Your own, even! (I'll get me coat...).

Make sure you wear earplugs before trying to sleep in that.

You're right about Nikwax. If you can carry some (or even Nikwash), do so. We've had a Blacks Leisure tent for 5 years, used it probably 120+ days per year in all situations. A coat of Nikwax once a year and (although the colour has faded significantly) we've not had a problem with weather penetration (even in some rough envionments).

The OP's tent had a lot of use compared to normal.

I have some new Hilleberg tents, which are silicone treated on both sides, but I fully expect them to break down with UV light. Polyurethane treatment will be less effective, cheaper and still suffer from UV light.

I have bought some tarps to protect the tent when weight /space is not at a premium. The tarp will also keep the tent much cooler inside during the summer time and probably quieter during rain.

I do have a very old Vango Stormforce 10 MkIV tent, which is cotton and I would think that could be successfully waterproofed, but the material is heavy (technical cotton) and also not terribly cheap. But in any event, I would expect that the cotton will become less structurally strong with age under UV exposure, so has a finite life. As an aside, if you ever looked at the lint filter in a tumble drier after a drying cycle, you will see a load of fibres removed from the clothes. I would guess a tent would similarly loose fibres in use.

So, I personally, would plan to replace the tent after a lot of use. I have been told by my Outdoor Shop that it is not possible to successfully reproof a silicone or polyurethane treated nylon tent, even expensive ones. They also warned me to be very careful if cooking inside the tent as the silicone treatment is very flammable.

As said, boots, jackets and other outdoor gear don't last forever.

Grey Beard

The Kelty Grand Mesa has a fly that is UV resistant
Kelty Grand Mesa tent review


Nikwax is the best solution, but I try to set up my tent under a tree. You just need to make sure that the tree is alive and well, and there are no dead branches above your tent. Otherwise those might fall on you during your sleep, there is a reason why dead branches are called widowmakers :)

You can use a blanket as well. I always have an emergency tarp with me, so that is what I use to cover my tent.

Australian eucalyptus trees (gum trees) drop branches .. and they are not dead. I've a dent in a motorcycle fuel tank to remind me.