Camping in the rain is never ideal, but it is misery if the tent leaks. Even the best tents need their waterproofing redone as UV rays, friction, and age degrade the original coat. Many sprays exist, but we’ve rounded up our seven favorites.
The best tent waterproofing sprays are:
- Scotchgard Outdoor Water Shield Spray – Best Overall
- STAR BRITE Waterproofing Spray – Best For Large Surfaces
- Nikwax Tent And Gear Waterproofing Spray – Most Environmentally Friendly
- Atsko Silicone Water-Guard 10.5 Oz – Best Smelling Budget Buy
- GEAR AID Seam Grip TF Tent Fabric Sealer For Waterproofing – Best For Seams
- KIWI Camp Dry Heavy Duty Water Repellant – Best Value
- Canvak – Water Resistant Canvas Preservative – Best For Canvas
Scroll right to view all products >
Best Overall  | Best For Large Surfaces  | Most Environmentally Friendly  | Best Smelling Budget Buy  | Best For Seams  | Best Value  | Best For Canvas  | |
| Ranking | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th |
| Rating /5 | |||||||
| How Clear Does It Dry? | 4.4/5 | 4.8/5 | 4/5 | 4.3/5 | 4.8/5 | 4.3/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Drying time | 4.8/5 | 4.9/5 | 4.7/5 | 3.8/5 | 4.8/5 | 4.2/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Versatility, such as UV coating or use on other items | 4.6/5 | 4.8/5 | 4.7/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.4/5 | 4.5/5 | 3/5 |
| Ease of application | 4.8/5 | 4.7/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.8/5 | 4/5 | 4.8/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Is it odorless? | 4.3/5 | 3.8/5 | 4.6/5 | 4.6/5 | 4.6/5 | 4/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Value for money | 4.5/5 | 4.2/5 | 4.4/5 | 4.7/5 | 3.8/5 | 4.8/5 | 4/5 |
| Review | The Scotchgard Outdoor Water Shield is the original tent waterproofing spray. It's been around for over 70 years, and while the formula has been tweaked, it's still the reliable products it has always been. | The STAR BRITE Waterproofing Spray is loved by many who have large tents or tarps because it can be bulk bought. Sure, you have to provide your own spraying device if you buy a gallon or three, but at least you don't have to buy 6-17 bottles to get the job done. | The Nikwax Tent and Gear Waterproofing Spray is a backpacker's favorite. For starters, it is environmentally friendly. When it rains, the chemicals from your spray job gradually work their way off the tent into the surrounding environment. But Nikwax is biodegradable, so it isn't a big deal. | The Atsko Silicone Water-Guard is a low-cost favorite. While cheaper products are out there, Atsko smells better fresh out of the can. In fact, it doesn't have much of a smell at all. So if you are the sort that easily gets a headache from strong-smelling sprays, this is worth a look. | The GEAR AID Seam Grip TF Tent Fabric Sealer for Waterproofing is the best product for seams and any area that has been repaired or weakened. Even if you prefer another product for the bulk of the tent, you should use this to beef up your seams, the most common place for leaks to occur. | The KIWI Camp Dry Heavy Duty Water Repellant is a longtime camping favorite. It is easy to apply, only needs a single coat, and a single, affordable can, goes far. All of which is a huge win. | The Canvak - Water Resistant Canvas Preservative looks incredibly expensive, but that's only because they sell it in large quantities. However, canvas acts like a sponge, so it will use more product than your typical nylon tent. |
Best Tent Waterproofing Spray Compared
Scotchgard Outdoor Water Shield Spray
Pros
- Can use on canvas in addition to polyester, nylon, polypropylene, leather, and suede
- Only needs one coat
- Doesn’t interfere with fabric breathability
- Dries in 12-24 hours
Cons
- It may stain certain fabrics, so do a test patch
- It requires at least two 10.5 oz cans to do a 7-person tent, and may need a third
The Scotchgard Outdoor Water Shield is the original tent waterproofing spray. It’s been around for over 70 years, and while the formula has been tweaked, it’s still the reliable products it has always been.
Consequently, it is the easiest product to get your hands on. Don’t want to buy online or go to a camping store? You’ll probably find this at a hardware store or big box shopping chains.
It is also one of the only general waterproofing spray that works on canvas. The only other canvas product is made exclusively for cotton. Thus, it’s perfect if you are looking for something you can keep on hand for your tent, hammock, cushion, and leather boots.
However, like most on the list, it doesn’t have UV protection. A pity it is so rare since sunlight does gradually break down a tent’s material.
