Canvasdale

Condensation

By the Canvasdale team · Last checked

Condensation is water droplets that form when warm, damp air meets a cooler surface. In a tent it usually appears on the inside of the flysheet overnight, from breathing, damp clothing and moisture coming up from the ground.

Where you'll see it

You will read about condensation in the maker's description of a tent, in its care advice and in the pitching instructions. It is not a fault by itself, but a tent that traps moist air will hold more of it. Cooking inside a tent adds moisture too, so cook outside in the open air, away from the tent. The campsite page may also note how damp the ground is at a given pitch.

What to check

  • The ventilation the maker describes, such as vents or mesh panels near the top and sides of the inner tent.
  • Whether the flysheet is pitched with the gap at the base that the instructions describe, to let air move.
  • The maker's drying and storage advice, since damp fabric packed away can hold water for longer.
  • Whether the maker suggests wiping the inside dry each morning.
  • Ventilation: the airflow that helps moisture leave the tent.
  • Flysheet: the outer layer where most condensation forms.
  • Inner tent: the layer inside the flysheet, where droplets can collect.

Read more: drying and storing a tent and the tent drying planner.