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If you’re in a rush, the perfect tent waterproofing spray is the Nikwax Tent & Gear Waterproofing & Solarproofing Spray.
Anyone who has spent an evening in a storm is aware of one easy reality: you don’t desire a leaky tent.
But the unhappy truth of life is that each tenting tent will ultimately must be waterproofed. That’s the place tent waterproofing sprays are available.
We researched over 20 completely different sprays and narrowed down our selections to those 5:
Still can’t determine? Check out our Tent Waterproofing Spray Comparison Table.
Best Tent Waterproofing Spray: Our Top 5 Choices
Nikwax – Tent & Gear Waterproofing & Solarproofing Spray
Applications: tents, backpacks, awnings | Volume (fluid ounces): 16.9 fluid ounces | Price: $18.25
Nikwax’s tent spray is terrific not just for waterproofing your tent however for offering UV safety, as nicely. This spray helps delay the lifetime of your gear whereas additionally reviving outdated tools that you could be not in any other case have the ability to use.
Also, this spray cleans dust and dirt off your tent whilst you apply it. That means there’s just one easy step to waterproofing your tent, saving you time. This waterproofing spray covers a big space and could be very simple to use.
Pros:
- Beyond waterproofing – this spray sun-proofs your gear, as nicely.
- It works nicely on tents, rain flies, backpacks, awnings, tarps, umbrellas, and extra.
- Because this product is water-based and biodegradable, it’s secure and environmentally pleasant. It accommodates no PFCs, VOCs, optical brighteners, or added scent.
- Straightforward software – Nikwax removes dust and dirt from the fabric, whereas additionally waterproofing.
- A bottle of this waterproofing spray is sufficient to cowl a seven-person tent, with some to spare.
Cons:
- This waterproofing is just not as sturdy as different merchandise.
- Might stain gentle coloured supplies. Spot test earlier than utilizing it!
Best for: individuals who need sun-proofing and waterproofing in a single environmentally pleasant product.
Kiwi – Camp Dry Heavy Duty Water Repellent
Applications: tarps, boots, searching attire, out of doors gear, boat covers, patio furnishings | Volume (fluid ounces): 10.5 fluid ounces | Price: $16.70
The Kiwi Camp Dry Heavy Duty Water Repellent is a stellar waterproofing spray to make use of when tenting. One bundle comes with two cans, so you’ll have greater than sufficient to waterproof your whole gear. Not to say, one can is sufficient for 2 coats on a seven-person tent.
You can waterproof tents, tarps, coats, sneakers, backpacks, and extra with this waterproofing spray. It even has a pleasant mist applicator that makes waterproofing a breeze.
Kiwi Camp Dry makes water wick proper off the floor as a substitute of soaking in. When tenting, this waterproofing spray has the potential to be your most important device.
Pros:
- This pack comes with two cans, so that you waterproof your whole gear and maintain one for backup.
- One can is sufficient to cowl a seven-person tent with two coats or a number of completely different objects of clothes and/or sneakers. No matter what you’re waterproofing, you’ll have sufficient readily available.
- This waterproofing spray retains water out of issues like tents, tarps, sneakers, jackets, backpacks, sleeping luggage, and rather more.
- The mist applicator ensures a fair layer and doesn’t by chance drip any spray alongside the floor.
- The efficiency of this spray is top-notch, which means water will get thrown proper off your cloth.
Cons:
- This spray might stain sure materials, particularly if it’s white. Do a spot check earlier than making use of to test.
- Kiwi’s spray works nice, however it requires you to attend the total time to realize full waterproofing.
Best for: campers who wish to waterproof all of their gear, and ensure it lasts.
GEAR AID – Seam Grip TF Tent Fabric Sealer for Waterproofing
Applications: tents, tarps | Volume (fluid ounces): 4 fluid ounces | Price: $13.29
The GEAR AID Seam Grip TF Tent Fabric Sealer for Waterproofing is a wonderful device for waterproofing your tent and different important gear. With a foam applicator brush tip, it’s simple to unfold the sealer out into a skinny layer that protects all the things from water.
Not solely does one tube go a good distance, however this product dries clear so that you gained’t have to fret a few mess. The mixture of its clear coloration and foam applicator tip makes this a best choice for repairing present waterproofing.
Pros:
- A tube of this tent cloth sealer can cowl 85 sq. ft. of fabric. One bottle is all it is advisable waterproofing a complete tent.
- Compatible with polyurethane coating, so you’ll be able to shortly repair any present waterproofing that’s fading or chipping away.
