Camping outdoors is always a fun and budget-friendly way of vacationing with friends and family. You are away from the electronic distractions and the outside world and spend quality time just talking, playing games, hiking, and fishing. You get to enjoy simple campfire food like s’mores, cast-iron cooked meals, hot dogs, etc. Camping is also a great time to learn some life skills. If you have never built a fire, gone fishing, or trapped small game, camping is the best time to do all of this.
You need to fully prepare, though. It’s not easy living in the wild without a roof over your head. Most people who go camping spend night or nights. Tents, sleeping bags, and other emergency supplies become a requisite then, especially tents.
Tents provide you necessary shelter, security, and a place to rest while you are out in nature. You never know how the weather might turn out to be, so it is always wise to go for the best waterproof and sturdy tents that are not a hassle to set up. Imagine the horror if the tent that you spent half an hour setting up drips with rain. You might love rain but not getting wet.
If you have just decided to go on an adventure alone or with your friends or family and are looking for the best camping tent for yourself, you might have realized how many options there are out there. While that is not a bad thing, it just confuses the buyer. Don’t worry, though; we are here to the rescue.
We have done some research and selected some of the best camping tents for rain.
Best Camping Tents for Rain
Table could not be displayed.5. Bessport Camping Tent
This affordable tent is lightweight and rain resistant. An entry-level person would not have any trouble with carrying this five-pound tent. Setting up a tent can be annoying and might take longer, but that is not the case with this one. It is very easy to set up and take down and will take less than five minutes.
The length, width, and height of the tent are 86 x 48 x 43 inches. It can fit two average size people but without any space left in the middle or sides. The aluminum stakes used to set up the tent are a bit fragile, so do not use your foot for securing it in the ground, or you may cause it to bend.
It has two identical vestibules on each side of the tent, where you can put your backpack, boots, or other stuff. There is a hook in the roof of the tent, from which you can hang a lantern or other light fixture. There is also a detachable fabric mesh inside the tent, which you can use to dry your socks or gloves.
The top of the tent consists of 68D PE and the bottom with welded oxford cloth. Needless to say, you can use it in rainstorms; it will not let even a drop of water in. It is also very well-ventilated and doesn’t let condensation build-up.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Very easy to set up and take down
- Good ventilation
- Highly resistant against rain
Cons
- The stakes are not very sturdy
- The width of the tent could have been bigger
Two Doors: This smart tent has two doors. This will increase ventilation inside the tent. It will also be convenient to use the door on your side without having to pass over your sleeping or resting tent buddy.
4. Coleman Sundome Tent
Coleman is famous for its durable and affordable products. We reviewed this tent based on the countless amount of good reviews it received. This tent is made of 75D taffeta PE, which is a very thick and tough fabric. It will stand against rain and harsh weather reliably. The tub-like floor of the tent has corner welds and cover seams, which provide good protection against bad weather, but we recommend not to use it in harsh winter. The top of the tent is thick enough to provide you shade, and the windows on the side will keep the tent ventilated. It is also very durable and will last you longer.
For its price, it is relatively easy to set up with its pin-and-ring system. The disassembly is also fairly easy. It doesn’t take much space and is lightweight, so carrying it would not be a problem. Additionally, it has storage pockets for storing your belongings and a hook for hanging headlamps. It also comes with an E-port that lets you keep your electronics charged; you never know when you may need them.
Another good thing about this tent is that it is very wide and can fit four people of average build. You can use it for two or three people and use the rest of the room for putting your stuff inside the tent.
Pros
- Is very spacious
- Has an E-port, storage pockets, and lamp hook for convenience
- Stands strong against rain
- Made of durable material
Cons
- Not recommended for use in harsh winters
- Can get stuffy with four people
E-Port: You can run extension cords through the windows or doors, but it will create leakage if it rains. An e-port’s job is to let the cord inside your tent without letting any rain seep in.
3. Moon Lence Pop-up Tent
This tent is elegant with a pop-up dome construction. It’s totally free-standing; you can set it up anywhere you’d like. It has two ground vents and doors with double zippers, so ventilation would not be a problem. In case it rains, the windows can be zippered close with the panels on. The top of the tent is made of 190T PU, and for the bottom, they have used 210D oxford groundsheet. These materials are incredibly durable, the tent would stand strong against wind and rain. This tent comes equipped with four guy ropes and ten alloy pegs, so it would not face windy season issues. We’d not recommend it for the harsh winter season, though.
