Anyone that reads this blog fairly consistently knows that canvas gets a lot of play here on ACL. It is just such a simple yet perfect fabric. I fondly remember the smell from an old army green canvas tent my dad had growing up. That is something you just don’t get with nylon. Occasionally I’ll get a little whiff of that tent smell the first time I put on my Barbour coat in the fall. So naturally when I saw the canvas goods from Portland, Oregon based Beckel I took pause. The crunchy, dare I say, campy company makes tents, bags, lawn tarps, just about anything you can think of from canvas and all here in the United States.
Take note of the excellent prices for the Beckel offerings. You would be lucky to get those sort of prices from China let alone the good old USA. In fact that reminds me, Beckel will make a great addition to The American List. If you are in the Portland area, stop into their shop. The rest of us will just have to admire from a far. Many thanks to ACL reader Gary Robbins for the tip.
These bags look superbly constructed and are such a good deal. I needed a bag for a trip this upcoming weekend and decided that the cheapest option by far was to go to American Apparel and get a small nylon duffle. Shoot- should’ve waiting a few days later. I’ll put it on my wish list.
Thanks for the tip, I don’t know how they flew under my radar. I’ll be by this week to check quality in person. They look good in photo.
Jake — tell them to take better photos of the bags!
ACL
Cool discovery.
I will, and I’ll offer my video services as well. I think 95+% of retail is failing miserably in this department. It’s too bad since all the tools to remedy the problem are at our fingertips.
You’re telling me you wouldn’t be more likely to buy this bag if you could see video of it? Opened, filled, pockets shown. Carried by someone, put to use.
It’s crazy that people don’t do it.
anyone know how these tents fare in the rain?
We’re very happy to see such nice articles around about us and our products. Most people don’t take the time to look around for quality and just got for the cheapest things out there. Thanks for getting the word out.
Your friends at Beckel Canvas Products.
And Sam our tents are made with the best water and mildew resistant canvas available.
ive been beating the shit out of my WMJ Mills tote for months and it still looks brand new…. tough as kevlar
Sam-
We keep a modified Beckel wall tent up year round at our family property in The Dalles (about 80 miles east of Portland). It’s an area of Oregon that gets a ton of extreme weather… blazes in the summer, snows like crazy in the winter. The tent has been up for about 3-4 years now and is still going strong.
Another note- Beckel will happily customize any of their products for you. I just had them add leather tabs outfitted with D rings to their Handi Bag so I could use a shoulder strap, all for a whopping $4. Can’t say enough great things about these folks.
Sweet bags. I just ordered the Possibilities bag. I looking forward to years of hard use.
thanks – they look amazing!
The Beckel storefront window display is hilarious. It includes a stuffed beaver peeking out of a miniature canvas outhouse while clutching a crossword puzzle and pen. You can see pictures here: http://totebag.wordpress.com/2009/04/21/beckel-canvas-totes/
Well these are must buys – that one bag is called the Possibilities Bag.
I love the possibilities bag and the handi bag. They are amazingly perfect I use the handi bag as a purse.
I’ve biked by there a hundred times and never thought to stop in and look. Thanks for highlighting their products. I’ll definitely visit them real soon!
The bags are much, much better looking in person. Absurdly better. Trust.
you can find these bags at IGWT … Shana Tabor shop owner & designer found them on a trip through Portland and now sells them In God We Trust Brooklyn & NYC locations…
oh man….. sooo ready to start camping this season! canvas tents look cool, and if you’re just going to set up an HQ for a weekend with buds at the base of a mountain, great… but when i’m hiking, i’ll stick with the lightweight stuff.
Just purchased a war bag w. optional shoulder strap and a log carrier. I’m very excited to receive my goods.
Although not mentioned on the website, they ship to Canada. Great customer service, and I’m sure their bags won’t disappoint.
I got misty when I saw the kit bag. I kept my aviator kit bag after my last jump in the army. Despite the weight issues — the canvas really holds up –I wouldn’t want to carry these tents but that’s what the jeep is for.
Michael, I need to discuss something with these guys. Would you mind connecting me?
Tintin-
Their website is http://www.beckelcanvas.com and all their contact information is on there…hope that helps.
stephyyd- Thanks. I should’a looked there first.
just ordered the war bag. need a good, mature weekend bag, the marmot backpack wasn’t cutting it anymore. thanks for the heads up.
Thanks for the tip. I’m embarrassed to say I’d never been to this store (despite that it’s just a block up the street from one of my favorite restaurants). I went last Sunday, but they were closed….so, I settled for peering in the windows (Sunday hours: 9am-Noon, I shall always remember). Beckel looks like a lot of fun — sewing machines, canvas strewn all over, stuff for sale throughout their workspace…I’ll be back later this week to pick up a graduation gift for my niece.
CE,
If I’m not mistaken I don’t believe they’re open at all on sundays but they are open from 9-12 on saturdays.
My goodness, I’ve been looking for a nice durable canvas toiletries bags for ages. I’m thrilled theirs is so pretty and affordable.