Last Updated: July 29, 2022
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Best Tent Waterproofing Spray

Tents, like all outdoor gear, begin to loose their waterproof coating over time and this leads to leaks, especially in heavy rain. You might wake up in the night to find your once waterproof tent has let the rain in and soaked all your camping gear, but why and how do you fix it?

Our Top Picks

If you have used your tent for 2-3 weeks a year for a few years, it’s high time you re-waterproofed it with some tent waterproofing spray. Not only will this extend the life of your tent, but you’ll also avoid the moment when leaks begin to happen by not leaving it too late.

There are hundreds of tent waterproofing sprays to chooses from but which is the best tent waterproofing spray for your tent? That is what we are here to find out. We looked at hundreds of tent waterproofing sprays to come up with this list of the best, so you can be sure you’ve got the best one for you.

Top Product Overview

GEAR AID Tent Waterproofing Spray for Nylon Tents, 5 oz Revivex Formula
  • It maintains the fabric's breathability
  • It also repels oils and stains keeping your tent clean
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Kiwi Camp Dry Heavy Duty Water Repellent, 2 - 10.5 oz cans
  • It maintains the breathability of your fabrics
  • Doesn't contain harmful substances like VOCs or fluorocarbons
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Scotchgard Outdoor Water Shield, Water Repellent Spray for Outdoor Summer and Spring Gear and Patio Furniture, Fabric Spray for Protection Against the Rainy Spring Weather, 13 oz
  • Easy to apply and only needs one coat
  • Once applied it retains breathability
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Nikwax Softshell Proof Spray-On High Performance Waterproofing Renewal Treatment Restores DWR Water Repellency in Jackets, Pants, Vests, Outerwear, Ski and Snow Gear
  • It maintains the breathability of the fabric
  • It's completely odor-free for no horrid smells
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Sof Sole Silicone Waterproofer Spray for Boots,Tents and Outdoor Gear 12-ounce
  • Durable and long-lasting thanks to the use of silicone
  • Easy to apply, just spray it on
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Atsko Sno-Seal Water-Guard Extreme Repellent Aerosol, 10.5-Fluid Ounce
  • Provides an excellent waterproof coating
  • Repels stains and oils as well as water
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AMRS-303-30616.125 * 303 Aerospace Fabric Guard Water Repellant 16oz
  • Excellent druable and long-lasting water-repellent coating
  • Protects from UV, oils, stains, and fungus
SEE ON AMAZON →

Best Tent Waterproofing Spray


GEAR AID Tent Waterproofing Spray

GEAR AID Tent Waterproofing Spray for Nylon Tents, 5 oz Revivex Formula

The GEAR AID Tent Waterproofing Spray isn’t just for use on tents, you can use it on nylon and any other breathable waterproof fabric like your rain jacket or backpack. The list doesn’t stop there, it’ll even work on leather.

It’s a water-based waterproofing spray that doesn’t contain any PFC’s or silicone which can be harmful to breathe in while applying it.

The spray is easy to apply, just sent up your tent and begin spraying the rainfly to give it a full coat.

Once applied it retains the fabric’s breathability so you won’t begin to overheat and it also does a good job of repelling any oils or dirt to help keep your tent clean.

It drys quickly, so there is not much waiting around, and it’s odor-free, so no chemical smells for you to deal with during the drying process or on your next camping trip. It drys so quickly, you could even take it in your backpack to use in a waterproofing emergency if you get a weather window.

The only downside of this spray is that it only works on nylon tents, so be sure to check your tent material before you buy it.

Pros

  • It maintains the fabric's breathability
  • It also repels oils and stains keeping your tent clean
  • It drys quickly to save you a bit of time
  • It is odor-free, no chemical camping smells
  • It's water bases and free of harmful things like PFC & silicone
  • Easy to use and apply

Cons

  • Only for use on nylon tents and not polyester

Product Information

  • Weight: 0.3 lbs
  • For: Tents and other outdoor gear
  • Breathable: Yes
  • Best Use: Nylon, EVent, and GORE-TEX fabrics, Leather, Suede, and Canvas
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Kiwi Camp Dry

Kiwi Camp Dry Heavy Duty Water Repellent, 2 - 10.5 oz cans

Kiwi Camp Dry is a silicone-based waterproofing spray that bonds the fabric of your tent together to form a tough waterproof layer. It can be used on all your outdoor gear (bar performance fabrics), so if your tent is polyester, this spray will be fine, but it works best on nylon.

