10 Best Waterproof Tent for camping in the rain in 2022
There are many reasons why you should invest in the best waterproof tent. Most important of them all – to enjoy the time in the lap of nature and not worry about weather forecasts.
The first time we went camping was at the Waskesiu National Park in Saskatchewan Canada. We were excited and looking forward to the trip and our time in the woods. And the evening came and it rained! A lot.
It was messy, cold, and uncomfortable. That made us realize the importance of a sturdy waterproof tent. We researched and come up with the 10 best waterproof tents that you can carry with you on your camping adventures.
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QUICK OVERVIEW
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BEST OVERALL – Alps Mountaineering Lynx 4 person dome tent – Click to view
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BEST WATERPROOF TENT FOR BACKPACKERS – MSR Mutha Hubba Hubba NX 2 person tent – Click to view
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BEST WATERPROOF TENT FOR FAMILIES – Kodiak Canvas Flex Bow 6 Person – Click to view
- BEST WATERPROOF TENT FOR LARGE GROUPS – NTK Arizona GT 9 to 10 Person Tent Check price here
10 Best Waterproof Tent for camping in the rain!
- Dome Style
- Capacity: 4 people
- Weight: 68 lb (30.8 kg)
- Doors: 2 Windows: 4
- Easy Set up ✔️
- Gear Storage
- Good Value for $$
- Heavy for backpacking ❌
- Dome Style
- Capacity: 2 person
- Weight: 3.80 lbs (1.60 kgs)
- Doors: 2 large
- Spacious ✔️
- Light weight
- Top rated
- Backpacking ✔️
- Cabin style
- Capacity: 4 people
- Weight: 18.10 lbs (8.45 kg)
- Doors: 1 Windows: half window
- Easy Set up ✔️
- ePort & gear loft
- Large & Spacious
- Heavy for backpacking ❌
- Dome Style
- Capacity: 6 person
- Weight: 20 lbs (9.5 kgs)
- Doors: 3
- Easy Set up ✔️
- Spacious
- Internal mesh pockets, and lantern loops
- Not for Backpacking
- Dome Style
- Capacity: 3 people
- Weight: 7.15 lbs (3.24 kgs)
- Doors: 3
- Easy Set up ✔️
- Pretty Colors
- Heavy rain ❌
- Easy Carry ✔️
- Dome Style
- Capacity: 4 people
- Weight: 9.7 lbs (4.4 kgs)
- Doors: 2 Windows: 2
- Easy Set up ✔️
- Deep, tub-like tent floor
- Thunderstorm ❌
- Easy to Carry ✔️
- Cabin Style
- Capacity: 4 people
- Weight: 68 lb (30.8 kg)
- Doors: 2 Windows: 4
- Easy Set up ✔️
- Spacious
- Winter ❌
- Not for Backpacking
- Dome Style
- Capacity: 8 people
- Weight: 24.49 lb (11.1 kg)
- Doors: 1 Windows: 2
- Easy Set up ✔️
- Gear Storage
- Winds ❌
- Not for Backpacking
- Dome Style
- Capacity: 2 people
- Weight: 6.37 lbs (2.89 Kg)
- Doors: 3
- Easy Set up ✔️
- Car Camping
- Not for heavy rains❌
- Easy to Carry ✔️
- Dome Style
- Capacity: 9 - 10 people
- Weight: 26 Lb (12 kgs)
- Doors: 2 doors Windows: 3
- Easy Set up ✔️
- Spacious ✔️
- Winter ❌
- Durable, but heavy
Alps Mountaineering Lynx 4 person tent (Best Waterproof Tent overall)
- Style: Dome style tent
- Capacity: 4 people
- Weight: 7.15 lbs (3.24 kgs)
- Doors: 2
- Windows: 2 for ventilation
DETAILED REVIEW
Alps Mountaineering manufactures durable water-resistant tents in 1 to 4 person sizes. This is the Alps Mountaineering Lynx line with a generous mesh lining. The 4 person tent that we are reviewing from Alps Mountaineering is a 2 pole rectangular dome style tent with pole clips that easily fit over the poles for quick assembly. The set up is super simple, we wished we knew about this tent when we camped for the first time.
