Are you seeking the best tent waterproofing spray for everyday adventures? We researched more than 50 models available in 2023 and tested the best 6 side-by-side. But here’s the kicker: we’ve found that these products have various features like softening your tent fabric, biodegradable properties, lasting durability, and breathability aspects that will enhance your camping experience.
There are many good and bad things about waterproofing spray, so as long as you choose a spray that works for your specific tent, then you’ll be on your way camping and staying protected from the rain in no time. Waterproofing spray that doesn’t contain any VOCs or fluorocarbons will keep you from breathing in any harmful chemicals that could be detrimental to your health. Waterproofing spray can also soften your fabric and not only get rid of water, but stains, too. On the other hand, waterproofing spray can sometimes have a chemical smell, which could be bad for your health and lungs. If you use the waterproofing spray on the wrong fabric, it could discolor or diminish its waterproofing abilities. These are the best tent waterproofing sprays you can buy on the market today.
Editor’s Choice – Kiwi Camp
| Capacity | 0.6 lbs (300 g) |
|---|---|
| Primary use | Shoes, tents, backpacks, jackets |
| Provides breathability | Yes |
| Best for | Nylon |
The Kiwi Camp waterproofing spray is our editor’s choice. You can easily use this spray on any leaks you have in your tent, so you can make sure that water stays outside of your tent and you’ll have a warm and dry night’s sleep. There’s no shiny, tacky finish, and your tent will look as good as new. Its shipping weight is 1.7 pounds, and it’s a tiny size at 27.5 x 80 x 27.5 inches.
Our tested experience has found that the Kiwi Camp contains no VOCs or fluorocarbons, which could potentially be harmful to your health. This is pretty important, considering you’re going to be sleeping inside of your tent and breathing in some chemicals that are in the spray. The less harmful chemicals, the better. You can have a safe and sound sleep without having to worry. It also makes fabric even softer, so you can spend time inside of your tent without feeling uncomfortable from hard or scratchy fabric. On the downside, it does have a strong paint smell unlike Nikwax which has no smell, so you’ll have to make sure you leave enough time for it to air out before actually using it.
- No VOCs or Fluorocarbons
- Soft fabric
- Strong paint smell
Best for Gore-Tex Tent Fly – Nikwax
| Capacity | 0.6 lbs (300 g) |
|---|---|
| Primary use | Jackets, tents, backpacks |
| Provides breathability | Yes |
| Best for | Windstopper, Windbloc, Polyester, Polartec or any synthetic technical material with four-way stretch |
The Nikwax is the best waterproof spray for Gore-Tex tent fly material. It restores water repellency efficiently and is biodegradable. So not only are you waterproofing your tent so you have the ultimate comfort when you sleep, but you’re also not harming the environment and you’re reducing the amount of pollutants in the air. It also contains no PFCs or optical brighteners. There’s no added scent, unlike the Kiwi Camp which unfortunately has a strong paint smell. It’s a good choice for your tent material to make sure you’re kept dry, even in the heaviest of rains.
Our tested experience has found that the Nikwax contains no VOCs or fluorocarbons, again making it a safe spray to use to waterproof your tent. It also makes your tent fabric incredibly soft, which will only add to your nice night’s sleep. The nozzle on the bottle is flawed, so you have to be careful when using this product to make sure you’re getting the spray out correctly.
- No VOCs or Fluorocarbons
- Soft fabric
- Biodegradable
- Flawed nozzle
Best Price on a Waterproofing Spray – Sof Sole
| Capacity | 0.7 lbs (340 g) |
|---|---|
| Primary use | Hiking or work boots, tents, camping and outdoor gear |
| Provides breathability | No |
| Best for | Not recommended for breathable technical fibers or athletic shoes |
The Sof Sole has the best price on waterproofing spray on the list, it’s affordable and won’t break the bank. It has a 12 percent silicone formula that makes this product one of the most durable ones out there. It has a long waterproofing bond that helps it to repel water successfully and last a long time. It also repels dirt and oil as an added bonus. It comes in an aerosol can that allows an easy-to-use application, so just pick up the can and spray it all over the problem spots on your tent in order to stop water from leaking inside.
