INTRODUCTION:
Camping is a great way to reconnect with nature. If you have never pitched a tent, read a compass, or built a fire, you will learn it while camping. You may get up close and personal with the wildlife. Depending upon your camping site, you may see sand domes, mountains, forests, and beautiful constellations that are just not visible from the roof of your home.
Camping also does the mind and body a lot of good. Researchers have connected outdoor activities like hiking to a decrease in depressive thoughts and general physical well-being. You can take a break from technology and just sit back in your tent with a good book.
While all of that sounds nice, you need to gear yourself up properly when you are leaving for camping. Waterproof tents are one of the most important pieces of camping gear. You never know how the weather might turn out to be during your trip. You should make sure that your tent is genuinely waterproof and durable. It should be able to withstand not just rain but strong winds too. It is always a good idea to invest in the best waterproof tent on the market.
If you are looking for a waterproof tent, we are here with some of the best options available in the market.
Best Waterproof Tent on the Market
Table could not be displayed.5. NEMO Dragonfly Camping Tent
This tent has all the features that a backpacker might look for. It is very light and only weighs two pounds. It has a large inside space for comfortably accommodating you. Additionally, it has large doors on either side of the tent. The side panels are appropriately high, which, combined with the mesh top, allows you to enjoy the view outside your tent.
There are two large storage pockets, light diffuser pockets, and a big gear loft in the tent for storing your belongings. What’s more, it even has a decent sized vestibule, which you can use for keeping your gear dry. The setup of the tent is relatively easy. If you have pitched a tent before, you can set this one up in under five minutes. The poles, corner webs, and fly clip webbing are all color-coded for the ease of the camper.
The eight stake points and extra guy lines keep the tent firmly anchored in the ground so that it resists strong winds. The sides of the fly slope down towards the ground so it won’t get broadsided by the wind. It has strut vents for air circulation, but that may not be enough to prevent condensation from building up.
The tent has a 20D nylon, tub-style floor. The fly of the tent is 15D nylon with silicone coating for repelling moisture. The waterproof index of the tent is 1200mm, which is more than enough for three seasons. This tent comes with a lifetime warranty.
Pros
- The material (nylon) of the tent is very durable and strong
- It is incredibly lightweight and a good option for backpackers
- Highly waterproof
- Easy setup (color-coded)
Cons
- Ventilation needs to be improved
- Not recommended for harsh winters
Color-Coded Poles: This lightweight tent comes with color-coded anodized poles that make setting the tent up very easy. This makes it one of the best options on this list for people who want a quick and easy setup.
4. MSR Hubba Hubba NX
This lightweight tent can fit two people comfortably. It is freestanding and very suitable for heavy rain. The tent is very spacious, and its design provides more headroom to the campers. It has two side doors that zip and unzip smoothly. There is also a vestibule that you can use for drying or storing your gear. The setup of the tent is made easy with the hub-and-pole system and color-coded clips.
There are two small and large pockets inside the tent for the camper’s convenience. The setup of the tent is easy and will not cause any issues. The weather resistance of this tent is excellent. Its Xtreme shield coating will keep you dry in intense storms and heavy downpours. When adequately staked, the flexible poles will keep the tent erect in fierce winds. The fabric of the tent is 30D nylon with a waterproof index of 3000mm. The vents keep the air flowing, which prevents condensation build-up and stuffy air in warm weather.
The tent overall is durable, but you need to use the poles with care. Too much force might cause them to bend. The tent is light, weighing up to 3.5 pounds. You have to roll the tent every time you pack it instead of stuffing, which might be annoying for some campers.
Pros
- Good weather resistance
- Durable build
- Very spacious
- Lightweight
Cons
- Requires folding every time you pack it up
- The poles might bend with excessive force
Vestibules: This tent has two generous vestibules. This means that you can store most of your belongings in the vestibules and have lots of free space for yourself inside the tent.
3. Campla Tent for Camping
This two-person Campla tent is pretty with its waterproof LED light strip. But it’s not just pretty; it provides you good protection against bad weather. This three-season tent weighs 5.4 pounds, which is not heavy but might not be the best option for backpackers. It has storage pockets for putting away your valuables. It is a very affordable waterproof tent.
This tent has two doors with mesh cover and triangular prop-up windows for ventilation. There are zippers from inside and outside for the camper’s convenience. It has two vestibules on the sides. The outside and inside of the tent are PU and have a 2000-3000mm waterproof index. The wind ropes and stakes reinforce the tent structure and keep it firmly anchored. It is still a three-season tent, and you shouldn’t use it in harsh winters.
The aluminum poles are durable but lightweight. The assembly and disassembly of the tent are easy. You can turn on the USB-powered light strip with a power bank and use it at night. It looks beautiful and also increases the tent’s visibility at night so that you don’t lose sight of it.
