**If you are in a hurry, I recommend the Star Brite Waterproofing Spray as the best tent waterproofing spray for its large sq ft coverage and versatile protection**
You planned ahead, you gathered all the supplies, and still, you woke up at 2 AM to a water-soaked bed inside your tent.
Truth is, almost all tents need some extra waterproofing help when it comes to staying dry during heavy storms in the outdoors.
Using a waterproofing spray will coat the tent fabric and cause it to repel water more efficiently.
The only problem is, there are different sprays for different fabrics, and using the wrong one could end up ruining your tent instead of helping.
Here are the best tent waterproofing sprays available for all types of fabrics so you can stay dry the next time you’re stuck in pouring rain.
What Makes The Best Tent Waterproofing Spray?
The best waterproof tent sprays are able to fully protect your tent from rain but they also include UV resistance.
The sprays won’t leave any stains or discoloration on your tent and they will work for a majority of tent fabrics.
Application
The two types of applications you’ll find for waterproofing sprays are trigger sprays and aerosol spray nozzles.
The trigger spray is the more conventional method and acts like a water bottle spray where you hand pump the trigger.
You’ll get an even spray using the trigger mechanism and more control over how much you are using to cover your tent.
The downside is you might wear out your index finger trying to cover your whole tent.
The aerosol nozzle is much easier to apply because all you need to do is point the nozzle in the direction you want to spray and push down.
You’ll have a steady stream of waterproofing solution covering your entire tent.
Waste for your waterproofing spray is a concern when using the aerosol option because of the lack of control. Purchase an extra can or two before you start.
Cure Time
Every waterproofing spray for tents needs time to dry in order to fully protect you from rainy weather.
But if you don’t allow your product to fully dry you could run into issues with retaining a chemical odor or discoloration.
Some waterproofing tent sprays only require a few hours to dry but others will require a few days.
Make sure you know how long your product is going to take to cure before taking it outdoors so you can give yourself plenty of time to set everything up.
Type of Fabric
Some of the tent waterproof sprays on this list are water-based and some are silicone-based.
The water-based products will typically be better for fabrics that already have glue with adhesive or for “laminated” or “coated” fabrics.
This is because the product won’t dissolve any of the glue or extra coating used to cover your tent.
But the silicone product can have a negative effect and should only be used for fabrics that are 100% polyester, canvas, or nylon.
If your tent is built for rainy weather and you apply a waterproofing spray, you’ll be fully protected from a storm of any severity.
Best Tent Waterproofing Spray: Star Brite Waterproofing Spray
Star Brite Waterproofing spray comes at the top of this best waterproofing spray article because it protects your tent in three different ways.
You’ll have full waterproof protection along with UV protection and stain repellent all in one bottle.
All the other options on this list only focus on one or two of these features. When applied, it dries with no odor or color either so you don’t have to worry about the spray messing with your tent.
Because the Star Brite is a silicone-based spray, it’s perfect for pretty much any tent fabric.
The 64-ounce option is enough to cover 232 square feet so you can finish the job on your tent, rainfly, and other outdoor gear without running out.
If you’re looking for the most protection from the outdoors possible, the Star Brite is the closest you’re going to get.
Use the button below to check out the price on Amazon.
Best Runner Up: Nikwax Tent and Gear Protection
The Nikwax Tent and Gear Protection spray is a dual protecting waterproofer that is also great for the environment.
Most waterproofing sprays are silicone-based so they contain PFCs, which are bad for the environment.
The Nikwax contains no PFCs because it’s a water-based spray and it’s perfect for campers who want to preserve the places they enjoy so much.
The water-based spray also makes it perfect for tents that come with a laminated or coated material.
Not only that, but it also contains UV protection so it can prolong the life of your tent fabric.
You should use the Nikwax as a hand spray application but the 34 ounce bottle doesn’t come with a spray applicator so you’ll need to attach one.
Camping enthusiasts who care about the environment will prefer the Nikwax better than the top option and it works just as well as a tent waterproofing spray.
Best Tent Waterproofing Nozzle: Kiwi Camp Dry Heavy Duty Water Repellent
Kiwi is no stranger to tent waterproofing products and the Camp Dry Water Repellent is a perfect choice for spraying down your tent to prevent any leaks.
