When you’re camping, the last thing you want is to be wet and cold, so it’s important to have a tent waterproofing spray that will help your tent resist rain and moisture.
There are many different brands of waterproofing spray for tents on the market, but which one is the best?
In this article, we’ll compare several popular choices of the best tent waterproofing spray and help you decide which one is right for you.
What makes a good tent sealer spray? It comes down to these three key factors:
- Silicone Is Best. The amount of silicone the waterproofing spray contains will affect how well it works.
- Spray Type. Do you want to spray, roll-on, or paint on your waterproofing treatment?
- Size. Think about how much waterproofing spray you’ll need to adequately treat your tent and any other gear you’re applying the treatment to.
Read More: Tent Waterproofing Spray Buying Guide
You’ll need to reapply waterproofing spray to your tent occasionally over time, so picking a long-term solution will save you headaches down the road.
The Best Tent Waterproofing Sprays
Kiwi Camp Dry Heavy Duty Water Repellant Spray
This tent sealant spray from Kiwi Camp Dry is a silicone-based product that comes in an easy-to-use aerosol can.
One 12-ounce can will cover about 20 square feet, and it dries to the touch in just minutes.
Kiwi Camp Dry also offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of its products.
Nikwax Tent & Gear Solarproof Waterproofing Spray
Nikwax’s Tent & Gear Solarproof is a extremely popular waterproofing spray that comes in an easy-to-use spray bottle.
A huge benefit of the Nikwax spray is that it also protects your tent and gear against the sun’s UV rays, which can damage waterproofing treatments and fabrics over time.
This waterproof tent spray is also biodegradable and doesn’t use aerosols so there’s no CFCs, helping you to adopt a “leave no trace” attitude towards enjoying nature.
Scotchgard Heavy Duty Outdoor Water Shield
Scotchgard’s Heavy Duty Outdoor Water Shield is a tent waterproofing spray that helps your fabric stay breathable while also providing protection from rain and snow.
It’s perfect for treating larger items like tents and tarps as well as smaller items like backpacks and sleeping bags.
This tent sealant spray uses silicone to provide long-lasting waterproof protection, and one can will treat 60 sq ft of water resistance on light nylon (like on tents), or up to 20 sq ft on heavier fabrics.
Atsko Silicone Water-Guard
Atsko’s Silicone Water-Guard is a spray-on tent waterproofing that uses silicone to provide long-lasting protection against rain and moisture on a wide variety of surfaces.
This tent sealant comes in aerosol form and will treat tents, outdoor furniture, wood, concrete, brick, stone, and more.
It’s specially formulated to apply the highest level of water repellency in a single application while still allowing the material to breathe, which is very important.
303 Fabric Guard For Outdoor Fabrics
303 Fabric Guard For Outdoor Fabrics is a waterproofing spray that uses fluoropolymers to provide long-lasting protection against rain, snow, and other outdoor elements.
This tent sealant spray comes in spray form and is easy to apply.
One bottle will cover about 80-150 square feet depending on the material.
It’s also guaranteed not to stain or change the texture of the fabric it’s applied to, so you can feel great about using it on your nice gear.
Granger’s Tent & Gear Repel High Performance Tent Waterproofer
Granger’s Tent & Gear Repel Waterproofer is a waterproof sealant spray for tents that is applied with a sponge, and it works extremely well.
Granger’s also helps provide protection against stains so it’ll not only keep your tent dry, but make sure it stays looking great for the long haul.
It even comes with a money back guarantee, so you know they stand behind their waterproofing products.
It’s also biodegradable and doesn’t use any harmful chemicals, so you can feel good about using it on your gear.
This waterproofing spray is perfect for treating tents, backpacks, sleeping bags, and more.
Star Brite Waterproofing Spray
Star Brite’s Waterproofing Spray is a great waterproof sealant to keep on hand for your tents, tarps, and outdoor gear.
It comes in an easy-to-use spray bottle and helps provide long-lasting protection against rain, snow, and other outdoor elements.
One 22oz bottle will cover about 80 sq ft of material with a single application, making it very effective.
It provides water and UV ray protection in a single formula, giving you a lot of bang for your buck.
Gear Aid Revivex Instant Water Repellent
Gear Aid’s Revivex Instant Water Repellent is a waterproofing tent spray that helps keep your gear dry and looking good.
Just like it says in its name, it works instantly and fully cures in 2-4 hours, which is extremely convenient.
One spray-on bottle will cover 85 sq ft of fabric.
Atsko Sno-Seal Water-Guard Extreme Repellent
The Atsko Sno-Seal Water-Guard Extreme Repellent is a triple threat: it blocks water and snow extremely well, protects color and fabric from sun damage, and even resists odor and discoloration caused by mold, mildew, fungi, and algae.
