If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what best waterproof tent is, then we recommend the NTK Savannah GT Five to Six Person Outdoor Dome Family Waterproof Tent as the best one.
If you’re looking for a reliable waterproof tent, chances are good that you’ve already tried your hand at camping and experienced the drenched feeling of waking up in rainwater.
Even if you’re camping for the first time and are just especially sensitive to the elements, finding a tent that is genuinely water-resistant is an excellent idea. When you’re in nature, you want to enjoy it.
If you are outdoors for prolonged amounts of time, being wet can drop your body temperature putting you at risk for hypothermia. So, investing in the best tent to keep you dry (and therefore warm) is critical.
In this article, we’re going to review the following waterproof tents:
- Coleman Sundome WeatherTec 4-Person Tent
- Campla Two-Person, Three to Four Season Tent
- NTK Savannah GT Five to Six Person Outdoor Dome Family Camping Tent
- NTK Laredo GT 8 to 9 Person Sport Camping Tent
- Unigear Rain Fly Waterproof Tent Tarp
A Less Predictable Climate
Scientists have monitored the climate for decades. In Yellowstone National Park, for example, current research shows that Yellowstone’s temperature has risen consistently over the past 50 years and will most likely continue to increase over the next century. The behavior of precipitation is harder to predict, yet often comes with more severe storms.
Where some regions experience more drought with the changing weather, others are seeing more rainfall. This does not automatically equate to you having to give up camping or put it on hold every time you suspect a little rain. Being prepared for the weather can still allow you to find solitude in nature, even on a rainy day. If you have the proper gear and you’re warm and dry, you can sit back, enjoy a cup of cocoa or coffee, and watch the shower from under a canopy or your dry tent.
What to Look for in Waterproof Tents
Waterproof fabric is determined by a hydrostatic head rating. A tent must have a minimum of 1,000mm to be considered waterproof. The higher the number, the more waterproof your shelter will be.
If you want the best tents for rain, looking for ones with a minimum of 2,000mm is generally a safe bet if you want a waterproof shelter.
To Stay Completely Dry
If you want to camp but want a tent that is considered 100 percent waterproof, you will need to aim more for 3,000mm. Be sure the rain fly is not directly touching the tent portion itself. The qualities of tent fabrics in direct contact can often cause the water to seep through the pores between threads, creating a type of leak in your roof.
Strong Tent Spikes and Poles
If you’re prone to experiencing rain, dealing with wind is also a probability. So, investing in the sturdiest stakes/spikes to hold your rain fly and tent down are also crucial. A waterproof rain fly will do nothing if a strong wind or downpour rips it out of place. You can easily upgrade the stakes for most tents with stronger ones if the included set is flimsy. Durable poles are vital, also. If you have a minor break, sometimes poles can be fixed or reinforced before you even set out.
Tips for Camping in the Rain
Before buying a random tent and heading out into the wilderness, prepare yourself with the right gear and some thinking ahead. Assume you might deal with the wet or cold and bring with you whatever will make your trip more comfortable.
Stay Warm
Packing a waterproof or winter-grade sleeping bag is one of the most important pieces you can bring with you if you’re camping anywhere you might risk the wet or cold. Portable heaters are also a sound investment. If you’re worried about electricity and the rain, battery operated camping heaters are available.
Hand and foot warmers that you can stick to gloves or socks are an excellent asset to have. Additionally, packing all your items in waterproof bags and keeping whatever you can off the ground (including yourself on a low cot or inflatable mattress) is essential.
Pay Attention to Ground Location
When you set up your tent, take a look around. If there happened to be a massive downpour, ask yourself if you’re setting up in a smart location. You don’t want to be too close to any rivers, right at the base of a hill, or sunken down in a noticeable lowering in the ground. Think about where water would collect. Aim for higher ground.
Tarp Your Tent Area
Even if you have the most waterproof tent, it never hurts to add a little extra protection. You can tie an extra-large tarp to trees above your shelter, or even in front of your tent to add a dry patio of sorts. With a couple of chairs under a tarp, you can watch the rain from a dry spot if it does happen to fall.
One note on tarps: setting a tarp under your tent will not necessarily help keep it dry. Think about rain falling on the tarp if it extends beyond the size of your shelter (it will collect and sit under your tent). If you add an extra cover underneath, make sure it’s the exact size of your tent or even better, tied up on all sides and under your rain fly. You don’t want a tarp collecting rainwater like a bowl.
With these simple preparations, you can enjoy the splendor and health benefits of getting in touch with nature, rain or shine. You might even find you like the rain while camping as long as you and your things stay warm and dry. This is why I’ve rounded up the five of the best waterproof tents you can find right now.
Best Basic Waterproof Tent: Coleman Sundome WeatherTec 4-Person Tent
The Coleman Sundome Four-Person Tent features Coleman’s WeatherTec welded floors and inverted seams for waterproofing. The material is sturdy quality, and as a bonus, there are screen windows—including one on the ceiling—which makes for a great view when it’s not raining.
