Camping Tents & Shelter

For tents, waterproof means that all external fabric has been coated with polyurethane coatings and the seams are taped and/or watertight. Tents also use ratings to specify the level of waterproofing capabilities they carry. These are measured in millimeters, and the higher the rating, the more waterproof the tent will be. For instance, a 1500mm coating will withstand a 1500mm (5') column of water for more than one minute before a single drop might appear through the fabric.

We recommend that you use a footprint underneath your tent. It will not only help keep your tent floor clean and dry, but it will also protect it from excessive abrasion, prolonging the life of your tent. Also, some tents can be set up with just the footprint and rainfly, creating a light, minimalist alternative to a full tent.

Never pack or store your tent if it is wet, damp, or dirty. Prolonged exposure to moisture without ventilation can cause the waterproof layers to break down and become soft, sticky, and no longer waterproof. Storing a wet tent for as little as 24 hours in warm weather is also likely to start the process of mildew forming on the fabric. Mildew will cause your tent to stain, smell and can also lead to the premature breakdown of the waterproof coating, which is not covered by warranty.

For long-term storage, keep your tent in a dry and cool area, out of direct sunlight. Store it outside of its stuff sack, as you would a sleeping bag, in a breathable, over-sized cotton or mesh duffel for protection. On the cheap, an old pillowcase is ideal.

Cleaning your tent is not necessary unless it has an offensive odor or becomes heavily soiled. If heavily soiled, the pressure from a regular garden hose will remove most loose dirt. For more intensive cleaning, set up your tent and hand wash it with warm water, a sponge and mild, non-detergent soap. Do not use dishwashing liquid, detergent, bleach, pre-soaking solutions, or spot removers. Rinse well. Dry your tent by pitching it or line-drying it. Never dry clean, machine-wash or machine-dry your tent. Any of these methods can remove the waterproof coatings from the tent.

Condensation is the build-up of moisture inside your tent due to differences between the inside and outside temperatures. There are three main sources:

Weather Conditions: High humidity, low temperatures, and rainy conditions create the most condensation.

People: We produce about 1 - 2 pints of moisture per night through breathing and skin evaporation.

Wet Environment: Wet ground or wet gear stored inside the tent.

While no tent design can completely eliminate condensation, the key to reducing it is ventilation. Cooler, drier air must flow into your tent and warm, moist air must escape. Make sure to leave vents open if possible, allowing any breeze to provide crossflow ventilation for maximum circulation. Guying out your rainfly will also increase ventilation in hot or humid conditions. You can also leave a door open in good weather or take advantage of the double sliders on the doors to vent from the top where warm and moist air tends to accumulate.