Nikwax SolarProof: geni.us/tqRfPrH Nikwax Solarwash: geni.us/B0ScCaE Seam Sealer: geni.us/6zbWgB0

I like that you didn't try to fake the rip test. You showed the results, as they happened, including your reaction. That speaks a lot to honesty.

@AlphaQHard

Жыл бұрын

Agreed, next time Id also try tearing a brand new one as control

@thedawntrader1613

Жыл бұрын

Totally agree. That made the whole content (and person) much more credible. Love these videos!

@yeahboi7562

Жыл бұрын

Agreed. Most ppl would just leave that whole section out but you didn't.. as a result i won't be buying that NixWax product for UV protection as much but will still do for water protection. Thanks for your honesty

You have a gift for making important but sometimes boring topics interesting and entertaining! I hear/see a lot of people thinking their tents are leaking when it is usually just condensation build up!

@natehoover5266

2 жыл бұрын

Nice cameo!! Steven is awesome! He does make interesting video that have great info! He's quickly becoming one of my favorite KZread backpackers. Yours and his videos are the only two youtubers I will watch no matter what. I don't care about GPS watches (at least not right now in my adventures) but I watched your last video on the Garmin Instinct. It's just good info to have.

@arnoldestrada8583

2 жыл бұрын

I just finished watching your GDT all 6 hours. You had condensation every night. Wiping it down Really helped.

@bewhiskeredjuarez6851

2 жыл бұрын

Love the cameo it was hilarious! 😂🤣

@goodredman

Жыл бұрын

Excellent quality video with lots of great information. Didn’t notice a mention of the material you did the rip test on. Was it polyester ripstop nylon or something other? Been thinking about rigging up a small fan that I could hang in the top of my tent running a wire to a little battery pack with solar panel that would sit outside might help with ventilation and condensation. Thanks for the video. Been looking for ideas how to rejuvenate durable water repellent coating on my military surplus tent.

Once had my tent (not all weather rated) ice over during some unseasonably cold weather as a result of leaking and condensation (I could feel the early stages of hypothermia). My buddy with a much better tent had the exact same issue. Last time I was camping I layed my pretty basic military poncho over my tent. Woke up to a bone dry tent.

Just a little personal insight. I have been hiking since the 1970s, using all of the waterproofed fabrics, and currently use a high end DCF tarp over my hammock. When it comes to moisture under a tarp or tent fly, you will find that, in 100% humidity (fog/clouds) you will have moisture on the inside and outside of your waterproof fabric or laminate (DCF). Your insulation will also absorb the fog. You won't even need to be in your tent or under your tarp to find moisture buildup. Also: Water molecules are cohesive (they stick together), and will form a sheet which covers fabrics and laminates and adds weight. My Hammock Gear Winter Palace Tarp with doors weighs a hair under a pound when dry. After an injury sent me home from the AT a week ago. I forgot to dry it out for 7 days after packing it in the snakeskin after a night of heavy rain. Just for scientific purposes I weighed it, wet. It weighed one pound, 8.5 ounces. DCF does not absorb water, but it doesn't have any treatment that breaks up the water molecules and causes them to bead up and roll off, either.

@tullochgorum6323

Жыл бұрын

That's an interesting point about the weight of wet DCF. The composite fanboys like to boast that it doesn't get heavier when wet, but your experiment suggests this isn't true. As someone on a tight income I've never felt that the greatly increased cost is justified by the modest reduction in weight - I can live without the marginal benefits. And your observation simply helps reinforce this impression.

@PhilAndersonOutside

Жыл бұрын

As someone who lives in Oregon (wet) and is almost as old as you, I can validate all you say about camping in the clouds. Hence why a lot of people here start out with a synthetic sleeping bag, and buy a down sleeping bag for specific nights (or camping/backpacking elsewhere) as an addition.

@janefreeman995

Жыл бұрын

When on a thru hike in most places, I saw that the silnylon double wall tents were just as wet from condensation as the dcf. This was consistently in high humidy. As a completion to this experiment, it would be interesting to have a silnylon tent with a ratio of the weight dry to wet. From what I've witnessed they completely wet out and get soaked thru. Then another comparison would be drying times....

@twhis9843

7 ай бұрын

My experiments with bivys confirmed everything you say. I have read lots of accounts of people using bivys to good effect but I don’t get it.

I’m glad you covered this. A buddy of mine was having issues conceiving that he was causing all the moisture buildup in his shelter just simply by breathing and that you actually have to do maintenance on your gear!