It actually comes with two cans and works like a charm if used properly.
Once applied you will want to let your tent sit outside anywhere from 4-24 hours because it will give off a chemical odor that isn’t very pleasant.
After that it’s smooth sailing in the outdoors because you don’t have to worry about rain ruining a nice, nature-filled weekend.
There are few other tent waterproofing sprays as highly touted and recommended as the Kiwi Camp Dry.
Collonil Carbon Pro Waterproofing Spray
Collonil is mixing up the tent waterproofing spray game by coming out with an innovative carbon fiber mixture.
The spray covers the fabric of your tent like a thin membrane, actively sealing it off from water. Essentially, polymer chains from the spray cover the tent in a net-like fashion.
So far, the Collonil Carbon Pro has had good reviews and the nozzle application makes it easy to spray your entire tent.
A single can probably won’t be enough for you to cover your entire tent, rainfly, and other outdoor gear. You’ll need to invest in at least a couple of spray bottles to cover it all.
The Collonil is a newer technology that utilizes carbon fibers to help protect your tent from the rain and it has shown that it’s just as good as any other product in the small waterproofing spray market.
Scotchgard Heavy Duty Water Shield
With a choice from 13oz to 64oz the Scotchgard Heavy Duty Water Shield will provide enough spray to make sure your entire tent is waterproofed.
All you have to do is easily press down on the tent waterproofing spray nozzle in the direction you want, and completely cover the surface of the material in Scotchgard.
You can use it on practically any surface like polyester, nylon, or cotton. To ensure you have enough waterproofing tent spray to cover your entire tent I would purchase one of the larger sizes because you will get about 10-20 sq ft for each can.
You can feel a little more secure in the outdoors during a rainstorm using the Scotchgard Water Shield.
Sof Sole Silicone Waterproofer Spray
The Sof Sole is a 12% silicone formula that can be used for a number of outdoor materials like polyester or nylon but works best for materials that are already waterproof like canopies or tents.
The aerosol can make it easy to apply because the waterproofing spray will come out evenly but you might have to buy more than one can in order to fully cover your tent.
And I wouldn’t use it on just any fabric because it can cause some discoloration or diminish the functionality for materials like gore tex or athletic shoes.
But if you plan on using it for your tent, then you can rely on it to protect you from water leaking through the seams while you’re sleeping.
Better Boat Waterproofing Spray Fabric Protector
The Better Boat Waterproofing Spray is a very versatile product that, when used for your tent, will ensure full protection from wet weather.
It works well on canvas, polyester, and nylon so any tent material should be able to work with the Better Boat.
It’s one of the bigger sized spray bottles on this list but the price still competes with some of the other, smaller bottles.
The Better Boat brand is more well known for protecting boat canvas or marine materials but if used on your tent it will keep you dry in any weather.
Atsko Silicone Water-Guard
Not as well known as some of the other brands in tent waterproofing spray products the Atsko Silicone Water-Guard is still as effective as any other options on this list.
And it’s also one of the cheapest waterproofing products that you will find. The aerosol spray makes it incredibly easy to treat your tent without making a mess or requiring lots of hand pumping.
You can use the Atsko on several different types of fabrics like polyester, nylon, canvas, and others.
It can take some time to dry but once it does you’ll be surprised at how effective it is compared to the other tent waterproofing sprays.
FAQ
How Can I Make My Tent More Waterproof?
Adding a waterproof spray to the entire tent and rain fly will help add additional protection as well as a tent seam sealer to prevent water from leaking through the seams. Constructing a tarp or canopy above the tent will also help to waterproof your tent.
How Often Does a Tent Need Waterproofing?
If you use your tent on a monthly basis, you should use a waterproof spray at the beginning of each season. If you use your tent a couple of times a year, you will need to waterproof after 2-3 years.
Summary
My choice for the best waterproof tent spray is the Star Brite Waterproofing Spray for its large 80 sq ft coverage and versatile protection. You get UV protection included in your waterproofing product and it fully protects polyester, nylon, or canvas materials.
If you want to make sure you’re going to stay dry in the outdoors and you want the best waterproof tent spray on the market then the Star Brite will deliver.