The 4 person tent is supported by 2 free-standing aluminum two-poles.
The tent is great for 3 season use, so not recommended for winters. It packs very small and can be easily carried in your car and even used as a car camping tent.
The tent is made up of weatherproof fly buckles, a 75D 185T polyester fly with 1500mm coating that resists UV damage. The factory-sealed fly and floor seams provide the best weather protection.
The tent is equipped with extra-large #8 zippers and 2 doors for easy entry and exit. The half mesh walls in the tent help in ventilation.
The tent has 2 vestibules for extra gear storage, bags, or even pets. The poly taffeta floor is made to withstand rainy weather. The floor space is pretty generous for the weight of this tent. There’s plenty of room to change, sleep, stretch out, and relax by the riverside or in the woods.
There aren’t a ton of internal pockets, but the included gear loft allows you to put lights, clothes that need to dry out, or other essentials.
This is a no-frills, straight forward tent which is of superior quality for the price range. Whether you choose the 1 person or 4 people tent, rest assured it is of good quality and really waterproof – in the event of light rain or heavy storms. Their customer service is amazing and includes a lifetime warranty on all of its products.
Features:
- Polyester material
- Easy assembly with clip pole attachments
- Free-standing two-pole design with 7000 series aluminum poles
- Weatherproof fly buckles on for maximum adjustability and protection
- Vestibules for gear storage and extra weather protection
- Good customer service
- Lifetime warranty on all of their products
- Quick and easy set up
- Good ventilation
- Storage for gear
- Compact size when packed
- Durability is A1
- Good price for a quality tent
- Not roomy for people over 6.2 feet
- Heavy for backpacking
MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2-person tent (Best Waterproof Tent for backpacking)
- Style: Ripstop nylon
- Capacity: 2 person
- Weight: 3.80 lbs (1.60 kgs)
- Doors: 2 large
- Windows: N/A
MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2-person tent, from Mutha Hubba NX tent is one of their bestsellers. It is a 2 person waterproof tent, designed for backpackers. This tent is compact and lightweight to carry. Don’t be fooled by a 3 pound weight, this tent is jam-packed with features.
It is small and light, but it offers a spacious interior with a virtually indestructible Easton® Syclone™ poles. The cutting-edge aerospace composite materials make these poles indestructible in challenging and windy conditions. Its new composite Easton Syclone poles flex under heavy winds but it bounces back to their original shape.
To top that, the tent material is ultra-durable. MSR’s long-lasting Xtreme Shield™ waterproof coating is formulated to resist fabric stickiness (hydrolysis), thus lasting up to 3 times longer than standard waterproof coatings.
Silver-grey fly creates neutral interior lighting and the red floor reflects headlamps and makes gear easy to spot. Their design also allows to set up the fly with an optional footprint for an even lighter shelter. The rainfly is also adjustable (roll-up vestibule and/or stargazer view)
MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2-person tent is equipped with two large StayDry™ doors with built-in rain gutters. It also comes with an adaptable, cross-ventilating rainfly to keep rain and that icky messy feeling out. It also has a non-tapered floor.
Comes with adjustable integrated stake-out loops and lightweight reflective guy-outs.
The tent is easy and quick to setup. Due to its light weight, as mentioned earlier it is easy to pack and carry. Rope bag style compression stuff sack makes packing easy.
Features:
- StayDry side-entry vestibules feature rain gutters to keep rain water from channeling into the interior as you get in or out.
- Easton® Syclone™ poles – withstands heavy winds
- MSR’s Xtreme Shield™ waterproof coating (long-lasting waterproof coating & precision-stitched seams)
- Silver-grey fly creates neutral interior lighting
- Ultralight: Minimum weight is 1.60 kg / 3 lb 8 oz
- Two large side-entry vestibules to store gear
- Spacious tent
- Can withstand heavy downpour or winds
- Lightweight
- Durable high-tenacity nylon fabrics
- Adjustable rain fly (roll-up vestibule & stargazer view)
- Can’t think of any
Eureka Copper Canyon 4 person and 8 person tent
- Style: Cabin style
- Capacity: 4 people
- Weight: 18.10 lbs (8.45 kg)
- Doors: 1
- Windows: half window
DETAILED REVIEW
The Eureka Copper Canyon comes in different sizes, ranging from a 4 person tent with a 6 pole cabin style to a 12 person tent. We will review the Eureka Copper Canyon 4 person tent and then will share a few insights on the 8 person tent. The 4 person tent is a 6-pole cabin-style built offering a generous living space. It is a freestanding tent with a combined steel and fiberglass frame with clips and pole sleeves. The ring-and-pin assembly makes setting up super easy.
