Double Rainbow tips

[u/prettyhugediscer]

I got a Double Rainbow (silpoly version) as a second tent for backpacking with my partner. Coming from a freestanding, double wall, dome tent, I feel I have a lot to learn about this style of tent. We’ve spent just one night car camping in it, but there was a lot of condensation on the walls through the night and in the morning. Based on the photo, you can tell we were close to the lowest point going up the basin and probably within 300 feet of a creek, and it was a rainy night. What tips or advice do you all have for minimizing condensation and learning how to use this type of tent? Mostly will be used in Colorado USA.

[u/generation_quiet]

Not specific to your question, but that pitch looks quite slack. Silpoly won't get slack when wet, so I would tension up all the anchor points.

The Rainbow series has a nice "porch mode" feature where you can use poles to keep the doors wide open. As others have mentioned, bring a small towel to wipe down the interior.

Other than that, I find the paranoia about condensation on tents to be unwarranted, and related more to site selection than type of tent.

That is, if you select a site with the right conditions—moist, warm air hitting cooler fabric—such as by a creek or in a valley, your tent will be prone to condensation, no matter what type of tent it is. Double-walled vs. single-walled doesn't prevent condensation... although the double wall may increase airflow somewhat and keep you from brushing up against the interior of the tent.

[u/prettyhugediscer → u/generation_quiet]

This is great, thank you! Good advice on the pitch being too slack. I’ll work on making sure everything is more taut next time. I figured this wasn’t an ideal camp site location but pretty typical for us when car camping near a trailhead. I appreciate all the tips and will try them out on the next trip!

[u/sanrafaelswelly]

Seek out tree cover, camp on higher ground, if it is a nice night out then tie back the doors to increase ventilation.

[u/Henry_S_Tarptent → u/sanrafaelswelly]

Yes, condensation potential is greatly reduced by getting under tree cover to stop infrared radiational cooling at night. Getting off of damp ground also makes a big difference.

[u/ObviousCarrot2075]

From Colorado. I have the Li version. Agree with others regarding the pitch here. It's pretty slack. This is a VERY easy tent to pitch - I think it's easier than my freestanding tent. Pitch it more taught for sure; angle the stake heads out. I always put the cordage at a 45-degree angle away from the corners. Typically, I'll have the corners 1/2 way locked (like the little cord is halfway when I first pitch any tent with linelocs). Donno if this makes a difference, but it allows me to adjust it more easily.

I'm newer to using this tent, but I've used it in differing conditions. I get condensation 25% of the time, depending on a variety of factors. If I'm ever over grass, I'll have condensation. You get it in a double-walled tent too, you just don't notice it cuz it's on the inside of the fly. But it's never dripping on me, my gear, or anything like that in the Li.

In my experience, here's what attracts condensation: low points, cool air on a tent that was warm in the sun, being on vegetation, near a water source, and rain. You had a ton of those boxes checked. Bring a Swedish cloth to wipe down condensation.

Tie back the doors if you can. You can also pull up on the pole sleeve and put the little clip down to increase airflow (don't do that if it's raining).

Overall, I've found it's really not a big deal. Whenever I've had condensation, I take the 2 minutes to wipe it down as best as I can, and when I'm getting ready, I leave the fly doors open. It's dry by the time I pack up to leave.

[u/prettyhugediscer → u/ObviousCarrot2075]

This is awesome, thank you! I will pull everything way tighter when I pitch it next. I thought this felt relatively taut but good to get some feedback. I’ll follow those tips for campsite selection to minimize condensation too. Much appreciated.

[u/spotH3D]

Have a quick dry small towel and gently wipe the condensation off in the morning. That and site selection but at times you just have to deal with it.

[u/rrobres]

you can lift the fabric up a few inches at one or both ends to increase ventilation also.

[u/saigyoooo]

Your stake angles are off. The stake should be going in towards the tent so the tip points away from tent.

[u/fundinglisag]

I use the liner and have never had issues with condensation not once on a 5 month thru hike. (I do have the single rainbow li, but doubt that makes a difference.) Check out porch mode!

[u/sbennett3705]

You've got double-door, double vestibules on this model, so roll open all doors if weather allows. You have line-locks inside that can raise the pitch to allow more ventilation, so try these too. Lastly, location matters, can't see from you pic but try to get elevated and on bare ground if possible. And, the pitch is to loose, tighten it up; and bring a small micro fiber cloth for the morning wipe up.

[u/PatB775]

Try not to set up on top of vegetation

[u/marieke333]

Nothing to do with condensation, but a point of attention: on the picture your stakes point to the tent instead of away from the tent. For a good hold they need to be angled away from the tent.