian Zeltbahn 

I may just be old but the French Army tent reminds me of the ridge tents we had as kids. Love the look of it, huge inside too.

I think I prefer the dutch out of all of these. Great comparison. Thanks for sharing. I love how you take the time to have the different camera angles.

On the sewing machine front I recommend the Singer Heavy Duty 4423. It specifically made to sew through heavy denim and will definitely go through cotton canvas tarps. It’s a straight forward no mess domestic sewing machine. Very easy machine to use for men starting off. Hope this helps.

Nice video. I use a lavvu. I use 2 telescopic tarp poles and lines to replace the center pole. It opens up the entire interior. Yes I do use the lavvu for hiking, and I'm 64 years old. With the 1 pole, a tent half, ground sheet, stakes and lines it comes in at 4 pounds. I use it as a rain poncho, lean to, outer cloak(instead of a coat) and tent(with a partner that has 2nd half). I regularly walk 4 miles and stay toasty warm on 30f temperature. Since it provides me with 3 or 4 functions I don't consider the 3lbs excessive as I would have to carry additional gear anyway to replace it.

I've heard & read that the French tent has a propensity for leakage through the seams. Some people here on RU-vid who have tested it are 50/50 between sealing the seams, and putting up a tarp as a rain fly. As of today (04Feb22) the French tents are selling for $50 to $65 U.S. from three legit military surplus online stores. The one man Dutch Army tents are not to be found. Now if a manufacturer was to reproduce it, in a 1 and 2 man version, that would be my choice. Followed by the French with a fly. I'm in the deep U S. South so I'd need to rig up some mosquito netting for any of these surplus tents. Enjoyed your reviews. Detailed and thorough !

I do have the Dutch Bivy which I really like! It and a tarp work just fine in all weather.

Nice comparison Ed! I like the first 3 set of tents, but I'm not overly keen on that zeltbahn personally. I'm going to order the Dutch army one though. I have a size 1 and 2 Lavvu which I paid peanuts for, sod buying one now. Have a great week fella 👍

I have (and love) the old “pup”tent. It was my very first tent in the scouts. A little heavy but very durable.

Thank you. Great comparison. I never knew that the number of holes/grommets on the polish lavvu was how you size them (off to dig mine out now - I always wondered if they were two different sized halves !). Noting your comment about suspending the lavvu or using a tripod - I have seen someone on Etsy selling a 3D printed tripod cap that goes inside into which you can fit three poles (or cut some sticks when in the woods)

I love the Lavvu and if separated. One in the rucksack and one as a poncho covers rucksack too. Best of both worlds. Waterproof clothing and a shelter

I have all these tents, buy far my favorite is the dutch tent mine has the storm flaps on zips. I just bought the Hungarian one today looking forward to receiving it

Must admit i'm a Lavvu fan too. Heavy, but cosy. I've cut a walking staff the same height as the poles. Great vid mate.

Very interesting ed, a great comparison mate. Now you know my favourite but I'm swerving towards the Dutch army tent. It did impress me when I saw it at camp. Thanks for sharing mate. Great little video

I’ve got two of the Lavuu tents, two of the French tents with one the older cotton type and the other not and two of the GI shelter half tents. Was looking at the Dutch one but heard as you mentioned that they leak at the zippers.

Good review, and ace camera work. I watched it primarily to see what you thought of the Hungarian zeltbahn as I had considered getting one. It needs a bipod internally or a suspension set up from the double grommets at the apex. That way I reckon you could stretch out diagonally and be comfortable, not touching the sides with head and feet. I mostly use two USGI ponchos for backpacking, one for extra rain gear over a lightweight water/windproof jacket in downpours, minimal shelter in fair weather and two studded together as a large basha or to make a fully enclosed shelter in foul or colder weather. I've used two 58s and then, when they wore out, two USGI ponchos studded together in an enclosed set up for base camps on pay/night camp sites, but when I saw how much the French F1 tents were, I couldn't resist and I used a tent for the first time in over 30 years in Cornwall for two weeks on a camp site. Very impressed, fantastic value, came with poles and pegs (the same as are used with the lavvu halves) a couple of very minor wear and tear faults and I had to fit it with guys, My F1 beaded water off no problem when I threw some on it for a pre-holiday test set up, but for belt and braces rain proofing I fitted a 3m x 3m tarp (I use that for hammock camping normally) as a fly sheet which comes right down to the ground either side for pegging and gives a bit more awning front and back. Any condensation from that landed on the tent just stood up on the F!'s canvas and never penetrated, just dried off. I used the tarp rather than my basha, which I also have, as it's bigger giving greater coverage than the tent. Canvas is definitely warmer than man made fibre fabrics when it gets cold outside. You didn't show them, but mine also has bug nets on the doors. When it's a hot day/warm night normal door flaps tied back and the side bug net flaps down is great.

