Oregon Hikers

I have a pup tent with no rain fly. I read about applying waterproof spray directly on the tent. Would it be better to leave the tent untreated and use a tarp as a rain fly? I imagine that might make the tent more breathable.

Thanks!

-Ben

welcome

Trinity Alps are good a little further south

external tarp would be more waterproof and breathable. And heavier.

waterproof spray might work, I don't know which. Depends on the fabric too.

just a tarp would be more minimalist, lighter, cheaper

bencollver3 wrote: ↑

May 16th, 2020, 12:59 pm

I have a pup tent with no rain fly. I read about applying waterproof spray directly on the tent. Would it be better to leave the tent untreated and use a tarp as a rain fly?

The spray-on type of waterproofing is not very effective in my experience. Adding a tarp as a rain fly would be better protection in anything resembling real rain. Unless your pup tent provides a bugproof interior (a real advantage!), you might consider leaving the tent home and just using a tarp with a ground sheet as your shelter.

Thank you Aimless and retired jerry for your advice.

I'm not sure it will be breathable if the tarp is laying flatly against the tent fabric. Double wall tents provide a few inches of space between the inner and outer walls.