The Eureka Copper Canyon is made up of Stormshield® polyester fly which provides a durable, long-lasting and a sag-free cover. Its weatherproof door and window panels seal out the elements and allow ventilation control. Windows on each side and in rear panel offer visibility and ventilation. This feature is very critical as it can withstand moderate to severe thunderstorms and rains.
The vertical walls offer maximum use of interior space, making the tents ideal for use with cots. And a full mesh roof allows circulation of air and reduces condensation. There is one large D-style door with half window to allow easy access – entry and exit.
Other notable features include a zippered E! Power Port that allows you to bring an electrical power cord inside the tent (similar to Coleman Evanstan). Also included is a gear loft and high stash pockets to store small personal gear.
Eureka Copper Canyon 8 person tent – If you are looking for a bigger tent, then opt for the 8 person tent which comes with even generous living space with multiple doors and windows. With this one you can create 1-2 rooms. It comes with a 9-pole cabin style tent featuring detachable divider curtain that can create 1 or 2 rooms. It also has two large, side-opening, D-style doors that offer private entry into each room.
With main features same as above, like the E! power port, Stormshield polyester durable material, in the 8 person tent you will also get #8 zippers with zipper covers for durability and water protection. The tent height is pretty generous – it has a 7 inch interior peak height that provides ample headroom for the tallest camper.
Six storage pockets and 2 gear lofts are handy to keep equipment organised close by.
Check Price for the Eureka Copper Canyon 8 person tent
Features
- Very spacious, even people as tall as 6 feet love the generous interiors
- Stormshield® polyester fly – Provides durable, long-lasting and a sag-free cover
- Zippered E! Power Port – Use an electrical power cord inside the tent
- Gear loft to store small personal gear.
- Sturdy weatherproof door and window panels to prevent water from sweeping in
- Mesh ceiling is good for ventilation and air circulation
- E port and the gear loft areas are nice add-ons
- Easy set up
- Spacious tent
- Heavy tent, cannot use as a backpacking tent.
North Face Wawona 6
DETAILED REVIEW
The North Face is one of our favorite outdoor brands. And the North Face Wawona 6 makes it to our list, in fact higher than some of the other brands/tents we reviewed last year.
The North Face Wawona is a super portable, with a beautiful mesh lining for a starry night’s experience.
The tent is composed of a durable single-wall which is fully waterproof and makes for easy pitching.It is roomy for six people, with ceilings high enough to stand beneath and large windows for uninterrupted views outside.
There is a massive front vestibule, with two doors for entry.
With an exceptional airflow to boost, the tent comes with a duffel bag stuff sack, thus making it easy for packing and transportation. It also has a tablet holder, hang loops, a Velcro® lantern loop and mesh pockets.
Features
- Single wall waterproof tent
- Special Features : Tablet holder
- Full stand-up height
- Car Camping tent
- Easy carry bag
TETON Sports Mountain Ultra 4 Tent with footprint
Teton Sports Mountain manufacturers’ lightweight but really good built waterproof tents. It has a series of ultra tents by capacity (1 to 4), built with a similar design, material and concept. We will be taking on the TETON Sports Mountain Ultra Tent, which is a light weight 4 person capacity waterproof tent.
- Style: Dome style tent
- Capacity: 4 people
- Weight: 9.7 lbs (4.4 kgs)
- Doors: 2
- Windows: 2 for ventilation
DETAILED REVIEW
As mentioned, this is a highly lightweight tent and is perfect for backpacking and camping. It is super easy to set up – no hassle one man set up. And it also fits easily into the storage bag when you are no longer out in the lap of nature.
Reinforced, heat taped seams and anchor points. Material is oxford polyester.