re-watched this video. you mentioned adding a skirt to the lavvu or the zeltbahn. i also have a size2 lavvu & plan on adding a skirt to it. i am looking at around 16 inches of height attachment point would be inside the tent at about 2inches. with matching gromments for tent pegs at ground level. the height was chosen so i could use us army shelter half tent poles for the skirt & stake them out.

I like the very good woodland camouflage of my Dutch army tent .

Nice vid fella ,liking that F1 tent 👍

Great video liking the comparison. Liked and subbed

Good presentation! Having served in both the US and Estonian Armies, for many years, many considered the, French F1 Tent to be the most efficient overall best Individual Soldier Ground Troops tent until the advent of the new generations of supported frame tents.

I like the lavuu tent because you could decide to use the half shelter and the other as a poncho or you could make camp sit one half and take the other half with you on your hike as a portable emergency shelter it just gives you way more options and flexibility.

Nice to see a vid with a good comparison.....🙂 There is a version of the Dutch tank with flaps over the zips......no worries at all. Only use proofer as a very last resort on cotton/polycotton tents. Once done it will have to be repeated over time.. On the lavvu, 2 poles, not three (not needed) on the outside.....brilliant. IF you are under six foot 🙂 F1 works well, F2 leaks....

All these are pretty durable and cool. But seems to me the cult following on the zeltbahn poncho type are because you can use a stove in the tent without melting it like any nylon tent. But the Dutch canvass tent you could do the same and just cut a foldable flap in the floor for your stove. Fold it back in warmer weather. I don't really get the appeal of the linkable zeltbahn types except in winter where there are no bugs

This is very well filmed, and makes me look at the Dutch army tent. Also well done making it look like I did nothing to help around camp.... 😆

A fair bit of headroom in the old Dutch tent. Well yeah there has to be cause the average length of a Dutchman is about 6’4” (194ish cm)

I have most of the tents you have reviewed. But yet again I notice, you don't have the very effective rain fly for the French army F1 tent. I have 4 F1 tent they all came with the rain fly, which can be pitched on its own if needed. Great wee tents and warm, used mine up in Glen Etive. In the Highlands. No problems & very cozy. Liked your review. Many thanks.

I have a couple of French ones and a Lavvu. Just bought a Dutch one. Hopefully I can get some time in it.

Is there anyone who aspires to be a "bushcrafter" who has not got a Polish Lavvu yet?

Great comparison and love the format. I might just try the Dutch Army tent as I have not heard anything good about the French F1.

So I like the Dutch army tent, but you didn’t tell us how tall you are. I’m 6’3” barefoot.

I've got the same selection, except for the Hungarian, I've got the German flecktarn. Also my French one is nylon.

Mate great little look at those canvas military tents. I have a german army flecktarn which I love although it did leak a bit the other night and as you say weighed a small fortune the next day . Still love it though. Anyway take care mate 👍

Oh, also a well done video there. I’m gonna pass on the Zeltbahn as I’m 6’2”.

You know, it's odd. We all love canvas tents but the only reasonably priced ones available are these ex-military ones. It seems like it shouldn't be that difficult to sew a simple canvas tent. It's surprising there aren't new ones for sale. Thanks for the vid. I've ordered the DPM tent for me and my 3 year old to have a night in the woods.

Hmm.. This video format and wool hat seem oddly familiar 🤔

Thanks for the video! What pants are those? I've seen them in a couple of your videos, so they must be pretty durable. I'd like to see a recommended outerwear video! Thanks again!

I love the idea of that hungarian square version of the lavvu but I just dont think I would fit. Im only 5 10 but add a sleeping system and Im pretty sure ill be rubbing head and toe against canvas

Thanks for the nice comparison. With freezing temperatures, can you recomend the hungarian with a tent stove?

Good video . Iv got a few of these tents the Dutch army is my favourite Thanks for sharing

I want one that doesn't need stakes. I can set up on concrete or rocks up in the mountains

This has popped up just at the right time. I am thinking about getting a new tent, and after watching this I am now convinced on the Dutch. 👍 Regards JB.

