Do you want to make your tent a little more waterproof?
Are you wondering how it’s possible to cheaply save your tent from leaking?
Waterproofing your old tent or making your new one a little more solid is an easy thing to do if you have the right kind of product.
Unfortunately, there are hundreds of options out there all claiming to be the best. And many of them are great in different situations.
This is why we’ve used our experience and research to help you out and find the best waterproofing spray for tents.
The top waterproofing sprays will need to be easy-to-use, effective at blocking water, and last a while without damaging the tent fabric. Our picks for the best out there include:
- Kiwi Camp Heavy Water Repellent
- Scotchgard Heavy Water Shield
- Atsko Silicone Water Guard
- Gear Aid Silicone Sealant
- Coleman Seam Sealer
Look ahead to the rest of the article for a simple guide on what to look for, reviews of the products, and answers to commonly asked questions.
Table of Contents
Direct Comparison Of Waterproofing Spray For Tent Fabrics
This section is a simple but effective table directly comparing the pros and cons for these waterproof sprays.
Use this chart as a quick reference to help you pick which of these will be the best for your needs. Feel free to jump ahead to look at the specific reviews if you need help narrowing your choice down.
| Product | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
  Kiwi Camp Heavy Water Repellent | High quality repellent Comes in multi-packs Easy to use Last a long time | Higher price Not for seams |
  Scotchgard Heavy Water Shield | Affordable Different sizes available Easy to apply Resists water well | Doesn’t last as long |
  Atsko Silicone Water Guard | Eays to apply Safe for all tent materials Handles rain and water great Lasts a long time in sunshine and downpours | Container is small and you may want to buy multiple at one time |
  Gear Aid Silicone Sealant | Affordable Protects seams well Resists hot and cold without cracking | May be difficult to apply |
  Coleman Seam Sealer | Affordable Easy to apply Strong water resistance | Cracks over time and in extreme temperatures |
What To Look For In The Best Waterproofing Spray For Tents
This is the quick buyer’s guide for waterproofing sprays for camping tents. In this section, we’ll briefly go over the important elements to consider when buying a water-proofing spray.
Effectiveness
The first and most important aspect of a waterproofing spray is how effective it is.
Some won’t do much to repel water while others will help the droplets roll right off.
First, you need to understand what waterproofing actually does.
Waterproof adds a layer of protection to the fabric. This layer’s job is to prevent water molecules from entering the pores in the fabric.
In practical terms, it keeps the water from actually sticking to the tent.
In the long-term, this means the water rolls of the tent easily. It doesn’t gather or seep into the tent through the walls.
Water on tents with good waterproofing will bead up (or form small balls) and run right down. Poor waterproofing will spread the water over the walls making it seep through more.
The effectiveness is determined by the chemical properties of the spray and usually by a number. As these numbers tend to fluctuate, it’s best to look at what actual users have said about it.
We did this for you in our reviews below.
Material And Seams
It’s important to point out the difference between waterproofing the walls and material of the tent and sealing the seams.
The walls don’t actually leak through often unless there’s a rip. However, a good spray will make them repel water as described above.
However, the seams are the most likely places to leak. This is where the materials are sewed together, and these tiny holes allow for leakage.
This is where sealing and special manufacturing come into play.
A good waterproofing setup will combine a spray for the walls and a seam sealer.
Without the spray, the water will gather and put more pressure on the seams.
Without the seam sealer, there will still be some water trying to get in.
If you have both (or a product which can work as both), you’ll stay dry.
You may also want to check out the best rainfly for tent camping.
User Friendliness
There are quite a few products out there which are hard to figure out and use. Waterproofing shouldn’t be one of these products.
In most cases, all you need to do is spray, let sit, and wipe off.
However, there are some out there with extra steps or unclear instructions. You don’t want to mess around with those.
It’ll be frustrating; it may get done wrong and result in a wet tent.
We make sure to mention how easy (or hard) the spray is to use in our breakdowns below.
Durability
Waterproofing should last quite a while if it’s done correctly and a good product.
You shouldn’t have to retreat your tent every couple of weeks.
But if you’re not careful, this is what you will end up doing.
All products on our list will last a while, but some more than others. Usually, this difference is also reflected in price.
It’s up to you what you need and how often you’re willing to do the proofing.
We’ll mention how long it’s reasonable to expect each spray to last.
Effect On Fabrics
Another important element people forget when it comes to waterproofing spray is how some may damage the fabric itself.
Most won’t cause direct damage to fabrics, but funny things tend to happen when the spray and fabric are exposed to a lot of direct sunlight.
Fortunately, most dedicated waterproofing sprays are safe. Be sure to check out each product and its impact on materials.
Or just go with the products on our list as they’re all safe for common tent fabrics.
Learn more about what materials a tent is made of.
Review Of The Best Waterproofing Spray For Tents
Here is the specific review section on our picks for the best products. In this section, we’ll break down the features and how these features impact your use of the products.
Note: We mention general price ranges for the products, but due to constant price fluctuations, you’ll need to click the matching button to check the most current price on Amazon.
Kiwi Camp Heavy Water Repellent
Kiwi Camp’s water repellent is one of the more premium waterproofing options out there. As such, it comes in at a higher price with better quality than many others.
