Best Tent in Wet Weather?

[LC70]

As the title suggests, what is the best waterproof tent on the market?
I have tried cheap tents, expensive tents and somewhere in between and still am looking for the best tent to purchase for protection against rain. If money was not an issue and you were to buy a decent waterproof tent what would you get?

[juz]

look at a decent touring tent like freedom camping tents

mine has paid for its self over and over again in bad weather. not a problem at all.
their web site is Freedom Camping, The Tent and Camping Specialists (http://www.freedomtents.com.au)

[LC70]

Thanks Juz will look into it!

[Luxster]

OZTENT 100% waterproof.These tent are the top self!!!

[Muckinhell]

Southern cross canvas tent is the best i reckon...im on me second now, and only cause the the first was not going to be big enoupgh in the end, so upgraded at last years 4b show in brissy with great pricing...

Been through drenching rain in both now and the most water in either of them was maybe 100ml i reckon and thats only cause i prob didnt season it enoupgh in the first place.

[woolgoolgaoffroad]

OZTENT 100% waterproof.These tent are the top self!!!
yep agree with you there greg, or a tourer as i think they have 12 ounce canvas

[91GQ]

I have a cheepo $30-$50 3 man dome tent and it went through a massive beach storm and hail storm. and stood up to the punishment. not bad for a cheepo. would go through it again...

[Risto]

Black Wolf Turbo. Hasn't leaked at all in any weather. Can't say better than that. Have also camped in some stupid-stormy weather and the thing doesn't even wobble.

[BEU77Y]

Southern Cross canvas tents all the way.. We have two of them, both have been through some torrential rain and never skipped a beat. Can't recommend Southern Cross highly enough, excellent quality tents.

[Wal]

I've used both Southern Cross and Oztent touring tents and I'd agree that they're very waterproof - with a caveat. If you don't erect them properly they can let in water at the base where the seams are. This is caused by not stretching them out fully when erecting. The lip of the base can curl up and make a nice little trough for the water to seep in through the seam. Properly stretched out the water runs straight off.

[toy yoda]

IMO a cnavas tent (errected correctly ) eg a tourer or cabin will with stand more wet weather punnishment. As posted b4 canvas tents can curl at the bottom this happen some times just due to the rolling up.

in the past i have stitched (not with the mrs janome) extra peg loops on some tents to help

it may also pay when you get home to unroll tent and re roll inside out upside down ect ( so the curl is uncurled) put it away for a while and re roll normal b4 travell next.

And use common sense some of any tent leaking is caused from bags, air amtresses and pillows ect being in contact with tent walls. BASIC RULE #1 DO NOT LET ANYTHING TOUCH THE WALLS OF ANY TENT

[953]

Set your car up 4 sleeping, mine has`nt leaked yet:D
Cheers Dean.

[nilla60]

Pretty much any good solid canvas tent. No cheap tents are made from heavy weight canvas. We had one up in wind & pouring icy rain; with the gas heater going, we were sprawled out on top of the doona drinking hot chocolate. I've picked up several for peanuts when various people "upgrade" to flimsy lightweight nylon tents.

Most recent one I purchased for $20 from the tip and I reckon it had been used once.

Only negatives with canvases tents are that they are heavy/bulky and you need to dry them out before storage or they will go moldy.

I'd love to score one of the army's green canvas tents; have had the loan of them on a couple of occasions and they are huge and cozy.

[Harb]

A door with a number on it !!! ;)

[Humvee]

Macpac (http://www.macpac.co.nz/catalogue/product/d7c38230-2fda-479e-bebb-759b96b76dcc/NZ/524ea4a3-9ef3-4e2e-8d49-2f661f9fcc79)

I have the older model of this, and have used it heaps, camping and backpacking for about 8 years, and its as good as the day i got it.

[oldmacdonald]

Another vote for Macpac here. They're more aimed at walkers/hikers, but this means that they have the benefit of being light weight and compact. Plus totally waterproof. Only moisture you'll ever get inside is from condensation from your own breathing, and only if you don't peg out the vent properly. We did have one rainy night at Cradle Mountain in April though when the water on the ground outside made the floor cold enough for the condenstation to form on the floor - you usually only get a bit on the inside of the fly.

We have the Polaris, which will sleep four comfortably. Can't stand up though if that bothers you.

[Bundy]

Southern Cross canvas tents all the way.. We have two of them, both have been through some torrential rain and never skipped a beat. Can't recommend Southern Cross highly enough, excellent quality tents.

x2:thumb:

[Phils Lux]

i still have my southern cross tent i bought in 1994 for our trip up the cape, been in all sorts of weather without any problems, still have but only the two of us now so we travel in a 2000 model aussie swag, it too has seen lot of different weather with out any problems, good quality canvas and construction.

[GQANDGU]

Any of the good quality HD canvass pyramid tents with a proper waterproof base get my vote, but I am VERY happy with our Freedom tent. (I like to be able stand up when in the tent !). As already said, make sure the base is stretched out properly and don't leave anything inside touching the surface. We got caught in an unexpected tropical storm on the Cape, and even with the ground under the tent in about 2mm of water not a drop came inside. One tip which initailly sounded stupid but defintely works if you have a pyramid style tent - is to make sure that the centre pole adjusting nut is LOOSE in a high wind. That lets the tent move around a little and reduces the pressure on the pegs. Saved ours on the Simpson one night when a number of others had their tents flattened.

[Ole Grizzly]

Can't go past a "Fly" or Synthetic tarp..every thing stays dry under them..So nice to pack up a dry mass of canvas..where the "Fly" can be folded wet and slipped into a waterproof bag to be used later.
A "Fly" also keeps the canvas sheltered from the sun aiding a cooler habitat.

[juz]

Can't go past a "Fly" or Synthetic tarp..every thing stays dry under them..So nice to pack up a dry mass of canvas..where the "Fly" can be folded wet and slipped into a waterproof bag to be used later.
A "Fly" also keeps the canvas sheltered from the sun aiding a cooler habitat.

the problem with synthetic material is it does not breath, therefore the heat is trapped under it, the moisture/condensation cannot escape. There is a big difference between how hot inside a synthetic tent gets to how hot a good breathable canvas tent gets.

if you are using the synthetic fly over the top of a tent, make sure there is plenty of room/space between the tent and the fly to aid in air flow and to get some of the moisture to escape.

Good canvas Breathes and is totally water proof.