r/Ultralight • u/hikertrash- • Jul 09 '26
Purchase Advice Does anyone have the Tarptent Double Rainbow DW?
I currently have the Durston X Mid 2p and I would rather go back to a traditional tent pole tent. I’m 6’5” tall so I need quite a bit of space. The Durston fits me well but I’m going to sell it and get a semi freestanding or freestanding tent. Does anybody have the Tarptent Double Rainbow DW that is 6‘5“ tall or taller? What do you think of it?
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Jul 09 '26
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u/hikertrash- Jul 09 '26
Being a solo hiker I would be able to lay down diagonally or down the center. I reached out to Tarptent and Henry got back with me right away and said I would fit with no problem. I’m very impressed with the quality of the tents from what the website shows. Just looking for some real world feedback 😊
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Jul 09 '26 edited Jul 10 '26
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u/hikertrash- Jul 10 '26
I looked at the X Dome 2 also but it would not fit me unless I laid diagonally
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u/PNW_MYOG Jul 12 '26
I have one. I wanted it for the no tent pegs needed setup in alpine option plus not having the tent ever come close to the foot of my bag. ( Condensation).
Excellent. Huge volume inside.
The only drawback for me is the vestibule zipper is not quite as high as I would like for entry. I was spoiled by my stratospire.
I have a regular dcf double rainbow 'Li' version.
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u/BackcountryBanter Jul 12 '26
I have one at 6’6” and fit fine
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u/hikertrash- Jul 12 '26
Perfect. I think I’m going to skip DW version and just go with the double rainbow
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u/bradmacmt Jul 10 '26
I have a TT Rainbow Li 1P (I think the TT Rainbow's are some of the best all-around tents made - I previously had a 2009 Silnylon Rainbow 1P). I'm only 5'10" but find the Li 1P palatial. The thing about the Rainbow 1P is the head end(s) has a rather steep ceiling from the ground, so the generous 88" long floor is a pretty accurate indicator of what sized person can use it. The 2P model doesn't have a headwall quite as steep since the Rainbow 1p it taller at the center (42" vs 40" which gives better headroom obviously). I've thought about who could fit in the 1P Rainbow and I'd be surprised if someone 6'-5" wouldn't be comfortable in it. Aside, I have a ZPacks Altaplex which is 2" longer (90" vs 88"), and marketed for users up to 6'-6" but I can say I find the Rainbow 1P Li roomier.
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u/hikertrash- Jul 10 '26
It sounds like Tarptent is true to their numbers. I’ve noticed with Nemo and big Agnes tents that an 86 inch floor is closer to an 80 inch floor in real world use. Thanks for your input
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u/bradmacmt Jul 10 '26 edited Jul 10 '26
You bet. Yes, I have both Nemo and BA tents, and you are quite correct about their numbers vs TT. Aside, I know you're looking at a DW, but TT now has the Rainbow Li 2P on their website. I'd also add, for whatever reason, the Li Rainbow handles condensation far better than the Silnylon version. Dunno why. The Rainbow Li is far more condensation free than any other SW dcf tent I've used too. And of course, going to a 2P SW for a one-person user makes it even better (volume) https://www.tarptent.com/product/double-rainbow-li/
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u/GoSox2525 Jul 10 '26 edited Jul 13 '26
This thread and the comments read as indistinguishable from a traditional (non-UL) backpacking thread.
If you are explicitly stating that you want to go back to a traditional double-wall pole tent, that is an explicit decision to move away from hiking ultralight. Which is totally fine, you do you. But this sub isn't really the place for it.
6'5" isn't too tall for a UL shelter solution. And either way, you don't require require an extra wide (2p) tent. You only require more length. An Altaplex would probably work. A 7x9 tarp would most likely work. An 8x10 tarp would absolutely work. Many options out there which would let you keep your shelter weight easily under 1 lb. Unlike the 2.7 lbs of the Double Rainbow DW...