STAR BRITE Waterproofing Spray
Pros
- UV protection
- Doesn’t mark fabrics
- Dries in 6 hours
- Can use on canvas, nylon, acrylic, polyester, and leather
- Doesn’t interfere with fabric breathability
Cons
- It sometimes needs a second coat to be effective
The STAR BRITE Waterproofing Spray is loved by many who have large tents or tarps because it can be bulk bought. Sure, you have to provide your own spraying device if you buy a gallon or three, but at least you don’t have to buy 6-17 bottles to get the job done.
In addition, while the 22 oz bottle doesn’t offer the best value for money that you can find, that changes if you buy it by the gallon. So if you are gearing up for a family camping reunion and waterproofing multiple tens, your boat’s tarp, an awning, and boots, it’s an excellent choice.
In addition, it has UV protection, which helps extend the lifespan of your gear.
But keep in mind that certain materials will require a second coat to achieve the desired result. For most tents, it will only need one. But boat tarps and canvas tents routinely need a second layer.
Nikwax Tent and Gear Waterproofing Spray
Pros
- UV protection
- The odor is mild when applying
- Environmentally friendly and biodegradable
- No CFS or PFCs
- Dries within 24 hours
Cons
- Needs reapplication more frequently
- Synthetics only
The Nikwax Tent and Gear Waterproofing Spray is a backpacker’s favorite. For starters, it is environmentally friendly. When it rains, the chemicals from your spray job gradually work their way off the tent into the surrounding environment. But Nikwax is biodegradable, so it isn’t a big deal.
It’s also healthier for you because while you are spraying waterproofing on, you’re probably inhaling a bit unless you are wearing a good-quality mask.
It also has the best UV protection of any waterproofing product. As we’ve mentioned, the sun also causes wear and tear on your gear, so the UV coating will help extend its lifespan. Plus, this stuff cleans your tent as you waterproof it (two jobs in one is very handy). It only needs one coat.
Nikwax is also water-based, making it kinder to the material it protects. Silicon has many qualities folks want in a waterproof spray. For starters, it lasts longer, so you don’t have to reapply it as often. However, it is not as gentle on materials as a water-based spray.
Atsko Silicone Water-Guard 10.5 oz
Pros
- Barely smells, even when applying it
- Well priced
- Easy application
- Only needs one coat
- Doesn’t interfere with fabric breathability
- Synthetic fabrics and leather
Cons
- 72 hours to dry
- It may leave slight discoloration if applied unevenly
The Atsko Silicone Water-Guard is a low-cost favorite. While cheaper products are out there, Atsko smells better fresh out of the can. In fact, it doesn’t have much of a smell at all. So if you are the sort that easily gets a headache from strong-smelling sprays, this is worth a look.
The spray is easy to apply, and you don’t need a ton. One can is enough for a 4-person tent with product to spare. It also dries clear, provided it isn’t applied thickly.
However, it does come with one big drawback: 72-hour cure time. Even when it seems dry, it really isn’t until the 72 hours have passed. If you try to cheat and it rains, the excellent waterproof will act as if it was never applied.
GEAR AID Seam Grip TF Tent Fabric Sealer for Waterproofing
Pros
- Fantastic for seams and repairs
- Dries in 8-10 hours
- Dries very clear
- The initial odor is mild
- Seams remail flexible
Cons
- A chore to apply to large surfaces
The GEAR AID Seam Grip TF Tent Fabric Sealer for Waterproofing is the best product for seams and any area that has been repaired or weakened. Even if you prefer another product for the bulk of the tent, you should use this to beef up your seams, the most common place for leaks to occur.
That is also how we recommend using it, as trying to do large surfaces with this stuff is a workout. Some people will valiantly push through and also use it to waterproof their tent floor. They probably deserve a medal. But it is completely worth the effort to apply to your seams.
KIWI Camp Dry Heavy Duty Water Repellant
Pros
- Affordable
- Easy to apply
- 1 bottle goes far
- Doesn’t interfere with fabric breathability
Cons
- Smells awful, takes about a week to go away
- Can take up to 48 hours to dry
The KIWI Camp Dry Heavy Duty Water Repellant is a longtime camping favorite. It is easy to apply, only needs a single coat, and a single, affordable can, goes far. All of which is a huge win.
But it stinks, and that stench can last up to a wink. So you might want to put on a mask for this one. Also, it claims to dry within 24-48 hours, but 48 hours is the norm.
However, aside from those two drawbacks, it does work very well.
Canvak - Water Resistant Canvas Preservative
Pros
- It’s made for canvas
- It’s the best for canvas
Cons
- It only does canvas
The Canvak – Water Resistant Canvas Preservative looks incredibly expensive, but that’s only because they sell it in large quantities. However, canvas acts like a sponge, so it will use more product than your typical nylon tent.
