How important is water-resistant camping equipment? Harsher weather conditions dictate the equipment necessary to bring with you when headed out for an adventure, and you definitely don’t want to get caught out in heavy rain without adequate protection. Therefore, when camping in the rain, waterproof outdoor gear is an absolute must that should make the list of any resolute camper. For an in-depth dive into waterproofing your outdoor gear, read the rest of this blog post.
When Is Water-Resistant Camping Equipment Necessary?
Many people don’t get what makes camping so exhilarating – they’re simply puzzled by the practice of making your own life more difficult for a while, stripping yourself of everyday convenience to spend a while taking in the natural sights.
And while there is undeniable beauty awaiting to be discovered in many corners of the United States, going in without adequate preparation and weather protection could quickly make your trip take a turn for the terrible, or even force you to cancel it outright. Simply put, waking up in a puddle of muddy water because of a leaky tent or losing all your food because it got soaking wet isn’t what you want.
Therefore, whenever you plan a camping trip, be it a solo outing or a family-friendly outdoor adventure, taking a few extra steps to be ready for rainy weather could save your skin. Getting water-resistant camping gear is the number one fall hiking tip, especially if you live in an area with heavy downpours right around that time of year.
Which Waterproofing Outdoor Gear Do I Need?
Once you’ve identified what camping gear you need, if rain is on the forecast, these are the items you definitely need to make sure are at least somewhat water resistant:
- Hiking boots: The choice of hiking footwear is imperative since what you wear on your feet isolates you from the cold and wet ground. In rainy weather conditions, you’ll want boots made out of high-quality material that offer stability without letting in any water or moisture.
- Tent: If you plan on staying the night outdoors and are expecting rain, a tent waterhead rating of at least 2000 should allow you to stay dry for at least a few consecutive days of moderate precipitation. Of course, how you set up your campsite in the first place also matters, so make sure you’ve adequately deployed your tent and properly assembled the rain fly.
- Sleeping arrangements:
- Food containers: You cannot survive without food, so do your best to insulate it from water. Store your supplies in properly sealed waterproof containers and, for added safety, keep them out of the rain and above ground-level.
- Outerwear: Wear durable waterproof jackets and bottoms to stay dry throughout the trip. If you need to stock up on some essentials, we have both men’s waterproof clothes and women’s waterproof hiking gear as well.
- Backpack: Lastly, whatever you bring along with you needs to stay dry in transit before you get to your campsite. A waterproof backpack that can hold back torrential downpours will save you when the going gets really tough.
How to Waterproof Gear: The DIY Option
Planning on camping in the rain for the first time, but don’t have all the necessities? Don’t worry, you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to buy an entirely new set of gear just for the waterproofing.
In a lot of cases, a good tent sealer and DWR (durable water repellency) spray or wax can sort you out in a pinch. These DIY methods require far less investment than buying new equipment and, if utilized properly, can be very effective at keeping you and your belongings safe from moisture.
To properly waterproof your tent, look for the seams where the individual sides of tent fabric meet (they’re easy to spot, just look for stitching). Clean them, apply the sealant evenly on both sides and let dry. Then, test it out with a water hose or a bucket to check if the sealing was effective and/or identify leaks.
Applying a DWR coating to something like your hiking boots is similar. First, clean the item, let it dry completely, and then apply an even coating of the wax or spray, focusing on the parts most likely to be in contact with the water. Again, let the coating dry before using, and you’re ready to take it for a spin. However, remember that DWR coating wears off, so you’ll need to periodically reapply your waterproofing.
The Takeaway
Hiking and camping in the rain require sufficient preparation against the elements. Without taking the proper steps, you run the risk of yourself or your items becoming wet or even completely unusable due to water exposure. Fortunately, these days, we have access to so many hiking tech gadgets to make our lives easier that waterproofing outdoor gear yourself is almost as easy as buying a brand-new set with out-of-the-box water resistance.
You may also read: Winter Camping Guide: Staying Warm and Safe in the Cold