What is a good waterproof rating for a tent?

How should you know the tent you are using is going to be waterproof enough? This is where the waterproof rating of the tent can help you. But what is a good waterproof rating for a tent?

Waterproof ratings are measured millimetres. It basically means how many millimetres of water the tent can withstand. Of course the higher the number, the more waterproof the tent is. Some manufacturers might call waterproof ratings watered ratings instead.

Take for example a waterproof rating of 1500 mm. This number means 1500 mm of rain can sit on the tent before it starts leaking.

A good waterproof rating for a tent is 1500-3000 mm waterproof rating for the tent fly. The floor should be thicker, with at least 6000 mm or higher.

In this article we will have the tent waterproof ratings explained. What different tent waterproofing numbers mean? What is the ideal tent waterproof rating for different types of weather, altitudes or camping? We will explain all the different aspects of the tent waterproofing ratings.

What is the best waterproof rating for tents?

A tent starts being considered waterproof if the rating exceeds 1000 mm. Tents below this are considered water resistant but not waterproof.

0-1000 mm	Water resistant tent. 2 season tents are the name of the game.
1000-1500 mm	Lightweight backpacking and 3 season tents. Already waterproof.
1500-5000 mm	These tents are guaranteed to keep you dry except the very worse conditions.
5000 mm+	Extreme waterproofing, specialised tents. If you need to survive a multiple day torrid downfall, these are the tents for you.

The highest waterproof rating for tents is 10 000 mm. However it doesn’t mean you should always go for a tent with this high rating.

The higher the waterproof rating, the heavier and sturdier the material gets. In case you want a lightweight tent, there is really no need to sacrifice any weight for a sturdier, higher waterproof rating tent.

Higher waterproof rated tents are heavier – not great for backpacking – and they tear easier. This is not ideal in heavy winds. The fabric is more prone to tearing.

Dry conditions warrant lower waterproof ratings. You can do a lot to enhance the waterproofness of the tent by applying extra coating yourself, or putting on an extra tarp on top of the tent.

Remember that waterproof rating is only one factor and not a guarantee when it comes to the tent being waterproof. If the seams are not sealed and stitched properly, or if there are small holes in the material you will have problems.

The bottom of tents are rated differently. Why? The bottom of tents are in constant contact with the dirt and grass on the ground. Inevitably the tarp will loose some of its waterproof rating over time. Also as you lay on the ground, the water could leak into the tent through your contact with the ground.

What

How waterproof is a tent?

Tents can go from no waterproofing (0 mm) to withstanding days of torrential downfalls (10 000 mm). Even though manufacturers like to advertise almost all tents as waterproof, the reality is there are levels to this game. The higher the waterproof rating of the tent, the more waterproof it is.

The condition of your tent matters a lot too. Continually making sure there are no holes on the wall, the seams are perfectly sealed will go a long way in making sure your tent is maximally waterproof.

What does a 3000 mm waterproof rating mean?

A waterproof rating 3000 mm means that 3000 mm of water could be sitting on top of the outside of the tent before it starts leaking. Yes, that is 3 meters of liquid. This is a situation that never happens while camping. This waterproof rating is considered strong, very waterproof.

A 3000 mm waterproof rating tent still doesn’t fall on the very heavy side. You are unlikely to find extra lightweight tents in this category, however

Is 3000 mm waterproof good for a tent?

3000 mm waterproof rating is good if you are looking for a relatively light tent that will keep you dry in not too heavy rains. This waterproof rating is a good compromise between sturdiness, waterproofness and still giving you a good waterproofing. As a general rule, a well-made tent with 3000 mm watered rating is going to keep you dry, except extreme conditions.

Is 3000 mm waterproof enough for a tent?

3000 mm waterproofing is enough for a tent except very extreme conditions. A tent with 3000 mm waterhead will keep you dry except very heavy storms or snow. Avoid places where continued rain for days might be normal. In my opinion if you just get caught in a few hours of rain, a waterproof rating of 3000 mm should be plenty enough. Get at least a 5000 mm waterproofed tent for high altitude camping.

What does a 5000 mm waterproof rating mean?

5000 mm waterproofness means the tent will be able to withstand up to 5000 mm of rain sitting on top of it. These tents are the minimum requirement for camping in high altitudes with heavy rain or snow. 5000 mm waterproof rated tents are too heavy for light backpacking. They can be considered an overkill for dry areas. However this rating is the absolute minimum necessary for high altitude camping.

At what point is your tent truly waterproof?

A 2000 mm+ waterproof rated tent already gives you plenty of waterproofing. These tents are able to resist heavy rains.

Lower rated tents than this don’t have the necessary waterproofness to resist more than a light shower.

However keep in mind that even the highest waterproof rated tent can’t be abused all the time and expected to stay completely dry.

Can you increase the waterproof rating of your tent?

No, the tent waterproof rating is a factory assigned number and it is set at manufacturing. However you can improve the water resistance of the tent.

Simply sealing the seams and adding a waterproof coating to the tent. A simpler method would be to lay a waterproof tarp over the tent.