- The foam applicator brush on the tip means that you can simply brush a skinny coat of product on the floor of your tent.
- This cloth sealer does an excellent job on tent flooring, rain flies, tarps, and rather more.
- Best of all, these items dries clear. You gained’t have the ability to inform there’s a coating in your tent.
Cons:
- Although the applicator works nicely, these items is thick and takes a bit elbow grease.
- The texture makes it in order that this sealant is best on seams than massive items of material.
Best for: individuals who wish to restore outdated or peeling coating, or seal up the seams in your tent.
Atsko – Silicone Water-Guard
Applications: tents, tarps, boots, sleeping luggage, patio furnishings | Volume (fluid ounces): 10.5 fluid ounces | Price: $26.70
The Atsko Silicone Water-Guard is a killer waterproofing spray for your whole tenting gear. You can apply it to tents, rain flies, umbrellas, sneakers, jackets, and rather more.
Since it dries clear, you gained’t have to fret about making a multitude or highlighting any errors. Not to say, one can is sufficient to coat a number of pairs of sneakers or objects of clothes. This waterproofing spray can also be nice for anybody working on a small price range.
Pros:
- Easy to use over all the floor space of your tenting gear.
- It doesn’t produce a nasty odor like different waterproofing sprays.
- Dries clear to the purpose the place you’ll be able to’t even inform there’s a coating in your tenting gear.
- Great for waterproofing sneakers, tents, rain flies, umbrellas, jackets, and rather more.
- One can is sufficient to coat a number of clothes of garments, a automobile cowl, or an entire tent.
- One layer of coating is all it takes to waterproof your gear. No second coat wanted.
Cons:
- An uneven layer of Atsako may trigger some slight discoloration. Spot test earlier than utilizing.
Best for: individuals who wish to waterproof their clothes like jackets or sneakers.
Scotchgard Heavy Duty Water Shield
Applications: outerwear, rain gear, umbrellas, patio furnishings, out of doors gear, backpacks, baggage, canvas tarps, boat cowl | Volume (fluid ounces): 21 fluid ounces | Price: $15.99
While all the sprays talked about listed below are glorious, they do have one main flaw:
Almost all of them focus solely on waterproofing nylon and polyester tents – and may’t do something for canvas tents.
Luckily, this spray made by Scotchgard is the reply to each canvas camper’s prayers.
On the plus aspect, it’s reasonably priced, non-toxic, and may waterproof each nylon and canvas tents. It’s additionally fully secure to make use of in your out of doors patio furnishings, boots, jackets, and loads of different out of doors gear.
On the draw back, Scotchgard claims that one canister can present 20 sq. ft of water resistance on heavier materials. This means you might find yourself utilizing two or extra cans simply to waterproof one tent.
Pros:
- Budget worth makes it an incredible alternative for frequent campers.
- The coated cloth maintains its breathability, so there is no such thing as a probability of inhaling harmful chemical compounds.
- Versatile – you need to use it to waterproof your tent, sure, but additionally your out of doors furnishings, backpacks, boots, and the remainder of your tenting gear.
- Zero long-term odor – you may really feel one thing for the primary few hours, however the odor needs to be gone fully afterwards.
Cons:
- It may take two or extra cans to fully waterproof your canvas tent, so make sure you purchase sufficient.
Best for: campers who wish to waterproof their canvas tents.
Comparing Tent Waterproofing Sprays
Choosing A Tent Waterproofing Spray: A Buying Guide
When it comes to selecting the perfect waterproofing spray, your alternative actually comes down to a few essential issues:
- Aerosol vs spray bottles
- Silicone vs non-silicone sprays
- Type of tent cloth it’s meant for
Don’t fear if this feels too overwhelming – I’m going to interrupt it down for you so that you’ll know precisely which spray to decide on and why.
Let’s dive in, lets?
Aerosol Vs Spray Bottles
The very first thing it is advisable determine is whether or not or to not use aerosol or spray bottles – each include their professionals and cons.
| Aerosol Bottles | Spray Bottles | |
| Application | Click and spray | Pull the set off and spray |
| Pros | Easy to make use of, penetrate the material higher | Better management utilizing the spray |
| Cons | Bad for the setting, should use a number of cans | Might find yourself spraying your tent inconsistently |
Aerosol sprays are simple to use – simply click on the button and spray away. They additionally penetrate the material a bit higher. On the draw back, they don’t seem to be actually nice for the setting and also you may find yourself utilizing much more spray than you deliberate on.
