If you are thinking to buy a waterproof tent then you must have experienced a camping trip in which you have faced the problem of water leakage inside the tent or waking up in the morning soaked in the rainwater.
Even when you are going for a camping trip for the first time and want to take all types of precautions then it is always better to choose a tent which is waterproof or water-resistant. Picking a tent fully loaded with all types of basic necessities is good so that one can enjoy the trip to the fullest.
Not having a water-resistant tent may get you wet during rainy or stormy weather condition and may put you at the risk of causing hypothermia. Hence, it is better to invest in a waterproof tent to keep yourself dry.
The Climate Is Unpredictable
From decades, scientists tend to keep a close watch over the climatic changes. Predictions are made about rains or precipitation, but these predictions are really difficult to be correctly made and sometimes they may go wrong.
There are places where climate changes drastically and due to this, some places face an extreme level of drought and on the other hand, some regions tend to experience high degrees of rainfall. The changes in weather will keep on going.
This doesn’t mean that you have to drop your plans for camping whenever you hear a forecast of a little bit of rain. You can enjoy your camping trip even in the rainy season by preparing for it beforehand.
If you have brought the right camping gear and equipment with you on the camping trip then you can have a good taste of nature’s beauty. With the best waterproof tent, you can relish the showers of rain sitting back under the canopy of your tent with a cup of coffee or cocoa in your hand.
Things To Be Considered While Buying A Waterproof Tent
How will you decide the level of waterproofing that a tent will provide? The waterproofing level can easily be determined through the hydrostatic head rating. The minimum rating for a waterproof tent must be 1,000 mm. Higher the rating, higher will be the waterproofing level of your tent.
If you want a tent which can support you in heavy rain, it will be nice to choose the one with 2,000 mm rating to be on the safe side.
When Complete Dryness Is Needed
If you are aiming to buy a tent that can keep you completely dry and can be considered a hundred percent waterproof then you should go for a tent with a 3,000 mm rating. The thing that must be taken care of is that the rainfly must be positioned in such a way that it does not touch any portion of the tent. If the rainfly touches the fabric of the tent then there are chances that the water will come inside the tent by way of the pores between the threads resulting in a water leak in the ceiling.
Sturdy Spikes As Well As poles
There is a high probability that with rain, high winds can also blow. In such a case, it will be wise to invest in strong tent spikes or stakes that can fight against heavy winds and keep the tent along with the rainfly stand strong.
The rainfly will be of no use if the high winds or rainfall shred it down from its place. If the spikes that come with the tent are not stronger enough then it will be good if you replace them with the sturdy ones. The whole of your tent’s body stands because of the poles, minute damage to the poles can rip off the whole tent from its position. Hence, one should not make any compromise with the durability of the poles.
Points To B Kept In Mind When Camping In Rain
Before going on a camping trip, one should prepare and take along all the necessary camping gear or equipment which will make the trip more comfortable and convenient.
1. Being Warm
To keep oneself protected against the wet or cold weather, one should always carry a waterproof as well as a winter-grade sleeping bag. Such kind of sleeping bags will protect your body even if the tent starts leaking during rain.
By chance, if you get wet during a camping trip, then on a precautionary basis always carry a portable heater with you. There are battery operated camping heaters available in the market. Hence, there is no tension of electricity or power ports.
Don’t forget to keep hand and foot warmers in your packing bags. These warmers can be used by sticking them into the gloves or socks and can prove to be a precious asset while camping. One should use waterproof bags to protect other gear or equipment from getting wet.
2. Check The Location Where You Are Setting Up Your Tent
It is always a wise decision if you check the location, where you are camping, before setting up the tent. In an extreme downpour condition, you should set up a tent away from a river or avoid setting it up at the downside of the hill or stay away from a place where the ground can sink down. Try always to set the camp at some higher location or ground.
3. Use Tarp For Added Protection
Even if you are confident about the waterproofing of your tent, it is not bad to take extra precaution for added protection. Hence, for adding some more protection against rain, a large-sized tarp can be tied through the trees above the tent. A tarp can also be used to enjoy the downpour by placing some chairs underneath the tarp, at some dry location.
