5 Best Tent Waterproofing Sprays In 2024 [Updated]

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Having a leaky tent can mess up your camping trip and even force you to cancel everything. Of course, you are not an expert in fixing a leaky tent. But that doesn’t mean that the problem can’t be fixed. One of the ways of how to weatherproof a tent is to use good water repellent spray for tents.

Since it can be challenging to find the best waterproofer for your tents, we will be helping you with that in this article. And we will be looking at the top 5 best tent waterproofing sprays to help you find the ideal one for your tent.

Without wasting any time, let’s jump right in.

BEST TENT WATERPROOFING SPRAYS REVIEW

As a buyer, you might feel challenged when selecting your pick. But with these reviews, we are sure that you will have an easy time choosing the best unit for your tent.

IMAGE PRODUCT DETAILS

  • Nikwax Waterproofing and Cleaner

  • ? Adds water-repellency
  • ? Adds UV protection
  • ? Great for use on tents
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  • Granger’s Tent & Gear Repel

  • ? High-performance water-proofer
  • ? Durable water Repellency
  • ? Also Great for awnings, furniture & accessories
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  • Scotchgard Outdoor Water Shield

  • ? Maintains fabric breathability
  • ? Creates a durable water barrier
  • ? Use on Outerwear
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  • KIWI Heavy-Duty Water Repellent

  • ? Allows material to breathe
  • ? Silicone bonds to leather
  • ? Stays odor-free
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  • Revivex Gear Aid Instant Waterproofer

  • ? Add water repellency
  • ? Fast-acting waterproofing
  • ? Maximize breathability
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1. Nikwax Tent and Gear Waterproofing and Cleaner

 

How does the thought of having a two-in-one product sound to you? Well, this spray is cleaner and also offers a water-repellant coating to your tent.

This one comes with non-toxic VOCs or PFCs, which assure you of a safe product to use in your tent. It also has the ability to clean your equipment while protecting it from water.

With this spray, you can clean your clothes, equipment, or footwear. So, as it adds a protective layer to your tent, it will ensure that all the dirt and debris are removed.

Furthermore, the spray has ingredients that allow it to restore your fabrics. Above all, it adds UV protection to ensure that your tent is safe from any sun damage.

 

What We Loved

  • It a versatile product that you can use on other gear and fabrics
  • Offers UV protection to your tent
  • Cleans and restores while offering a waterproof layer
  • Best for PU-coated tents
  • Doesn’t contain toxic VOCs and PFCs

What Could Be Better

  • Not the best pick for silnylon tents

2. Granger’s Tent + Gear Repel High Performance Tent Waterproofer

 

Here is another unit that qualifies as the best tent waterproofing product if you would like to make your tent rainproof.

It is a universal cleaner that can work on typically all tents and gear. This one has been designed to replicate the original water-repellent finish that you find on outdoor products. The spray is water-based and VOC-free. In other words, this is environmental-friendly.

The tent sealer has been designed to add and restore durable water repellency while maintaining a breathable layer to the tent. Even better, you can use this one on your outdoor furniture, boat covers, or other accessories.

Applying this spray to your tent and gear is very easy as well, thanks to the paint-on nature.

 

What We Loved

  • Free of VOC and fluorocarbon
  • Imparts a durable water-repellency
  • The spray retains the breathability of the fabric
  • Convenient for paint-on application
  • Ideal for PU-coated tents

What Could Be Better

  • Doesn’t work well for silnylon tents

3. Scotchgard Outdoor Water Shield

 

This Scotchgard’s Water Shield will allow you to enjoy your camping experience without worrying about a leaky tent. The spray offers you a one-coat coverage that prevents water from getting in.

It will also maintain the breathability of the fabric accordingly, and comfortably repel moisture both during use and when you store the tent. One application will be enough to create a durable water barrier that maintains the water repellency for a long time.

We loved the fact that this Scotchgard tent water-repellent will dry quickly once you apply it. In other words, you should be ready to set up the tent a few minutes after applying this.

 

What We Loved

  • Can be used on other outdoor wear
  • It dries quickly
  • Maintains fabric breathability
  • Keeps the tent weather-repellent during use or when in storage
  • Single coat application

What Could Be Better

  • It contains propane, which makes it dangerous to use near a fire

4. KIWI Heavy-Duty Water Repellent

 

Here is another top-rated water-resistant product for tents, which does an amazing job at protecting your tent against water.

You can use this spray on outdoor gear, patio furniture, boat covers, boots, tarps, and hunting apparel too. This one will not only keep water out of your tent, but it also offers a breathable layer.

The silicone in this spray bonds to the fabric or leather to offer you a strong water barrier that is sure to last for a long time. Luckily, your treated material will not contain any harsh smell after you treat it with this.

One thing that makes this spray among the best waterproofer for tents is the fact that it is easy to use, very reliable at keeping your tent water-repellent, and it’s generally affordable.