@jpriddle

2 жыл бұрын

I bet he was forming even more condensation when he was conceiving.

@ToadyWoods

Жыл бұрын

@@jpriddle I agree. A build up of spermatozoa eventually leads to leakage as well, or even outright intentional splattering.

This is the outdoor-content I want more of! Short and informative. I know a fair bit about camping in the rain but I had honestly never heard about the UV-issue before so I'll be picking up some Nikwax asap for our new tent!

The shower scene was funny!!! Love it!!!

45-50 years ago I had a Coleman tent, an 8’X10’ family tent. It was a single wall tent made of Egyptian long staple cotton. Moisture breathed through to the outside. Two adults and 2 grade schoolers, plus wet towels and swim suits were dry and comfortable. But the tent and frame were quite heavy. My guess is that the wool felt yurts in Mongolia are similar. No internal sweating. Courtesy of Half Vast Flying

Great video, Steven. I really like what you've been doing over the past several months. I love the detail and attention you give and provide on the topics you cover.

I've been using a North Face Lunarlight for 30 years. I finally decided to retire it. I can only remember one occasion when I had a problem with heavy rain in the foot area. And the last ten years I was leaving the tent up in the bush for 4 months covered with a tarp to protect it from the sun. Never had a problem with rain or water inside the tent. What I had a problem with was my siltarps. After years of exposure to sun the wind finally ripped through them and tore them to shreds. Now I stay away from siltarps and I'm ready to replace my tent with an old MSR Fusion 2 that I've been keeping for many years.

Actually made me laugh out loud with the shower scene. “Is somebody in here?” 🤫

The shower part with justin was hilarious!!!

I’m just getting into spending more time outdoors and your videos are proving invaluable sir, helping me make much better purchases armed with the right info! Keep ‘em up 👍

This is it! This is the first backpacking video I ever saw. I watched this on the 16th of July 2022. After that, the algorithm took over, and only 2 weeks later, I went on my first backpacking trip! Spent the last 45 minutes scrolling down my KZread history to uncover what it was that started the adventure I've been on for the past year. Sort of anti-climactic that it was just a random video about Nikwax lol. I have no idea why I clicked it. I didn't even own a tent at the time. Anyway, gotta give credit where credit is due. If it wasn't for you Steven, I likely wouldn't be flying to Iceland next week to hike Laugavegur trail. So thanks a bunch!

@MyLifeOutdoors

11 ай бұрын

That’s awesome! I don’t know why you clicked but I’m glad you did. And I’m glad I could be part of your journey into backpacking. Have fun in Iceland!

I just got back from a week in Acadia, there was rain/moisture every day I was there. The tent preformed better than I anticipated, however now I definitely need to retreat it.

Avid hiker, camper here growing into backpacking. Your videos are so informative and real. Seriously appreciate your content. Thank you.

@MyLifeOutdoors

Жыл бұрын

I appreciate you watching and supporting the channel. I’m glad you find it helpful

This channel is a gold needle in a haystack of boring channels 30x bigger. I always enjoy your videos to the fullest, so a big thank you is in order!

FYI as someone who sews, most fabric will rip along the grain if you tear it like that (even brand new) you can use it to find the straight grain.

I was troubled by condensation dropping down on me as tiny ice crystals when I camped in below-zero conditions. The fix was to turn an old cotton sheet into a tent liner. Unlike nylon, cotton absorbs water and won't drip. The downside is that it was heavy.

You nailed the issues: site selection and ventilation 100% (and sealed seams, of course)

The production value on this is topnotch!

I Have Been Camping Once However This Videos Are Entertaining And Informative.

Nice review, skinny! I Nikwax Solar Proofed my beloved Moss Outland. At home I hang my tent up loose.

I love your brevity and information density!

I love seeing how hard you really tried to pull the second one lol. Thanks for the video!

Very informative & love the cameo by Justin! 🤣 🚿

Very much find your content very solid with good breakdowns and examination of issues. You tent fabric test clearly demonstrates your honesty, very much appreciate your channel. Subscribed.

@MyLifeOutdoors

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Glad to have you!

Just found your channel. Gotta say, your audio levels are perfect. Nothing worse than high and low audio when speaking. Really really good content, production - right to the point with no filling. Thanks!

I always know every video put out on your channel will never waste my time. Topics are calculated and condensed into entertaining and thoughtful episodes.