The spray doesn’t contain any harmful substances that could impair your health like fluorocarbons or VOC’s but it does contain isobutene and propane which aren’t very eco-friendly.

Applying it is easy, just spray it on your tent. You will have to do two coats for it to be 100% effective and the drying smell isn’t very nice, it smells a bit like paint. The good news is that once dry it is odor-free, so as long as you dry it out, you’ll be able to camp without any toxic smells.

Once applied it does soften the tent fabric and it retains breathability so you can rest assured you’re not going to start overheating in the night.

Pros

  • It maintains the breathability of your fabrics
  • Doesn't contain harmful substances like VOCs or fluorocarbons
  • When applied it softens the fabric
  • It's silicone-based and will work with PU coated and silnylon tents too
  • Once it's dry it is odor-free for your next trip

Cons

  • There is a strong pain smell while drying
  • You'll need two coats of this
  • Uses non-eco-friendly isobutene and propane for the aerosol

Product Information

  • Weight: 0.6 lbs
  • For: Tents, backpacks, jackets, and shoes
  • Breathable: Yes
  • Best Use: Nylon
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Scotchgard Heavy Duty Water Shield

Scotchgard Outdoor Water Shield, Water Repellent Spray for Outdoor Summer and Spring Gear and Patio Furniture, Fabric Spray for Protection Against the Rainy Spring Weather, 13 oz

The Scotchgard Heavy Duty Water Shield is an excellent choice if you want a long-lasting waterproof barrier but you’re going to have to sacrifice your eco-friendliness to get it and wait for a lingering chemical smell to pass before using your tent.

You can use this spray on pretty much any tent, from nylon to polyester but its best application is for canvas tents. it also works great on backpacks, umbrellas, outdoor furniture, and more.

Applying it is easy, just spray it on. You only need one coat of this stuff but you will experience a chemical smell that lingers and you won’t want to camp in that. It’s best to let it dry out until the smell is 100% gone.

Once applied it retains breathability and is pretty long-lasting as far as waterproofing sprays go. It does contain some nasty petroleum substances, so by using it you’re not helping the environment very much.

Pros

  • Easy to apply and only needs one coat
  • Once applied it retains breathability
  • Waterproofs your tent for a long time
  • Doesn't leave any discoloration
  • You can use on a few types of tent materials

Cons

  • Lasting chemical smell you need to wait to leave before camping
  • Not an eco-friendly option

Product Information

  • Weight: 0.8 lbs
  • For: Tents, backpacks, jackets, canvas tarps, boat covers
  • Breathable: Yes
  • Best Use: Canvas Tents, then Polyester, Nylon, Polypropylene, Cotton, Leather
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Best Of The Best

Nikwax Softshell Proof Waterproofing Spay

Nikwax Softshell Proof Spray-On High Performance Waterproofing Renewal Treatment Restores DWR Water Repellency in Jackets, Pants, Vests, Outerwear, Ski and Snow Gear

The Nikwax Softshell Proof Waterproofing Spay is one of the best choices for versatility and the environment. It contains no harmful substances, is odor-free and it’s biodegradable too, so as it washes off your tent, it’s not harming the ground it lands on.

Applying it should be easy as it’s a spray-on, but the nozzle is a little tricky and does need to getting used to. Make sure you work it out before applying it so you don’t waste any.

Once applied it dries with no smells and provides an effective water-repellent barrier. It will soften the fabric you spray it on and will also maintain its breathability.

You can use it on any synthetic fabric that has 4-way stretch including polyester, nylon, and Gore-Tex. It might be worth getting a few bottles to do all your gear with.

There are no downsides to the Nikwax Softshell Proof Waterproofing Spay, you just need to get used to the nozzle, and for its eco-friendly properties, we highly recommend it.