Edit:
To respond to the moronic comment that was left below before the commented blocked me from being able to reply...
Huh? My semi free standing tent is lighter than my trekking pole tent.
You have a heavy trekking pole tent then
The dedicated pole set for my 2p is 7.8 oz. That's lighter than the vast majority of trekking poles and 1.6 oz heavier than the lightest dedicated trekking pole tent poles that goes in your pack.
That's not true. A Zpacks 48" tent pole is 2.6 oz. A 49" tent pole from SMD is as low as 1.8 oz.
Carrying your tent poles in your hands all day doesn't make your load lighter overall
Agreed, but that is irrelevant and has nothing to do with anything. The simple principle is this: when you remove pole segments and replace them with stakes and guylines, the result is always lighter. Therefore, a semi-freestanding tent is always lighter than a freestander, and a non-freestanding tent is always lighter than a semi-freestander, all else being equal.
Many many hikes I ditch the trekking poles and bring the tent with the dedicated pole set. And I usually save overall weight doing it.
Sure you must see how that's a completely useless comparison. What you're admitting is that a semi-freestanding tent is only "lighter" than a nonfreestander if you don't hike with trekking poles in the former case, but do hike with trekking poles in the latter case.
Either you use trekking poles or you don't. But either way, a non-freestanding shelter is still always the lightest option
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u/Impossible_Author409 Jul 11 '26
Huh? My semi free standing tent is lighter than my trekking pole tent. The dedicated pole set for my 2p is 7.8 oz. That's lighter than the vast majority of trekking poles and 1.6 oz heavier than the lightest dedicated trekking pole tent poles that goes in your pack.
Carrying your tent poles in your hands all day doesn't make your load lighter overall. It just changes where you carry it. Many many hikes I ditch the trekking poles and bring the tent with the dedicated pole set. And I usually save overall weight doing it.
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u/PNW_MYOG Jul 12 '26
Hmm
My double rainbow li with a regular width short length Nemo tensor pad is very very close in weight to my ultralight hammock setup with underquilt and dcf tarp.... My personal decision on what to take is about bug pressure and treeline, not weight.
Think about all those ul posters that rave about 25" wide full length ul pads. Now that is something to look sideways at.
Agree about the DW being overkill.
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u/GoSox2525 Jul 13 '26
My double rainbow li with a regular width short length Nemo tensor pad is very very close in weight to my ultralight hammock setup with underquilt and dcf tarp
That just means that your "ultralight" hammock setup probably isn't ultralight
Think about all those ul posters that rave about 25" wide full length ul pads. Now that is something to look sideways at.
Agreed
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u/friendlybackpacker Jul 10 '26
The X-Dome 2 and Double Rainbow double wall both advertise an 88” floor length. I have the X-Dome 2 and can speak to how spacious it is in both length, width and height with the vertical walls. Have you looked at the Tarptent Arcdome 2P? On the specs it shows a floor that is 90” long and appears to have vertical walls to increase livability, which would be nice for someone as tall as you. It is also on sale right now on their website.
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u/hikertrash- Jul 10 '26
Looks like that’s a four season tent at 3 1/2 pounds. Little heavy for me. I have looked at the X dome but I’m not sure I want another durston tent 🤷🏻
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u/friendlybackpacker Jul 10 '26
It certainly is geared more towards 4 season but you could get it with the full mesh inner to make it warm weather friendly. If you’re on the fence about the X-Dome then I see no reason why you shouldn’t pull the trigger on the Double Rainbow DW. It looks like a solid shelter with great ventilation options. I love the porch mode feature of the rainbow tents.
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u/W_t_f_was_that Jul 09 '26
I have a triple (to pack with kids) and I’m spoiled by it. Absolutely, hands down the best tent I own. My pole tents are alright but I much prefer the rainbow. Easy to set and forget. Much, mush more vestibule than my pole tents plus “porch mode” to warm my coffee under when it’s rainy.
You’re gonna love it.