If you love camping in damp environments, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better tent waterproofing spray than this one.
It’s safe for use on Gore-Tex and waterproof breathable fabrics, and dries scent-free, making it good for use on leather as well.
Dry Guy Waterproofing Spray
Dry Guy Waterproofing Spray is straightforward: it does a great job of waterproofing your tent or other outdoor gear while maintaining breathability, which is critical.
It’s specially formulated to get into all kinds of crevices too, making it great for zippers and even ground sheets or tent corners.
One 16 oz spray bottle will cover 50-60 square feet of material.
Tent Waterproofing Spray Buying Guide
Each brand of spray-on tent waterproofing has a different formula that helps it work, so there are different characteristics you need to pay attention to so you can find the best tent waterproofing spray for your situation.
Here’s three key factors you need to keep in mind when picking waterproofing spray for tents:
Silicone Is Best. There are water-based sprays that work very well, but in our testing and reviews we found that the best tent waterproofing spray choices are silicone-based.
Silicone is excellent for forming a waterproof barrier on your tent or other gear, with the fibers of the material actually “linking” together to form a cross pattern to keep moisture away.
Silicone is also good at reducing stains and repelling oils.
Spray Type. Some tent waterproofing sprays will come in an aerosol can for easy, even access, while others will come in a spray bottle.
Other options may include a solution that you apply with a sponge.
There’s not a certain type of tent spray that is superior, but it does come down to making sure you choose the type that is easiest for you and that you’ll actually use.
The Type Of Fabric It Works On. The majority of tents are made of nylon or polyester, but some can be made of canvas or other materials.
Know the material your tent and other gear is made of, and be sure to select a waterproofing solution that is intended for that fabric type.
Breathability. Some cheaper waterproofing tent sprays do a great job of blocking moisture, but they sacrifice breathability.
You don’t want to reduce airflow in your tent because it’ll make it hold in heat more and make it much more stuffy inside the tent, ruining your camping experience.
Size. Consider the size of your tent in overall square footage, and be sure to pick a waterproofing tent spray that will at least cover that full area.
You don’t want to get started just to run out half way through the job!
How To Waterproof A Tent With Spray
- Start with a clean tent and rain fly, checking the instructions on the spray bottle to verify whether the target material should be dry or wet when applying the waterproofing spray.
- Find a spot that is not in direct sunlight and has low wind exposure, but is also well ventilated (like an open garage).
- Spray the waterproofing solution on the outside of the tent and rain fly in an even, thin layer. You may need to let it sit for a few minutes (or hours) depending on the manufacturer’s directions.
- Spray in overlapping strokes with about an inch overlap, being sure not to overspray. If you notice runs or drips, back up a few inches or move your spray faster horizontally.
- Wipe off any excess waterproofing spray with a cloth and allow it to dry fully for the curing time indicated on the product packaging. It’s best if this drying is done outdoors.
- You can apply several coats if needed, repeating this process each time.
- Allow the tent to dry fully overnight before packing it back up and storing it.
How To Make Homemade Waterproofing Spray For A Tent
Homemade waterproofing spray for a tent is an option if you prefer to make your own products.
Here’s what you’ll need to make a DIY tent waterproofing spray:
- 2 cups linseed oil
- 2 oz. of beeswax
- 2 oz. of rosin
Directions:
- Heat the beeswax and rosin in the oven at 250 degrees until they are melted.
- In a small pot, heat the linseed oil until it comes to a boil, then remove from heat.
- Remove both from heat and mix together.
- One cool, apply to a tent in even coats, up to three coats maximum (apply one coat per day and allow to fully dry between applications).
- A spray bottle is best, but you can also use a paint brush or sponge in a pinch.
Tent Waterproofing Spray FAQs
How often a tent should be waterproofed depends heavily on the tent fabric, the amount of use, and amount of exposure to sun and moisture (like rain or snow).
The main sign you need to waterproof your tent is when the tent fabric starts allowing water inside your tent!
Yes, any item that has waterproofing on it will lose it over time. The cheaper your gear is, the faster the waterproofing will wear off.
Yes. Many of the best waterproofing tent sprays we reviewed today are safe for use on nylon.
No. Waterproofing spray for tents is intended for the tent’s exterior and rain fly which helps it shed water.
Seam sealer is a thick paste you paint onto the tent’s seams to seal up all the little holes to keep water from leaking in the corners and seams of your tent.
Wrapping Up The Best Tent Waterproofing Sprays
As we covered in this guide, you can enjoy the benefits of having a dry tent with a little preparation and elbow grease.
Just be sure a spray that does the job well and works with your tent’s fabric.
Which tent sealer spray did you choose, and how did it work for you? Let us know in the comments below.
While you’re here, check out our other great camping guides:
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