Waterproof Tent Buying Guide
Getting a good camping experience is paramount if you ever want to camp again, so a tent that keeps you dry during storms is a great move. Use the criteria below to zero in on the perfect tent that will keep you dry when the heavens open.
Price & Value
Waterproof tents are usually more expensive than regular tents because of their hardy designs, durability, and water resistance. A great deal for a waterproof tent would be anywhere south of $200. Mid-range waterproof tents will usually cost somewhere between $250-500. The high end of the range, including canvas tents and tents with premium features, goes up to about $1200.
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Type/Shape
Tents come in a few varieties, but the most common are dome tents and cabin tents. The Gazelle T3X is a hub tent that expands out from a central point via spring-loaded tent poles.
Dome tents are the most popular for backpacking because of their ability to sheet off precipitation and minimize air resistance. Cabin tents, like the Big Agnes Bunk House, have straighter walls, so more vertical space, but are subject to rattling around in strong winds. Make sure those tent stakes and guy lines are secure!
Weight
Ultimately, weight is the biggest factor in deciding whether or not a tent is for the backcountry or front country. Lightweight tents, anywhere from 2-5 lbs., are perfect for carrying on your back (along with other backpacking gear). While you can easily carry more weight if it’s distributed between a group, the heavier the tent, the less likely you are to carry it into the woods.
Exceptions can be made for burly mountaineering tents, where the increased weight goes to durable tent materials, waterproof materials (rainfly and polyurethane coating), and stronger tent poles. Frontcountry tents can weigh anywhere from 20 to 80 lbs. And while that may seem crazy, if you’re camping right next to your car, the weight matters a bit less.
Rainfly
A rainfly is a tent layer meant to go over the tent body in wet weather. It usually has a waterproof coating and can withstand heavy rains. For many backpacking tents, it’s the space between a tent body and a deployed rainfly that creates your vestibule. Rainfly’s don’t always extend the full length of the tent. However, some tent walls also have waterproof ratings.
A full rainfly will bulletproof your setup against harsh conditions. However, this does have an impact on ventilation. The more waterproof the setup is, the likelier that it will get warm inside. This is great for colder climates but may be a detriment in hot weather.
Floor
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Your tent floor takes a lot of abuse over time. It’s worth investing in a footprint or picking a tent that comes with one to help keep your tent floor happy. Waterproof floors are usually made from nylon or thicker polyester and a polyurethane coating.
Most tents also use a combination of mesh and polyester in the tent body construction. If the tent base, which is thicker and often waterproof, comes up around the sides of the tent for a few inches, it’s said to have a bathtub floor. This means that rain splashing or polling outside the tent can’t come in as long as the bathtub floor is higher than the puddles.
However, that doesn’t guarantee abrasion resistance. Get into the habit of doing things like taking your shoes off and using footprints, sleeping pads, and gear lofts. Each of these practices and additions will help keep abrasive objects off the floor for longer overall durability.
Waterproof Rating
Waterproof materials usually come from a polyurethane coating over tent fabrics and a full-coverage rainfly. In some cases, you can get a waterproof rating, also known as a hydrostatic head rating. The hydrostatic head rating is represented in millimeters. It measures how much water pressure a tent can handle before water gets in.
Any tent claiming to employ waterproof fabric needs at least a 1200 mm hydrostatic head rating for the rainfly, which can handle most normal storms and rains. 1200 equates to the pressure of being 12 meters underwater. Anything higher, like the Limestone 4, provides better coverage for heavy rain. Tent floor fabrics can also have a rating, usually in the 1,500-3,000 mm range.
The frustrating thing is that some tents don’t use this system. Proprietary waterproofing methods like MSR’s Durashield don’t use the system but can be expected to perform at a 1200 mm level. Canvas tents also don’t use this system, but treated canvas is fully waterproof and capable of dealing with heavy rain and winds while keeping the inside of the tent dry.
Ventilation & Breathability
Ventilation is an important concern, especially in warmer climates. Some waterproof tents do this well, and some don’t. If a tent has a good combination of waterproofing and ventilation, they’ll employ a bathtub floor that connects to large areas of mesh. That way, you can flip off the rainfly and use the mesh to circulate air through the tent.
Some tents also use artfully placed vents. If your tent has ground vents, wall vents, or ceiling vents, make sure to use them to increase airflow. If a storm is forecast, shut them down to prevent moisture from coming through. In options too large to peel a rainfly, like with canvas, utilize the doors, screens, and awnings to create air circulation.
Lightweight & Portability
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If you’re interested in camping or backpacking a long way from a trailhead, you want a portable and lightweight setup. These tents have great waterproofing, but their biggest benefit is being lightweight (under 4 pounds, all in). The Sea to Summit Alto TR2, Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2, and MSR Access 2 are examples.
The downside is less space and comfort for longer stays. The waterproof rating is also good at 1200 mm, but won’t be able to handle a wet storm system that sticks around for more than a day or two. However, if you’re hiking a long trail or backpacking, you don’t always need the extra comfort or bombproof weather resistance. In that case, lightweight is the way to go.
Portability refers to the bags the tent came in and how easy it is to get the pieces back in there. You can test portability by looking at the product description and testing the tent in your own yard before taking it out on the trail. Having a tent fit right back into its assigned bags is a space and time saver, two big positives for backpacking.
Ease Of Setup
All the tents in this article have a relatively easy set-up time. They are not instant tents, which use pre-attached poles to expedite the assembly, but they won’t take much longer than a few minutes. Even the Kodiak Canvas Bow can be built in about half an hour for inexperienced campers, provided they have the instructions.
In all scenarios, I advocate for a trial run. Set your new tent up in your yard in the middle of the day so you can go step by step and get everything to fit where it should. This not only helps you practice assembly, but it also translates to less hassle if you ever need to deploy your tent quickly because of weather or a lack of sunlight in the future.
Durability & Quality
Durability usually comes at the expense of weight. And while rainproof tents like the Sea to Summit Alto TR2 aren’t flimsy, they feature more mesh and lightweight materials, which can rip. If you’re a seasoned backpacker, that won’t be a huge issue. But, if you’re a little aggressive with your gear or need a tent to handle adverse weather often, something durable will help.
The Marmot LImestone 4, Kodiak Canvas Tent, and MSR Hubba Hubba offer a little more durability than the lightest tents on our list. Again, less durability does not mean less quality; it just means you have to be more careful with the tent components over time. If you know that may be a problem, opt for something a little stronger.
Summary
My recommendation for the best waterproof tent overall is the versatile MSR Access 2. If you need something a little stronger to handle heavy rain, the Marmot Limestone 4 is a stellar pick as well.
The best option for families is the massive Kodiak Canvas Flex-Bow Tent, which has vertical tent walls and 140 sq. ft. of space. And for bargain hunters, the Teton Sports Mountain Ultra Tent is a high-quality and affordable tent.
Source: https://t-tees.com
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