I’m in a hurry. Do you have a table of contents?
We sure do:
Do I need to waterproof my tent?
Yes. No matter the quality of your tent, eventually some water is going to get inside. That’s never a nice surprise so be proactive. Always check the weather report before you leave, but as we say in Nova Scotia: “If you don’t like the weather, wait 5 minutes.” One thing you can predict is that the weather can often be unpredictable.
If you like outdoor adventures, you probably have a funny story about how wet everything was that one time. So suffice it to say that we all understand the importance of keeping our gear dry. A great way to do that is to waterproof your tent. It’s the best way to be comfortable and safe during said adventures. A high-quality waterproof or water-repellent spray can be a real game changer as far as keeping your gear and your tent dry. Not to mention extending the life of your tent. So, below are eleven of the best options available to waterproof your tent, keep your gear in good shape longer, and promise to keep your equipment resistant to moisture.
1. Nikwax TX.Direct Spray-On
Nikwax has a well-deserved reputation as producing top-tier waterproofing products, and their TX.Direct Spray-On is no exception. It’s super effective and yet breathes — It’s not only great for tents but for your outdoor stuff like jackets and pants. It’s probably our fave.
2. Scotchgard Heavy Duty Water Shield
This is another Swiss army knife type of product. I can remember my mom using it on outdoor fabric ikea chairs, so we reckon it’ll work on damn near anything. We know it works on tents, adding years to your tent’s dry life. It’s also pretty easy to use, which is great for us.
3. Kiwi Camp Dry Heavy-Duty Water Repellant
We like Kiwi products full-stop, and this one is straight out of the mold. One of the reasons we like it is that it works on a lot of outdoor gear. Have you got damp feet? Great, it works on leather boots. Are your clothes damp? It works on backpacks. But we’re here today to talk about tents, and this stuff shines on your seams and rain flys.
4: Granger’s Performance Repel Plus
We at Lone Loon Song are suckers for eco-friendly products, and Granger’s ticks that box. It also doesn’t have any odors, which is nice, we guess. So environmentally conscious campers can rest easy with this one. Like a lot of others on this list, it is useful for a lot of different gear- hiking shoes/boots, backpacks, and of course, tents.
5: Star Brite Waterproofing With PTEF
Turns out that PTEF is Polytetrafluoroethylene. How ’bout that? Who knew? At any rate, that’s the stuff that is not only water-repellent but also stain-repellent. Star Brite incorporates it into their formula to ensure items remain clean and protected in any harsh conditions the outdoors might throw your way!
6: Atsko Silicone Water-Guard
Another company we like. With its reputation for robustness, Atsko’s silicone-based spray protects from all kinds of precipitation while it helps to maintain fabric integrity. You can’t go wrong.
7: Rust-Oleum NeverWet Boot & Shoe
Don’t be fooled by the “Boot & Shoe” stuff. While Rust-Oleum apparently is famous among hunters for the boot and shoe stuff, it works really well on tents, especially those tricky seams and rain flys. I suppose you can put it on your boots and shoes, but we can’t really speak about that.
8: ForceField Protector Waterproof And Stain Resistant Protectant Spray For Shoes Clothes And Hats
Hats? Probably not my lucky camping hat. But here’s another product that seems to work on many different things. Once again, we just know it works really well on tents. I almost put one of my beloved tents in the landfill, but Forcefield kept it perfectly dry for another 5 years. That’s our endorsement. Good investment? Do the math.
9: Sof Sole Silicone Waterproofer For Athletic Footwear Tent Cloths Packs Boots Jackets More (DA081)
Athletic Footwear? Holy smokes! But once again, Sof Sole will keep your tent dry. We’ve yet to try it on “Cloths”, and count us skeptical, but on tents and tarps we’ve had good experiences. If you aren’t independently wealthy, this will extend the life of your tent. If it works on packs and boots, be sure to let us know.
10: Tarrago Hightech Nano Protector Spray
We aren’t sure what a “nanotechnology table” is, but it sure keeps the tent dry. (That is the purpose of the article.) Tarrago will keep your tent drier for longer, and really, why else are you here?
11: Gear Aid Seam Grip TF Tent Fabric Sealer for Waterproofing
We like this company’s philosophy, and we like the products. You can fix damn near anything with their products, but we’ll just talk about the waterproofing stuff. If you have a polyurethane-coated tent or anything polyurethane you’re going to like this. It has a built-in applicator brush that is economical. A little goes a long way. It’s also non-toxic, lasts a long time, and dries clear. If you have a tent floor, rain fly, or tarp that needs to be resurrected this may well be the answer.
Conclusion
Use whichever one of these that you like, but to get the most out of your camping adventures, use something! It makes a world of difference not only in the life of your gear but in your comfort. Comfortable campers are happy campers. Remember that all of these great products can be used on tarps, as well as the packs, boots, and in many cases clothing. Either way, take care of your gear, and it will take care of you.
We hope this was helpful to you, and see you out there!
Some other articles on preserving your gear that people have found useful:
- Refresh your tent. How to clean your tent.
- The 9 best seam sealers
- The 9 best urethane coatings