This comes out-of-the-box having been preached treated with the waterproofing hydra-shield technology. However, when we say that the tent needs to be "seasoned" we are only referring to the need to spray it down with water when you set it up for the first time. It might seem pointless as you will notice the water simply roll off of the tent. But, rest assured it is working. As the tent begins to dry you will notice that the fibers will shrink only slightly making what might have been a 99.99% waterproof tent 100%. Please do not spray it with any type of chemical. Years down the road if you notice that (and this depends on how often you use the tent whether it is weeks or days each year) it needs to be retreated with a canvas waterproofing tent spray.