3 Top Picks
3 Reviewers
6 Hours of Research
15 Products Considered
A great tent for camping in all seasons does not have to be expensive. Today, tons of producers are making waterproof tents for a wide range of uses at really affordable prices. Buying the best waterproof tent for you is all about knowing what to look for.
This guide will walk you through some of the most important things you will want to look out for when shopping for a waterproof tent, and then show you some of our favorite tents on the market in 2020.
3 Top Pics of waterproof tents
[Overall Best Waterproof Tent]
Weanas Professional Backpacking Tent 2 3 4 Person Weatherproof Double Layer
Editor's Rating:
4.3/5
[Best for the Money]
LETHMIK Backpacking Tent, Instant Automatic pop up Tent, 2-3 Person, Waterproof
Editor's Rating:
5/5
[Best Waterproof Family XL Tent]
NTK Super Arizona GT Family XL Camping Tent 100% Waterproof 2500mm
Editor's Rating:
4.4/5
Getting the Best Waterproof Tent
The best waterproof tent will not be the same for everyone. There are a lot of things you will want to consider before you make your purchase, including the kind of camping you and your family like to do and how much you value comfort over convenience, etc. As for special events, a 10x20 canopy when there’s no rain is a great option.
When rain is expected, consider these factors that will determine which waterproof tent is best for you.
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Material and Construction:
The material of your waterproof tent should be made to prevent any moisture from getting inside the tent without locking air inside. In other words, you are looking for the best combination of waterproofing and breathability.
A light polyester or nylon fabric will be best for a waterproof tent, especially if it has a polyurethane coating. Polyurethane helps not only to block moisture but also to deflect UV rays, which could damage the material of your tent over time.
Adding to the breathability, it is important that there are some windows or at least mesh doors on your tent that can be opened to let in air. No matter what kind of camping you are doing, you will want to be able to let some fresh air into your tent, to keep it from getting too hot and stuffy inside.
Durability and Ruggedness:
Along with waterproofing and proper ventilation, you should look for a tent that will last you through at least one or two camping seasons. A lot of cheaper tents out there may be waterproof when you buy them but will wear down or even tear with time.
For the best durability, make sure your tent has some kind of laminate coating. Weatherproof seam taping will also help to prevent rips and tears. For the poles, a tough fiberglass material will help the tent to hold up longer and is less likely to break through setting up and taking down the tent.
A tent with a durable build is especially important for more heavy-duty, all season camping and backpacking. The more your tent is exposed to the elements, the more likely it will be to wear down if it is not rugged enough.
Waterproof Sealed Seams:
As mentioned above, sealed seams will help to protect against the wear and tear of your tent over time. They will also ensure that it is completely waterproof.
Seam taping, or sealed seams, strengthens the seams and prevents any moisture from seeping in through them. If you plan on camping in all weather conditions, sealed seams are a must.
Construction and Shape:
The shape of your tent will affect its livability, its weight, and how weatherproof it is. The shape you want will depend on your camping style.
A domed tent with taller walls and a higher peak will be more comfortable to spend time in. With some waterproof family tents, you may even be able to stand up and walk around inside the tent. However, the higher the walls, the more prone the tent will be to blowing and moving around in high winds. A taller tent also means more fabric, which means added weight to carry with you on your trip.
For serious winter camping, a shorter tent with sloped walls will be best. Sloped walls deflect wind, and will be less likely to rattle and be blown around during a storm. Shorter tents are also generally much lighter and easier to carry. However, the smaller your tent, the less space you will have to live comfortably inside it.
Capacity and Portability:
Of course, all tents are portable. But some waterproof camping tents will be more portable than others.
Generally, the more space and capacity your tent has, the less portable it will be. That’s why the best backpacking tents are small and compact, with sloping walls and low peak height. If you plan on doing a lot of backpacking with your 2 person waterproof tent, you will want to value low weight and compact packing size over space and comfort.
For car camping, though, you will probably be more interested in a heavier, more spacious tent. Even a large 6 person waterproof tent will still be fairly easy to carry – many tents come with convenient carrying bags. Stakes add some weight when the tent is packed, but it is still not too much for car camping.
Head Room:
The head room, or peak height, of your tent, can make a bigger difference than you might think. Especially during cold or rainy days, you are going to be spending a lot of time inside your tent. It is important to be able to sit up and move around comfortably.
For a lightweight backpacking tent, a peak height of at least 3 feet is necessary. For larger tents, like a 4 person waterproof tent, the peak height could even be up to 5 or 6 feet.
As a general rule, the more time you are going to be spending in your tent, the more you will want to value head room as an important factor.
Set Up and Ventilation:
If you have ever set up a tent before, you know how annoying it can be. Fortunately, these days a lot of tents are being made with easy setup mechanisms.
A waterproof pop up tent can be a great option for a quick set up. Easy pop-up mechanisms are powered by hydraulic pressure. They attach to the skeleton of the tent and allow you to pull the whole tent up in one motion. This can dramatically reduce your set up time, even to as little as 30 seconds.
