Spent $400 on a 'waterproof' tent and woke up in a puddle last weekend.

I went camping up near Big Bear last Saturday, figured I'd treat myself to a nicer tent since my old one was falling apart. Saw one online with a high waterproof rating, $400 out the door, looked perfect in the photos. First night it rained hard around 2 AM and water just seeped right through the floor and the seams. My sleeping bag was soaked, gear was wet, had to pack up at 3 AM and drive home. The tent said it had sealed seams but I guess they weren't sealed good enough for real weather. I'm out the money unless I can return it, but the reviews I skimmed before buying didn't mention this problem. Has anyone else dealt with a tent that just flat out lied about being waterproof? What do you look for in the specs that actually means something?

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2 Comments

laurar385mo ago

Check the hydrostatic head rating, not just the word "waterproof." Anything under 2500mm is basically a drizzle shelter. Mostly it's cheap seam tape failing under pressure. Sealed doesn't mean taped right.

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betty_barnes5mo ago

Is a little rain really that big of a deal?

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