The 5 Best Tent Seam Sealers On The Market: Review & Guide

There are various brands of tent seam sealers on the market today. As a result, finding the best tent seam sealer can be a little tricky, especially for first-timers.

Should you purchase the wrong product, you will be unable to fix the problem in your tent’s seam. You may even end up increasing the damage.

As always, I’m here to give you tips on how to get the best experience on your camping trip. I’ll be telling you about the best seam sealers that you can use for your tent.

Near the end of the article, I also share some things you should know about buying tent seam sealers.

IN A HURRY? HERE ARE OUR TOP PICKS…

The Top 5 Seam Sealers on the Market

Gear AID Seam Grip SIL

Gear AID Seam Grip SIL is another excellent seam sealing product from Gear AID. The tube weighs 1.5 Ounces, and it contains an adhesive for sealing silicone-coated materials.

The product takes 6 hours to cure. After that, it becomes a firm and flexible silicone rubber. This is a tremendous advantage because it allows the sealant to stretch along with the fabric. Another good thing about this silicone seam sealer is that it is waterproof. Hence, it leaves no room for water to cause damage.

However, the primary reason it is considered one of the best tent seam sealers is its permanence. The sealant won’t crack or peel after some time.

It will also remain in good condition in cold and hot temperatures. There is enough product in the tube to cover up to 24 feet or a 2 person tent. This silicone-based sealant requires only a one-time application. It is also easy to apply.

Gear AID Seam Grip FC

The Gear AID Seam Grip FC is a fantastic seam sealer suitable for sealing large or multiple tents. It comes in a bottle and features an applicator brush. There is enough sealant in the bottle for up to 60 feet of seams.

This water-based sealer has an impressive curing time. It will cure within two hours when kept at room temperature. Also, it creates a very flexible and durable seal after drying. Hence, it will prevent leaks and expand with the fabric.

Additionally, the Gear AID Seam Grip FC can be used on different materials. These materials include nylon, polyester, and canvas. It is easy to use too. The size of the bottle, along with the presence of a built-in applicator, makes it easy to apply on small and large surfaces.

What’s more, the tent’s fabric will absorb the tent completely and leave no discoloration behind. You don’t have to worry about the environmental impact of this product since it is water-based. It is non-toxic. Finally, the versatility and longevity of this seam sealer will save you lots of money in the long run.

Coleman Seam Sealer

The Coleman Seam Sealer was made for super-fast application as it requires no mixing. You just have to get the bottle and start working on your tent seams.

Weighing just 2 ounces, each bottle contains a water-based urethane solution that is suitable for polyurethane-coated fabrics. Also, the quantity of product in each bottle is enough for seam sealing a 6 person tent.

There are several things to like about this seam sealer. It is fast drying and can be applied without fuss. Additionally, there’s a foam applicator pad that will ensure that no mess is created during the application. The seam sealer is also multipurpose.

Asides from using it as a tent seam sealer, you can use it on your backpack, tarp, and more. Despite its affordability, this product is known to offer long-lasting results.

Texsport Polyurethane Seam Sealer

The product is a colorless treatment. In other words, it leaves no traces after it has been applied to a surface. It also poses no risk to you or the environment. The treatment will become odorless and colorless immediately it dries up.

You can rely on the sealant to protect your tent’s fabric from water, dust, dirt, and other environmental elements. Also, you will find this seam sealer easy to use.

It has a 14-ounce spray with which you can seal your tent seam at a go. Thanks to the versatility of this product, it’s not restricted to just your tent. You can apply it to any equipment made of synthetic fabric.

Furthermore, you can waterproof some areas of your tent with this product. It also prevents seams from fading by shielding them from sun rays.

Coghlan’s Seam Seal

Coghlan’s Seam Seal is a fantastic product that does its job excellently. This water-based sealer is suitable for polyurethane-coated fabrics.

The product features a brush that simplifies the application process. It will also allow you to cover a small tent without wasting the content.

Also, the product produces excellent results when used in waterproofing camping gear. It creates a flexible seal that will protect your tent seams in the worst weather conditions.

But that’s not all. This seam sealer can be used on various camping gear. It is also colorless and quick drying. It comes at an affordable price too.

