Rain Doesn't Have to Ruin Your Trip
Every camper eventually faces it: you wake up to the sound of rain hammering your tent, or the forecast flips on you mid-trip. Wet weather camping has a reputation for misery — but with the right preparation and gear, a rainy camping trip can actually be one of the most memorable and atmospheric experiences you'll have outdoors. Here's how to handle it like a pro.
1. Start with a Weatherproof Shelter
Everything else on this list is secondary to having a shelter that actually keeps you dry. This is where your tent choice matters most.
- Check the hydrostatic head (HH) rating — This measures how much water pressure the fabric can withstand before leaking. For rainy conditions, look for a minimum of 3,000mm HH on the flysheet and 5,000mm+ on the groundsheet.
- Taped or welded seams — Stitched seams are potential leak points. Quality tents seal these with tape or welding to prevent water ingress.
- Consider an inflatable tent — Inflatable tents are particularly well-suited to wet weather. Their flexible air beam structure handles wind-driven rain better than rigid pole tents, and many premium models are engineered specifically for high-rainfall conditions.
2. Choose Your Campsite Wisely
Where you pitch makes a huge difference when it rains:
- Avoid low-lying ground — Water flows downhill and pools in depressions. Never pitch in a hollow or at the bottom of a slope.
- Look for natural shelter — Trees and hedgerows can break wind and reduce the amount of rain hitting your tent directly. Avoid pitching directly under trees though — dripping branches and falling debris are a hazard.
- Check drainage — Gently sloped ground drains better. If you can, pitch on a slight incline so water runs away from your tent.
- Face away from the wind — Position your tent door away from the prevailing wind direction to reduce rain blowing in when you enter and exit.
3. Set Up a Canopy Shelter First
Before you do anything else at a rainy campsite, get a canopy shelter up. This gives you a dry covered area to work under while you set up the rest of camp — and becomes your outdoor living room for the duration of the trip.
- Use it as a cooking and dining area to keep meals dry
- Store wet gear and muddy boots underneath
- Create a dry transition zone between the outdoors and your tent
A good canopy shelter is one of the most underrated pieces of wet weather camping kit.
4. Use a Groundsheet
Even the best tent groundsheet benefits from an extra layer of protection in heavy rain. A footprint or tarp laid under your tent adds an additional barrier against ground moisture and protects the tent floor from abrasion.
Make sure the footprint doesn't extend beyond the tent edges — if it does, it will channel rainwater underneath rather than away.
5. Keep the Inside Dry
Once you have a dry shelter, the challenge is keeping it that way:
- Remove wet gear at the door — Wet jackets, boots, and bags should stay in the porch or under the canopy, not inside the sleeping area.
- Use dry bags and stuff sacks — Keep clothes, electronics, and sleeping gear in waterproof bags inside your tent as a backup.
- Manage condensation — In wet weather, condensation builds up quickly inside tents. Ventilate as much as possible by keeping vents open even in rain — most quality tents have vents positioned to allow airflow without letting rain in.
- Bring a small microfibre towel — Useful for wiping down wet surfaces inside the tent and drying yourself off before getting into your sleeping bag.
6. Dress for Wet Weather
Staying dry starts with what you wear:
- Waterproof jacket — A quality hardshell with taped seams is non-negotiable. Look for a jacket with a hood that actually covers your face.
- Waterproof trousers — Often overlooked but essential for moving around camp in heavy rain.
- Waterproof boots — Wet feet are miserable. Invest in proper waterproof footwear.
- Merino wool or synthetic base layers — Unlike cotton, these retain warmth even when damp. Never camp in cotton if rain is forecast.
- Spare dry clothes in a dry bag — Always have a complete dry set of clothes sealed away for emergencies.
7. Adapt Your Cooking Setup
Cooking in the rain requires a bit of adjustment:
- Cook under your canopy shelter — never inside your tent due to carbon monoxide risk
- Use a windshield around your camp stove to maintain flame in wet, windy conditions
- Prep ingredients inside the tent or car to minimise time in the rain
- Opt for one-pot meals that are quick to cook and easy to clean up
8. Embrace the Atmosphere
Rain transforms the outdoors. The smell of wet earth, the sound of rain on canvas, the mist rolling through the trees — these are experiences you simply don't get on a sunny day. Some of the most memorable camping trips happen in the rain.
With the right shelter and mindset, wet weather camping isn't something to endure — it's something to enjoy.
Wet Weather Camping Checklist
- ✅ High-rated waterproof tent (3,000mm+ HH)
- ✅ Canopy shelter for outdoor living space
- ✅ Groundsheet or tent footprint
- ✅ Waterproof jacket, trousers, and boots
- ✅ Dry bags for clothes and electronics
- ✅ Microfibre towel
- ✅ Windshield for camp stove
- ✅ Spare dry clothes sealed in a dry bag
Gear Up for Any Weather
At Bestyle Camping Store, our inflatable tents and canopy shelters are built to perform in real weather conditions — not just sunny weekends. With high hydrostatic head ratings, sealed seams, and robust air beam structures, our shelters keep you dry when it matters most.
Browse our range and camp with confidence, whatever the forecast.