Skip to main content

How to Waterproof a Tent

Sealing your tent's seams and coatings is a cheap and easy way to waterproof it.
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Sealing your tent's seams and coatings is a cheap and easy way to waterproof it.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Unless you’re a hardcore Survivorman outdoorsman, some form of shelter is essential in the backcountry. Camping in the rain (or snow or hail or locust swarms) is never fun, which is why having the best waterproof tent is critical for anyone planning to spend serious time in the great outdoors. But, while most tents are highly water-resistant, the fact is that no tent is absolutely waterproof. By taking a few simple steps to better waterproof your tent, however, you can greatly improve your odds. Here’s how.

(Re)Seal the Tent Seams

Seams (i.e., anywhere that two pieces of fabric are stitched together) are the most likely place for moisture to invade your tent or rainfly. Thankfully, most modern tents, especially the best tents for camping come with seams that are already sealed. But, that sealant wears out over time and, particularly for budget tents, it may not have been the greatest quality sealant from the factory. The solution is to apply an aftermarket seam sealer. Fortunately, they’re cheap and readily available from any major outdoor retailer.

Be sure to start with the right sealer for your tent. The most common type of tent fabric is polyurethane-coated, which requires one type of sealer, while silicone fabrics use another. In either case, the process of applying or reapplying the seam sealer is identical. Start by finding a bright, open workspace to spread out your tent and examine each seam. For used tents, clean the seams well with rubbing alcohol and a rag. Then spray or brush the seam sealer evenly over every seam of your tent and rainfly. Let the sealer cure overnight and your tent should be infinitely more waterproof ahead of your next camping trip.

Gear Aid Seam Grip SIL Silicone Sealant

Gear Aid Seam Grip SIL Silicone Sealant is a great way to waterproof your tent's seams.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Refresh the Tent’s Urethane Coating

Most tents are treated with a protective coating for waterproofing and added durability. Over time and with repeated use, this coating breaks down. It’s easy to know when it’s time to refresh the coating as you’ll notice areas flaking off your tent or rainfly material. Refreshing it is as easy as resealing your tent’s seams. Start by spreading the injured section of fabric out in an open, well-lit area of your house or garage. Using an abrasive sponge and rubbing alcohol, scrub the flaking material away from the fabric. Apply a thin, even coat of fresh tent sealant to the freshly scrubbed area. If the tent is more than a few years old, consider coating the entire tent floor and fly. Let dry for at least 24 hours before your next adventure.

Gear Aid Tent Sure Tent Sealant

Gear Aid Tent Sure Tent Sealant helps to rewaterproof your tent's urethane coating.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Apply a Fresh DWR Coating

The rainfly is usually your first line of defense in wet weather. A properly coated fly forces water to bead up on the surface and slide off like mercury. If this isn’t the case with your tent, it’s probably time to refresh the DWR (durable water repellant) coating on your rainfly. The process is extremely simple. Set up your tent and attach the rainfly. Lightly wash the fly (even better if you’ve just freshly cleaned your tent). While it’s still damp, spray the entire rainfly with a new bottle of DWR coating. Use a cloth or sponge to wipe off any excess. The best sprays offer UV and waterproofing that can easily double the life of your tent’s fabric. Bonus: The spray typically works great for hiking backpacks and hiking boots, too.

Nikwax Tent and Gear SolarProof Waterproofing Spray

Nikwax Tent and Gear SolarProof Waterproofing Spray helps waterproof your tent's rainfly.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Of course, it’s one thing to have the right tent. Even more important is knowing how to set up that tent when it’s time to make camp for the night.

Mike Richard
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
How long can you go without food if you’re lost in the wilderness?
Rationing your supplies and how to find more while lost in the wilderness
Cast-iron skillet over campfire wood

In the U.S., about 600,000 hikers get lost in the woods every year, which is why I never venture into the outdoors without the proper permits, tools, and safety precautions. While I have been fortunate enough to never find myself in an extreme emergency situation, getting lost in the woods is a possible reality, even at our well-maintained national parks. If you've ever wondered how long can you go without food while lost in the wilderness, here's what you need to know.
How long can you go without food?

Due to ethical concerns, food deprivation beyond intermittent fasting hasn't been studied, but scientists from Medical News Today estimate that a person could probably survive between one or two months without food depending on several factors like hydration, age, and heath. How long you can go without food might vary, and it's going to take some math.

Read more
How to sharpen a knife for camping: The ultimate guide
Soon, you'll have the sharpest knife for your camping needs
A fresh-caught rainbow trout sits awaiting an adjacent knife on a cutting board

One of the most reached-for camping tools in my pocket is definitely my camping knife. I wouldn't dream of going camping without it, just because it's one of the most useful tools to have. Handy for any number of tasks, I use my camping knife for food prep, making kindling for a fire, and even first aid.

But when your camping knife is blunt, it can easily become a danger. While it might seem safer to have a less-pointy object around the camp, having a blunt camping knife can cause all kinds of problems like crushing and tearing instead of slicing cleanly. The amount of force you'll need to do the job could easily send you to the emergency room, so here's everything you need to know about how to sharpen a knife for camping.
What to know before you sharpen your camping knife

Read more
How to choose the perfect sleeping pad for winter camping (plus, top picks)
Don't go winter camping without a sleeping pad
Woman with a headlamp camping in a winter tent surrounded by snow.

No matter how thick your winter sleeping bag is, you'll lose the battle with the cold if you don't have a sleeping pad. Sleeping pads serve two very important purposes: insulation and comfort, both of which are critical for winter camping. In this article, we'll explain what to look for when you go out to buy your sleeping pad, as well as our best sleeping pad for winter camping.
What to look for in a sleeping pad for winter camping

What is an R-value?
The resistance value, also known as R-value, is the measure of thermal resistance or the effectiveness of your insulating material. In the context of your sleeping pad, it indicates how well the pad prevents heat loss from your body to the cold ground. The higher the R-value, the more effective your sleeping pad will be at keeping you warm. For winter adventures, we recommend a rating of 4.5 for moderate winter conditions, 5 if you're expecting to see temperatures below freezing.
Types of sleeping pads
Air pads are going to be your best bet if you're looking for something super compact, however they come with some drawbacks. Since they are not super durable, you can accidentally puncture a hole in one fairly easily. Blowing them up by mouth will also introduce moisture into the pad, which can reduce its insulating properties. That said, they're pretty comfortable and you can adjust the firmness by deflating the pad to your preference. Most campers recommend putting down a closed-cell sleeping pad below the air pad to keep it from scraping against the ground.

Read more