Pros

  • It maintains the breathability of the fabric
  • It's completely odor-free for no horrid smells
  • It's 100% biodegradable to help the environment
  • Contains no harmful substances
  • It softens your tent fabric
  • Works on all synthetic materials with 4-way stretch

Cons

  • The nozzle isn't the best so be careful when applying it

Product Information

  • Weight: 0.6 lbs
  • For: Tents, backpacks, jackets
  • Breathable: Yes
  • Best Use: Windstopper, Windbloc, Polyester, Polartec, any synthetic technical material with 4-way stretch
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Best On A Budget

Sof Sole Silicone Waterproofer Spray

Sof Sole Silicone Waterproofer Spray for Boots,Tents and Outdoor Gear 12-ounce

Sof Sole Silicone Waterproofer Spray is one of the most affordable waterproofing sprays in the review and it works on any material that isn’t breathable.

In case you’re wondering, your rainfly, whether it’s polyester or nylon is not breathable in order to keep the rain out, but your inner tent is breathable, so do not apply it there.

The spray contains a 12% silicone formula that creates a durable and long-lasting waterproof bond. Not only does it repel water, but also oils and dirt to keep your rainfly clean.

Applying it is easy, just spray away but you will need to do 2 coats to ensure it’s effective. While applying, you’ll want to cover your mouth and nose so as not to breathe in the intense odors, plus we’d recommend drying it outside and make sure the odor has gone before your next camping trip.

It doesn’t retain breathability, so make sure you don’t use it on any performance gear like Gore-Tex or it will ruin its valuable properties.

Pros

  • Durable and long-lasting thanks to the use of silicone
  • Easy to apply, just spray it on
  • Repels oils, dirt, and stains as well as water
  • It's the most affordable but only by a few dollars
  • Great for use across any outdoor gear that is not breathable

Cons

  • You'll need to use more than one coat
  • it doesn't retain breathability so don't use it on performance gear
  • It has a horrid smell

Product Information

  • Weight: 0.7 lbs
  • For: Tens, outdoor gear, boots
  • Breathable: No
  • Best Use: Anything that is not meant to breathable
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Best Allrounder

Atsko Sno-Seal Water-Guard

Atsko Sno-Seal Water-Guard Extreme Repellent Aerosol, 10.5-Fluid Ounce

Atsko Sno-Seal Water-Guard is simply one of the best tent waterproofing sprays around. It’s so versatile that you can pretty much spray it on anything from Gore-Tex to nylon, polyester, and canvas.

Not only does it create a durable and long-lasting water-repellent coating but it will also protect your gear from fungus, UV damage, dirt, and oils. And since it’s breathable, you could literally cover every part of your tent with it to give you complete protection. Plus you can spray your backpack, rain jacket, shoes, anything.

It is pretty easy to apply, just spray but you’ll have to keep on shaking the can to keep the spray flowing. While applying it there are some odors but once dry there is no smell whatsoever.

Once applied and dried correctly, this spray should last at least two seasons or more, so you won’t have to re-apply so often.

Pros

  • Provides an excellent waterproof coating
  • Repels stains and oils as well as water
  • Also provides UV and fungal protection
  • Lasts for a long time, at least two seasons
  • Doesn't use harmful isobutane and propane
  • Versatile - can be used on anything
  • It retains breathability and is odor-less when dry

Cons

  • Doesn’t soften the fabric, but that's ok
  • You have to keep shaking the can for an effective application

Product Information

  • Weight: 0.6 lbs
  • For: Tents, jackets, backpacks, etc
  • Breathable: Yes
  • Best Use: Gore-Tex and all waterproof breathable fabrics
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303 Aerospace Fabric Guard Water Repellant

AMRS-303-30616.125 * 303 Aerospace Fabric Guard Water Repellant 16oz

If you’re looking for some seriously tough tent waterproof spray then 303 Aerospace Fabric Guard Water Repellant might be right up your street. It’s designed for use in the harshest environments, like at sea where salt and UV damage fabrics quickly.

It’s certainly not eco-friendly, it cant be be that powerful. You should take caution not to breathe any of it in, and beware of the odors while it is curing.

It comes as a spray but not an aerosol, so you can avoid being fogged while applying it. The application is easy, just be sure to wear a protective face coating.

Once applied and dried fully, which takes 6-12 hours, it provides an excellent water-repellent coating that also repels dirt, oils, fungus, and protects from UV damage too.

While it is powerful, it’s not good for you or the planet, so bear that in mind. It is also pretty expensive compared to the others.

