The Ultimate Waterproof Camping Tent Choosing Guide

Which waterproof camping tent you will take with yourself into the wilderness will be the most important decision of your trip. Even more, the right family camping tent will elevate your free time in the wilderness to the next level. Imagine your wife happy, sitting under the sunshade. Or watching your kids have a peaceful siesta inside your multi room waterproof camping tent during a summer evening rainfall.

Obviously there is no one tent that will suit everybody. However there are certain aspects that make certain products better than others.

For me the best waterproof camping tent must have a combination of the below aspects:

• Manageable weight
• Reasonable set up time
• Good warranty
• Reasonable price
• Adequate waterproofing

In the below table you can see which tents are best for camping in my estimation. I tried to find the products that are unique in a way. If for example you want to find the best 2 person waterproof camping tent, or the best family camping tent, here are my recommended products.

Tent	Unique Selling Point	Waterproof Rating (mm)	Product Link	Weight (lbs/kg)	Capacity	Set Up Time (Minutes)	Warranty
Featherstone	Most Waterproof	5000	Amazon	4.2/2.29	2	6	Lifetime Limited
Naturehike Mongar 2	Best Overall Value	4000	Amazon	4.71/2.13	2	8	1 year
MC Tomount Tent	Low Price But Great Durability	3000	Amazon	5.64/2.56	2	7	1 year
Coleman Cabin Tent	Best Dome Tent	1000	Amazon	20.55/9.32	4-5	4	1 year limited
Night Cat Pop Up Tent	Easiest To Set Up	2000	Amazon	6.61/3	3	2	Does not specify/contact manufacturer
NTK Colorado GT	Best 4 Person Tent	2500	Amazon	8.6lbs /3.9 kg	3-4	7	Does Not Specify
S’more Deeper Camping Tent	Best Multi Room Tent	4000	Amazon	23.8/10.8 kg	6-8	20	1 year limited

Recommended reading: Best 2 Person Waterproof Camping Tents

Best Waterproof Camping Tents

Best Overall Value: Naturehike Mongar 2

I am all for buying premium products. Even though you make a bigger initial investment, you end up being better off over the long run. However in case of camping tents, the Naturehike Mongar 2 is basically a huge loophole! It is the exact same tent as the MSR Hubba Hubba, however for only half the price. Who would not love a deal like that! Basically you get the same quality for less than half the price!

There are three different versions of the Naturehike Mongar 2. 15D, 20D and 210T. They differ in weight, waterproofness and price. You can read here about what are the differences between different Naturehike models.

I have found the Naturehike Mongar 2 to be a very functional 2 person camping tent. It is reasonably easy to set up. The poles are pre-attached in a Y structure and pop into the corners very easily.

Recommended reading: Long Review of the Naturehike Mongar 2

The whole inner tent is made out of mesh. This is great when it comes to ventilation and keeping the air fresh and circulating. However I think the mesh goes too low, and in case of really heavy rains or heavy winds maybe you might feel the cold breeze inside the tent. Still, overall the 4000 mm HH waterproofing is strong enough to defend you even during whole day rainfalls.

It comes with a free ground tarp. This helps with waterproofing and making the tent completely dry. However it adds a little to the set up time. You can always choose to not put it down, but I would argue against this.

Most Waterproof: Featherstone Camping Tent

The Featherstone is a curious case. It has all the qualities of a great backpacking tent. It is lightweight, easy to carry, but also really resistant to the elements. This is exactly why it made the list of the best waterproof camping tents. Needless to say, this is the best tent to camp in the rain.

The 5000 mm HH rating of the rainfly speaks for itself. There are not many tents with this high rating on the market. However there are a lot of great little details that makes it one of the best camping tents. It comes with its own waterproof tarp. The rainfly reached all over the tent, and gives it an aerodynamic shape. The seams are inner facing. Basically the Featherstone is the perfect waterproof camping tent if you plan on camping in difficult wether conditions.

The accessories are great. Just like the Naturehike Mongar 2, it has a pre assembled Y shaped pole structure. I think this makes putting together the tent so much faster. You can just attach the rainfly in a matter of minutes.

You can read a longer review about the Featherstone 2 person camping tent here.