But while some other sprays do canvas, if you want it to be done the best it can be, Canvak is the best choice. It’s made specifically for cotton, hence why it is so effective. We wouldn’t use anything else on a canvas tent.
Camping Tent Waterproofing Spray Criteria
Usually, when reviewing products, the most crucial aspect is how well it does the job. But all these waterproofing sprays do precisely what they are supposed to do. They are not bulletproof, but they work when applied properly and are allowed to cure for the required time.
Thus, the differences depend on a user’s other priorities and needs, which we’ve listed below.
However, there is one category that’s missing: environmentally friendly. We left it out because only one product does this: Nikwax. Every other spray scores a bit fat zero in this regard. So if you are worried about breathing in chemicals and not-so-good things washing off in the environment, Nikwax is the one to get.
How Clear Does It Dry?
Waterproofing treatments are notorious for darkening colors or leaving stain marks. Worse, some leave a visible film. All these sprays usually dry clear. However, some have a slight chance of discoloration of specific materials or will leave a mark if applied too thickly or unevenly.
The two known for drying clearly, even if you did the job after a few drinks, are Star Brite and Gear Aid.
However, Gear Aid frustrates some people because it’s nearly invisible even when freshly applied. Thus, if you can’t remember if you did an area, you can’t tell unless you put it on gloopy. The rest have some visibility until they’ve fully cured (dried).
Drying Time
Waterproofing has to dry and cure before it is effective. It isn’t a big deal if you live in an area with mostly sunny weather and are known for planning excellent planning skills. However, some people are in the Pacific Northwest or England and live by the seat of their pants (we’re not judging).
Star Brite dries in 6 hours, which is the fastest. However, it sometimes needs a second coat, which you can’t apply until it dries. Another to consider is Gear Aid, which takes only 8-10. The time frame makes it possible to make some emergency “storm coming” repairs and reinforcement.
But if you want easy on with only one coat, Scotchgard takes 12-24 hours, and Nikwax is also dry in 24 hours. Both are much faster than Atsko, which takes 72 hours.
Versatility
Waterproofing sprays sometimes come with extra benefits, such as UV protection, and act as a cleaner. Many of the ones listed are not tent exclusive, a few even doing leather. Then there is Canvak, which is made for canvas (cotton), and that’s it.
Nikwax has the greatest versatility in what it does for your tent; it can clean, waterproof, and provide UV protection. In addition, since sunlight does degrade the tent’s fabric, it’s an excellent product to extend your tent’s lifespan.
However, Star Brite also provides UV protection. However, it won’t double as a cleaner and may need two coats, but it will work on many other materials, including leather.
But Scotchgard is the only general spray that can do all types of tents, including canvas.
Ease Of Application
Waterproofing sprays can be a bear of a job; thus, how easily they apply matters. The easiest three are the aerosols: Scotchgard, Atsko, and KIWI. No paintbrush is required, and you don’t have to keep pumping the hand as you do with a regular spray bottle.
But Gear Aid is perfect if you want it to become a memorable workout of an experience. Some people do use it for a full tent, but most of us stick to just the seams and maybe the floor.
Is It Odorless?
All of our choices will stop smelling after a week post-application. However, some have a powerful odor when being applied. For instance, a mask is almost a must when using KIWI or Star Brite.
Atsko and Nikwax are the mildest when it comes straight out of the bottle. However, if you are worried about inhaling chemicals, Nikwax is the safest by a long shot.
Value For Money
It is difficult to judge value for money with waterproofing spray since different brands require different amounts to cover the same area. For instance, a two-for-one deal isn’t impressive if it takes both cans to do the job, whereas another brand only requires one.
However, when KIWI has a two-for-one deal on their 10.5 oz cans, it is a good deal. Unless you put it on super thick, a single can will waterproof a 7-person tent.
Atsko is another budget favorite, and it also has the two-for-one deal and uses about the same amount. However, it is sometimes fractionally more expensive than the KIWI. But many people will happily pay an extra dollar for less stink.
The best price per ounce is Canvak. However, it requires almost twice as much to do the job as canvas is a highly absorbent material. Scotchgard offers pretty good value in general, but it requires both cans to do a regular tent, and when it comes to canvas, it’s far more. The same happens with Star Brite.
Final Verdict
Scotchgard is an excellent allrounder of a product. So if you only want to buy one type of waterproofing spray, it’s a great choice.
But for us, it’s Nikwax for the main tent and Gear Aid for seams, repairs, and weak spots. Nikwax isn’t going to harm us while we apply it, and it isn’t going to hurt the outdoors we love. Plus, UV protection is so good for the tent’s longevity. But seams are tricky, and Gear Aid is the best for that tough job.