 

What We Loved

  • Very affordable
  • Remains odor-free after drying
  • Easily compatible with silnylon tents and PU-coated tents
  • Retains the breathability of your tent
  • Highly versatile product

What Could Be Better

  • You will need to apply a second coat after the first one dries up

5. Revivex Gear Aid Instant Waterproofing Spray

 

This might be the last product on the list, but it is not the least favorable. It can still be considered as a good product that will help you in waterproofing tents for camping.

It is a fast-acting spray that you can use on any insulated garments or synthetic gear. In other words, you can also use it on shoes and coats along with your tents. The spray is designed to add water-repellency instantly to your tent and also repel stains and oil.

With this spray, you can be sure of enhancing the performance of high-tech fabrics as it maximizes the breathability of your tent. We loved that this is free of PFOA and silicone. You can also use it on paper maps without a problem.

 

What We Loved

  • It is odorless
  • Easy to use
  • PFOA and silicone-free
  • Water-based spray that dries and acts quickly
  • Best choice for the small tents

What Could Be Better

  • You might have to apply more than one coat

Best Water Repellent Spray

THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE BUYING

So, what is the best tent waterproofing product? It might be one of the five products we just listed, but you still have to consider some factors before you buy one.

 

Spray or Aerosol?

Normally, waterproofers comes in two forms of applications. They can be packed in a hand-spray spritzer bottle or a pressurized aerosol bottle.

With aerosol bottles, they are usually made out of metal cans, and they tend to be pre-pressurized with a gas. The best part is that modern aerosols are free of harsh chemicals like the ones used in the past.

For an outdoor enthusiast who is looking for the best way to waterproof a tent, consider going for a spritzer bottle that entails hand spraying. However, you should know that an aerosol bottle tends to produce finer particle mist to waterproof your tent.

 

Silicone-Based Sprays

Usually, the waterproofing sprays come with silicone content. Generally, silicone is a soft, waterproof material used in almost every household supplies.

As you pick the silicone-based water-repellent spray, ensure that you don’t get a stain-resistant product. Stain-resistant sprays are mostly used on clothes, and they don’t tend to be reliable enough for tents.

 

CONSIDER YOUR TENT FABRICS

As you pick the waterproofer for your tent, you should also consider the tent fabrics. Tents come in multiple fabrics, and it is important to choose a spray that will work well with your tent. Let’s look at the different tent fabrics available.

  • Silpoly

A man-made fabric that is less stretchy under loads and when it is wet. Nevertheless, this fabric tends to be expensive, and only some specific silpoly weaves are best suited for tents.

  • Silnylon

These fabrics are also man-made, and these are the same material used for making plastic bags. Silnylon is nylon fabric, which has been blended with silicone.

Silpoly and silnylone are both good tent bodies, but the difference lies in the amount of silicone impregnated in the fabric.

  • Dyneema Composite

Another type of tent fabric is Dyneema Composite, which is also known as Cuben Fiber. This is a rare fabric that’s also more waterproof than silnylon and silpoly. It is an ultralight fabric that also happens to be very expensive.

  • Duck Cloth Tents

If you are using the old military surplus gear, you should know that the sprays will not make your tent water-repellent.

Water Repellent Spray

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

Which is the best way to waterproof a tent?

First off, this will depend on the fabric of your tent. For the silnylon and silpoly tents, it is best to use the sprays that we just listed for you.

Ensure that the spray you choose can offer enough protective layer to prevent water from getting through your tent fabric.

How to Apply Waterproof Tent Spray?

There are a few steps you can take to make your tent waterproof.

  • Dry the tent well: Let the tent dry in the sun. If the tent is well dried, you will get good results in the tent waterproofing methods.
  • Choose a place to spray: Waterproof tents should not be placed in direct sunlight for spraying. Choose a place that has minimal wind and sun exposure.
  • Spray on the tent: Place at a distance of 5-6 inches from the spray tent, and spray. Be careful not to overspray. If overspray, take the spray a few inches back. Make sure the entire tent is evenly coated.
  • Let the tent dry: After spraying, dry the tent well.
  • Re-spray: Re-spray on the tent after it is completely dry. If you think your tent needs more waterproofing, apply 2-3 coats.
How can you seam seal a tent?

Generally, the tent seams tend to be the most susceptible to leaks. In this case, you will need to seal them to prevent further leakage.

Here, a seam sealer would be the first choice. This should fix any tears and cover the seams accordingly. After the sealer dries, you can use the waterproofer to go over all the seams.

What's the difference between seam sealing and waterproofing?

Waterproofing is usually used as a protective measure to prevent various water or moisture from entering the tent.

On the other hand, the Seam sealing is mainly used to close leaks. Seam sealing is an adhesive substance.

Do these sprays smell bad?

There is a slight odor in the tent when the waterproof spray is applied. If you dry the tent well after spraying, the odor goes away. And it basically takes 24-72 hours.

However, if you pack the tent without drying it well, it may smell. If you heal after using the sprays on our list, It may not smell or have a slight odor.

FINAL WORDS

So, there go our top sprays for making your tent waterproof. When choosing one, ensure that it meets the fabric demands of your tent accordingly. Don’t forget to choose one that is free of harsh chemicals and strong odors.

Generally, the best waterproofer for tents is the one that meets your preferences and one that can actually make your tent waterproof.

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