Pros
- Pretty with USB light strip
- Waterproof
- Spacious for two people
- Affordable
Cons
- Not the lightest of lightweight
- Not recommended for harsh winters
LED Light Strips: The LED light strips on the tent look very pretty and increase the visibility of the tent at night. This way, the camper won’t lose sight of the tent even if he/she wanders far off.
2. Big Agnes Copper Spur Camping Tent
This tent is spacious enough to accommodate three people very comfortably. It has two large doors on either side that make entry and exit very easy. The dual zipper system is convenient. It has two big storage pockets and several small pockets for putting away your stuff. At one end of the tent is the gear loft, which further increases the tent’s storage capacity.
The assembly of the tent is easy, and one person can do it. The poles are rigid and bend resistant, but they don’t come with any colorful cord attachment, which could have made the assembly process even easier. But you can do that yourself before leaving home for camping.
This tent is our favorite for providing the best protection against bad weather. The fly and the rest of the tent body don’t touch in the rain because of the space between the stakes at the foot and head. The adaptable vestibule also keeps the rain away. Its awning style increases the livable space of the tent. The PU-coated nylon fabric and the bathtub style of the floor increase the waterproofness of the tent.
The vents keep the tent well-ventilated. The guy lines and tensioners are already installed in this tent. This tent is strong and reliable for its weight. It weighs 3.8 pounds, which is not heavy. When packed, it is small and very portable. It comes with a three-year warranty.
Pros
- Good weather resistance
- Spacious and fits three people
- Lightweight
- Lots of storage pockets and vestibule
Cons
- Assembly could be easier with color-coding
Bathtub-Style Floor: The polyurethane-coated nylon fabric and bathtub-style floor help the tent resist heavy rain and storms.
1. Coleman Dome Tent for Camping
Coleman has built a respectable reputation for itself with its quality tent production. This tent is no different. It fits four people easily with an interior of 7 by 5 feet and 6 feet height. It resists rain and strong winds with its WeatherTec system.
The floor is bathtub style with welded seams that are upturned to keep the moisture at bay. It consists of reliable 75D taffeta PE that has a weatherproof zipper guard system for the doors. Its fiberglass poles can withstand strong winds of 35 mph or higher. It is still a three-season tent, and you should not use it in harsh winters for camping.
The doors and windows combined with the wind will keep the tent well-ventilated. One smart feature of the tent is its E-port that allows you to use your electronics if you want to. It has mesh storage pockets for your belongings. The assembly of this tent is easy, and you can do it in under ten minutes, which is not a record time, but it’s still good. The poles and stakes of the tent are stored in a separate bag for easy access. This tent comes with a one-year warranty.
Pros
- Very spacious and can easily fit four people
- Good weather resistance
- Durable build
Cons
- Assembly could be easier
- Not recommended for harsh winters
Dark Room Technology: The breathable yet thick exterior of the tent blocks almost 90% of the sunlight. You can sleep in till late or go to bed early without being bothered by the light.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a rainfly?
It is an essential part of the tent and very useful in the rain. It protects the breathable inner part of the tent from getting wet. Depending upon the type of rainfly, it can cover only the top part of the dome or the whole tent. Some tents are single skinned and don’t use a separate rainfly. A rainfly’s advantage is that you can remove it when the weather is good and enjoy the fresh air and panoramic view.
2. Is staking the tent necessary?
Yes. Staking a tent is important, especially in windy and bad weather. It anchors the tent and makes it more secure. Some brands would not count the damage done to the tent in warranty if it was not staked down. So make sure that you stake down the tent. If the ground is rocky and tough, use rocks to secure it.
3. How do I clean my waterproof tent?
It is not new that tents can collect dirt and mud when you camp out. Dirt combined with bacteria can cause mildew in the tent fabric, which will damage it. Use warm soapy water and clean it gently. Don’t put it in the washing machine, which can cause rips in the fabric and open the stitching. Dry it thoroughly, fold it, and then store it.
4. Do I need seam sealant?
If your tent is truly waterproof, it would already have its seams sealed, and you won’t require it. However, if your seams are not sealed, you would need to do it yourself because they might come off with time. Buy some good quality sealant and apply it according to the instructions. Apply some powder so that the ends don’t stick together when you fold the tent.
5. What is a good waterproof rating?
Tent companies calculate the waterproof index for their products. It ranges from 0 to 10,000mm. The higher the number, the better. However, you should look for a tent with a waterproof index of more than 1000mm if you intend to use it in the rain.
Conclusion
Waterproof tents are a necessity if you are going camping in a rainy season. All of the tents listed above are good options and worth considering. We have included expensive and cheaper options. Depending on your needs, you can choose any, and you won’t regret it. We hope you find the one you like best among them. Happy camping!