How to waterproof a tent

October is flying by and temperatures are slowly dropping: the time has come to trade your tent for winter apparel. Thinking of waterproofing your equipment during the changing seasons? Not so fast. Two experts from Latulippe have some advice for you.

After having spent many days under the scorching sun and—unfortunately for you—heavy showers, your tent is undoubtedly in need for some TLC in order to keep you dry next year.

Two waterproofing treatment options are available: spray or liquid (which is spread with a roller or brush). "It's easier to use a spray, but you lose a little bit of product, and it's a little less effective because the product does not penetrate as deeply into the fabric," says Cédric Guinebaud, Supervisor at the Outdoors Department of Latulippe.

Important detail: the tent should be dry enough to prevent moulds from developing during the winter. "Spread the tent nicely and apply the product on the rain fly. In fact, waterproofing protects the material from UV radiation to help it preserve its waterproofing qualities; it doesn't make it more waterproof," he says. It is a matter of preventive maintenance, because these powerful rays damage the tent's fabric and the treatments that were applied to it.

A single treatment in the fall is usually sufficient for a tent normally used—either two or three weeks per year. For those who have spent more than a month outside, "doing another treatment in the spring can't hurt," says the supervisor.

What about jacket waterproofing?

To be ready for winter and its harsh weather conditions, we can sometimes get carried away in an intensive jacket waterproofing session. That is a mistake, according to Étienne Ferland, Buyer at Latulippe. First, because nowadays, clothing design integrates snow and wind protection, and second, because a winter coat doesn't need to be completely waterproof.

"When a garment is 100% waterproof, it does not breathe and too much moisture is kept inside, which we do not want in winter. Besides, melting snow is not like rain. Winter coats usually have the right amount of wind and water resistance," he says.

The treatments we do ourselves are actually water-repellent. They come as reinforcement since the original water-repellent gradually loses its efficiency under the influence of cold, snow, wind and the sun's rays.

If you have doubts that your coat will provide enough protection this winter, you can bring it in-store, where an advisor will tell you if it really needs waterproofing and if the fabric is appropriate for this type of treatment.

If it is indeed the case, Étienne Ferland recommends Nikwax products, namely those destined for outdoors apparel and down or feather-insulated clothes. "They are easy to use: simply put the quantity indicated in the instructions in the washing machine. With sprayab products, we never know if we've put enough," he explains. In addition, Nikwax products will not interfere with the precious breathability. We can even use them on non-waterproof coats, polar fleeces or softshells to improve their water-repelling qualities.

Shortly put, aim for parsimony and precaution. Because according to Mr. Ferland, "We can spoil the initial performance of a garment by adding a waterproof product when it doesn't need one. A treatment every two or three years is more than enough."