That music is also great what is that called?

Nice collection of tents. You might want to check out a couple of US military tents. They are the US army Improved combat shelter or ICS, the army TCOP or Tent, Combat on Person and finally the US marine Corp 2man combat tent. If you can get any one of these I'm sure you will love them. I have them all along withe the F2 French commando tent and a Swedish Zeltbahn.

God bless you sir !

Hi buddy .. love the Dutch tent & French tent .. love the look of both .. be great if the French came in a Camo … cheers Chris & Sam

i take out the dutch tents, zipp them together with my partner. plenty of space for 2 persons with 120l backpack.

I think the Dutch is a nice design. Could you get one in modern materials?

I prefer the old style tents,

Good video I have the F1 if it's heavy rain I put 3 x 3 tarp over it never a problem I also have Hungarian zeltbahn love that too ,but yet to camp in it I'm 5'7/8 if your over that height, id say stay away from the Hungarian,but everyone's different just my opinion, unless u take pole out the middle but love both tent's, thinking about polish lavvu next but quite happy with the two I got a moment, cheers for video 👍🏼

Yu can't stop till you have them all.

Love the Lavvu. Trying to get one but can’t find anywhere!

If I had a sherpa to carry my stuff I'd take the Dutch one everyday.

Grat video ed. I have a German pup tent. I like it if you want to have a try with that let me know. I think you'll like it more compared to the zeltbahn.

Is it possible to set up a single Lavvu as a sort of one man bivvy?

Are Hungarians shorter? The French I've used and no thanks, too heavy all of them.

Great Review Thanks from a New Subscriber !

Did your Dutch army tent come with that carry bag?

If you don't mind my asking, how tall are you? I'm going to order one soon and am 5'9", and I worry it's not big enough.

Très bonne présentation 👍

Im going for the dutch one. In the netherlands we can get them for €30 euro a piece. Is there a big price diffrence to where you live?

excellent video friend! You only need the flecktarn tent of the german army and the plash platanka of russia!

Hi. Good material but... "Polish lavvu" isn't correct name of this tent. Name "lavvu" is from the Sami (Laponian) language and means a Sami tent, kind of lower tipi. In Polish we don't have and use this word: lavvu.. and when U are using it, it's a mistake and funny. No Pole or Slav call it "lavvu". It's like calling the Indian teepee or Lapland lavvu using the name: plash palatka... or more correctly the pwashch pawatka (Polish: płaszcz pałatka). I know that the name "Polish lavvu" has become popular and that this tent exists in the world under this name but ... I will describe briefly the situation that took place in the Polish Military Property Agency where such a tent could be purchased: when, out of curiosity whether he would associate this name, I used the words: Polish lavvu, the seller - soldier - did not know what it was about. He immediately knew the word "pałatka" (your "palatka"). Our army does not use this name "LAVVU" either ;-) Your "plash palatka" is an incorrect attempt to English transliterate the Polish name of this coat-tent. It should be "pwashch" or - making things a bit easier - "plashch" (Polish "płaszcz"), which means coat. Palatka (Polish "pałatka"), means tent and should also be written and pronounced slightly differently, because the closest equivalent of the letter "ł" is the English "w". The completely correct English pronunciation/transliteration of these words would be: p-w-a-s-h-c-h p-a-w-a-t-k-a (w as in "walk", sh as in "show", ch as in "cherry", ). Use a translator with pronunciation to check the pronunciation of these words: PŁASZCZ PAŁATKA in Polish and you'll understand what's going on. Płaszcz pałatka means coat-ten, a tent made of a mantle/coat, two in one. We call it short pałatka. Additionally, if you said "plash" (or plash palatka) to a Polish who doesn't watch English-language bushcraft movies, he or she wouldn't know what it meant, because the word means nothing. He would definitely associate the word plashch, especially if you pronounced it as pwashch ;-)

Remember, if you're miserable for not having a camo tent, just get a camo tarp and put it over the two sides of your tent.

One of my dutch army tents has flaps over the zips

I want to be this person when i grow up.

Having camped in the Hungarian zeltbahn you better have a piss jug in the tent with you if you have to go in the middle of the night!

You only want to be the guy in the middle if you are the one with the bad gas.

✨🧸✨ 👶⛺👏

plash palatka