@DinoDIY

2 жыл бұрын

Litteraly first half of video is waste of time, sun proof commertial. Totaly irelevant content.

@ktownc936

2 жыл бұрын

@@DinoDIY Nikwax is what everyone uses. It solar proofs and puts a water repellent finish on your tarp/fly. For people that don't understand that, it's very useful information. This isn't a Tik Tok video on how to remove an avocado pit, so I would have to disagree with you.

I always love your videos and while I watch these since I do alot of moto camping and hiking this video inspired me for a completely different reason. When I am not riding my motorcycle or I am up at camp I use a cover for the bike to protect it from the harmful UVs as well as weather and every year I have to shell out around $50+ dollars for a new cover since the UVs make it tear and leak after less that a year. Now that I think about it, it is made exactly out of the same material as a tent and I had never thought of treating it with a product like Nikwax. It may not be the most cost effective since these covers are not expensive like a good tent but it does feel like a waste tossing one a year in the landfills. Thanks for the great work. Not sure if you have ever seen the mind blowing tests on products done by Project Farm and while I don't use a lot of the products he tests I still watch the videos since I am blown away by his simple methodology. I am going to suggest he test these sorts of products on nylon since he takes suggestions and has done one I suggested in the past.

@MyLifeOutdoors

2 жыл бұрын

Hey Cliff, Thanks for watching and for the comment! I’m glad you enjoy the channel and I’m glad this recommendation could help you with your moto camping. I would like to give solar proof a little bit Better test. Maybe I’ll check out Project Farm to see how they do their tests. Maybe I’ll be inspired!

@cliffspicer6555

2 жыл бұрын

@@MyLifeOutdoors you should check him out. He’ll test things like zip ties for example or other products like duct tape and I have a science background so can appreciate his methodology and know you will too. . I have heard he has a PhD in something like agricultural studies but it is so inspiring . I also love the cameo in this video of your yours.

Very good, very helpful as have been flummoxed by the condensation/ventilation issue

Nice Steven! For the environmentally conscious, Nikwax Solarproof is composed of zirconium acetate. Non-adsorbing thru skin and gastrointestinal track. The only exposure to control is to Avoid breathing the mist during application, as that likely deposits zirconium on lung tissue. If you want verification, read the MSDS (material safety data sheet) for the product.

Another chefs kiss. Great video

I love your videos, all straight to the point! subbed!

For tents with vestibules, moisture from the ground can also cause/add to condensation inside your tent

I have just started following your content... it's really great. Thanks a lot for doing it. May also be worth mentioning seam sealing. I've had some tents (tunnel type) that got elongated needle holes, that eventually needed seam sealing.

I take the dehumidifiers you can buy in most general stores. They really help for condensation

this video is great. the reason i like this video is because of how great it is.

Pull test reminded me of Uncle Ricos customer trying to tear the polymer bowl in Napoleon Dynamite

Cool tips. My tents are all pretty old and could probably use some conditioning.

One way to totally avoid condensation is to use a double skinned tent - ie one which has tent material on the inner tent instead of the mesh. My tent is a Tarp tent Stratospire 2 - the 4 seasons version that has a solid inner with only has some mesh on 2 vertical faces of the inner tent. Another bonus id your tent doesn't fill up with water when pitching in the rain before the fly is throw over. My previous tent also didn't has mesh - never had condensation dripping on my sleeping bag. There is of course condensation on the inside of the vestibule - leaving it partially open helps here.

@twhis9843

7 ай бұрын

I don’t really care for mesh tents for the reasons you cited. The peak is where the majority of condensation forms and with a little rain or wind it drips all over you. A solid panel below the peak soves a lot of problems.

Love the cameo from Justin!!

Hey Thanks great video and info

I love the scientific method. well done. actually a very good presentation. yabadaba doo

Wonderful information.✌

Good Video. Helpfull and on point.

Very helpful video as always! That shower scene totally caught me offguard. I was cracking up!

Even in the winter, I still sleep commando ☺️.

Quick tip for condensation. Use a tiny battery operated fan to circulate air inside the tent. Hang near top. Godspeed!

@Nebelwerfer210cm

2 жыл бұрын

Which one do you use? I've been thinking about bringing one on my next car camping trip.

@twhis9843

7 ай бұрын

Amazing how a tiny fan by a vent will clear the moisture in some very stuffy tents.

Love your videos!! Always!! Boy you are good! 😊🤗 superb video!!

