Tips for Backpacking in the Rain

Coming from Scotland, where it rains more often than not, I totally agree with these tips. I'd also add that when packing the inner tent make sure to fold it in on itself so the groundsheet is on the outside and when you come to unroll it for the next camp the inner walls stay mud free. A tent footprint can also help a lot to protect the inner when you expect rain and sometimes they even cover the vestibule too(although I fold them that area up at night to stop the water running in on top of it).

Bring a 3-man tent for 2 people so you have room inside. Bring an extra tarp to enlarge the vestibule.

You mentioned sharing a tent. If I'm hiking with a friend should we share a tent or have our own?

What do you do to go to the bathroom in the rain

I have a silpoly tent now and would 100% recommend this over a nylon based tent for wet conditions. Silpoly has much less sagging when the tent gets wet.

If rain was forecast, I would be looking to pitch my tent on grass if possible and NOT on the dirt (road/trail) which will get muddy, and make it difficult to not bring mud into my tent (living space). The location this tent is pitched would be an example of what not to do with the puddle forming outside the vestibule providing a second lesson in what not to do.
This video does make the valid point that getting mud on your boots and tent is not the end of the world, (as long as you can stay warm and maintain your body temperature).

You learn this real quick on the pct in September lol

How is touching the inside of the tent letting water get inside?? If it’s waterproof how is is coming inside?

Very good info. Don't worry, you won't tear the tent. Thanks.

What water protectant spray would you recommend for a North Face Wawona 8 tent? I purchased some atsko and Scotchgard but figured I’d get your opinion. Is it even necessary for the first use?

Excellent video. Thank you.

Got home once, forgot the tent was wet. Next time I used it, it was mouldy and the inner crumbled. Even if its not wet, air everything and wash your clothes.

Thanks Bruh! Dam you look like Aaron Rogers 🏈

Thank you for not being an advertisement for certain gear 🙏 and actually giving tips on how to stay dry ^-^ bless

That was extremely helpful!

10/10 Video. Appreciate all the effort and tips put into it. Keep going, get after it!

Not exactly LNT

I love hiking and backpacking but when it rains life is miserable

My wife asked from the other room hearing your voice "Is that Dan"?
Yeah baby, all outdoor guys are Dan Becker.

Great video! Im a hammock camper but theres a trick that works with both tents and hammocks. If youre in a wooded area take some branches/sticks and make a small platform to put your gear on. It can keep your gear off the ground and dry and works in a vestibule or under a rain fly.

Netflix can be quite enjoyable sometimes but I take your point

Good information just in time as I head east into rain to escape my Sierra snowpack aka, everything closed. I am also bringing extra stakes. Thanks.

Aaron Rodgers????

As a young teen, My friend and I would go camping in the woods. I had an old umbrella canvas 4 man tent that weighed about 40lbs.When it would rain, the canvas would get saturated and if you even touched the inside walls, it would start dripping thru. Oh the fun that was! lol...

I like how you talk about how these thing can happen because they can! You reminded me when my dad & I had our tent leaking on the floor & parts of the fly. Because we had been getting into some serious kayaking trips we forgot to “unpack” one of the natural sponges. It was a perfect thing to soak up water then ring it out. We always brought it on future trips just incase. A natural sponge takes up space but weighs nothing!

Just to note that digging a trench is not allowed in some places, e.g. some State Forest campgrounds here in Victoria.

Yea know mud is something that does keep me home instead of out hiking. But you are right! It will dry and just turn into dirt dust. I have almost all of my gear and I've tested them in the wet fall and early winter snow in my back yard. I already found some great short loops and longer thruhikes near me to cut into sections. All I need is to pack my food and put one foot in front of the other! Thanks for that last little nudge off the couch and out the door.

What about resetting your tent on the grass? To avoid the puddles of mud

I am a Boy Scout and I love to camp, but not in the rain because I don’t like the rain at all. I also am from Wisconsin, but now I live in East Tennessee.

