Tarptent - Double Rainbow DW Ultra

I have the Cloudburst 3, and while it's not "UL" enough for this sub, it's only 3lb 6oz, and it's damn palatial for 2 people at 62 inches wide, and as a hoop tent, it's a constant 40" high the entire length of the tent. Yeah, it's single wall, but the ventilation is great unless it's zipped up all the way, but being a hoop tent, I've found that most condensation runs down the sides and out of the tent through the sidewall mesh skirt. And it's wide enough that 2 people can sleep in the middle and never have to worry about rolling up against a moist wall. The clip-in condensation liner eliminates drips, but it weighs a couple of ounces more, and the third pole makes this essentially a (mild) 4-season shelter. I love my Cloudburst 3, if you couldn't tell. I've also had the Double Rainbow and Protrail, and I found both of them to be stellar shelters, but I sold both of them- I didn't need the DR space for solo, and it's too tight for 2p. And I got to the age where I'm not a fan of end-entry tents where I have to contort around a pole on my hands and knees, so I sold off the Protrail. I'm going to move my Slingfin Splitwing along as well. Great tent, but I vastly prefer side entry shelters- GG The One, X-Mid, Yama Cirriform and Hilleberg Akto are going to be my 1p keepers. Wow, I really got off topic there...

That type of tent is not what you are looking for at all. The key selling point is that it's extremely lightweight and that's important to those who are carrying this as their shelter for weeks or months at a time. The reason you see so many influencers recommending them is that the "influencers" are compensated in one way or another to do so. Tons of downside though: * Dyneema is a very strong material, but its abrasion resistance sucks. If you aren't extremely careful you will wear a hole in it either from setting it up on the ground or packing it incorrectly. * Their tents are all single-wall, which is fine if you are prepared for potential condensation issues but it's very common to be packing up a wet tent even if it didn't rain. If it does rain then there's a high likelihood of the condensation causing some rain inside the tent too. Again, this is a compromise made to save weight. * The price tag is simply insulting and there are a number of other manufacturers making similar tents for less money. Look for a tent made of out of a more traditional material (sil-nylon or sil-poly) and understand that many lightweight and ultralight tents also cut weight by making the tents ridiculously small. I have a 2P Nemo ultralight tent which is perfect for me alone, but would be nearly impossible for two people unless one was a small child. Nemo and Big Agnes both make good lightweight tents that offer good durability and local store convenience. Tarptent also makes an excellent product in a wide variety of shapes and intended applications. I have a couple of their ultralight tents and am very pleased with them. If they're still making it then the Double Rainbow DW (double wall) is an excellent option and a great compromise between weight, durability and moisture control.

I can get the single rainbow into a 2L sack (if I keep the poles separate). Based on fabric weight differences, you'll probably be able to get Double Rainbow DW into a 3L sack, 4L tops?

This one. No doubt. I have the Rainbow single which is ok for two people in summer but you get a lot more space and two doors with the double for not much more weight. Great tents. https://www.ebay.com/itm/146460704293?_skw=tarptent+rainbow&itmmeta=01JPNKWDJ3G9ABNYKKJ6MK0F7T&hash=item2219bcfe25:g:P1wAAeSwZr9n2egs&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA0FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1dGZ3yFyxEAbIz%2FNz849nr%2BPKwG0sdjkOSC0sqr77c2G0KH%2FhLt0IlXqoW%2BpsKw8ID3v4lYsH4wAVYLW7lKD4h0JGTGYRBr9c4FMApWZZhuGNjTevUeLm64UOmxAcT4dy—Bl9qTvqyf7k7C%2FIhWK%2F074lE0eaGs471%2Bq1OuHBHyQlLBsooghdMrh3P6VvlRaMqvi16MBmm0o0PusVUSkw5DlIQRBzCLjdBPWtnbhN0M2gVgt%2BOpvAtYkxuKGGn5ek%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR5DZ8bO1ZQ

This one. No doubt. I have the Rainbow single which is ok for two people in summer but you get a lot more space and two doors with the double for not much more weight. Great tents. https://www.ebay.com/itm/146460704293?_skw=tarptent+rainbow&itmmeta=01JPNKWDJ3G9ABNYKKJ6MK0F7T&hash=item2219bcfe25:g:P1wAAeSwZr9n2egs&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA0FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1dGZ3yFyxEAbIz%2FNz849nr%2BPKwG0sdjkOSC0sqr77c2G0KH%2FhLt0IlXqoW%2BpsKw8ID3v4lYsH4wAVYLW7lKD4h0JGTGYRBr9c4FMApWZZhuGNjTevUeLm64UOmxAcT4dy—Bl9qTvqyf7k7C%2FIhWK%2F074lE0eaGs471%2Bq1OuHBHyQlLBsooghdMrh3P6VvlRaMqvi16MBmm0o0PusVUSkw5DlIQRBzCLjdBPWtnbhN0M2gVgt%2BOpvAtYkxuKGGn5ek%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR5DZ8bO1ZQ

I have the Tarptent Rainbow Single, it’s big enough to share and easy to carry at 980g but I wouldn’t want to be sharing in prolonged wet weather. However the Double Rainbow is significantly wider with a door on both sides for better access and ventilation. And not much heavier. They’re not cheap but look out for a used one on eBay or Geartrade etc.