Our Top Choice

I’ve done my very best to bring you the 5 best tent seam sealers available today. Each of these products is good for specific purposes. However, there has to be a winner.

The award for the best seam sealer goes to Gear AID Seam Grip Seal. It is a great idea to have this silicone-based seam sealer on your camping due to its versatility and durability.

You can rely on this fantastic product from Gear AID to keep your tent seams throughout your camping trip. This includes when mother nature decides to throw its strongest challenges at you.

Though silnylon tents have several favorable properties, they usually don’t come with fully taped or sealed seams. So, it is best to apply this tent sealer to your new tent before your next camping trip.

You should also note that only a silicone-based sealant will be effective on your silicone-coated gear. This product is also strong enough to handle your basic field repairs. You should expect to pay an affordable price for one tube.

How To Choose The Best Tent Seam Sealer

Once you discover that your tent needs to be sealed, you will have to answer some questions. The answers you give to these questions will determine what tent seam sealant you are to buy.

Let’s go over these questions along with their answers:

Type of Fabric Coating

The first thing you need to consider when buying a seam sealer is your tent’s fabric coating. Tent seam sealers do not work on all types of tent fabrics.

Silicone-Coated Fabrics

Silicone is the material usually used in top-quality products like ultralight tents and tarps. Examples of silicone materials are silpoly and silnylon.

You would need a silicone-based sealant to seal your tent if made with any of these materials. No material other than silicone will adhere to silicone.

Polyurethane Coated Fabrics

Polyurethane is the most popular material used in the production of tents. Though usually waterproof and affordable, this tent fabric is prone to damage. A urethane-based sealer is a suitable option for this tent fabric.

Cubenfiber/ Dyneema

Formerly known as Cuben Fiber, Dyneema is the newest material used by tent manufacturers. This type of fabric doesn’t require a tent seam sealant.

More on Silpoly

Silpoly coated fabrics are not made entirely of silicone. Also known as SilpolyPU, these materials have silicone on one side and polyurethane on the other.

So, how do you fix this tent fabric? You will have to contact the manufacturer to know what material was used on each side.

You may click on this link to learn more about tent fabrics.

Number of Tents to Be Sealed

Another factor that should be considered is the number of tents you need to seam seal. The higher the number of tents, the greater quantity of seam sealant to be used.

If you are seam sealing one or two 2-person tents, then a tube/bottle of seam sealant will be sufficient. You will need to purchase more than one if you are seam sealing a large tent or multiple tents.

If you need to seam seal several tents, it will be better to make your tent seam sealer.

Watch the following video to learn how to make a seam sealer:

https://youtu.be/o39yCsDz_3g

Usability

The need for seam sealers usually arises in unfavorable weather conditions. So, you should never overlook the usability of a tent seam sealer.

When your seam sealer is easy to use, you will be able to get your tent back in good condition without fuss. A seam sealer’s usability depends greatly on its viscosity.

Thicker sealants are harder to apply, while water-based sealants are easier to use. Another factor that determines a product’s usability is the mode of application.

Built-in Applicator: This is the most effortless applicator to use. Examples include foam and brush applicators.

Nozzle: Several products, including bottles and tubes, come with nozzles. A nozzle will enable you to apply the seam sealer directly to the fabric.

Spray-On: A seam sealer may also come in a spray-on or aerosol can. The process of using this applicator is very straightforward.

Paint On: There are two types of paint-on applicators. For this type, you will have to apply the sealant using a paintbrush. The second option will require you to apply the product using a built-in foam or brush head.

Cure Time

A tent seam sealer will require some time to cure after application. For this reason, you need to consider the time needed for a product to cure.

The majority of seam sealers need between 4 to 12 hours to cure completely. But if you are in a hurry, you can use a curing accelerant.

A cure accelerator is a product manufactured to speed up the curing time of adhesives. An example of a curing accelerator is the Gear AID Aquaseal FD Cure Accelerator.

Cost

Though seam sealers are generally affordable, they don’t come at the same price. The cost of a tent seam sealer will depend on its type, size, brand, and where it is purchased.

Frequently Asked Questions