Remember that ventilation is important in all camping seasons. A tent with a lot of windows and doors, as well as a properly ventilated rainfly, will be much more comfortable to stay in on a rainy day.
Seasonality and Purpose:
Remember: the best waterproof tent for you depends entirely on what you want to use it for.
Backpacking tents are smaller, lighter and easier to carry, but less comfortable to stay in. Larger tents for car camping will be much more comfortable, but bulky to transport.
A tent designed for use in all seasons will stand up to rain and wind much better than a lighter, warm weather tent. It will also generally have fewer windows and doors, which means they can get hot in warmer weather.
Rainfly or Tarp:
A double- wall tent, or a tent with an external rainfly, is great for more versatility and options while you are camping. The rainfly will keep the tent dry without affecting ventilation too much, and can also be removed for warm weather camping. You could also use the rainfly and a footprint tarp as a sort of minimalist shelter during warmer weather.
Hh Rati
The Hh rating of your tent is the measure of how waterproof the material is. The Hh is a measure of waterproofness and breathability or ventilation. A better Hh rating ensures a dryer, more breathable and overall more comfortable tent.
Single or Double Wall Tent:
A single wall tent is just the tent on its own, without any attachments. Single wall tents are great as a lightweight option for backpacking, but they often have worse ventilation and can get really stuffy inside.
A double wall tent comes with an external, detachable rainfly or waterproof pop up canopy. As mentioned above, the rainfly gives you more versatility and better ventilation. Unless weight is a big concern for you, we would generally recommend choosing a double wall tent over a single wall. It just gives you more options and more comfort.
Tub Flooring and Dry Entryway:
Tub flooring means that the floor of your tent has an additional rim around it, preventing any moisture from getting in on the ground level. This is a good feature for keeping your sleeping bags and clothes dry.
Best Waterproof Tents of 2020
Editor's Rating:
4.3/5
This Professional Backpacking Tent from Weanas is designed to fit 2, 3 or 4 people comfortably. It is lightweight, easy to set up, and much more versatile than a lot of other backpacking tents. Best of all, it is completely weatherproof.
This a double-walled tent, which means it has two layers: an inner tent with ventilation, and an outer rainfly to keep you dry during any weather conditions. The double layer adds a lot of versatility to the tent. For backpacking trips in warmer weather, the rainfly can be removed and even left behind, so that the entire tent is lighter and easier to carry.
The strong skeleton of the tent makes it completely windproof, and the durable nylon material blocks UV rays.
A vestibule extends from the front of the rainfly, so that you have better ventilation, and a safe, covered area to store gear. There are doors, an outer nylon door, and an inner screen door. The outer door can be rolled up and clipped to let more air into the tent. As far as ventilation goes, this is one of the best backpacking tents on the market right now – the material is extremely breathable, even though it is weatherproof.
One of the best attributes of this backpacking tent is its versatility. It can comfortably sleep 4 people or just one person with plenty of gear. It is lightweight and easy to set up, so one person will have no problem packing it, but still spacious enough for the whole family.
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Editor's Rating:
5/5
This backpacking tent from Lethmik can sleep up to 3 people comfortably, is 100% waterproof, and incredibly easy to set up. For the incredible value price, this is one of the best quality backpacking tents on the market right now.
It is a double-walled tent, with a lightweight inner tent and a removable outer rainfly. The rainfly is perfectly sealed against moisture – there is no chance of water getting into the inner tent, no matter how hard it is raining. It will also protect against tough winds, UV rays, and even light snowfall. The inner tent is well ventilated and breathable, with large screened windows.
The fabric of both the tent and the rainfly is super tough and durable, with reinforced taped seams to prevent any tears. The seam taping also helps to keep the tent perfectly dry in rainy conditions. Even with all that weatherproofing and durability, this tent is super lightweight – just over 8 pounds in total. That makes it great for solo or partner backpacking trips.
The most notable feature of this Lethmik tent, which sets it apart from a lot of other backpacking tents, is how easy it is to set up. It comes with an easy pop-up feature, incorporating hydraulic technology, that allows you to set up or take down the tent in as little as 30 seconds. This is a huge improvement over most tents, which need to be set up by hand and sometimes require a lot of practice to get right.
While this tent might be a little larger than some people might want to pack with them on a long trip, it is super lightweight and convenient – a great choice for camping, music festivals and lighter backpacking.
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Editor's Rating:
4.4/5
The NTK Super Arizona family tent is a lot larger than some of the other tents on our list, but still very lightweight, easy to set up and completely waterproof. As many as 12 people can comfortably sleep inside it, with their gear. This is a perfect tent for a family camping or backpacking trip or a trip with a large group of friends.
It is a double-walled tent, with a ventilated inner tent and a waterproof external rainfly. In warmer weather, the inner tent can be used as its own tent, and the rainfly can be set up as a separate lightweight shelter. The tent has 2 doors, 3 windows, and can be split into two separate rooms with a detachable room divider. It has a peak height of 6.9 feet, so it is easy to move around in. Despite all of that space, the whole tent weighs less than 40 pounds when packed.