The value of this tent is incredible. If you don’t camp often or are just looking for something to use in the backyard, this is affordable enough to justify trying it out. I’ve personally used this tent before, and as long as you follow basic tips to keep your tent dry (not allowing items to lean on the sides, for example) I’ve never had a problem in rainy situations with this one. The Coleman Sundome also comes with a one-year warranty.
Pros:
- Straightforward set-up.
- Patented WeatherTec waterproof system.
- Airflow vent for the floor.
- Hook on the ceiling for hanging a small light.
- Quality rain fly.
- Three color options.
- Lots of vents for airflow and roof view.
- Fantastic price.
Cons:
- Stakes are average quality—you can spend a few bucks to replace with sturdier stakes.
- Low ceiling height (4’11” at center).
Best All-Season Waterproof Tent: Campla Two-Person, Three to Four Season Tent
The Campla Two-Person, Three to Four Season Tent is not just waterproof, it’s wind-resistant with its lower-profile, aerodynamic design. This hikers/backpacker’s tent can open as thoroughly as a beach tent with a see-through mesh top and two giant round doors. When needed, though, the rain fly covers this shelter from the top (almost) to the ground with a waterproof coating and caulking along seams to keep the elements out.
You still need all-season gear if you want to camp in colder weather in this tent, such as a winter sleeping bag and even mylar backup. But the coverage for rain and snow is outstanding and keeps precipitation out from all sides.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly.
- Poles are reinforced by wind rope.
- Features LED USB light strip with a USB port.
- Perfect for use without weather fly on the beach or covered on rainy autumn nights.
- Majority of the cover is waterproof fly, so tent has superior ventilation.
- Available in two colors.
Cons:
- Zipper broke for a few customers.
Best for Small Families: NTK Savannah GT Five to Six Person Outdoor Dome Family Camping Tent
The NTK Savannah GT Five to Six Person Outdoor Dome Family Camping Tent is a roomy 9.8-foot by 9.8-foot shelter with a rain fly that speaks for itself. This is not the average tent with a rain fly that sits very close to the shelter itself (and can be weighed down by torrential downpours, touching the fabric and therefore leaking). It’s as if another tarp is propped above the shelter itself, with ample room between the fly and pop-up adding extra coverage for precipitation.
The rain fly also extends well beyond the tent itself for those days or nights when it comes down at an angle. This shelter may be a little newer to the market, but the ratings so far are outstanding. I would trust this thing to be waterproof just looking at it.
Pros:
- Super spacious with a 6.5-foot tall ceiling at center.
- Full-coverage rain fly covers not just the tent, but beyond.
- Highly-rated.
- Has an anti-fungus waterproof floor.
- Full mesh mosquito coverage.
- Waterproof rating of 2,500 mm.
Cons:
- Extra venting over rain fly can trap cold air if it’s a frigid night.
Best Waterproof Larger Family Tent: NTK Laredo GT 8 to 9 Person Sport Camping Tent
The NTK Laredo GT Eight to Nine Person Sport Camping Tent is 10 foot by 15 foot and states it is 100 percent waterproof. It’s made with double-layer 190T polyester (laminated with polyurethane) UV-resistant material. The large mesh vents provide ventilation but can be covered quickly in the case of rain.
This tent has almost no overtly negative reviews. With a rain fly that covers nearly the entire shelter, it’s a good bet this shelter will keep you dry even during heavy rains. A small overhang also helps keep the door from excessive moisture buildup.
Pros:
- Waterproof index of 2,500 mm.
- The floor is anti-fungus, silver-coated polyethylene.
- Sleeps up to eight or nine people.
- Excellent ratio of five-star customer reviews.
- Ideal for a family.
- Thick bottom helps keep you dry.
Cons:
- Stakes are not the strongest—consider investing a few bucks in some stronger ones.
Best Lean-To or Extra Coverage: Unigear Rain Fly Waterproof Tent Tarp
The Unigear Hammock Rain Fly Waterproof Tent Tarp is not a full-closure tent itself, but an excellent item to have on hand as extra waterproof security. It can be used as a shelter on its own in a lean-to form. However, this is an excellent item to cover a tent—even one that has a rain fly—for additional protection.
Pack includes the one rain fly, six adjustable nylon ropes, six aluminum stakes, one bag for ties and aluminum poles, eight tie-down loops and grommets for multiple anchoring points, and one carrying pouch for all of the gear. When you consider your belongings that could be damaged by water while camping, the low price of this is worth every penny.
Pros:
- Made of solid, waterproof Oxford fabric.
- Outstanding ratings.
- Budget-friendly.
- Available in two colors.
- UV-resistant.
- Waterproof rating of 2,000 mm.
Cons:
- One complaint of cheap stakes.
Still Trying to Decide on a Waterproof Tent?
Depending on your specific camping needs, we have you covered on some of the waterproof tents currently on the market. We love all of these shelters for different reasons.
However, if you’re reasonably confident you’re going to encounter rain, our favorite is the NTK Savannah GT Five to Six Person Outdoor Dome Family Waterproof Tent.
The massive rain coverage on this tent makes it worth the cost, and the spacious interior gives you more room to prop items off the floor and keep things away from the potential of wet tent walls. Now get prepared, and get outside!