How To Choose The Best Waterproof Camping Tent

If you are planning to camp in wet weather or just happen to live in a particularly moist part of the globe, you need a custom tent that can do a good job of keeping you dry when the sky opens up. This guide is aimed at helping you choose the perfect outdoor canopy tent for the rainy season. 

Waterproof vs. water-resistant

Before we can proceed further, there’s something you need to understand – the difference between a material being waterproof versus being water resistant. To put it simply, a water resistant material will keep you dry in light to mild drizzles but may not do a very good job in heavy showers.

A waterproof material does a significantly better job in particularly wet weather, though. But remember, no material is 100% waterproof. If it rains long and hard, chances are some rainwater might trickle through and play spoilsport.

Choosing the right canopy fabric

All modern custom tents have canopies are made of synthetic materials. Here’s what you need to know about these materials.

Polyester is extremely popular in the tent manufacturing domain. Its fabric is naturally waterproof and breathable. Polyester fabrics can also be produced in custom colors and easily printed on, making it the ideal material for custom printed pop up tents. The only downside is that it is prone to bobbling and attracting mildew.

PVC is a type of plastic that is inherently waterproof and does a better job at stopping rainwater than polyester. PVC canopies being molded sheets, there’s no chance of bobbling. It also resists mildew formation. The only downside is that PVC is heavier than polyester. But it is as customizable as polyester, though. You can have your PVC tent canopy in your choice colors and print catchy graphics on it. That’s exactly what brands look for in a promotional tool!

Poly-PVC brings the best of both worlds to the table. It is a woven fabric made by weaving together polyester threads and PVC fibers. Needless to say, it is waterproof.

A nice way to enhance a polyester canopy’s ability to stop rainwater from seeping through is by coating it with PVC or polyurethane (PU). And this fabric retains its sheen for a very long time under the sun.

All the aforementioned materials are inherently UV-resistant.

Check the seams

Before you make your purchase check if the seams of your tent have been sealed with waterproofing solutions or PVC/PU coating. Exposed seams can lead to water seepage.

How breathable is your tent?

Yes, we are concerned with keeping things out while buying a waterproof tent. But your tent canopy needs to be breathable as well. A fabric that does not allow air circulation leads to steady build-up of moisture on the inner walls of the tent. In particularly moist weather this can lead to dripping and wet stuff.   

PVC/PU coated polyester and poly-PVC are the best materials in this case. They are waterproof and allow air circulation at the same time.

Is your tent light enough to pitch, take down and carry?

If you are camping in the wilderness in the wet season and it rains long and hard, you might find yourself stranded on boggy ground. It is better to move to higher and drier ground before the ground gets soggy. 

Unless you are using a light tent, taking it down and carrying it to higher ground can become a chore, not least in the rain. PU/PVC coated polyester tents tend to be lightweight and foldable. You can pitch them or take them down quickly, and carry them anywhere you want. The best tents are those that are durable, yet easy to install.

Tents with vestibules

Nothing serves better while camping in the rainy season, than a tent with a built-in vestibule. You can take off wet gear in the shade of the vestibule and thus keep as much water from entering your tent as possible.

Pro-tip1: Check for pooling on the tent roof

Heavy downpours can cause water to accumulate in the creases and folds of the tent canopy. Domes and blow up tents tend to be more susceptible to pooling than event tents and gazebos. This can cause seepage and ultimately corrode the tent frame, if left unattended. Make sure to drain off as much water as you can from the canopy as soon as the rain stops. And remember, do not store your tent without cleaning and drying it thoroughly.  

Pro-tip2: Use a bathtub floor

A bathtub floor is a type of waterproof flooring that extends up along the tent’s walls a few centimeters like a bathtub’s walls. A nice addition to your tent, a bathtub floor can help keep things dry on soggy ground in the monsoons.

Endnote

The arrival of the rainy season doesn’t mean you stop having fun in the outdoors. Taking in some fresh outdoor air is always healthy, no matter the season. Follow this guide to stay safe and dry while camping outdoors in the monsoons!