Another great thing about the Featherstone tent is how lightweight it is. Not all of us want to go camping in preexisting campsites, where you can just roll in, take the tent out of your car and everything is done for you. Some of us want to go where no one has gone before! Then we need to carry our own gear, and weight becomes an issue. I recommend using the Featherstone camping tent in those cases as well.

Best Low Price Camping Tent: MC TOMOUNT Camping Tent

We often think that we need to shell out the big bucks in order to get a really great product. But I am here to tell you, that when it comes to camping tents, you can get everything you need for only around $70.

What makes this my preferred value camping tent choice? Well, it does everything at a decent quality. It is durable, it hits the necessary waterproof rating of 3000 mm, it has a great quality bathtub floor, a nice little vestibule. Not to mention it is long enough that even a big fella like me (190 cm) did not touch the walls on either side while laying down. No product gets 4.6 stars after 300 reviews on Amazon for nothing!

I like tents with vestibules. This model has one, you can keep your shoes or dirty stuff in the vestibule. You don’t need to bring it inside the tent.

Who is the MC TOMOUNT Recommended as a camping tent? Basically if you are just getting into camping, or you want to go on a trip with your child, there is no reason to pay more than this for a camping tent.

Recommended reading: MC TOMOUNT camping tent review

This product is guaranteed to keep you dry, give you a comfortable shelter and get the job done.

Fastest To Set Up Camping Tent: Night Cat Pop Up Tent

One of the best qualities of pop up tents is how fast they go up. As the name suggests you just take them out of the carry bag, and they literally pop up! However I wanted to find a product that merges this with durability, comfort and decent waterproofing. The Night Cat pop up tent is exactly this!

The thing with the Night Cat Pop Up Tent is even though it is recommended as a 2 person tent, it can easily give shelter to 3-4 people. It has ‎114″L x 79″W x 48″H dimensions. As you can see that is a very decent internal height, an adult male can easily sit up, move around. As the walls are almost vertical, you actually feel like the space is more than it is. For me a small family with one or even two small children can live inside this tent.

Recommended: Night Cat Pop Up Tent Review

It is really easy to carry. It is not very heavy, with (6.61 lbs/3 kg) weight. The carry bag has a circular shape, and you can actually pop it on your back like a backpack. I would suggest that it is the perfect tent for your kid to carry on a trip.

Best 4 Person Waterproof Camping Tent: NTK Colorado GT

The NTK Colorado GT 3-4 person tent is one of the easiest to sleep in. It is surprisingly spacious, even though you would not think it just by looking at it from photos or from the outside.

Of course this mens that it is little bit on the heavy side, and probably not the best to carry over long distances or as a backpacking tent. However the inner dimensions of ‎82 x 61 x 45 inches is just a little smaller than the Night Cat Pop Up tent. Why should you choose the NTK sometimes even though it is smaller? Well, the durability and stability of the two tents is not comparable.

As with big tents, you always have the question how can you get in and out of them? The NTK has two doors and two vestibules. So even if somebody wakes up during the night, they can easily get out of the tent without disturbing others.

Recommended reading: NTK Colorado GT Review

The poles and stakes are well made. They are nothing extraordinary, basically the usual products you find in most 3 season tents. A waterproof rating of 2500 mm is good enough that it gives you adequate waterproofing in most 3 season situations. No wonder this is one of the best 4 person waterproof camping tent on the market.

Best 6 Person Waterproof Camping Tent: S’more Deeper

When you are going camping with five other people, chances are you will need your separate spaces. As much as I love my family and friends, we can get on each other’s nerves if we need to spend a whole weekend together. It is nice to have your own space sometimes.

This is why I love the S’more Deeper. It has a corridor in the middle, that opens to small rooms on the sides.

The craftsmanship is extraordinarily high level. I always go on and on about the zippers, as with 6 people always pulling them, in my experience they are the first to give way. The reality is that the S’more has durable, well designed zippers on both doors.

As far as ventilation goes, it is one of the biggest positives of the S’more. You can open completely the central corridor, creating a wind tunnel. You have double layer mesh windows on the sides. So you can open them and get more fresh air without bugs getting into your tent.

