Weathering an Outwell® Polycotton Tent

If you've bought a new polycotton tent, you should weather it before your first trip. Simply pitch the tent, soak it thoroughly with a garden hose and let it dry. Repeat this 2–3 times. The cotton fibres swell and close the tiny gaps in the fabric, leaving your tent ready for both rain and sunshine.

Why does a polycotton tent need weathering?

Our polycotton tents are made from Outtex® Airtech, a blend of polyester and cotton. The polyester makes the fabric strong and lightweight, while the cotton creates a comfortable living space.

When the cotton gets wet, the fibres swell and close the small gaps between the threads in the weave. This keeps rain out while still letting moisture from inside escape. That's why a polycotton tent has less condensation than a fully synthetic tent, and why it stays cooler in hot weather and warmer when it's cold.

A brand-new polycotton tent has never been wet, so the fibres haven't swelled yet. If you skip weathering, a little water may get through the first time it rains. The same applies if your tent has been in storage for a long time.

How to weather your polycotton tent: step by step

1. Choose a dry day. The tent needs to dry completely between each soaking, so set aside about a day.
2. Pitch the tent fully. Peg it out and attach all the guy lines so the fabric is taut and free of creases.
3. Loosen the guy lines slightly. Polycotton shrinks a little when wet. If the fabric is pulled too tight, it can put strain on the seams and poles.
4. Soak the whole tent with a garden hose. Use plain water on a gentle setting. Cover the roof, the walls and especially the seams. Don't use a pressure washer, soap or cleaning products.
5. Let the tent dry completely.
6. Repeat 2–3 times. Each time, the fibres swell a little more and the fabric becomes tighter.
7. Check for drips. Go inside while the tent is wet and look for any spots where water is getting through, especially along the seams.
8. Re-tension the guy lines once the tent is dry.

Tip: Treat weathering as a practice run. You'll learn to pitch your tent without any pressure, and you can check that all the parts are there before you head off.

Small drips along the seams – is that normal?

Yes. When a tent is sewn, the needle leaves thousands of tiny holes along the seams. In a polycotton tent, almost all of these seal themselves as the thread and fibres swell during weathering.

If a single spot is still dripping after 1–2 soakings, you can seal it with a little seam sealant, such as Outwell Seam Grip. Apply it when the tent is completely dry.

Always dry your polycotton tent fully before packing it away

This is the most important advice for any polycotton tent owner. Cotton that's packed away damp can start to develop mould within a few days. Mould can cause permanent stains and damage the fabric.

• Let the tent dry completely, both after weathering and after a trip in the rain.
• If you have to pack it away wet, pitch it again and let it dry as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours.
• Store your tent somewhere dry and well ventilated, not in a damp shed or garage.

Read more in our guide to tent care and storage.