Color-coded poles allow you to set up the tent in just a few minutes. The floor of the tent has an antifungal coating, to prevent it from gathering mold in wet conditions. There is plenty of mesh netting along the walls of the inner tent and 3 windows that can be zipped open and clipped back during the day. With the rainfly on, it is fairly well-ventilated – however, with more than ten people sleeping in the tent, there will be some problems with condensation.
The polyester fabric with a polyurethane laminate will protect the interior from moisture and sun rays. For its height, the tent’s skeleton holds up well to strong winds, too.
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Editor's Rating:
4.3/5
This waterproof camping tent from Night Cat is great for lighter car camping. It sleeps 1 or 2 people comfortably, is super easy to set up, and comes with a footprint tarp for extra weatherproofing. Plus, it is available at a super affordable price.
Included in this tent is a durable inner tent, with open mesh vents, and a waterproof rainfly. The fabric of both the tent and rainfly is 21OD waterproof and has sealed tape around the seams. The footprint tarp protects against cold and moisture seeping up from underground, so you are guaranteed to stay dry inside the tents, even through the worst rainstorms. Its relatively low build and tough fiberglass skeleton make it windproof, as well.
The rainfly does not fully cover the tent, and it has a vent in the top, to allow for maximum breathability.
All the ventilation means that it won’t be the best tent for winter camping, but it will be great at preventing condensation and keeping you cool on a hot summer night. Even with 2 people sleeping inside, there is plenty of space to store gear and move around comfortably.
This tent comes with a hydraulic-powered easy pop-up mechanism, making setup fast and easy, even with just one person. While it is a little bulkier than you might want to take on a long backpacking trip (about 10 pounds total, with a large packing size) it is great for car camping, music festivals or just to pitch in the backyard on a summer evening. This is a perfect choice for a couple or a family with kids.
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Editor's Rating:
4.6/5
Another large, multiple person tent on our list, the NTK Arizona sport camping tent is roomy enough for the whole family or friend group, 100% waterproof and pretty easy to set up, considering its size. This is a solid choice for group camping trips or long term, comfortable camping.
The tent has 2 rooms separated by a detachable divider, 2 doors, and 3 unzipping windows for ventilation. It can sleep up to 10 people in sleeping bags, or 2-4 on air mattresses or larger beds. The peak height is just over 6 feet – tall enough for most people to be able to move around comfortably.
Setting up this tent is relatively easy, with color-coded poles, lightweight stakes, and a clear diagram. Once set up, it will be totally protected from the elements.
The polyester rainfly is laminated with a polyurethane coating, so no moisture is going to seep through. It will also deflect UV rays, preventing damage from long sun exposure. Despite its size, it is pretty easy to carry when packed up – about 26 pounds and fits neatly into a carrying sack.
This spacious tent is ideal for the long term “home away from home” at your campsite. If you are camping for a week or more and want to be comfortable, you will have plenty of space. That said, it is pricier than smaller tents – so for lighter, 2 or 3 person camping, it might not be the best choice.
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Editor's Rating:
4.4/5
This 4 seasons tent from Battop can sleep 3 or 4 people comfortably, with some room for storage. It is totally weatherproof, great for camping in any season, and can be set up and taken down within a matter of seconds. This is a good tent for an active family who spends time outdoors in all seasons.
This is a domed, double walled tent. The peak height of the dome is just under 5 feet, so there is plenty of space to sit up and move around inside. Without sloping walls, the inside of the tent feels brighter and more spacious. The inner tent has plenty of mesh vents for great breathability and 2 wide doors. The rainfly is built with 190T waterproof polyester, and the sturdy fiberglass poles will stand up well against heavy winds.
We should mention, however, that is this is a taller tent, it is a little more likely to be blown over in storm conditions than a tent with a lower build. If you use the stakes, though, there is no risk.
Setting up this tent is super easy. It has a hydraulic quick pop-up mechanism that allows you to have it up in about 30 seconds. It packs into a compact carrying case for easy transportation. At just under 10 pounds, you might not want to take this tent backpacking, but it is great for car camping trips, picnics, and other excursions.
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Editor's Rating:
4.3/5
The last tent on our list is another durable, easy to set up option from Battop. This single walled tent sleeps 3 or 4 people comfortably and is great for camping in all seasons. It is also super affordable – a good option for a busy couple or family.
Like some other Battop tents, this model has an instant pop-up feature, using hydraulic pressure to set up and take down the tent in seconds. This can be really handy on a quick camping trip. It is a single wall tent, which means set up is even easier – but it also means it will not have as great of ventilation as a tent with a rainfly.
Fortunately, there are 2 mesh doors that open on either side of the tent to allow some air in during the day and warm nights.
There is also a low vent in the peak, that will let out condensation without letting in rain and moisture. The fabric is 190T waterproof polyester and protected against UV rays. It folds down into a light carrying case for easy transport.
This is a great, affordable tent for car camping quick family trips.
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