Great Video.. I have a question: Why not solar proof both sides of the rainfly?

Great content; valuable, yet insightful information. Keep it up, my friend and you will see your channel grow! 👍

If it's sunny around lunchtime (=breaktime) I usually unpack my tent and my sleeping bag / quilt and let them sun dry. Then I have a dry tent at night and a dry (=warmer) sleeping bag at night ;) This obviously works best if there's a spare bench/picnic table setup where you have lunch, because otherwise ground moisture may condensate on the bottom of your stuff, like it does if you try to sun dry a ground sheet on grass in the morning...lol, the wet bottom side is dry but the formerly dry top is now moist :-( (Yes, I know, UV damage, but it's only for a short period of time until they are dry)

nice testing. The scientific torque value you displayed on the screen made me forget that this video was a paid ad.

Loved the guest cameo 😂🤣

I loved how the CC depicted "tint" every time he said tent 😆

Good stuff. Loved the cameo.

Super easy fix...TARP! LOL, just messing, I'm a tarp and hammock guy but used a tent for years. But it was a double walled tent and never had an issue.

Nice. In future videos you can try to bend tent poles

I like that the test was honest even though not really useful...

thank you

Just got my first sleeping bag with a dwr coating and now I embrace the condensation.

Thanks for letting me know early this was an ad 👍

Thanks for the tip about Nikwax! I've just ordered some. A question - can it go on bug screen?

Hello from România, good video ,big like !

yeah, these kind of materials are meant for tensile capability instead of shear. so if you tear it instead of pulling, it rips apart. in the outdoor scenario wind stretches the tent, it doesn't spear/poke through.

"Even in dry climates you will deal with condensation". Laughs in southern Californian/Arizonan. I have literally never experienced tent condensation in my life. Guess that's the trade off for having constant chapped lips and dry skin.

Do you recommend treating brand new tents before use? I just got a Seek Cimmeron for backcountry hunting, and a Nemo Wagontop 8p for family trips. Should I use the Nikwax before using them?

I've been thinking about using a USB PC fan and a USB battery bank and rigging them up so it blows out out the vent on the tent to help improve airflow and combat condensation.

Nice save bro cool video

I live and hike in Scotland so doesn't matter where you go, condensation follows you everywhere you go 😂

It was very helpful. Too bad I just threw my old tent away after finding few leaks :(

I have solarwash and solarproof my tents isn't leaking do I have to wett twnt before I reproof it?

3:00 back to the gym Steven. OK seriously now, great vid!

Is the nikwax also the good product for a silicone based impregnated tent? Thanks

Can you tell me your opinion of the big cut out in the fly on the back of tents like the hornet and the dragonfly? Doesn't that make it effectively a single wall tent in the back? More prone to condensation on the inside?

Finally someone who makes videos that are simple and short and actually give useful advice

My Gortex shell is no longer waterproof. Can I use this same technique to waterproof my jacket?

@MyLifeOutdoors

2 жыл бұрын

Yes but use Nikwax TX Direct instead. I have a video about it here: kzread.info/dash/bejne/q3WhustxXb3Jpps.html

I am a taller hiker and I have been paranoid about getting the footbox of my down quilt wet from condensation when I naturally rub against the wall of the tent while sleeping. A recent hack has helped minimize condensation dramatically to where I no longer have to worry about my foot box. I have used it on a few very humid nights and I have not had any water on my footbox when the primary tent wall did have substantial condensation. I put four velcro tabs on the lower part of my inner tent wall at my foot end placed in a rectangle about 15 inches tall and across the width of my single person tent. The matching pieces of velcro are then used to attach a small piece of polycryo to act as a second tent wall. I left the polycryo a little loose so that the piece sags slightly in the middle and allows any condensation that does fall onto the outer side of the polycryo to drain down and out the mesh liner outside of my bathtub floor. This adds just about an ounce to the weight of the tent.

@bluebellcrushedvelvet

2 жыл бұрын

What?? I didn't understand your trick here, but you can do MUCH less work by having this trick: just put your raincoat on top of your foot box and it won't get any water in it! Plus is helpful to add insulation!!! Ta-dah!!! Done deal!