The TETON Mountain Ultra 4 micro-mesh tent provides the perfect ventilation. Its inner tent is perfect with a micro mesh fitting and waterproof rainfly is great for all types of weather. The clip-on rainfly is not only for privacy and weather protection, but it also provides great comfort with its pass-through ventilation technology that clears away condensation.
Full mesh top allows for a perfect stargazing experience, its like sleeping under a blanket of stars quite literally.
Rainfly vestibule keeps water off sleeping area at entry. Extra-high waterproof bathtub floor.
Features:
- Oxford material
- Measures 249 x 211 x 150 cm
- 4 person tent (also comes in different sizes 1-3 backpacking)
- Easy to set up and dismantle
- Mesh and 2 windows for superior ventilation
- Storage bag
- 1-year limited warranty
- Well-built and water resistant
- Deep, tub-like tent floor
- Good ventilation
- May not hold up during severe thunderstorms
Kodiak Canvas Flex-Bow 4-Person Canvas Tent Deluxe (Best Waterproof Tent for Families)
- Style: Cabin Style
- Capacity: 4 people
- Weight: 68 lb (30.8 kg)
- Doors: 2
- Windows: 4
DETAILED REVIEW
The Kodiak Canvas Flex Bow tents are deluxe tents ideal for group camping. The tent material is made up of highly durable and weatherproof canvas material. “Hydra-Shield” materiel is 100% cotton duck canvas which is durable and breathable.
The custom-woven, treated canvas is ideal for all-weather tents, as the double-fill design is strong and durable, and the silicone, dry-finish treatment makes for a watertight and breathable space. Unlike synthetic fabrics or canvas with paraffin- or oil-based treatment, Kodiak’s canvas allows water vapor to escape, thus minimizing humidity and mugginess.
The Flex-Bow frame is strongly built with a 1-inch galvanized steel tubing and a 3/8-inch Flex-Bow spring steel rods. For improved ventilation, the tent includes two funnel-flow vents that circulate air and assist with temperature management.
The tent is pretty spacious with a high ceiling measuring 6-foot 1-inch ceiling in height. There are two large D-shaped doors (front and back), and four large windows, all covered with no-see-um mesh. It is sealed with #10 YKK zippers.
The tent is equipped with a 16-ounce, polyester-reinforced vinyl floor with a large 72-by-78-inch awning. It comes with an adjustable gear loft and organizer pockets for you to store camping equipment, bags, or other items. The tent also has a handy strap-and-cinch storage bag.
The Flex-Bow tent is easy to set up with one person. The tent comes with a lifetime warranty.
Features:
- Canvas : Made with Hydra-Shield, 100% cotton duck canvas that is watertight and breathable
- Durable material
- Two funnel-flow vents help improve air flow and temperature management
- All season tent
- Kodiak tents far outlive cheaper-made tents
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Spacious and large tent
- Easy to set up
- Feels like home – big and generous for the whole family
- Durable material for all year round (except severe snow accumulations)
- Tent material minimizes mugginess
- Long lasting material and tent poles to last years
- Heavy Tent
Coleman Evanston™ Screened 8 Person Tent
- Style: dome tent, non-freestanding
- Capacity: 8 people (also comes in 2,4,6 person capacity)
- Weight: 24.49 lb (11.1 kg)
- Doors: 1
- Windows: 2 + door window + screen room
DETAILED REVIEW
Coleman® Evanston™ Screened 8 Tent is another great name in the camping world. The Coleman Brand has many products with the evanston name. We are reviewing and recommending the 8 tent version for rain proof tents.
Coleman® Evanston™ Screened 8 Tent is a dome-style tent perfect for camping in the rainy season. It is made up of polyester called the “Polyguard”. It consists of polyester taffeta 75. The tent boasts of Coleman’s WeatherTec system which includes their patented welded floor design and inverted seams.
Coleman® Evanston™ Screened 8 Tent is a waterproof tent, with a very nice design. It has back and front windows and the awnings on both sides. So it offers views all around. The tent even has a screened porch where you can sleep on warm, dry nights.
The floor is a bathtub style and undoubtedly it is highly waterproof.
