How To Camp In The Rain

It seems like a minor problem: rain. If there is one thing that cannot be controlled, it’s the weather. If you spend enough time camping, odds are you will eventually get rained on. “A little rain never hurt anyone!” Sure, this is what everyone thinks. However, Mother Nature has to be respected and, in some instances, revered. The fact is, what starts out as “a little rain” can eventually manifest into a big problem if proper measures aren’t taken. In this article, we will be exploring the issue of rain while camping and what to do when it rains while you are camping.

What Are The Dangers Of Rain While Camping?

The first thing you have to realize is that rain can be a real problem for campers. This doesn’t mean that you have to cancel your camping trip just because there is a little precipitation in the forecast. All we are saying is that you have to understand the dangers that rain can impose on you. Whenever you underestimate nature, you expose yourself to risks that can really detrimental to your wellbeing.

Perhaps the most immediate threat that rain can inflict upon campers is hypothermia. As a brief refresher, hypothermia is a condition that occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can generate it. Technically, you are considered hypothermic when your body temperature has drifted below 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Many people underestimate this as a potential threat while camping but the fact is that it is a real problem when rain is in the air. What people don’t realize is that hypothermia can occur at temperatures as high as 50 degrees Fahrenheit when certain environmental conditions are in effect. One of which is rain. When people get wet, their bodies are compromised in terms of their ability to efficiently retain body heat. The moisture itself really isn’t a problem unless it’s a steady pour. This means that a brief shower won’t be the cause of your demise, but a steady downpour directly onto your body can lower the surface temperature of your skin. This, in turn, makes it more difficult to retain body heat and can ultimately lead to hypothermia.

Once you’ve gotten out of direct exposure to the rain, you aren’t safe yet. Perhaps the more threatening aspect of rain isn’t just the moisture itself on your body, it’s actually the evaporation of that moisture. When the water evaporates off your skin, it actually creates a cooling effect similar to sweat evaporating on a hot day. However, if you are in milder climates and water is evaporating off of your skin it can leave your body in a hyper-cooled state that can lead to hypothermia. This is even more applicable in instances where your clothing is soaked by rainwater. Wet clothing holds the water against your skin for a much longer period of time and thus leaves you exposed to continuous evaporation for a longer period of time. With this continued exposure comes a greater risk for over-cooling and, eventually, hypothermia.

The risk of hypothermia from rain exposure increases with other environmental factors as well. Namely, wind exposure and sunlight (or lack thereof). The faster the wind is blowing, the more rapidly the water on your skin can evaporate which means that your body is subjected to more rapid cooling. This can ultimately lead to a greater risk of hypothermia while camping. Additionally, there is never any promise that a rain shower will be immediately followed by warm sunlight. Cloud cover can limit the warming effects of the sun and, of course, there is always the inevitability of nightfall. If you find yourself in a situation where you have been soaked by rainfall and noticeable winds or limited sunlight are imminent, you need to understand that you are at a real risk of hypothermia. These conditions should not be taken lightly (1).

Another real danger of rain while camping is a runoff in the form of mud and debris that can unexpectedly occur and, quite literally, wash you away. We aren’t talking about a flash flood necessarily (although this should also be considered), we are referring more to moderate to sever slides in the surrounding terrain that can happen when water is prevalent. Consider a scenario where you have set up your campsite at the base of a hill or in a valley of some sort. With heavy rain comes a rush of water that can be funneled directly at your campsite. When this happens, water and mud and debris can wash away your tent and your supplies or simply leave them irreparably damaged. This can result in a shorted camping trip (best case scenario) or genuinely threaten your survival (worst-case scenario).

If you plan to camp at lower elevations, next to sloped terrains or hills or anywhere where water could travel your way, you need to be cognizant of the weather. It also doesn’t hurt to be aware of surrounding bodies of water that could potentially overflow during a shower. If you are at a lower elevation from the water body, an unexpected overflow could lead to a temporary river that could wash away all of your supplies or even physically harm you in more extreme scenarios. If at all possible, campsites should be selected at higher elevations to avoid dangerous water runoff.

How To Camp In The Rain

Now that you are aware of the real risks that rain can impose upon a camper, let’s discuss the various ways you can combat rain while camping.

One of the essential items that you will need is a reliable tarp. Many people jump right into purchasing a tent and although this is an inevitable purchase for a camping trip, it doesn’t need to be the first thing you buy. A tarp can serve a multitude of functions on a camping trip. The obvious use is to suspend the tarp over your tent via some string and a few adjacent trees. This will add an added layer of protection against rain that could otherwise seep into your tent from unknown holes.

Additionally, it is considered wise to put a tarp underneath your tent as well. This adds a barrier of protection against mud and moisture that can collect beneath your tent during rain showers. It is important to note that the floors of tents are often thin. It is often assumed by tent manufacturers that you will be placing a sleeping bag and/or an air mattress on the floor of a tent, upon which you will actually sleep. While this might be true, it is important to remember that moisture can be felt through the fabric of your tent. If water comes into direct contact with the floor of your tent, it may not leak through but you will definitely be able to detect the moister when you touch the floor. Also, the ground can become increasingly cold after the sun goes down. A tarp can add a protective layer of insulation to protect a camper against hypothermia.