Pros

  • Excellent druable and long-lasting water-repellent coating
  • Protects from UV, oils, stains, and fungus
  • Good coverage for the volume
  • Works with a lot of materials

Cons

  • Not eco-friendly and contains PFCs and VOCs
  • It's the most expensive
  • Not safe to breathe in

Product Information

  • Weight: 0.8 lbs
  • For: Outdoor wear
  • Breathable: Yes
  • Best Use: Any non-breathable material
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What To Look For In A Tent Waterproofing Spray

There are quite a few things to consider when buying a tent waterproofing spray and you’re going to need to get them all right to be a happy camper in the end.

As you can see from the products above, no two sprays are exactly the same and you’ll need to match your materials and personal preferences to the right spray for you.

What Material Is Your Tent Made From?

Some sprays work on all materials, whether they are breathable or not. Other sprays work just on nylon and others on anything that is not breathable.

The first thing you need to do is confirm what your rainfly is made of. Is it nylon, polyester, or canvas and is it breathable or not?

Once you know the answer to these questions you can narrow down the search to a few different sprays.

Eco-friendly or Not?

Some Tent Waterproofing Sprays are eco-friendly and bio-degrade, others contain harmful substances for the environment and as they shed off your tent over time, will go into the soil and water table. This is of course a personal choice to make, but if being ECO is important to you, there is only one choice, Nikwax Softshell Proof Waterproofing Spay.

Odors, Coats, Drying Time

Some of the Tent Waterproofing Sprays in the review are odor-less while applying and others are odor-less once dried. Make sure to read the reviews carefully and always make sure that any odors are fully gone before you go on your next camping trip, as some will be harmful to your health.

Some of the sprays will also require two coats to be fully effective and some dry faster than others, these are all personal choices that you need to make decisions around before you buy.

Versatility

When we talk about the versatility of Tent Waterproofing Sprays, we mean two things. Does it just repel water or more? And, how many fabrics does it work on?

Some sprays in the review just repel water, others repel water, dirt, and oils, and some even more than that. It;’s worth opting for one that repels more than just water because why wouldn’t you?

You should also think about what else you might want to waterproof like your Gore-Tex jacket, boots, or backpack. Some of the sprays are so versatile that they almost work on everything. If you’re looking for a waterproofing spray that works on pretty much every material out there and repels dirt, oils, UV, and fungus, then the Atsko Sno-Seal Water-Guard is the one for you.

Our Favorite Tent Waterproofing Sprays

The best tent waterproofing spray is the Nikwax Softshell Proof Waterproofing Spay. Not only does it provide a breathable, softening, water-repellent layer on a lot of fabrics but it is also eco-friendly, odor-free, and biodegradable. By choosing this product you’re choosing to protect the environment and waterproof your tent at the same time

Sale
Nikwax Softshell Proof Spray-On High Performance Waterproofing Renewal Treatment Restores DWR Water Repellency in Jackets, Pants, Vests, Outerwear, Ski and Snow Gear
  • High performance waterproofer designed to enhance performance and revitalize the breathability of softshell garments
  • Easy to use spray-on application restores water repellency and revives breathability of softshell apparel and outerwear

The best tent waterproofing sprays if you’re looking to save a few bucks is the Sof Sole Silicone Waterproofer Spray. It’s easy to apply and can be used on all tent rainflys that aren’t breathable (most aren’t). You’ll need to use 2 coats but once it’s dried, you’ll have long-lasting water, dirt, and oil-repellent coating. Beware of the intense odors on this one.

Sale
Sof Sole Silicone Waterproofer Spray for Boots,Tents and Outdoor Gear 12-ounce
  • 12 percent silicone formula creates durable, long lasting waterproof bond to repel water, dirt and oil
  • Aerosol can offers easy application

The all-round best tent waterproofing spray is the Atsko Sno-Seal Water-Guard. Not only does it give you an effective water-repellent coating that lasts longer than most others, but it also protects against fungus, oils, stains, and UV. You can use it on pretty much anything, from Gore-Tex to canvas, polyester, and nylon, covering pretty much all your outdoor gear with one product.

Atsko Sno-Seal Water-Guard Extreme Repellent Aerosol, 10.5-Fluid Ounce
  • Safe for use on Gore-Tex and all waterproof breathable fabrics
  • Scent free when dried and cured