Spray bottles work like a spritzer – you need to manually pull the set off and the spray comes out. On the plus aspect, you get significantly better management over how a lot spray you’re utilizing. On the draw back, you may find yourself spraying your tent inconsistently.
Silicone Vs Non-Silicone Based Sprays
I’ll make this straightforward – you wish to use silicone-based sprays.
While waterproofing sprays have a tendency to come back in many various styles and sizes, silicone is by far the perfect.
Silicone is used to seal bathtubs, sinks, and in different circumstances the place no water is allowed to leak via. Compared to PU or acrylic coating, it fully penetrates the tent cloth and it can’t peel off.
All in all, in the case of sturdiness, security, and waterproofness, you’ll be able to’t go improper by selecting silicone-based sprays.
Type Of Tent Fabric
Finally, we now have the selection of tent materials.
Generally talking, most tents available on the market in the present day are made out of three important cloth sorts:
This is another excuse you must use silicone-based spray because it’s fully secure to make use of on all of the above-mentioned sorts.
If your tent is already coated or laminated, then you definitely wish to go for a water-based spray – they gained’t mess your tent up.
How to Waterproof Your Tent
You’ve obtained the waterproof spray, now what?
Well, waterproofing a tent is a fairly easy process.
It’s a easy 3-step course of that goes like this:
- Wash your tent first
- Spray the tent
- Let it dry
Before you start, you need to do some prep work.
Start by washing your tent to get dust and dirt off of it. If you place the spray on prime of dust and dirt, it’ll result in a nasty seal and won’t work appropriately.
Once your tent is clear, arrange the tent (in case you haven’t already) and start to spray the tent down. Make positive to spray each sq. foot you can. Do in order evenly as attainable and pay further consideration to waterproofing the seams. After a couple of minutes, wipe the surplus off and now all you need to do is let it dry. Cure the tent for the size of time the directions inform you earlier than you pack it up or use it.
At this level, chances are you’ll wish to take into account an extra layer (or sealant) to guard your seams, however that’s not all the time vital.
Congratulations – your tent is now waterproof!
How to Make Your Waterproofing Last
Now that you just’ve waterproofed your tent, you wish to ensure that it lasts. You don’t wish to must undergo this complete course of each time you wish to use your shiny new waterproof tent. So, after getting let it dry and remedy correctly, ensure that to retailer it correctly.
Keep your tent in a cool, darkish place, like a closet. Avoid leaving it out in direct daylight. And in case you go a very long time with out utilizing it, ensure that to test it recurrently for mildew.
To actually care on your tent, by no means put it within the washer. Make positive you restore any harm to the waterproofing as quickly because it occurs earlier than issues worsen. Keep observe of your tent’s situation, and your waterproofing will final.
It’s additionally a good suggestion to maintain a spare can of waterproofing spray readily available always, so that you gained’t have something to fret about!
Also See: Camping in a Thunderstorm (How To Stay Safe)
FAQ
Since I wrote this text, I’ve acquired a bunch of emails asking me in regards to the specifics of the tent waterproofing.
Lots of the identical questions pop up repeatedly, so I needed so as to add this FAQ part to reply the commonest ones.
Does a brand new tent even must be waterproofed?
The brief reply?
It relies upon.
While most tents that have been made up to now few years are presupposed to be waterproof proper out of the gate, some cheaper ones aren’t.
When you mix that with the truth that these sprays are actually low-cost and straightforward to use, you don’t actually lose quite a bit by waterproofing your tent with them.
How typically do you have to waterproof your tent?
Again, all of it relies upon.
If you’re dwelling in wet components of the nation like PNW and also you’re tenting steadily (each month or so) you may have to do it on an annual foundation.
On the opposite hand, in case you’re an informal camper who camps a number of instances per yr in truthful climate situations, then you must have the ability to make your waterproofing final a number of years not less than.
What’s the distinction between seam sealing and waterproofing?
It’s fairly easy:
You use tent waterproofing as a safety measure earlier than you go tenting.
You use seam sealing to shut a leak that already exists. A seam sealer is a glue-like substance that’s absorbed into tent cloth and improves its water repellency.
Our Verdict
Make positive you’re by no means caught off guard within the rain once more with the perfect tent waterproofing spray: Nikwax Tent & Gear Waterproofing Spray. It does an incredible job at waterproofing a wide range of supplies together with tents, tarps, sneakers, jackets, and rather more.
Imagine by no means having to fret about getting moist whereas tenting once more. Sounds nice to me!
Be proactive and use this waterproofing spray earlier than you allow and maintain an additional can readily available always for emergencies.