The tent is surprisingly aerodynamic for its size. With pre-bent poles and an overall dome structure it is guaranteed to stand up to high winds. There are snow skirts on the sides. With a 4000 mm waterproof rating the tent is flirting with 4 season category. But even if it is only raining, the snow skirts protect the seams against the water seeping into the tent.

Best Cabin Camping Tent: Coleman Cabin Tent

If you want to have even more space, you should check out the Coleman Cabin tent. What makes this one special? It combines the huge space of cabin tents created by the vertical walls with a particular ease of set up.

Its inner dimensions are 39.95 x 8.38 x 9.38 inches. Where this tent really shines is how fast you can set it up despite its size.

This one is a blackout camping tent tent. It means the windows are covered to block out the sunlight. I love how I can get a great siesta or rest inside even during the hottest summer days.

On the negative side, it is not really a waterproof tent. It can do an okay job with light downpours thanks to the Coleman WeatherTech System, but it will not protect you against anything more than a light summer rain. The same goes for the pole structure. Even though the poles seem stable, they tend to twist and bend in heavy winds. Not a surprise considering the shape of the tent. It is tall, and has a cube-like shape. Not the most aerodynamic of course.

Another thing I might be looking for in a tent of this size is a front porch. Unfortunately the Coleman doesn’t have one, so you can’t get a great suntanning experience in the shades.

Waterproof Camping Tent Knowledge Base

Are All Camping Tents Waterproof?

No, not all camping tents are waterproof. In my personal experience tents that have at least 3000 mm HH rating are ready to keep you dry during three seasons. Some bloggers count waterproof tents over 1500 mm HH. However I like to be on the safe side when it comes to waterproofing. In case you face a whole day of heavy rain it is best to have that much extra waterproofing going on.

Is 3000 mm waterproof enough for a tent?

Yes, 3000 mm waterproof rating is high enough for a camping tent. This rating signifies a good three season waterproof camping tent. If you expect snow, you need to have a higher rating than this.

Is 1000 mm waterproof enough for a tent?

1000 mm is a lower rating among waterproof tents for camping. This rating is barely water resistant in my book. Meaning you will stay dry in case you are hit with a light summer shower. But don’t expect to stay dry during longer downpours.

Which Is The Best Tent To Camp In The Rain?

The Featherstone camping tent is the most waterproof I have reviewed. It has an excellent 5000 mm HH waterproof rating. The only one that comes close is the Naturehike Mongar 2 20D with 4000 mm waterproof rating.

Why Is My Tent Wet Inside After Rain?

There can be a number of reasons. I would start checking the seams. Similarly look if the rainfly is intact and if it covers the whole tent. Sometimes you don’t need to seam seal the tent again, the explanation is much easier. A common mistake I see is people leave the vestibule of the windows open while it rains. This is exactly why I talk so much about zippers in my reviews. If the zipper gives way, no matter how waterproof the tent is, water will get inside.

Are Blackout Camping Tents Better?

Blackout camping tents are praised for their amazing versatility in various light conditions. They can provide amazing sleep quality, and their versatility is unmatched. They guarantee privacy, and give you a cool shade even during the sunniest summer days.

However, it’s important to remember that these tents aren’t without their flaws. Their best quality is also their worst. They limit natural light during the day. The sun blocking can cause big ventilation issues. The sun blocking also makes these heavier and bulkier products. Simply put, they are amazing camping tents but don’t expect to backpack with them any time soon.

Can The Waterproofing On Camping Tents Be Renewed Or Reinforced Over Time?

Absolutely. I recommend rewaterproofing your camping tent every season. My choice of waterproof spray is the Nikwax. You can find it on Amazon here. You might be interested in how to rewaterproof your tent floor.

Are Waterproof Camping Tents Generally More Expensive Than Regular Camping Tents?

On average in the tent world you end up paying for waterproofness, durability and weight reduction. Let me say that simpler. The lighter your tent is while the waterproofness increases, the more you will end up paying in the end. Yes, waterproof camping tents are more expensive.

Before you go…

If you are looking for larger waterproof camping tents, here is a list of the best large family camping tents. Also some more big camping tents I think can do a great job!