Though this isn’t just designed for camping tents, it does the job well. Simply spray on when dry and then wipe off.
It’s easy to use.
This product is offered packs of two or four. The spray is strong and resists water quite well.
The water will run right down off the sides.
This spray is usable on seams, but it won’t work as well as a dedicated seam sealer.
Pros For This Product:
- High quality repellent
- Comes in multi-packs
- Easy to use
- Last a long time
Cons For This Product:
- Higher price
- Not for seams
Scotchgard Heavy Water Shield
The Scotchgard water shield is a medium-priced option from a trustworthy protection company. This is the industry standard for good water protection.
Though this product isn’t meant for tents specifically, it is designed to work well and handle interior and exterior materials including polyester, cotton, and nylon which are the big 3 of tent fabrics.
As with the other options on our list, the Scotchgard product is simple to use and only requires and spray, dry, and wipe to get the full-effect.
As far as protection goes, this spray handles rain and water well up to most rain storms you’ll experience.
Buy this product in its standard 13 ounce (0.49 kg) can or any of the following options:
- 10.5 ounces (0.4 kg)
- 10.5 ounces (0.4 kg) 4-pack
- 21 ounces (0.79 kg)
- 63 ounces (2.38 kg)
They suggest respraying seasonally for maximum effect.
Pros For This Product:
- Affordable
- Different sizes available
- Easy to apply
- Resists water well
Cons For This Product:
- Doesn’t last as long
Atsko Silicone Water Guard
This Atsko product is one of the premium options out there for waterproofing spray. As such, it has a higher price, but this comes with good quality.
The 2-pack of 10.5 ounces (0.4 kg) of spray is designed for use on fabrics exposed to the weather elements. This means it’s perfect for tents and exposure to sun and rain.,
Specifically, the maker’s suggest it works great on cotton, nylon, and synthetic polyester which are common tent materials.
For repelling, this spray does a great job of resisting large amounts of water. Better yet, the waterproofing is so durable, you won’t need to reapply more than once every two years.
Pros For This Product:
- Ways to apply
- Safe for all tent materials
- Handles rain and water great
- Lasts a long time in sunshine and downpours
Cons For This Product:
- Container is small and you may want to buy multiple at one time
Gear Aid Silicone Sealant
All the above products have been waterproofing dedicated sprays for the outside of the tents. But it’s also important to consider a seam sealant.
The Gear Aid Silicone Sealant is quite affordable.
With this small 1.5 ounce (56.7 g) tube, there is 24 feet of seam sealing to be done.
The sealant itself lasts a long time, and if applied correctly, does a good job of blocking out the water from the vulnerable seams.
Perhaps the strongest feature of this sealant is its ability to stay strong in higher and lower temperatures.
You won’t see this sealant crack often.
This Seam Grip is a little difficult for some to use correctly right out of the gate. We advise reading the directions included and watching application videos carefully before applying.
Pros For This Product:
- Affordable
- Protects seams well
- Resists hot and cold without cracking
Cons For This Product:
- May be difficult to apply
Coleman Seam Sealer
As another seam sealer, this Coleman product is an affordable option for protecting those leaky seams and further waterproofing your tent.
Coleman is a well-respected camping company, and as such, their camping products are trustworthy including this one.
The Seam Sealer in this case is easier to use than many other seam sealers. It comes with a foam applicator pad and clear directions to help you get this done.
The 2 ounce (0.08 kg) container fits plenty of sealant to take care of a tent’s seams.
Plus, as a company which also makes tents, it’s easy to trust this product as safe to use with tents.
Pros For This Product:
- Affordable
- Easy to apply
- Strong water resistance
Cons For This Product:
- Cracks over time and in extreme temperatures
Commonly Asked Questions
Does waterproof spray work on tents? – Usually yes.
If the water still beads and runs down the tent fabric when wet, the waterproofing on the material is still good. In this case, a waterproofing spray isn’t needed and won’t work.
However, when the water sticks and gathers on the material, a good spray will make a difference in the tent better repelling the water.
Should I waterproof my tents? – If the tent is new and already treated, you don’t need to.
But for older tents and rain flies, it’s a good idea to regularly treat the material and seams especially.
Do tents lose their waterproofing? – Yes, over time. How long it lasts depends on how often the tent is exposed to sun and rain as well as how good the treatment was in the first place.
It’s a good idea to look for signs of “flaking” in the waterproofing or water not easily running down the material.
How often do tents need waterproofing? – The hard answer: as often as it needs. The easy answer: once every 1-2 years or when you notice the treatment isn’t working as much.
Should I put a tarp down under my tent? – We recommend using a tarp or other tent footprint every time you go camping.
The extra material will prevent damage to the floor of your tent and will actually prevent gathering moisture and condensation from getting on the inside of your tent.
Learn more about if you need a tent footprint.
Conclusion
Now you know more about our picks for the best waterproofing spray for tents. These sprays will work for most people; now it’s up to you to pick which one is right for your situation.
If forced to pick one setup, we recommend the Atsko Spray in conjunction with the Coleman Seam Sealer.
These two will make most tents watertight for at least a couple of seasons.
Now get outside and enjoy the fresh air!