It weighs ten pounds, so it is considerably lightweight for an instant setup tent with poles. The packed size is also small; you will not have trouble carrying it around. The tent is ideal for four adults, but it’d be better if you use it for less and leave a bit of space so that it doesn’t get too stuffy. It lacks vestibules, so you could also use the extra space for your belongings. The tent is very easy to set up and will only take 2 to 3 minutes. The poles are fiberglass; be careful with that. It also has a lantern hook and some wall pockets.
Pros
- Very easy to set up
- Durable material
- Highly water and windproof
- Spacious
- Affordable
Cons
- Not recommended for harsh winters
- Has no vestibules
Pop-Up Tent: Since this tent has a pop-up mechanism, it literally takes just 1 to 2 minutes to set it up.
2. NTK Cherokee GT Camping Tent
One good thing about a tent that can reliably accommodate 5-6 persons is that not everyone has to carry a separate tent, which means there is less to carry. Less weight is always a good thing when you are camping. This tent weighs 15 pounds when packed, which is not very lightweight, but it is still not that heavy to carry.
It is made with 190T PE that is laminated with PU. It will keep you dry in intense rainfall. The heat-seamed thermoplastic coating of the tent will protect you from UV radiation. It has one door that has a mesh cover for mosquitos and a zippered panel for privacy. Moreover, it has a mesh roof for ventilation.
It has pockets and a gear loft for storing your belongings. You can easily set it up and take it down with the pin-and-ring system. The floor of this tent consists of a durable, seamless, anti-fungal PE that has an inner layer of silver coating to prevent leaks. The bottom has a bathtub design, which doesn’t let water in at all. We’d still not recommend it for harsh winters, though.
The frame of the tent is made of the most durable fiberglass poles. It is very strong and flexible.
Pros
- Stands strong against rain
- Spacious
- Durable
- Easy to setup
Cons
- Not very lightweight
- Not recommended for harsh winters
Rain Resistant Floor: The seamless PE floor is anti-fungal with a silver-coated inner layer that prevents water from seeping in. The bathtub style creates an extra barrier for the onslaught of water in the stormy season.
1. ALPS Mountaineering Lynx Camping Tent
This tent is designed for one person. It will keep you dry throughout the night; it comes equipped with water right rainfly. The partial mesh walls will keep the condensation out. It also helps in the warm season. There are two vents in the tent that you can close, and they allow for good air circulation.
It has a single but large vestibule, which you can use to store your gear. It also has one gear loft and a mesh pocket inside the tent for putting your belongings in. Additionally, it has a free-standing design supported by two poles that resist strong winds. Its setup and disassembly are not hard at all. The top and the floor of the tent consist of 75D 185T PE, which is very durable and stays strong against rain. It weighs just four pounds so it would be very easy to carry.
Pros
- Keeps you dry in rain and hail
- Very easy to set up and take down
- Comes with a vestibule, mesh pocket, and gear loft
- Lightweight
Cons
- Not recommended for harsh winters
- Livable space is small
UV-Resistant Fly: The fly of the tent is water and UV resistant. This will increase the life of your tent.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the essential features of a camping tent for rain?
Weight and weather resistance are the two most important features in all camping tents. If you are backpacking, then weight matters a lot. You should consider lightweight tents that are compact. Waterproof tents that stand strong against winds should be your choice if you are camping outdoors. You never know when it might rain.
2. What are some other important features of a camping tent for rain?
Sealed seams are essential in a tent to protect you from moisture and insects. Pockets, gear lofts, lamp hooks, and vestibules are some other features that let you enjoy the tent and camping. Rainflies help protect you from sun and rain. A built-in footprint is also vital since it serves as a barrier between the tent’s floor and the soil.
3. What is the proper way to store my tent?
Make sure your tent is clean and dry before you fold it. Store it in a dry and slightly cold place. It’d be better if you throw in some silica gel packs inside the bag to keep the moisture away. Store the poles and fabric separately. Wash the fabric of your tent before going on a trip.
4. What is the best camping tent for rain?
All of the tents we have listed in this article provide good protection against rain, but the Coleman Sundome tent is the best among them. Besides having good weather resistance, it has the most features in this list of tents. It is also very easy to set up and is spacious.
5. How do I know if the tent is waterproof?
It is wise to find out if the tent you are going to buy is really waterproof. A true waterproof tent should have the seams sealed with waterproof material. Make sure that the zips of your tent aren’t exposed to the rain. The hydrostatic head (HH) of your tent shouldn’t be less than 1500mm HH. It should be indicated in the information about the tent. A high hydrostatic head means that the tent will not let moisture in.
Conclusion
Tents are perhaps the most crucial piece in camping gear. You have to buy one that ensures you a dry and fun camping experience. It can be daunting to shop for the best tent because of the variety of options available. We have selected some of the best tents for rain here. We hope you find the one you like among them. Happy camping!