It’s sometimes referred to as a fly tent , which is basically a sheet of material hanged by ropes and without a body. Do you need a tent rainfly? When looking for the right rain fly same as with a poncho for rain, you want something that’s fully resistant to water. You can choose from either silnylon, polyethylene, polyester, cuben fiber, or nylon coated with PU. Setup Too much exposure to sunlight can damage your rain fly over time. Some rain flies come with UV-resistant coatings, but if yours doesn’t, consider using a UV protection spray to prolong its life.

Also, some people hang a tarp next to the tent to create additional shade, much like having a covered front porch for a house. It’s not only nice for humans, but pets appreciate the extra shade too. Lastly, a rain fly is substantially cheaper to replace than buying an entirely new tent. Far better to let the rain fly, be battered by flying debris, bleached by the sun, and hammered by the rain than your expensive tent.No, two rain flies are rarely a good idea. If you have a rainfly that doesn’t cover your tent well, use a tarp suspended well above your tent for an added layer of protection. Ideally, you want a large rainfly covering most of your tent. If you’re wondering why part-covering rain flies even exist, it’s because it has something to do with ventilation. It may take a little practice to get it perfect, but soon you’ll be a rain fly setup pro. Maintenance Tips: Ensuring the Longevity of Your Rain Fly

In general, I prefer the consistency of a full-coverage rain fly and highly suggest using a rain fly over a tarp if one is available to you.For full-coverage rain flies, you’ll want to make sure that all vents, roll-up sections, and doors are closed and sealed to keep the rain out of the tent interior.

The Snugpak Pro Force All Weather Shelter is designed by military veterans and outdoorsmen to protect you all year round. There are plenty of attachment loops, including three down the spine, to make sure whatever kind of shelter you build, you can always have a taught roof. A cool feature about this tarp is that it has poppers down the side to transform it into a bivvy bag in a survival situation. When you’re out on the trail, tears can happen. It’s best to fix rips or holes as soon as possible, so that you don’t risk water leaking into your tent by accident. It is best to store the rainfly with your tent in a spot where it won’t get too hot. You also want to keep it away from moisture, encouraging mold. Yes, in an emergency, you can use a tarp as a makeshift rainfly if necessary; ensure it’s secured tightly enough over your tent to keep water out. 10. Should I Buy a High-End Rainfly, or Will a Cheaper One Suffice? – FAQs

What Causes a Tent to Lose its Waterproofness?

Rainflies prevent most of these undesirable elements from entering your tent. When to Use a Rainfly– The Purpose of a Rainfly You need a rain fly for most camping adventures. Even the best-weatherproofed tents depend on the rain fly for the system to work. There is one time I absolutely recommend that you ditch the rain fly, and that’s on a clear night with high visibility. If you know that unfavorable weather conditions are on the way, make sure that your rain fly is secured to the tent and staked down. We now live in a hot and dry climate, so we don’t keep our tent in the attic. We aren’t worried about mold but the tent integrity breaking down in our hot attic.