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Someone posted on another forum asking for advice etc.

They're thinking of getting a gelert Meridian 10 beyond tent.

Lots of useful advice, but one person said to make sure they waterproofed the tent first??

I replied a brand new tent shouldn't need water proofing, which is correct is it not?

Yes.

Cheers.

thanks survivors

The other person reckon I was wrong to suggest a brand new tent shouldn't need waterproofing.

they replied to my comment about not waterproofing with...

Actually I disagree.....the repellent applied in the factory is normally pretty superficial and the outer fabric will wet within minutes a light shower.

This will not cause leaking but it will cause additional condensation.

In addition it would be wise to apply a UV protector anyway (as per the freebie product I linked to)......although this might not be appropriate in the UK at the moment

Dragon5551

yep agree about weathering a cotton tent, but weathering is different to waterproofing. And the tent in question isn't a cotton tent.

But thanks for the replies as his response kinda made me doubt myself.

Hi Shelli,

Just ask him that if the waterproofing was superficial why do the manufacturers fall over themselves at times to come up with increased hydrostatic head measurements accross thier ranges. Outwell currently sell tents with 3,000 4,000 5,000 and 6,000 hydrostatic head - by no meanms a superficial waterproofing.

In the quote given he admits that it will not cause leaking - is that not waterproof?

Condensation forms as the fabric is waterproof and for a polyester tent not at all breathable. Thus air\water vapour cannot pass through it. When the moisture laden air inside a tent hits the flysheet which is colder it then causes condensation. I can't see how any application of waterproofing can prevent the formation of condensation.

I would suggest you don't give any second thoughts to his advice.

Cheers

My Meridian 10 has NEVER leaked, even in the firecest rainstorms.

As others have suggested, I think perhaps your "advisor" has a product to sell!

We had a torrential 26 hour down pour on the Rivera last year and we had `sprinkles` come through our Icarus 500,but we laughed about it because it was horendous weather and we were safe and comparatively dry in comparison with others on the site.

Bob