Raining while camping is indeed a fact of life. However, staying dry is a MUST when camping and even more important if you’re trying to prove to not-so-adventuresome family members that camping is indeed FUN.
I was recently provided a sample of KIWI Camp Dry and my past two camping trips provided a perfect field test. I’d like to brag that it was planned, but unfortunately I’m not that smart.
The first part of the field test began over the Memorial Day weekend when my boys and I had a backyard campout using my trusty Kelty Trail Dome 4 tent. This tent won’t let me down, would it? Mother Nature was more than up for the challenge and decided to push my tent’s waterproofability (yep, I made that word up) with a heavy downpour. Any confidence I had in my tent quickly faded when the water began to seep through the seams resulting in a few small puddles. While this wasn’t a ton of water, it was certainly enough that would keep many camping newbies from camping. EVER. AGAIN.
The second part of the field test began the weekend prior to my recent July 4th camping trip. Again I set the tent up in the backyard and sprayed the entire tent with the KIWI Camp Dry, focusing on the seams since they were the prior weak points. I used the majority of the can on the small three to four person tent and let it dry for four hours before I put on a second coat. Next I let it dry for another 24 hours which was the minimum recommended by KIWI.
As luck would have it, old mother nature put KIWI Camp Dry to the test on the second night of our trip. It rained hard for several hours and KIWI Camp Dry passed the test with flying colors. My Kelty tent was now leak free and I was impressed. With a price of just under $10 from Amazon, this product easily saved me hundreds of dollars as well as a lot of frustration.
Needless to say I was very satisfied with KIWI Camp Dry’s performance. It was easy to apply, inexpensive and didn’t make the tent’s fabric stiff. The small downsides are the somewhat long dry time and the strong odor (outdoor application is recommended), but I believe that keeping your gear and family dry far outweighs those small inconveniences.
For more information on this great product, visit their website.
Does this work the same as impregnation? I tried impregnation spray on my tent before which did help to prevent it from getting wet as well.
Marcus
I’ve never heard of this before! I’m going to a festival in September that I have been to for the past 3 years. Every year it has rained, and every year I have a leaky tent! Sounds like the perfect remedy
I have to remember this product for my next tent. Last one was trashed on the way out of the camp site. Tent was at least 10 yrs old . Mother nature really put it to the test and it failed big time.
Great review. I’ve never heard of this before too! But it sounds like the perfect remedy. I will share this to my friends.
Sounds like a great product. Nothing worse than a leaky tent, wet sleeping bag, etc. Too bad this product wasn’t around in my youth camping days, which I remember fondly. Having to sleep in a damp sleeping bag however was NOT a highlight.
I’ve never heard of it. I will have to give it a try. I want my families experience to be fun and not wet and cold.