The poles are made of fiberglass. There are 5 in total, and 3 are used for the main dome so the structure is quite strong with several intersection points. There are 2 poles for the front and back awnings for windows. They use their patented pin-and-ring system to attach the poles to the tent. It is quite easy to set up the tent and you can do so in 15 minutes. One person can easily set this tent up.
This waterproof tent is equipped with a hinged door. This gives this tent a very sturdy and durable structure.
There are mesh windows on the opposite sides of the tent, so you get amazing views and these can be left open without panels. Coleman’s design also allows good control of airflow with their air vented ports/cooler port.
The rain fly is located higher up on the other two sides so you have ventilation from those two sides as well. You use the (partial) fly for protection from the rain, or on dry nights you can watch the stars through the mesh roof.
Weight-wise it is 24.49 lb (11.1 kg). The packed size is 28.5 x 10.5 x 10 inches (72 x 27 x 25 cm). It has a stand-up height of 76 inches (193 cm).
Although the product says it is good for 8 people, we feel that it is great for 4 adults, 1-2 kids only. You can easily fit 2 queen airbeds, with enough room to walk or keep your camping gear.
Features
- Durable, Polyguard™ fabric is made to last season after season
- Measures 9 x 7 feet with 4-foot 11-inch center height
- 8 person tent, can fit 2 queen size airbed and gear
- Perfect for 2 season tent
- Easy to set up and dismantle
- Mesh and 2 windows for superior ventilation
- A couple of storage pockets are on the walls.
- Expandable carry bag.
- E-Port makes it easy to bring electrical power inside your tent
- 1-year limited warranty
- Quick and easy set up (15 minutes)
- Good ventilation
- Waterproof
- Storage and e-port features are great
- Not the best for heavy winds
- Heavy tent (tent for places with motorized access only)
Coleman Sundome 2-Person Dome Tent
If you are looking for a quick and easy waterproof tent that can be also used for backpacking, then consider getting the Coleman Sundome 2-Person Dome Tent.
- Style: Dome tent, non-freestanding.
- Capacity: 2 people
- Weight: 24.49 lb (11.1 kg).
- Doors: 1
- Windows: 2 + door window + screen room
DETAILED REVIEW
The Coleman dome tent is made to keep you dry when it rains. Thanks to the WeatherTec™ system. It uses a tub floor with WeatherTec technology with patented welded floors and inverted seams to keep you dry.
The waterproof tent is also equipped with a covered zipper to help keep water out. The compact dome shape and a strong frame can withstand winds of up to 35+ MPH. The tent is spacious enough for 2 people and can easily fit a queen size airbed. The tent measures 9 x 7 feet with 4-foot 11-inch at its center height.
This tent is further equipped with weather protection features with a door awning and an included rainfly for added rain protection.
Even with such protective measure, it comes with 2 windows for ventilation and great views of the outdoors. Also included is a ground vent which increases air circulation to help you stay cool and comfortable.
The Coleman Sundome 2 person tent is made up of durable “polyguard” material (polyester origin) and it is meant to last years. This waterproof tent is quite easy to set up and you can take it down with ease when you are ready to head home.
Setting up the tent is simple and easy with its snag-free, continuous pole sleeves. Its patented pin-and-ring system helps keep corner pole connections from slipping and the Insta-Clip™ suspension lets you secure your tent to your poles in a snap.
Due to its light weight, it is easily carried in your backpack for transport as well. The tent has expandable carry bag that allows you tear away the rip strip for easy packing.
It also has storage pockets to keep your gear organized and protected from the rains. The E-Port feature makes it easy to bring electrical power inside the tent.
Features
- Durable, Polyguard™ fabric is made to last season after season
- Measures 9 x 7 feet with 4-foot 11-inch center height
- 2 person tent, can fit a queen size airbed
- Easy to set up and dismantle
- Ground vent and 2 windows for superior ventilation
- Add on – Storage pockets to keep your gear organized
- E-Port makes it easy to bring electrical power inside your tent
- 1-year limited warranty
- Quick and easy set up
- Good ventilation
- Storage and e-port features are great
- Good for backpacking or car tent
- Not suitable for heavy rainfall or winds over 35+ MPH
The North Face Homestead Domey 3 person tent
- Style: Dome tent
- Capacity: 3 people
- Weight: 7.15 lbs (3.24 kgs)
- Doors: 3
- Windows: N/A
DETAILED REVIEW
A pretty looking decent tent, the North Face Homestead Domey is a 3 person tent with a beautiful mesh lining for a starry night’s experience. The tent is composed of a single-wall which is fully waterproof and makes for easy pitching.
