Good tents and rain flies are designed with few as few seams as possible to avoid leaking. However, since virtually any seam can allow water to enter, each and every critical seam must be sealed. There are several seam sealers on the market, but the product is not as important as proper application. Good tents and rain flies are designed with as few seams as possible to avoid leaking. However, since virtually any seam can allow water to enter, each and every critical seam must be sealed.
Most new tents arrive with either factory taped seams or regular unsealed seams.
You'll be able to recognize factory sealed seams by a material tape glued to the seams. If your seams are taped you don't need to apply a seam sealer. On the other hand, if your tent seams are of the untaped variety, you'll need to apply an after-market seam sealer. There are several seam sealers on the market, but the product is not as important as proper application. If you decide to use seam sealer, you'll need to apply two coats to both sides of the seams, waiting until the sealer dries between each coat.