Tent Seam Sealing

Nick

-
.
Joined
Aug 9, 2007
Messages
12,949
My new Tensegrity 2 Elite has no sealed seems. Like some other ultralight brands, they leave it to the end user to do where desired on this tent. This will be my first time sealing seems on a tent so I thought I'd post and see what people have to say. Should I do them all or just certain ones? Any special tips or techniques for a great end result? Sealing is done on the inside of seems, right?

Thanks!
 
I sealed the inside seams of the floor and wall of my North Face tent after it leaked under heavy ongoing rain. I could see the water flowing through the seams that join floor/wall.

The rain fly is sealed and does not leak so I didn't worry about it.

I have not tested out the tent in similar conditions but I can say it did not discolor the tent or hurt it in any visible way. It should just leave a thin transparent film on the seam. The applicator totally sucked and forced me to squeeze the bottle to the point the entire top could have popped off and squired it all over my tent. I may just take the applicator thing off next time and use a small paint brush.

Now that it's on my mind again I may dump a few cups of water in the tent and have someone help me lift it up and move the water around to see if it leakes out the bottom (kinda like filling up boots with water to see if they leak).

In short, seal your inner floor and walls. I used the Coleman brand.
 
All tents have different requirements obviously. My Bibler was taped in the inside, but I sealed the outside seams and on the inside where the poles met the floor at the 4 corners (poles are on the inside). I used a whole tube on the four corners if memory serves, spread it around the whole area. It has never leaked, and it's pretty old.
 
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
OldBill Tool for tent comparisons - useable space Gear 0
gnwatts A new tent Gear 8
B 3P Backpacking Tent Recommendation and Nemo Aurora feedback Gear 3
R Pls recommend 4-season 1 person tent Gear 16
westy Rooftop tent General Discussion 3
Wanderlust073 Copper Spur UL1 new shock cord for tent poles Gear 4
B 2P Backpacking Tent Recommendation Gear 13
F Gingerbread tent! General Discussion 4
F Looking for tent recommendations Gear 20
Jackson Big Agnes Tent Durability Gear 11
Rockskipper Car Camping Tent Suggestions Gear 37
P Drippy tent General Discussion 11
Bob New tent on the market Gear 1
JuddOutdoors What is a good backpacking single person tent? 4 Season Gear 14
regehr Jumping Jack tent trailer for sale! Gear Market: Buy, Sell, Trade 2
norwegianxplorer Backpacking Norway in the fog, trying out my new 4 season tent Trip Reports 3
Perry Free Duo Free-standing Tent from Zpacks Gear 10
westy Stuff to let go - pack, tent, jacket Gear Market: Buy, Sell, Trade 0
Perry Drop/Dan Durston XMID Two Person Tent Coming Gear 0
D Trekking poles for lightweight tent Gear 15
Perry Interesting New One Person Tent - Review Video Added Gear 34
Miya Yay! Another Tent and Trail Runners! Gear 8
B Upgrading Big Agnes tent question Gear 10
JackBurns Backpacking tent Gear 6
Miya New tent! New tent! Gear 14
DrNed First Look at Ultralight Tent Gear 23
Nick Going tent-free with bears? General Discussion 9
Uncle_Dim Lightheart Gear Duo 2 Person Tent For Sale Gear 2
N Tent specs Gear 34
H Recommended me a 4 person tent on a budget Gear 13
Perry Sierra Designs High Route 1FL Tent - Looks interesting Gear 6
Tystevens New tent suggestions Gear 12
D light tent, 1P, alps, cheap Gear 3
N Do I need a tent General Discussion 7
Mike Jones Bivy or One Man Tent Gear 25
Dirkules Multi-day hike: questions on tent/food? Gear 19
Outdoors24 Tent help Gear 10
Dustin Gent Big Agnes Shield 2 tent - 1st impression Gear 15
Vegan.Hiker Gear Review Terra Nova Solar Photon 2 Tent Review Gear Reviews 9
Laura How to take glowing tent campsite photos Photography 35
katuah Big Agnes demo tent sale Gear 9
ogg Carbon Fiber Tent Poles Gear 4
natylka Advice on the best light backpacking tent Gear 39
Laura My tent shot is the featured photo for Best of May 2014 Photography 8
Flaminghog2099 Hammock vs. tent camping Gear 24
steve Gear Review REI Quarter Dome T3 tent Gear Reviews 5
andyjaggy Tent footprints Gear 27
Flaminghog2099 Low budget high value backpacking tent? Gear 32
mathew tent stakes? Gear 10
F New to camping and need advice on a backpacking tent General Discussion 24

Similar threads

Back
Top