A small waterproof fly seals out the weather – light showers and winds. This is a 3 season tent and not recommended for severe weather or winters.
There are 3 full doors for easy access and exit for the three muskeeteers (get it?) ensure you won’t have to roll over your partner to get out
The tent comes with a duffel bag stuff sack, thus making it for easy for packing and transportation.
The tent has some cool features like – SudStake that works as a bottle opener and a tent stake. It also includes a Tentertainment Center that can be used as a gear loft.
It also has a see-through tablet holder, portable speaker pocket or chess/checkerboard.
Features
- Single wall waterproof tent
- Special Features : Tentertainment center, potable speaker, tablet holder
- Easy carry bag
- Colorful prints to beat the gloomy day
- Spacious for 2 people and a kid
- Pretty tent colors
- Good for light rains only
- Condensation issues with the tent in heavy rainfall
- Not suitable for heavy rains
NTK Arizona GT 9 to 10 Person 17.4 by 8 Foot Sport Camping Tent (Best Waterproof Tent for Groups)
NTK Arizona is a premium camping tent line offering waterproof tents for groups and large families.
- Style: Dome style tent, free standing
- Capacity: 9-10 people
- Weight: 26 Lb (12 kgs)
- Doors: 2 doors/rooms
- Windows: 3
NTK Arizona makes an entry into this list due to its sturdy and spacious group and family tents. This spacious 9 to 10 person tent is ideal for large families or groups for a great time outdoors. This tent has consistently appeared in the top 10 list for best tents for groups.
The NTK GT series of family camping tents are durable, waterproof and easy to assemble. The tent has color coded poles that makes setting up easy and quick. The poles are made with a 100% virgin NANO-FLEX shock corded fiber glass rods.
It comes with a full coverage rain fly. This is a 3 season tent though, not recommended for winters.
These high-quality waterproof tents dome shaped. They provide a plenty of sleeping and storage space. The tent is made up of double layer 190T polyester which is laminated with polyurethane 2500 mm water column, partially aluminium, heat-welded PU seam sealed and UV protection.
It is equipped with large covered mesh vents that provides ventilation. The large D-style doors with also equipped with mosquito mesh for great views as well as ventilation, so you won’t feel stuffed up inside the tent in case of unpleasant weather. To top that, the tent is very spacious allowing maximum comfort with SO many people inside.
The inner tent has fully breathable ultra-thin polyester with a no-see style mesh that wards off small insects , bugs and mosquitoes. It also offers privacy from side view. The inner tent is spacious with utility pockets and gear loft for gear storage and organization.
The tent material has heavy duty anti-fungus seamless polyethylene with inner silver coated layer keeps dry and protected. It has and unique element barrier bathtub-style construction.
You can also personalize the tent with an ID label and carry it with a heavy duty carry bag (comes with compression straps).
Features:
- Aluminium Pin-and-ring system
- Large doors and windows with mosquito mesh
- Large capacity
- Full coverage rainfly
- 20 cm bathtub flooring
- Anti fungus seamless material
- ID label
- Storage bag to carry
- Easy and quick setup.
- Spacious
- Storage loft
- Durable
- 100% Waterproof
- Great for long term use
- Not suitable for severe winters
Tips on Choosing a Waterproof Tent
Here are essential tips on choosing a waterproof tent. We wish we knew about these and many other useful features to consider when we went on our first camping trip.
Waterproof or Water Resistant
Many camping tents in the market will come with water resistant fabric, meaning they will repel light showers here and there. They are NOT the best for heavy showers or even prolonged use under (normal) rains. So if you are heading somewhere you know it will rain or it likely rains, then opt for a waterproof tent.
Seasonality
Most tents are 2 season tents, which means you can use them in summer months only. Depending on the region you are heading, 2 season tent might be enough for you. If you strictly camp in the summers, a 2 season tent is good.
