Cycling UK Forum

I have a Coleman cobra tent which I purchased in 2003. It has had fairly little use (about 30 nights).
It has always been put away dry and in dry storage. Is it still likely to have remained waterproof or does this deteriorate with age?
I'm intending to use it this year and I don't want to find out the hard way that it leaks .

It's usually UV exposure that does the damage although seam tape can sometimes peel away over time.

Check your seam tape if the tent had any for signs of delamanation, other than that I don't see why it shouldn't be waterproof, although like yourself I'm no expert.

Can you get it set up outdoors and use a hose or watering can to give it a good soaking.

There is a forum member here PJclinch who has a wealth of technical knowledge about all things tents, look him up and send him a message.

I have tents a lot older than that, which have still never leaked even thought they don't get regular use (unlike my current touring tents!). Even my UV-deteriorated mountain tents are still waterproof!

If I were you I would just pitch it outside on a forecast rainy evening and have a look?

Thanks for the posts on that. I'll give it a try when it rains (when the drought ends that is )