What You Need to Know & How to Prevent It
You’ve woken up in your rooftop tent and found water on the walls—or maybe a damp patch on the mattress. First instinct? “My tent must be leaking.” But more often than not, it’s not a leak—it’s condensation.
At Outback Tourer, our rooftop tents are built to handle harsh Aussie conditions, using high-quality waterproof canvas, strong perimeter aluminium extrusion frames, and insulated panels—so leaks are extremely rare. What most people experience is a natural build-up of moisture inside the tent. Here's how it happens, and how to manage it.
Is It Really a Leak?
If you've found water in your tent, it's almost always condensation—not a leak. Our tents are built with:
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Tough, waterproof fabrics
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Durable stitching techniques
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Insulated lids and bases
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And where needed, tape-sealed seams
Waterproof materials are designed to stop water coming in—but that also means they can trap moisture inside if there’s nowhere for it to escape. That’s exactly how condensation builds up.
How Much Condensation Can Actually Form?
You might be surprised just how much moisture builds up overnight:
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1 person can release up to 475ml of water into the air each night, just by breathing
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2 people? That’s nearly 1 litre (950ml) of water
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Even with no one inside, the air itself can hold around 475ml depending on temperature and humidity
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Add wet gear, dogs, clothes, or cooking steam, and it builds up fast
What Causes Condensation in a Tent?
Condensation happens when warm, humid air inside the tent hits a cooler surface, like your tent walls or ceiling. That moisture turns into droplets and collects on the fabric, seams, or even drips down onto the mattress. Common causes include:
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Closed vents and poor airflow
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Cold weather and high humidity
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Warm bodies, wet clothes, humid breathing
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Camping near rivers or water sources
Do All Tents Experience Condensation?
Yes. In certain conditions—especially cold, still nights—any tent can be overwhelmed by moisture. Even the best-designed rooftop tents will experience condensation if airflow is restricted and internal humidity is high.
But My Tent Has an Anti-Condensation Mat…
Anti-condensation mats are not a fix for condensation. What they do is provide space for air to circulate beneath your mattress, helping to prevent it from absorbing moisture off the tent floor.
At Outback Tourer, our rooftop tents are fitted with a condensation mat to help prevent heat transfer from your body through the mattress to the base but is still worth wiping underneath between nights or before storing away to ensure it's dry underneath.
How to Prevent Condensation in Your Rooftop Tent
Here are the most effective ways to reduce or eliminate condensation in your tent:
1. Ventilate – Even in Cold Weather
This is the single most important thing. Always keep your vents open to promote airflow. Our tents are designed with smart vent placements that allow air to flow through without letting rain in.
Open opposite windows or vents to create cross ventilation. If conditions allow, leave upper and lower flaps slightly open while keeping mesh zipped to keep bugs out.
2. Keep Wet Gear Outside
Wet shoes, towels, jackets, or something similar? Store them outside or under your awning. Anything damp inside your tent will evaporate and increase moisture levels fast.
3. Use a Diesel Heater (The Right Way)
Unlike gas or electric heaters that can add moisture to the air, diesel heaters are a great option. They dry the air as they heat, reducing condensation while keeping your tent comfortable. They also create airflow by circulating warm, dry air—helping push moisture out through your vents.
Just make sure your heater is safely installed outside the tent with the warm air ducted in.
4. Use a Small Fan or Crack a Window
A 12V camping fan or even just cracking a window can help circulate air and stop the warm, moist air from settling on the tent fabric. Moving air = less moisture build-up.
5. Set Up Away From Water
Camping near lakes, rivers, or the ocean? You’re in a higher humidity zone. Just moving your setup a bit further from water sources can reduce condensation significantly.
6. Pack a Spare Towel
Even with all the right steps, condensation can still sneak in during tough conditions. Bring a small towel to wipe down the walls and ceiling before packing up. It’s quick, easy, and keeps your gear dry.