@panhandlejake6200

2 жыл бұрын

@@bluebellcrushedvelvet Condensation can be bad on rainy days and if I have used my raincoat, I hang it in my vestibule. And I have been concerned that draping anything over my quilt might capture moisture (albeit minimal) escaping from the bag. I just added a small sheet of polycryo over the lower 15 inches of the foot end of the tent wall. Took 10 mins to measure, cut and attach - it stays on when I take down the tent so no additional hassle. Adds about an ounce of weight. The primary tent walls still have condensation and this sheet acts as a second tent wall that separates the wet tent wall from my quilt.

@bluebellcrushedvelvet

2 жыл бұрын

@@panhandlejake6200 ah... ok. Thanks for explaining better. Ok valid point, about the rain jacket. But only if you like wrap it around more tight around your sleeping bag. If you would have just draped it over, I don't know how much moisture really your feet would create no? 😅 that would have eliminated but solved all the problem. But anyway you got something sorted out so that's great! Might look into it.

@kaikart123

2 жыл бұрын

Did the tabs stick well to the fabrics?

@panhandlejake6200

2 жыл бұрын

@@kaikart123 yes. No problems so far.

Great advice for the homeless

Haha cool Camio!!!

countless nights i have exposed myself to the forces of nature and finally i have found you and your channel to erase the last traces of my unknowingness.

I wonder if a large rice and silica bead pack would help with condensation.

That Nemo is a sweet tent

I bought a decathlon trek 900 and when I used it for the first time in light rain it really got condensation buildup

Wild going into someone's shower room to make a point... 🚿

Hmm, have you ever seen condensation in an empty tent? I mean if there was nobody for some time. I am tying to say, condensation in tent is not related to humidity outside of the tent. It is the moisture from breath and from the body condensating on the wall when the temperature outside is lower then inside - the wall is the coolest part in the tent then and triggers the condensation. I don't think the plase can help... Unless it is related to outside temperature. It is always lower temperature near the water :) so in the end your advice can help.

I had better results with the cheaper sprays from Walmart than I did with Nikwax; which actually smelled terrible and seemed sticky.

Man, you are SO funny ;) Thanks for sharing.

I bought a tarp made from Dyneema..UV and waterproof.

The condensation issue is why when backpacking i runs a hammock and fly setup

I know all about sun damage living in SW Florida it’s a very real thing and when you spend 4,5,6 ect. Hundred dollars on your tent this if it works even some it’s well worth it.

I'm curious is it the same wax ingredient with the car wax and wash ?peace

Thanks I never heard of cleaning the tent first. I will throw it in the washer..............made you think. 😁 Seriously though I just got a used tent in very good condition but I want to waterproof it just the same. Tnx again.

That’s hilarious that you ended up in Justin’s bathroom to talk about condensation 😂

I don't have to deal with it...As I have a large ultralight pyramid tent made from DCF. DCF is 100% waterproof. It is not stitched together either, it's bonded together, making it permanently 100% waterproof with no need for seam sealing or additional washings or spray coatings. This also makes it stronger and much lighter too...The fly is big enough for two, but it only weighs 325g. My groundsheet is a huge 1.5m x 3m sheet of 100% waterproof Exitex Polycro window film, with custom reinforcements, which weighs 119g...It covers most of the floor area inside the tent, except the vestibule, keeping me and my gear well away from the damp ground, and preventing rising dampness from adding to moisture in my tent. And finally, the pyramid shape really helps control where any condensed moisture drops can go...They flow harmlessly down the sloping sides of my tent to the bare ground area around my groundsheet instead of dripping on me. So even in a heavy downpour lasting all night, I stay totally dry within. And as DCF does not absorb water, it dries really fast the following morning.

@jodaboda1

2 жыл бұрын

You don't miss a mesh for critter protection?

@alfoutdoors9660

2 жыл бұрын

@@jodaboda1 Don't really have any critters to worry about here in the UK...The worst are ticks and Mosquitos...I have to yet to even see a tick and as I prefer to camp on hills rather than down by water rarely ever see a Mosquito either.

@alfoutdoors9660

2 жыл бұрын

I should add, I do have an ultralight mesh inner I can use if going into mossie/midge country (like Scotland say)...It's the Sea To Summit Nano Mosquito Pyramid Net. It only weighs 94g (3.31oz) including the storage bag. I have just never had to use it yet.

SolarProof: Great for when the sun comes along and tries to rip up your tent with its bare hands! 🤣

you really said, ok it teared fast also :))))

Most of tents are far from being waterproof, it works only when you build it properly and water can go down without resist and without creating lakes in dints, but when it rains really hardly, most of common tents will fail. But some tent constructions are actually very bad and you have to improve it by yourself.