My girlfriend and I used my Tarptent Rainbow together in summer for a few weeks. It’s a one person tent with great headroom, wide enough for two sleeping mats. It was plenty big enough, in good weather. Mine weighs 985g. The Tarptent Double Rainbow is wider, has doors on both sides and weighs not much more. I can recommend the design.

Hi, hiked jmt with a double rainbow. Mine was made in USA before tarptent started manufacturing overseas, so not sure about quality now :( Replaced it with a Zpacks duplex. Loved many things about the tarptent, but also had many issues... 1) Biggest issue I had with the tarptent was that the weatherproofing/seam sealing started to fail. This can't happen with the duplex because the fabric is naturally waterproof 2) Set up is similar but SO MUCH easier & quicker for duplex because it uses trekking poles vs tarptents dedicated tent pole that you have to carry, assemble & shove into a sleeve. I am much less frustrated setting up the duplex vs the tarptent!!! ----- Both tents rely on staking! That being said, if you are new to these kinds of tents they can present condensation issues vs double walled freestanding tents (waking up because water is dripping on your face). Allegedly can be mitigated by campsite selection & leaving doors open etc. Never looked into it much because I don't care Staking is definitely a learning curve and not always possible, might end up having to use rocks to try to secure the tent! Sometimes I didn't have the energy to try to use rocks for every stake, so I just used it like a bivy. These are very loud in the wind if you can't stake well because they depend on staking. My husband hates these kinds of tents, constantly complains about condensation & and will not participate in any complex staking games with me 😂

if youre willing to spend ~$500, get a tarptent double rainbow. i have the tarptent double rainbow DW ultra and its the best two person tent ive ever been in. spacious, light and sturdy. lots of space in the vestibules for your gear too.

i have the Tarptent Double Rainbow DW Ultra. huge vouch for that. great tent. im sure the triple is just as good

alternatively, the tarptent double rainbow (all variants afaik) fits a 6’3 person easily. it is out of OPs budget though. might be worth to BIFL source: personal experience

vouch! the double rainbow is so so good

My first budget backpacking sleeping bag was a Kelty Cosmic 20. It was way heavier than I expected. A friend let me use their Naturehike Sleeping bag (not sure on specific type) and it was way lighter and more compact. I still use the Kelty for car camping, but it no longer goes on backpacking trips with me. My next upgrade will be an ultralight quilt. I got a used Gossamer Gear pack 55L off eBay that I love! I started with a Naturehike CloudUp 2 tent which was fine for the price, I have since upgraded to a Tarptent Double Rainbow (also used on eBay). Depending on the distance and weather, I will still take the Naturehike tent sometimes even though it is heavier. I like that you can use it without the rain fly on a nice night and just have the mesh top so I can see the trees and stars. My first pad was a Klymit pad from Amazon for $40. It works fine for warm weather. I upgraded to an Exped Duo 3R last year since I now usually backpack with my daughter or girlfriend and a 2P pad seemed easier. I also have two Nemo Switchback pads that I will carry on some hikes. I put them under my pad in the tent to prevent any punctures in my Exped and to give a little more insulation on colder nights. They are also great to pull out and use as a pad around camp when we are lounging before going to bed. Unfortunately, UL gear and spending an arm and leg kinda go hand in hand. All of my inexpensive gear was great to get me started, but over the last few years, I have been replacing them with lower weight, higher quality, and hence more expensive options. Along with being heavier, the cheaper stuff is just, cheaper. The biggest thing I have noticed is the zippers don't glide as easy on my cheap gear. This can be a huge annoyance when trying to zip your tent or bag.

It is freestanding with trekking poles at head and foot end. I’m 6’4” and it did great on the AT

Take a good look at the X-Dome. I’ve owned a Double Rainbow Li. Sold it and bought a X-Mid Pro 2. Both are great tents but after enduring a few long rainy nights decided to try a double wall tent. Both tents ventilate well, but still experienced some condensation build up. I also missed the option of having a mesh enclosure on warm buggy nights. Bought the X-Dome and I’m pleased. I also bikepack it works great for this purpose too. I haven’t owned a freestanding tent in years and it’s nice to have the flexibility they offer.

Definitely can get more banh for your buck with some of the cottage brands. No personal experience, but Durston and lanshan are highly rated. I got a Tarptent Double Rainbow late last year that I absolutely love.