Best Waterproof Tents – 2020
1. Coleman Sundome WeatherTec 4-Person Tent
The Coleman Sundome WeatherTec 4-Person Tent is one of the best waterproof tents out there. The tent is equipped with the Coleman’s WeatherTec Welded floor along with inverted seams which provides protection against any downpour.
The quality of the tent material is really good and it features screen windows. One screen window is present at the ceiling of the dome which provides a great view to the camper.
As far as the price is concerned, it is an affordable tent which can even be used for backyard camping purposes. If you want a proper guard against the rain then just follow the instructions that come with the tent. It comes with a warranty period of 1 year.
Pros:
- Easy to set up.
- Advanced waterproof system i.e. Coleman’s WeatherTec.
- Flooring if the tent has got air vent.
- Torch or lantern can be hung using the hook on the ceiling.
- High-quality Rainfly.
- Can choose from three color variants.
- Screened windows for sufficient airflow.
- Affordable price.
Cons:
- The quality of the stakes is average.
- Center height is low i.e. 4’11’’.
2. NTK Savannah GT Five To Six Person Outdoor Dome Family Camping Tent
The NTK Savannah GT Five To Six Person Outdoor Dome Family Camping Tent is a large-sized tent covering the area of around 9.8 foot by 9.8 foot. The special thing about this tent is its unique rainfly. It is not like an ordinary rainfly which is positioned close to the main shelter.
This rainfly is like tarp covering the whole tent and even extending beyond the tent. There is sufficient gap between the main shelter and the fly which leaves sufficient room for precipitation. This concept of such a rainfly is new in the market but it has got a high rating when it comes to rain protection.
Pros:
- Highly spacious with a center height of around 6.5 feet.
- The rainfly covers the whole tent and even extends beyond it.
- Highly-rated in the market.
- The flooring is waterproof and anti-fungal.
- Mosquito protection as it is fully meshed.
- 2,500 mm rating in waterproofing.
Cons:
- The gap between the shelter and the rainfly can trap cold air during freezing nights.
3. NTK Laredo GT 8 To 9 Person Sport Camping Tent
There is no worry of space as the NTK Laredo GT 8 To 9 Person Sport Camping Tent can accommodate up to 8 to 9 people with area coverage of 10 foot by 15 foot. It is stated by the manufacturer that this tent is 100% waterproof.
The tent is made with 190T polyester UV-resistant material which is double-layered. It is highly ventilated through its huge mesh vents which can be covered during rain. The tent comes with a rainfly which covers almost the whole tent helping you to keep yourself dry even during heavy rain.
Pros:
- Waterproofing rating of 2,500 mm.
- Silver-coated polyethylene is used on the floor and it is anti-fungal too.
- Accommodate up to 8 to 9 people.
- Family-sized tent.
- The base is thick which is helpful in keeping yourself dry.
Cons:
- Stakes are of average quality.
4. Unigear Hammock Rain Fly Waterproof Tent Tarp
The Unigear Hammock Rain Fly Waterproof Tent Tarp can be used for added protection against rain as it is can’t be said as a complete tent. This is a kind of shelter which can be used to cover the tent as some extra guard for waterproofing.
The whole package of this tent tarp includes a rainfly, six ropes made of nylon which are adjustable, six stakes made of aluminum, a bag consisting of ties as well as poles of aluminum, tie-down loops which are eight in number, for various anchoring points, grommets are also included in the kit, and there is one big carrying pouch that accommodates all these gear. This is an ideal product on which it is worth investing.
Pros:
- The Oxford fabric is used for waterproofing purposes.
- Rating of this product is very high.
- Two color variants are available.
- UV protection.
- High rating of waterproofing i.e. 2,000 mm.
Cons:
- Stakes quality is average.
Final Verdict
By evaluating the pros and cons of all the above waterproof tents, we recommend you the NTK Savannah GT Five To Six Person Outdoor Dome Family Camping Tent as the best one out of all other options.
The most attractive features of this tent are the high coverage from rain and vast space available to fit a family or group of 5 to 6 people. The space inside the tent is large enough to even store the camping gear and other equipment conveniently. The waterproofing level of this tent is also high which reduces your worry of getting wet in rainy or stormy weather conditions.
Hence, just take care of all the above-discussed points and choose an ideal waterproof tent that fulfills all your camping purposes and needs.
Last update on 2025-02-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API