What makes a tent waterproof? and how to know if one is?

Question

I got tent and sprayed with waterproofing. Used it yesterday during the rain and had to put a tarp over it to keep the water from seeping through the top. So I'm looking for a new one thats really rain proof, any suggestions?

Answer 1

A self-supporting tent (like a dome tent) with a full rainfly should keep you relatively dry. I have a Eureka Aspen, a Eureka Apex, and a Big Agnes Seedhouse 3. I NEVER get wet. The Aspen is my primary tent. It has seen hailstorms in the Rockies, torrential downpours in the Adirondacks, and wet sloppy snow in Vermont.

Taped seams are the best, but you can always get seam sealer at the camping supply store closest to you. If you are buying your camping gear at Wal-Mart, Target, K-Mart, Sears, etc...expect to get something less than quality. Go to a REAL gear store and look at the tents. Eureka tents are the best tents if you have a tight budget. You can pick up an Apex at Campmor for about $89. A good MountainHardwear or Marmot tent will set you back a couple hundred bucks.

Also...these are all lighter backpacking style tents. If you are looking for something that you can set a cot and chairs in, then you are really going to pay big bucks for a good tent. A Kelty Trail Dome 6 person tent goes for about $350 (I think) and better tents are more expensive than that. You can pick up a 6 person cabin tent at K-Mart for $150...and you will get wet.

Make sure your tent is tight. That is what keeps the tent from dripping. Use a groundcloth. I put mine inside the tent, some people put it under the tent or they use a pre-fab footprint to keep the groundwater and condensation out.

Also...one drip doesn't mean the tent is leaking. Condensation can easily build on the inside of the tent. If the temperature and dew point are equal, count on water clinging to the ceiling. Chances are it will drip on you. All of my tents have a roof screen. Moisture travels out through the screen and condenses on the fly. When it runs down the fly, it lands OUTSIDE my tent. If my tent had a solid ceiling it would roll down the INSIDE of my tent and I would get wet.

Also...follow all of the other advise already posted. It's all pretty helpful.

Answer 2

I'll just add to the other great answers above... you should definitely test the mew tent before you go out. Pitch the tent in your yard or in a park and spray it with a hose (or time it so the park's sprinklers will hit it. :-) Spread paper towels all over the floor of the tent, then have it all zipped up tight. After the onslaught of testing (make sure to spray some of the water from the side since wind will whip rain in from most all directions) open up the tent and check to see if any of the paper towels are wet. By looking at which ones are wet, you'll be able to tell where to add seam sealant.

I bought a brand new Sierra Designs 2-person tent on eBay for a huge discount (I paid just $60) so it is possible to get a good tent inexpensively. I used it this weekend and had a downpour one night. I had rain barely seeping in through a seam by the floor that I sealed pretty quickly with sealant that came with the tent. So this happens even with new tents!

Have fun camping - hopefully, you'll never have to sleep in a leaky tent until you have a lot more camping experience.

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
What makes a tent waterproof? and how to know if one is?
I got tent and sprayed with waterproofing. Used it yesterday during the rain and had to put a tarp over it to keep the water from seeping through the top. So I'm looking for a new one thats really rain proof, any suggestions?

Answer 4

North Face Slickrock Tent

Answer 5

1-buy some Campdry brand spray from any outdoor store and waterproof it (it's cheap, only like $4) 2- you could hang a tarp sideways over it to drain water away (that's if you're really serious) but don't let it touch the tent 3-dig or scrape out small ditches on the uphill side of the tent to flush water away That should do you

Answer 6

Most tents today are waterproof - or at least water resistant. You said you used a waterproofing spray - make sure you get the seams really well and let it dry before subjecting it to the rain, and it wouldn't hurt to apply a second coat. I like to use a tarp over it anyway, as it's easier to dry a tarp than it is the tent itself, and the tarp is cheaper to replace.

Answer 7

You need to seam seal yes but there is no such tent as waterproof only water resistant. I recommend the rei base camp series. Great tents with a full rain fly but also well ventilated and breaths wonderfully. Hope this helps and you have great camping experinces.

Answer 8

I guess you don't know until tried lucky you had a tarp! The pricier types do come with some assurance but you still need to water proof the seams and the tube of substance is usually provided. There are some great ones on the market your budget is the only restriction so have fun choosing and give yourself time to look around as it will be with you for awhile.

Answer 9

I have a North face-slick rock and a walrus-armadillo both are water proof. The rain fly is the deal make sure it is tight that is the trick. Both of my tent,s have been thru storme,s and not let me down.

Answer 10

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save your time. and buy a waterproof one.