Found out my old tent fabric loses half its waterproofing after 5 years, even stored in a closet

I was reading a report from a gear testing lab in Colorado, the kind that puts stuff through crazy weather simulators. They said the PU coating on most basic tent rainflies breaks down over time just from air exposure, not just sun or use. They tested a bunch of tents and found a big drop in waterproof rating after about five years, even for gear stored dry. I checked my own 6-year-old two-person tent from a big box store, and sure enough, water started beading way slower than it used to. It makes me think we should talk more about gear lifespan, not just initial reviews. Is it better to buy a cheaper tent and plan to replace it, or spend a lot more on a fancy fabric that might last longer? What's your take on when a tent is truly done?

2 comments

2 Comments

hannah_williams1mo ago

Totally believe that about fabric breaking down just sitting there. Reminds me of my old rain jacket that turned into a sponge after a few years in the closet. It was fine one season, then the next time I got caught in a downpour I was soaked through in minutes. Felt like I was just wearing a sweatshirt. Makes you wonder about all the gear we think is safe just because it's not being used. Maybe we should all be doing a quick water test in the sink before every camping season.

xenarobinson1mo ago

My 2016 tent failed the sink test HARD last spring.