Don't Forget to Waterproof

[ChadTower]

Originally Posted by TroyS

I've always been under the impression that tents were already waterproof when you get it. Didn't realize that you'll need to re-apply some waterproof after some time. I've recently gotten a tent for me and my boys to do a bit of tent camping as our own little boy's weekend bonding thing. How do you do it and how often should you do that?

All lightweight waterproof materials require some refreshing after a certain amount of time. That's the price we pay for being both lightweight and waterproof. If we want just purely waterproof we have to go to heavier materials like thicker plastic and canvas.

This applies to clothing, too. Lightweight waterproof clothes need to be refreshed after enough wear and tear.

[ppine]

Decent nylon tents always come with a fly. Tarps also allow a lot of air circulation. Camp once someplace wet like the No Cascades in a tent that doesn't breathe well and you will never do it again. Waterproofing is good for boots but rarely needed on tents. That goes for nylon, dacron, canvas, and any other fabrics out there. Some people are naturally fastidious. They should be careful to waterproof their tents every year.

[ChadTower]

The fly has the same waterproofing issues. Eventually that waterproofing weakens. It does make sense given that we're relying on a very thin chemically applied membrane rather than a thicker physical barrier.

Of course, we could completely ignore the instructions provided by the manufacturers of these items. I just don't see why they would give such instructions given that there really isn't much profit in it for them.

Larger tents with more surface area will need it more than one man tents. My current 6 man has been through some serious "is this going to even stay erect" sustained downpours and each time you can see more seepage than last time. I really need to retreat it before we go again.

[carmen]

I never have either now that you mention it. What are you proofing it with and is this common for newer campers? I ask because in all the years I have been around I have never heard of this before today, color me shocked.

[Judy Ann]

Originally Posted by ppine

Decent nylon tents always come with a fly. Tarps also allow a lot of air circulation. Camp once someplace wet like the No Cascades in a tent that doesn't breathe well and you will never do it again. Waterproofing is good for boots but rarely needed on tents. That goes for nylon, dacron, canvas, and any other fabrics out there. Some people are naturally fastidious. They should be careful to waterproof their tents every year.

Ppine, I'm a little confused about the last sentence. My tents don't leak....yet after over a hundred nights out, but I don't plan to waterproof them until they do. Why would I waterproof a perfectly good tent that doesn't leak in tropical storms? I did waterproof a new one that had not been pretreated. I consider myself fastidious and I take great care of all of my sporting goods equipment.

[ejdixon]

Ppine, I'm actually wondering about the same thing. Haven't really had any problems with leaks with my tent and never really saw the need for it. But I guess it won't hurt to try doing that.

For those that have been waterproofing their tents, what product would you recommend?

[ppine]

Folks, my point is that each person has the right to have strong ideas about works best for them in the outdoors. I don't waterproof tents because I don't see the need. People that think it is important need to be sure to do it every year for their peace of mind.

My recent discovery of used Kelty external frame packs on eBay is a big deal to me, but for most people under say 40 give me the quizzical tilted dog head look.

[RingTwist]

Yes, the waterproofing breaks down after awhile I guess; I've always been told to redo it every season. Just buy a tube of waterproofing treatment and apply it to the seams of your tent.

[Gondor]

Originally Posted by Grandpa

A tarp has nothing to do with cheap or expensive tents or leaking for that matter. I like a tarp, especially over the entrance of the tent for a place to shed wet clothes so I'm not dragging wet into the tent. A tarp gives an extra bit of shade in hot weather and limits condensation in cooler weather. It also provides a work place outside the tent in a rain. An afternoon thunderstorm that turns into an all nighter makes for a very long time in a small backpacking tent. Being able to get out and cook or do "nature" work or just sit and watch the rain is prime time compared to sitting it out in a confined space.

I have to agree. A lot of folks forget about tarps when they buy a tent, even ground clothes for that matter. But these can open your range of activities a lot.

[briansnat]

Originally Posted by Grandpa

A tarp has nothing to do with cheap or expensive tents or leaking for that matter. I like a tarp, especially over the entrance of the tent for a place to shed wet clothes so I'm not dragging wet into the tent. A tarp gives an extra bit of shade in hot weather and limits condensation in cooler weather. It also provides a work place outside the tent in a rain. An afternoon thunderstorm that turns into an all nighter makes for a very long time in a small backpacking tent. Being able to get out and cook or do "nature" work or just sit and watch the rain is prime time compared to sitting it out in a confined space.

Tarps are certainly nice to have for the reasons you stated. I bring one myself when I car and canoe camp. I'll even take one backpacking if significant rain is in the forecast. But if you need to pitch a tarp over your tent to prevent a leaky tent, then you have a lousy tent.