Rainfly For Tent Explained and Where To Buy

The main reason why a lot of people choose to do camping in summer and not in winter is because of the great weather. With the clear sky and hot sun during the day, there is a higher chance of witnessing the majestic night sky. When the ground is dry and the weather is hot, it is more fun to explore the wild. It is also easy to set up the tent, tables, chairs, and outdoor mini kitchen when the ground is dry. When the surrounding is dry, no moisture will build up inside the tent that can damage your belongings.

However, the weather is unpredictable. Even weather apps cannot accurately predict rain. If you camp during the spring or fall, then expect that rain will come to visit you while you enjoy your camping day. Tents can fully protect you from the heat of the sun, however, they cannot provide full protection from the rain. Tents in the market are not completely waterproof. Water can get inside the tent, thus soaking all your items. This is especially the case when heavy rain suddenly pours in. To avoid this disaster, rain flies are invented. What are they? And do you need one? We bring you rainfly for tent explained and where to buy.

Benefits of Installing Rain Fly

A rain fly is a camping essential. You cannot find an experienced camper that doesn’t have a rain fly installed over their camping tent. The tent must always be partnered with a rainfly. Why is it the case? Why do you need to spend another dollar for a rainfly? A rain fly is mainly for the rainy season or when you are expecting rainfall during your camping trip. But it is much better to always be prepared and bring one every camping trip. Think of it as the raincoat or umbrella of your camping tent. It adds another layer of fabric which is fully waterproof. This way no water can get inside the tent. It will make sure that your belongings stay dry even under heavy rainfall.

When water can’t get inside your tent, no moisture will build up. This will help you prevent mold that can damage your tent. Rain flies don’t weigh that much. It will not add weight to your backpack. Aside from keeping out the rain inside the tent, rain fly also add insulation to your tent. This way, you also stay warm under the heavy rain. It will also protect your tent from any debris that can cut it. When the sun is up, it will protect your tent from UV rays which can speed up the wear and tear of your tent. The rain fly also adds stability to your tent since it’s an added weight that presses down your tent. This way, even if the wind blows your tent will remain in place.

Rain Fly Fabric Material

Rain flies can vary according to the type of material used to construct them. The most popular fabric material used to construct rain flies is polyester. This fabric material does not absorb water and dries quickly. Polyester does not weigh that much, even if it gets wet. This is why you can mostly find rain flies that are made of polyester. Just one downside of them is that they can be a bit pricey. Nylon is also used for rain flies. However, nylon expands when it absorbs water. This is why most manufacturers don’t go with them. The next option can be a rainfly made of PVC. This is a tough one as it does not allow even a drop of water or moisture inside the tent. It also offers more protection. Other fabric materials used for rain fly include cotton, poly-cotton, and cuben fiber.

Types of Rain Fly

The rain fly has developed a lot throughout the years. In the market, you can find different types of the rain fly. Think of the things you want for a rainfly to have and more likely you can find one that meets all your demand. That is how many rain flies there are in the market. Most of the rain flies that you can find on the market are full coverage ones. This performs well in situations like heavy downpours and strong winds. The full coverage rain fly also does not allow any water to get inside the tent even if it’s a heavy downpour. You can also find a half-coverage rainfly. This only covers the sleeping area of your tent. It ensures that you still sleep soundly and dry inside the tent. This is much cheaper and easy to install. Wind can still get inside the tent as the half-coverage rain fly does not reach up to the ground. This is best when you camp in warmer places and you only expect a short rainfall or a rain shower.

There are also built-in rain fly and removable ones. Built-in are those that come with your tent. They are ready to use and do not need to be installed anymore. The only downside of this is that you cannot remove them to cool your tent. Removable rain flies are the best when you only expect rainfall once or if it doesn’t rain that much in your camping area. Since you can remove it, this rain fly will give you a much cooler resting area when the night sky is clearer.

Where to Buy a Rain Fly

There are camping tents that already come with a rain fly. One advantage of this is that you are already assured that the rain fly is compatible with your tent. You won’t have problems installing it. But most of the tents on the market do not come with a built-in or a free rain fly. You will have to look for one yourself. Where to look? This should not come difficult for you at all. You can find a lot of them on Amazon. You can also search at Walmart or at the company where you got your tent from.

1. Amazon

There are tons of rain fly available on AMAZON (https://www.amazon.com/s?k=rain+fly&crid=UL75V463O4Z4&sprefix=rain+fly%2Caps%2C474&ref=nb_sb_noss_1). You can even find one that is a better suit to your camping tents like one that is of the same model, brand, and company. You can find branded ones on Amazon if you want to be assured of their quality. Amazon also offers discounts and free shipping from time to time. They are available in different sizes like 8 feet up to 15 feet. They are also available in different colors.

2. Walmart

You can also find rain fly for tents at WALMART (https://www.walmart.com/search?q=Rain+fly+for+tent). If you have coupons or gift cards at Walmart, now is the right time to use them. The cheapest rain fly you can find on Walmart cost $20. You can also choose from different colors and sizes. There are packages or kits that not only include the rain fly but all materials that you will need to set it up easily a d quickly. Some brands offer a warranty like when the rain fly gets damaged, you will be able to return it.

3. Manufacturer Website

The easiest way to find a suitable rain fly for your camping tent is to search the manufacturer on Google and see if they also offer a rain fly. Often for a tent that doesn’t come with a built-in rain fly, you have to buy them separately. One remarkable rainfly for tents comes from COLEMAN (https://www.coleman.com/tents-canopies/accessories-parts/4-person-instant-tent-rainfly-accessory/SAP_2000010327.html). You can find the product on Amazon but you can also purchase it directly from the manufacturer.