Once you’ve obtained suitable tarps for above and below your tent, you need to consider a sturdy tent to protect you from the rain. When selecting a tent to take on the rain, there are a few things to consider. One of the first things to note is the tent’s shape. When you close your eyes and picture a tent, you probably imagine a four-sided structure with a pointed roof. The thing to consider when assessing the shape of a potential tent purchase is where are the locations where water can pool and potentially leak. Whenever you have a tent with dips in the fabric that lines the roof of the structure, you have a potential spot where rainwater can collect. Over time, exposure to the elements can cause the fabric to dry rot and become weak. Additionally, general handling of the tent can result in tears or holes in the fabric. If the fabric becomes torn in a spot where water accumulates, this can result in an unwanted waterspout in your otherwise comfy quarters.

For this reason, a dome-shaped tent is considered superior for taking on wetter campsites. The rounded tops on these structures are ideal for allowing rain to run off the tent without collecting. One compromise here is overall headspace. Generally, you will lose some of your ability to stand up completely in dome-shaped tents. However, the benefits greatly outweigh the detriments in the long run.

What are the best tents for camping in the rain?

When it comes to a true dome-shaped tent, you can’t go wrong with the Coleman Sundome (Amazon ASIN: B019N9W6EQ). Made from strong polyester, this tent comfortably houses three people. Built for simplicity, the tent can be assembled in ten minutes. To top it all off, this tent is extremely affordable.

Another fantastic dome-style tent is the Hewolf Camping Tent (Amazon ASIN: B07BV9DR5N). This tent can literally be set up in seconds just by lifting the top of the tent. Made from durable polyester, this dwelling offers both UV protection up to SPF 30 as well as waterproof protection from even the most torrential downpour. This tent offers another affordable form of shelter for anyone expecting rain on their camping trip.

What Clothing To Bring On Your Camping Trip To Stay Dry

Boots –

Probably the most neglected thing when preparing your camping wardrobe is our feet. Far too often do we get caught up with what to wear on the rest of our bodies that we forget about our feet. Determining how many pairs of shorts and/or pants to bring is only part of the challenge with planning your camping trip. You have to prepare for inclement weather that can be detrimental to your feet. This is why a good set of boots should be at the top of your list of items to bring while camping.

To put it simply, wet feet lead to discomfort, injury and possibly infection. If your feet remain wet within your shoe for too long, it can lead to itchy foot fungus that can seriously compromise the comfort level of your camping trip. Additionally, wet feet have a tendency to rub the lining of your shoe in a way that, if left unchecked, can result in blisters. Furthermore, blisters can result in entryways into your body for bacteria. This means that your wet feet can result in serious risk to infections. This is why you must make it a priority to have the correct footwear to keep your feet dry when camping.

What are the best boots for camping in the rain?

When selecting a good boot for battling wet camping environments, you need to research the structure of the boot itself. Many boot manufacturers will claim that their boot is waterproof when they really mean that it is simply constructed from waterproof material. The material is meaningless of the design of the boot has spaces that allow the inward flow of water. Look for a boot with a good rubber sole. Additionally, many higher quality waterproof boots will have a built-in membrane to protect your foot against water. You should also read the customer reviews on a particular product before you purchase. As with many things, an unbiased opinion can usually be found in the form of a fellow customer.

Our pick for the best boot for camping in the rain is the Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX Backpacking Boot (Amazon ASIN: B01MFGITGJ ). When it comes to waterproof durability, there is nothing quite like it. The boot has a sturdy rubber sole and GORE-TEX membranes that provide the utmost protection against wet environments. If you expect any form of moisture while camping, you will need a pair of these on standby to make it through your trip.

Protective Clothing –

Now that you have protected your feet with a solid pair of waterproof boots, you need to consider how you will keep moisture off your body. Let’s face it, you can’t simply stay in your tent the entire camping trip. What would be the point of going camping at all? You should just head home if you aren’t going to enjoy nature and a little bit of rain should stop you from enjoying nature. This is why you are going to need some protective raingear.

Adequate raingear can come in a variety of garments. Waterproof rain jackets are a must for keeping dry while camping. These are a preferable barrier against the rain because, in addition to serving as a barrier against moister, a jacket’s warm inner lining can be a comfortable way to stay warm against a stiff breeze or even colder temperatures. In fact, many people opt to pack matching pants for full-body protection against the rain and wind.

If a rain suit or a rain jacket doesn’t interest you, you can’t go wrong with a good old-fashioned poncho. These little rain barriers have a certain degree of convenience in that they fold up and are stored in small bags that won’t take up much room in your camping backpack. However, there is a compromise with a poncho in that many ponchos lack a warm inner lining. This means that they won’t be as efficient with keeping you warm as you could expect to see with a jacket or rain suit. Just be sure to check the forecast before camping to see if colder temperatures are expected to accompany rain showers during your camping expedition.

So there you have it. With a little preparation, you can safely take on any form of precipitation that Mother Nature throws at you. Just remember that rain while camping is no joke. There are real dangers to your health and survival that come with unexpected moisture. However, if you follow the points outlined in this article, you might stand a chance.