Picking the best tent for heavy rain is a tough decision. Why is it tough? After surfing all over the internet, you might have already known that the market is full of various types, sizes, and brands of tents and it is expanding fast.
And you may think all the tents are waterproof! But, sorry to say, they are not! In this article, you will get to know about the best tent for rain.
You might be looking for a great tent for heavy rain on your next trip. If you follow our guide cautiously from top to bottom, then heavy downpour can never ruin nor moisten your outdoor fun! Instead, your open-air fun will be cosier, energizing, and comfortable. How can we be so confident?
Because by then you will be having the right waterproof tent on your hands!
A tent is a shelter, a home away from home, and a second home to outdoor enthusiasts. They are a means of comfort and protection where you lay your head and rest after being weary by the day’s outdoor activity. For rainy weather adventurers, trust us, you don’t want to surprisingly find your tent is not waterproof in the middle of the dark night by wind and heavy rain.
Whether you are on a solo trip or in a big family or group one, you should always prefer a waterproof tent. Okay! No more gibberish, let’s buckle up! We are going on a ride!
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Why Would you Need a Waterproof?
Waterproof tents are designed with thicker outer materials and tightly sewn seams so that it can keep you dry in any weather conditions. Isn’t it the best reason to consider waterproof tents?
Not just this reason, waterproof tents are more stable, feature sturdy poles, and ensure proper ventilation.
How to Choose the Best for the Rain?
The first thing to look for, while shopping for a tent for rain, is, of course, its watertight ability and water resistance levels.
How waterproof a tent means, how much rain it can take, and how dry it keeps you inside. To know the waterproofness of a tent, check its waterproof ratings. Usually, ratings range from 800 millimeters to 10, 000 millimeters. It also can have higher ratings than 10,000mm. The higher the ratings means more waterproof.
These ratings indicate how much amount of water pressure the tent’s fabric can take.
For example, if your tent’s waterproof rating is 5000mm that means, it can withstand 5000mm or a five-meter column of water on it before it starts to leak.
For your information, 1500mm is widely accepted as being the minimum for waterproofness.
We would recommend you to go for 5000mm or higher. But if you are on a trip to snowy areas, then go for 10,000 to higher ones.
Features to Consider before Buying:
Besides the important water resistance feature, there are also some other features you should not miss considering before buying a tent.
Design, styles, size, and space
There are plenty of designs and styles available including, 1 person to 8 people, domed styled to cabin ones, and many more. If you are a solo adventurer you can invest in a solo tent. But to be honest, a 2p tent will provide you more space and comfort a 1p or solo one.
For group camping or hikes, cabin tents or canvas tents are best.
Your tent’s design, style, size, and space is depended on how many of you are camping.
But we recommend you to take one space more than a regular camp like if you are camping with 4 people, go for 5p tent, camping for 5 people go for a 6p tent. This way you will have enough space to roam around and make yourself comfortable.
Ventilation
Some people make a mistake by not considering ventilation as a vital feature. If your tent is waterproof, that means it is designed to keep water out, right? That means sealed seams, and it could lead to unwanted condensation in the absence of adequate ventilation.
But you are just looking for a watertight tent, not a non-breathable one! So, be careful about that, while investing in a tent, it’s better to invest in a tent that featured dedicated points for ventilation without allowing water in than dying.
Check tents for mesh in the inner layers and tents with zippered mesh panel doors and windows that will create more cross tent airflow are recommended.
Seasonal Tent
Rain is not the only thing from which you want to be protected. If you just buy a waterproof tent, then you can only use it for one season. That’s why check for 3 or 4 seasonal tents if you don’t want to purchase different tents for different seasons.
One more thing! Don’t forget to make sure your tent poles, stakes, or guy rope system is sturdy and strong enough to withstand any weather conditions.
3 Brands you might like that Offers Waterproof Tents
Coleman
Coleman offers some best-designed and engineered waterproof tents with durable materials that are ideal for both rain and sunny days. Their tents are not just waterproof but lightweight, spacious, and affordable.
Marmot
Marmot is another popular tent brand providing strong, sturdy, and versatile waterproof tents for years.
Eureka
Eureka tents are also well constructed and offer some great three seasonal waterproof tents. Their tent’s comfortable living space is too good to be praised.
Some tips and tricks to choose a tent wisely:
- Choose a tent that is easy to set up and easy to assemble.
- A freestanding tent is a great option, as you can take advantage of its portability and move it depending on the direction of the wind.
- Pitching the tent in the wrong spot can get you soaked. So, always try to pitch the tent on the highest spot of your camping ground.
- Always try to use tent tarps as extra protection from the rain.
- A tent footprint is a must to prevent tent wear and tear. It will also protect your tent from getting water inside.
- If you want to keep your tent’s window open, then keep the clothes and outwear away from it and also keep them off the floor.
- An extra rainfly can also be your peace of mind in the night in the wild.
- Don’t forget your waterproof jackets, boots, and pants behind.
- The extra towel can help you mop up any sneaked water into the tent.
- As you have to carry your tent with you, so prefer getting a lightweight tent.
Water-resistant vs Water-repellent vs Water-proof:
These are the terms often used by different tent manufactures. If you know what they mean and their difference, you can easily understand your tent’s water penetrance capability.
Water-resistant in a tent is to resist moisture and reduce penetration into the material. Though it does not stop water completely but helps a little.
Water-repellent provides better protection and is more resistant to penetration than water-resistant.
Waterproof means completely non-penetrable. That means water cannot penetrate the surface.
Camping is great fun and bad weather can ruin it all. But if you can find the right tent, then no one is there to stop you from getting an unlimited exciting experience. There are really cool and awesome options for waterproof tents. But all of them have pros and cons. But only you can find your best one considering their designs and features.