We tested this product and found that you will need 3-4 additional layers to apply to get the results that you want. This is twice as many times as compared to other products like Nikwax or Kiwi Camp. It also doesn’t work with breathable fabrics, as the silicone in the formula could discolor the fabric or even diminish the performance of the waterproofing spray.
- Durable
- Good price
- Need more layers to attain results
- Doesn’t work with breathable fabrics
Best Bang for Your Buck – Atsko
| Capacity | 0.6 lbs (300 g) |
|---|---|
| Primary use | Tents, boots, outdoor clothing, tarps, boat covers, back packs, golf bags, umbrellas, luggage, flags |
| Provides breathability | Yes |
| Best for | Safe for use on Gore-Tex and all waterproof breathable fabrics |
Atsko is the best bang for your buck. It’s scent free when your tent fabric is dried and cured, and it allows leather and fabric to breathe so you won’t feel stuffy inside of your tent. Its dimensions are 8 x 8 x 8 inches, and its shipping weight is 14.4 ounces.
Our tested experience has found that this product is very versatile, which means it can be used to repel many different types of things, not only water. So, it not only repels water, but it also repels stains! This is great to have, especially if you’ve been camping with kids or your dog and they brought some mud or dirt inside of your tent, or spilled juice or food on the floor, it won’t stick to your tent. That way, you can avoid having to clean your tent in order to get rid of the stain, while also avoiding mold growth. Luckily, it’s also safe to use on Gore-Tex products, unlike the Sof Sole which can damage these types of products.
- Versatile – rids water and stains
- Doesn’t soften fabric
Best Waterproofing Spray for Canvas Tent – Scotchgard
| Capacity | 0.8 lbs (368 g) |
|---|---|
| Primary use | Outerwear, rain gear, umbrellas, patio furniture, backpacks, luggage, canvas tarps, boat covers |
| Provides breathability | Yes |
| Best for | Polyester, Nylon, Polypropylene, Cotton, Leather |
The Scotchgard waterproofing spray is the best waterproofing spray for canvas tents. It maintains fabric breathability and will protect you from the elements while you’re camping inside of your canvas tent. It will repel water not only while you’re using it, but also while it’s in storage. One can will provide 60 square feet of water resistance on light nylon, or 20 square feet on heavier fabrics, so depending on what kind of material your canvas tent is, it will work a little bit differently.
Our tested experience has found that this product unfortunately has a chemical smell, so you might want to make sure you use it far enough in advanced so that you’re not sleeping in the smell after having just applied it. The fabric also remains breathable when applied, so you can have a cozy night’s sleep, without having to feel stuffy. However, it’s not as versatile as the Atsko waterproofing spray, so it’s main use it to keep water out as opposed to also working on stains.
- Fabric remains breathable
- Works in use and in storage
- Chemical smell
Best of the Rest – Gear Aid Revivex
| Capacity | 0.3 lbs (142 g) |
|---|---|
| Primary use | Rain gear, tents, boots, gloves, hats, backpacks, shoes |
| Provides breathability | Yes |
| Best for | Nylon, Polyester, EVent, and GORE-TEX fabrics, Leather, Suede, and Canvas |
The Gear Aid Revivex is the best of the rest. It’s a fast-acting waterproof treatment that will do wonders on your tent. The 5 oz spray-on formula is silicone and PFOA free, so you’re getting a quality product that’s not going to harm your health. It also enhances the performance of high-tech fabric, so you can use this product on your best, highest quality tents.
Our tested experience has found that it doesn’t reduce fabric’s breathability, so it’s safe to use on your tent when you are going camping and need to stop those leaks fast. On the downside, it only works with nylon tents, so keep that in mind and know what kind of tent you have before purchasing this product. The price is also not as good as the Atsko waterproofing spray, so be aware if you’re on a budget. It’s quick dry, so if you’re caught in a heavy storm and need a quick solution, then you’re in luck.
