Waterproofing a Tent - Necessary?

M

mroberto

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Hey all,

I just bought a new tent and I wanted to know what you guys thought about the need to waterproof either, a) the entire fly, or b) just the seams. Do nylons tents need to be waterproofed? I have never waterproofed my old tent and I never had any problems.

Thanks for the advice!
 
My old tent was also 'fine'...the new one? Not so much... Do yourself a favour and do the seams rather than leave it to chance. I found that out for myself when camping with the new tent 2 Summers ago and it totally poured one day! I ended up with a puddle in one corner of my tent :( Not sure about the fly but I'd say if you have a product to do it, use it.
 
Don't really have a recommendation... I'd ask at MEC though personally (call the one closest to you and see what they carry and recommend).
 
The guy at MEC asked how much I spent on the tent. Based on that, he said a brand new tent in that price range (~$200 regular price) shouldn't need to be waterproofed. I might give it a shower test out in the yard, although he thought even that wasn't necessary.

Thanks for the help!
 
I've always been a big fan of the blue tarp..ground sheet/downpour fly..just in case. :-)
 
Depends on the brand and construction of the tent. If the seams are already taped (covered with a thin transparent film) then you're probably in good shape. Just be aware that straight nylon or polyester material is not waterproof, so decent manufacturers coat it with something (polyurethane, silicone, etc). I'm talking specifically about the material itself, not the seams. For instance, most of the tents you can get at Canadian Tire have no waterproof treatment on the material at all (except for the tarp-style floor); they just rely on surface tension of the fly for the water to roll off. Sealing the seams on that sort of thing will help, but eventually you'll be sitting in a puddle if it rains for any length of time.
 
Bwah Ha Ha! Had a cousin laugh at me for buying an expensive tent 35 years ago. That night she had to sleep with us. Honestly we could have put a diving board at one end of her "inexpensive" tent.

I've replaced the main zipper in mine once and spliced one of the poles, but it is still going strong. I seam seal it every couple of years, cause the thread holes have stretched and it can sometimes leak slightly in the corners.

If the bottom isn't taped you will probably have to seam seal that. Fly is the same.
 
i ALWAYS waterproof my tents.

what i find best is to waterproof it right away, then annually after that (even if you use it annually).
i also give it a spray after camping with rain (once its been properly dried out.

then again, some people swear by not.

imo, i'd rather waste a few bucks & time than risk gettign wet.
 
If you select a good location, between two trees, you can put a canopy/tarp over your tent. Generally speaking, however, a tent shouldn't need to be waterproofed.
 
Most new tents need to be soaked once to allow the stitching to swell and fill the holes. Set it up, soak it down with the hose, let it dry, put it away ready to be used.
 
HunGJaI said:
get http://hennessyhammock.com/
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That hammock is pretty cool. I'm a stomach sleeper though. I image that might be uncomfortable.


Yamaha_Gurl said:
Where you going camping OP?
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We're staying close, going to Guelph Lake Conservation Area. It's not the nicest campground I've ever been to, but it'll do the job. We'll be spending a day at Elora Gorge Conservation Area to go tubing down the Grand River, supposedly between 22-metre high cliffs!
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