Waterproof Tents - Features of a Waterproof Tent

One of the main functions of a camping tent is to keep you dry. In winter, keeping dry is critical to your survival. Other than the requirement to be tough, a winter tent also needs to be waterproof. Getting wet in winter can be fatal. Whatever the season, you always want to stay dry because it's so much more comfortable than being wet.

There are a number of ways that moisture can enter a tent and it's essential that each one is dealt with in the design and construction as well as materials used. In general, tents with quality construction and materials are more likely to keep you dry but design also plays an important role.

A good waterproof tent should have a vestibule so that the tent floor is not exposed to falling rain as enter or exit the ten. A vestibule is also a great place to store wet gear. Ideally the rainfly should extend as close to the ground as possible and protects the tent door to reduce the chances of leaks on the zippers. With the fly sloping at about a 45 degree angle, the tent door should be close to vertical to further reduce the chances of rain falling on the tent floor.

Some campers like to use the vestibule as a cooking area. We recommend that you only cook inside a tent when it's absolutely necessary and only when you have sufficient ventilation. A camp stove can produce poisonous gas that can cause brain damage and even death.

On wet ground, water may creep in through the tent floor especially when you exert pressure on it by the weight of your body. Water can easily squeeze through the seams and fabrics that are not waterproof coated or not sufficiently coated. Thin fabrics and thin coating are susceptible to wear and tear. Thicker fabrics are heavier so you need to find a balance between weight and durability.

Seams on the edges and corners of the floor should be sealed to prevent any water leaks. Some manufacturers use hot-melt adhesive tape on the seams of the tent floor but if these are not taped-sealed, apply liquid seam sealer on the unprotected parts.

Ideally the fly should cover the hole tent and extend close to the ground as mentioned. This would reduce the chances of leaking through the floor seams and protect the walls from rain and splashes.

However, moisture can still leak in through a low quality fly if the seams are not sealed. A rainfly usually has sealed seams right from the factory. The ones that don't have sealed seams but it's perfectly fine if the seams are double lap-felled and made with cotton-wrapped threads that expands and closes the gaps made by needle holes when wet.

It is not enough that your tent is watertight if you want to stay dry because moisture can come from you and your wet gear. If that moisture stays inside the tent, condensation may occur and leave you soaking wet in the morning.

Look for tents with fly doors that can be left open without letting in the rain or one that with top vents.

Continuous pole sleeves not only makes set-up easy, it also allows you to lay the fly over the tent as you insert the poles so that your tent stays reasonably dry as you set it up in the rain.

Alternatively, look for a tent which has a rainfly that can be set up independently. This provides you a mini shelter where you can set up your tent underneath without getting wet.