- Doesn’t reduce breathability
- Quick dry
- Only works on nylon tents
Buyer’s Guide
Waterproofing sprays each offer their own features. Choosing a review product is based on several factors, and there are specific features you’ll want to select from before ultimately deciding which one is good for you. Firstly, choosing a product with a specific dry time that suits your schedule is a good thing to check on. Some products dry overnight, while others dry in as little as 6 hours. If you have the time, choosing an overnight spray might be better for you than choosing a faster one. On the other hand, if you’re planning on camping soon after using the spray, then choose a waterproof spray with a quick drying feature.
You’ll also want to check the chemicals inside of the spray, since choosing a spray without any chemicals is better for you and your health than one that contains many different chemicals. Some products might leave your tent material stiff, so make sure the product leaves the fabric soft so you can comfortably enjoy sleeping in your tent without having to worry about scratchy or stiff material. The material of your tent is also a big factor, since some products only work on nylon tents, while others only work on tents with different material. If you use the product on the wrong material, it could potentially damage your tent and you’ll have to end up finding a replacement.
How to choose a waterproofing spray?
Choosing a waterproofing spray depends on a few things. Firstly, you need to consider what sort of fabric your tent is made of. If you have a canvas tent, then you should grab the Scotchgard waterproofing spray. On the other hand, if you have a nylon tent, then the Gear Aid Revivex is the best option since it’s specialized for nylon tents. The spray must be suitable for the product, otherwise it could potentially damage it. You’ll also want to consider how long it takes to dry. If you’re planning on going camping or are already camping after using the product, then choose one that’s quick dry. Some products are also good for breathability, which is an added bonus.
Conclusion
Depending on which waterproofing spray you want for your tent is a personal preference, based on your budget and even the type of material your tent is made of. Our editor’s choice is the Kiwi Camp spray, because it doesn’t contain any chemicals and it even softens fabric. If you’re on a budget, then grab the Sof Sole, since it offers the best price on waterproofing spray on the market. The Nikwax is the best spray for Gore-Tex tent fly, so if this is the sort of tent you use to go camping, then this product is probably your best bet.
The Atsko is the best bang for your buck, since you’ll get all of the best features for a good price. If you go camping with a canvas tent, then you definitely have to get the Scotchgard, since it’s the best waterproofing spray for canvas tents on the market. And for the waterproofing spray that’s the best of the rest, make sure you grab the Gear Aid Revivex. Whichever product you choose, as long as its specifically suited for your tent and the material your tent is made of, then it should be fine! That way, you can take your tent out in any sort of weather, and if you find yourself caught in a big rainstorm, you won’t have to worry about getting you or your gear wet or damaged from the rain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Spray the waterproofing spray along the exterior of the tent. Make sure your spraying it evenly. Once several minutes have passed, you can take a rag and wipe away any excess coating that doesn’t need to be on the tent. Don’t spray too much but do use a generous amount to make sure it’s doing the job. Once you spray every corner of your tent, let it dry. The drying time depends on the type of product you’re using, some products take several hours to dry, while others take an entire night to dry. Regardless, once your tent is dry, it’s good to go! You can take your tent to the great outdoors without having to worry about getting rained on.
If you’re using your tent for a few weeks every year, then it’s a good idea to spray it with the waterproofing spray every couple of years to make sure it retains its waterproofing abilities. You could also use it whenever you have a leak in your tent. If you notice that water is leaking through a seam in your tent, grab the spray bottle and apply a layer or two to the leak. Let it dry completely so that it’s good to go and you don’t have to worry about it leaking again.
Spray your tent with clean water before applying the spray. You can also gently rub the outside of your tent with a damp cloth to get rid of any extra dirt that didn’t get removed from simply spraying it down. This will make sure that any excess dirt that could potentially block the spray from working to its highest potential is removed.
Not impressed with Nikwax! After diligently waterproofing the rain fly on a North Face four season tent, it started to leak in less than one day of a 4-day 40-50 mph constant rainstorm along the coast of Alaska. Tough conditions, but I certainly expected better after being so thorough.