Sturdy waterproof tents are made for 3 seasons, and it can take heavy showers or thunderstorms while keeping you dry and safe.
All seasonal tents or 4 season tents are meant to withstand wintery camping conditions.
Capacity
As you must have read from our listed recommendations above, different waterproof tents come in different sizes and capacities. It ranges from 1 person tent and can go up to 12 person.
Bigger the tent, more spacious it is. However in our experience we have seen that if you get a 4 person tent, it is comfortable for 3 people only (a couple or a kid/pet) or 3 friends. Sometimes to fit 2 queen size beds are impossible as you also need space for gear and clothes (and some room). So keep that in mind when you choose a tent.
When buying with tent capacity in mind, a single to 2 person tent are also referred to as backpacking tents and they are very light to carry.
Car camping tent or backpacking tent
With similar criteria’s, let’s look at the tent type – car camping tent or backpacking. As mentioned above backpacking tents are light weight and are useful for long day hikes and overnight camping (depending on the material fabric you choose). Car camping tents can also be lightweight but not as light as the backpacking ones.
Large tents, including car camping tents will require a vehicle to transport or take/set up the tent. So check if the camp site you are heading to have vehicle access or not. (permit) You cannot carry them with a storage sack or inside a backpack.
Design of the Waterproof Tents
We are narrowed down to 2 basic types of tent designs on our list above – cabin style tent and dome shaped tent.
Cabin style tents have tall vertical walls, high ceiling – they are good for tall campers and large tents. Pay close attention to the roof. Ensure the tent top is not flat, because if it is flat it will accumulate all the water (or snow if it’s a 4 season tent). A cabin style definitely makes for a spacious comfortable living, but check the tent top.
Dome style tents do not have a flat top, so they are really nice for camping during rains.
Tent Material (ventilation and breath-ability, durable)
Of course, when you are looking for waterproof tents, ensure the tents are indeed waterproof (waterproof and water resistance are different things. Some camping tents are water resistant only or lightly coated with water repellent material). It is also equally important to consider the breath-ability of the fabric material used in building the tent. You don’t have muggy build up inside the tent, when it is raining outside.
Any features that promote or improve ventilation are good options to consider and look at.
Sturdiness of the tent fabric (or durability) is also an important factor to consider. Most camping tent brands will have their (waiting for patent) material or coating on the label, so refer to what they actually mean and how much of rain water can they withstand.
Some tents are for rain showers only and cannot take heavy winds (you know winds and rains come in together sometimes). We have tried to outline the material and its durability in simplest terms as possible in our recommendations above.
Single or double wall tent material is also something to consider. A single wall tent is composed of a single layer of canopy which is both waterproof and breathable. It provides decent protection from mild drizzles only. As it is a single layer, the tent is also lightweight and easy to carry.
In extreme rains, opt for a double wall tent. They are expensive then single wall tents, but they are more durable in heavy rains or thunderstorms.
Due to the double layers, they are heavy to carry. In terms of comfort, you can remove the outer layer if its not raining.
Easy to set up
On our second camping trip, it didn’t rain but setting up the tent took a LONG time and a team of four. It was a large tent though. Anyhow, check label to ensure you can set the up easily (15 minutes or less).
Most of the waterproof tents mentioned here are made up of clip attachments that makes setting easy and a one (wo) man job.
Rainfly
Check how the rainfly is set up. For most 2-3 seasonal tents, you should be able to use the rainfly in and after rains. So whether it is protection from the rain or looking for privacy, the rainfly should be able to do that.
Extra features
In order captivate campers, more and more tent manufacturers are improving their tent design and features. They have added few “good to have” items that you can consider before making a purchase. E! ports for charging electronics or designated gear lofts or organizers or carry sack are some of the features to be considered. Or they don’t matter to you, then a no-frills camping waterproof tent is an awesome choice too!
We hope you found this list of best waterproof tents useful to choose the right camping tent for your adventures.
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Pin – 10 Best Waterproof Tents to call home!
Hi there thanks for the information
We usually bring about 5 people camping and we’re not really concerned about the weight too much. Our areas don’t have as heavy rains as others so I’m thinking of trying the wawona 6 camping tent. Great list by the way. It was very helpful!