Water-proofing Your Tent

Many modern, good quality tents will now last for several years without the necessity of re-proofing. However, it is often a good idea, even with a brand new tent, to seal the seams with a special purpose product. Very good quality tents will have specially sealed, double stitched seams but these areas are still a weakness where water-proofing is concerned. On cheaper tents, a close inspection will show tiny holes where the stitches are.

Many of the modern products for waterproofing have the added bonus of sun protection. UV rays will damage the fabric of your tent which will degrade and weaken its structure. Correct treatment will considerably prolong the life of your tent, not just make it waterproof.

Re-proofing products come in many guises, some less temporary than others. None are permanent. Which you choose really is a matter of personal taste and your preferred method of application. It is extremely important that any instructions are followed to the letter. Failure to do so can ruin your equipment or shorten its life span.

Some people claim that reproofing actually shortens the life of a tent; manufacturers claim that this isn’t the case with modern products. It really is rather a moot point. Take your pick – a tent which leaks but lasts a few more years or a water-proof tent which may have to be replaced sooner.

Water-proofing Boots

Boots made of leather can last for an incredible amount of time if they are given a little care. Leather boots will need regular re-proofing to prevent the material rotting and degrading and of course to keep them waterproof.

There is an extra consideration with leather however that is often  left unaddressed by the leather water-proofing products. Leather needs to be rehydrated to prolong its life. An excellent product for this is one called Hydrophane which is actually a product sold for treating saddles and horse tack.

This will only need applying about once a year. The boots need to be completely free of waterproofing products. The Hydrophane will then penetrate properly into the leather providing an extra water-resistant layer and preventing rot. A waterproofing product can then be applied over the top.

If the boots are a synthetic material then different products will need to be used.

For both leather and synthetic materials, Nikwax have an excellent range of products which is constantly being improved.

Water-proofing Clothing

Before treating any clothing such as trousers and jackets it is important to know whether or not the fabric is breathable. Using the wrong product will destroy some fabrics completely.

You must also consider whether or not the clothing has a wicking liner. Different products are available for those with and those without and, again selecting the wrong product, can irrevocably damage your gear.

If you are treating a breathable fabric it is important to pre-wash the item with a pure soap product which will prepare the fabric for waterproofing.

The easiest way to re-proof clothing is to put it in the washing machine with a specially selected product.

Testing Water-resistance

You may feel a little silly standing in your garden pouring a watering can over the top of your erected tent but you may be glad of it later. It really is the best way to test for any weaknesses or leaks. Pay particular attention to seams. If your tent is properly water-proofed the water will bead and roll off its surface.

There is quite a bewildering array of products for re-proofing tents, clothing and boots. Which product you use is very much a matter of personal choice and sometimes a bit of trial and error. Independent product reviews, which can be found in their thousands on the Internet, are often a good way to start. Personally, I still prefer the Nikwax range which has never yet let me down. I also use Fabsil depending on what I am using the product for.

It is a little annoying to have to buy several separate products for waterproofing tents, tent seams, boots, breathable waterproof jacket etc but don’t be tempted to think that you can cut corners and save some money. As previously explained, using an inappropriate product for a piece of your equipment can be costly. It won’t just not work, it may completely ruin the item. There are some products that can double up their purpose depending on what you own.

All of the water-proofing products mentioned here can be found at varying prices at Internet stores. Camping shops and outdoor pursuit shops normally stock fairly full ranges and can often give you some good advice into the bargain.