Help, I’m looking for proven methods to waterproof and save my favourite tent, so if you’ve had a similar problem and have a guaranteed fix I’d love to hear from you.
My tent is a Sierra Designs Clip Lightyear. I used this tent on my AT hike last year and slept in it around 100 nights, so it has much sentimental value. I have really looked after this tent and it still looks like new (I always used a ground sheet to protect the tent floor).
However, this last weekend I went hiking and it rained solidly overnight and I basically got washed out. The lower part of my sleeping bag was soaked from water dropping on it from the fly above, plus the floor of the tent was soaked inside. I do intend to seam seal the floor but I suspect that the water actually came in through the floor rather than through the seams, which are somewhat above ground level, so I don’t think that seam sealing will fix the problem
I assume that because the tent was removed and stuffed into the stuff sack so many times that perhaps the waterproof qualities of the material have impacted.
I’m sure lots there are lots of hikers out there with more experience than me who will know first hand which products work and which don’t.
Of course if there’s no saving my tent then I’ll buy a new one, but it seems such a waste when it still looks to be in great condition.
Thanks all.