Couple of additional tips; do not set up tent on a nice flat dry river bed and get washed away when the downpour starts, furthermore don’t let send/ mud get on your telescopic tent poles, and lastly as a former Marine, I don’t get it that poncho’s hardly ever get mentioned in any of these vids. Tx for the video, happy trekking rain or shine 👊🏻

I always tie 2-3 paracord lines in parallel to each other on the tent poles, creating a ladder like effect on the non-door sides. Helps prevent the walls touching with rain related sagging. An extra step, sure, but well worth being dry inside.

Very informative. Thank you. Do You have some tips for drying out any important clothes that got wet when the rain doesn't let up?

This is my 8th video on the topic, I’ve done a lot of camping in the rain but now i’m in Central America where there’s real pouring so I was looking for more advice.
This guy is the only from the 7th previous videos to give actual solid advice I collected over the years, is such a disappointment that this content creators only care about pushing brands and have no clue what they’re talking about.
Thanks sir, definitely subbed

When did trenching become advisable? My jaw dropped......

We get over 200" of rain a year here in Southeast Alaska, carrying a small tarp and a mil poncho/tarp are worth their weight. Also a tent with a fly 1st design is a game changer.

Thank you. This was extremely helpful and inspiring.

I carry a very small packable lightweight tarp that I can wrap my bag in and on in the vestibule. Works great. Keeps it all clean and dry. I also bring a plastic bag that I can put my boots in to keep them dry and cleanish as well.

For rainy conditions, all to common in the PNW, we carry tarps to create or maintain dry spots to work under. UCO candle lanterns are great for warming the inside of your tent, reducing condensation, and can help to dry out damp clothing. If you can get a fire going that is better for drying boots and socks, just watch them…I’ve had camp mates melt parts of their boots. Before leaving on a trip where rain is expected, make sure you have enough tent stakes to cover all the tie-outs on your rain fly.

🏞️

I second the tarp idea, I have a Hilleberg tarp 5 that weighs 300g
I don’t ever have to pack a wet tent, i prop the front with trekking poles and peg in the back over the top of the tent or fasten it to trees, perfect vestibule extension and keep boots etc outside.
I use the tarp when cooking a meal at lunchtime if it’s raining or just resting under cover

Great and very useful and inspiring video. Many thanks and peace!

what about a trashbag for the backpack or the boots? it is recomendable?
Thanks for tips!

I look at direction of where the rain is coming and where the wind is going when I set up a tent. Nothing worse than opening your tent and it's coming right at you. Just know where it's coming from and put your back to it

Great video! Loved it! But I wish you would have talked about lightning

Too many things to account for. If you expect rain, and you expect trees, bring a hammock with built in bug net and rainfly.

A breath of fresh air video. Well done.

From a old person always bring one garbage bad bigger than your pack and one half that size and one that fits your boot 100% to protect the pack and your muddy gear you have on for ......... A old jungle Explorer I put my pack in one bag and boots another and tie both tougher with a line to me when in dug out canoes thay sink all the time and your gear will float ( use over sized bags ) and you know have a raft to make it safely to the shore 🙏. ps I Tarp / Hammock camp As much as possible. 2 or 3 trash bags are worth the Lbs to me to keep my gear safe. You're a mileage may very 60+ Wisdom from Desert to the arctic to jungles. And yes I have learned the hard way in the past. K.I.S.S and Gorilla proof and if I need to carry the extra weight to be safe I will as I am out for 6 to 12 months at a time so there is no rescue if my skills / gear / body fails. Just get out and enjoy life in nature to your own personal level Joy. Hugs to all from this old lady! 🤗🤗

Such. A. Good. Video!

I believe that water isnt working it's way in the tent rather cause it's raining outer wall of tent is cold and i side is warm so condensation is forming on outer wall and when you touch walls together that moisture rather than dripping down from outer wall to ground will be able to drip in the tent... Though gear could also leak I guess