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Waterproofing Tent?

Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2015 11:08 pm
by InsaneBoost
When I camped out in Yosemite for Firefall this year it downpoured the one night. Came down heavy for hours and steady for the rest. I would say from 6pm or so when I set up, until about 7 or 8am the next morning.

The tent held up great. I only had a slight leaking problem which was more due to my one guy line not being set properly and the vent flap sitting on the side of the tent.

With that said I was extremely happy and impressed, but a fellow hiker said not to trust the "waterproofing" a tent might say it has and to add some sealant on my own when I get home because after a few good rains they typically start to give in.

Was wondering if there was any recommended brands and ways to apply it. I assume some are spray on. Others might be a paint style.

Also what all should I be doing? Anywhere there are seams? Just the bottom part that'll get hit the most by rain? All seams everywhere? Including the rain fly?

Definitely don't want to run into some rain on my first backpacking trip this year and have it ruin the experience for me.

Thanks.

Re: Waterproofing Tent?

Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2015 9:44 pm
by rlown
you need to be more specific on what your tent is and if it has a rain fly (sounds like it does). For the tarptent, we use paint thinner and silicone as advertised and videoed on Henry's site (all the way to the bottom of this page: http://www.tarptent.com/ttvideos.html). Just on the seams, painting style. Other tents, ymmv. You really only need to do the seams.. um, on the outside. :) If your tent leaks through the walls or the bottom, you have a different problem...

Re: Waterproofing Tent?

Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2015 10:07 pm
by InsaneBoost
Sorry about that.

Right now it's the Kelty Salida 4, but I'm going to upgrade to a Kelty Salida 2 to save the weight on the trail. And yes it does come with a rain fly.

The little leaking I did have was coming from the seams so at least I don't have another issue.

Re: Waterproofing Tent?

Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 10:55 am
by rlown
http://sectionhiker.com/kelty-salida-2-person-tent/

After reading that review, I don't think I'd go that route on a tent purchase. 4 lbs of tent is way too much. It looks like a great no weather tent, but I know my tarptent still has working vents even if it's raining out; That's really important for condensation. YMMV.