Tarptent - Double Rainbow Li

Tarptent DR LI is great but for 2 people + gear it’s a bit cozy. I’d look at 3 person tents - ZPacks Triplex, HMG Ultamid, and I think Tarptent has some 3 person tents too. https://preview.redd.it/70ryh7hoa8jf1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8b3eb6fca572dee4e6610c40b05fc5a63e3423ca

All of the ultralight tents especially dcf ones are expensive. I’ve got ones by Durston (XMid Pro 2), Hyperlite (Ultamid 4), and Tarptent (DR LI). I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend any of them but personally my favorite is probably the Ultamid but the DR LI is a close second. I feel like the Ultamid is bomb proof - with plenty of living space. But the DR LI has great headspace and smaller footprint. I found the XMid to be fiddly to setup compared to the other two but great space in the vestibule. For me it was worth the price … but I managed to find deals on all 3. And Tarptent has great customer service (had to have my DR LI) patched after a tree fell and put a hole in it. https://preview.redd.it/7roxru6cb8gf1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=da37b103129e341f6977062c940e8cc7fb893cf2

Not sure your budget but the Tarptent Double Rainbow Li (DCF version) is my go to. Amazing ultralight tent. I love it because you get the ultralight aspects of a non-freestanding tent (not as many poles) but you can essentially make it freestanding with your trekking poles if you can’t get stakes in the ground and not have to worry about finding big enough rocks. Makes it very versatile for setting up with any type of surface. The size/shape is great for convenience too, it is symmetrical, no set head or foot orientation, it’s also wide enough for two wide pads (50” floor) and I am 6’ and have tons of extra floor space for gear if I need to at my feet or head. You can also purchase a removable interior liner to make it effectively a double wall (comes as a single wall) I have found this useful to take on trips where I may be concerned about condensation. If you like the features but are looking for something less expensive than the Li version and are willing to take the weight penalty they make a few different versions in different fabrics.

Yes, looks to be heavy, but it's rated 4 seasons. Your needs are indeed challenging: mostly 1P with occasional 1.5-2P. The Durston looks great for this application @ 985g. The TT Double Rainbow LI @ 818g may also work. It's a clever semi-free standing design with trekking poles acting as horizontal support. I have a 1P Rainbow and have used it from desert to alpine conditions where fully staking is not practical.

Alpkit tarptent, can become a 2 person if you want it to but as a 1p you have loads of space

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...

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 😂

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

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.

I have a Double Rainbow li and it is tight for two people but great as a 1p tent. Dipole 2 or Zpacks Offset Duo are the largest 2p trekking pole tents. See this review https://youtu.be/2l8Hqb8zYD4?si=6ocJPbLRUNu9WcK-

Tarptent Double Rainbow. I'm 6'2" as well and after trying out other tents including xmids and zpacks, imo this is a one of the most comfortable tents for a taller person. If you want more ventilation look at the Dipole series.

MostlyTenkara on YT has done a couple of tent reviews for taller people. I'm 6'2" and the TT Double Rainbow fits me with room to spare. [https://youtu.be/2l8Hqb8zYD4?si=QgE3Y7-gSPOswvLr](https://youtu.be/2l8Hqb8zYD4?si=QgE3Y7-gSPOswvLr)

I have a soft spot for the tarp tent double rainbow. I’ve taken it solo, with my now wife, and with my wife and kid and we’ve had plenty of wonderful nights in the outdoors. Fits a double sleeping pad, can be set semi freestanding which is quite convenient in rocky terrain, pitches fly first, and very roomy, especially for those of us that are over 1.80m. It’s a palace for 1 for sure, but I never minded the extra room.

What tent are you looking at? I use a Tarptent Double Rainbow. I love this tent, and it's lasted for years in excellent condition. It's easy to set up fast, and is very roomy. $349, 40oz. There's also a single rainbow, $329, 33oz, and a Double Rainbow DW, $439, 43oz.

I have found it very stable in winds and heavy rain.

The rainbow is just an incredible tent. I also have 2, a single and an older double. Both are awesome. That said, while it can be freestanding with trekking poles. That's really a last resort, the tent is only at its best when staked.

Double Rainbow from tarptent. Use the aluminum poles for it vs carbon for small weight penalty but more assurance b

Any Tarptent brand that appeals to you and isn't in their "Li" line will be good. The fabrics there are 20d silpoly and 30d silnylons that have better abrasion and tear resistance than anything on a Big Agnes tent. They use better poles, too, for the models that have them. I would expect a Double Rainbow to well outlast something flimsy like a Copper Spur (or anything else Big Agnes or MSR make).

Same here. I have the Double Rainbow Li and love it.

A bit more spendy, especially with incoming tarrifs, is the Tarptent Rainbow which is outstanding for my 6'5 ass and is plenty light, the Double Rainbow will get you 'true' 2 person but if its just you and gear you can get away with the single

Tarptent Double Rainbow. Pay to import it it's worth it

Tarptent Double Rainbow--it's actually long enough for a tall person. Many tents are not.

Tarptent Double Rainbow has a 50x88 inch floor. I’ve had one for about ten years and it’s in great shape, super light to carry.

I love my Double Rainbow, as I'm 6'8", and the length is great. Friends really like the Gazelle easy-up tents lately, especially for car camping/festivals. The idea of "this takes two minutes is a game changer for them. They are \*brutally\* heavy, but if you're near the car, not an issue. Going bigger than a 4p feels too big for solo, I like a 6p for two people, and up to an 8p with three of us (kiddo).

The double rainbow isn’t standing room but I can sit fully up in mine and get changed and I’m 6’4, it’s and awesome tent, fits me a girl and a dog no problem with room in the vestibules for a pack on each side

My Tarptent Double Rainbow got me through the entire Appalachian Trail and many other shorter hikes since. I've been through some pretty nasty storms, and it's gotten me through them all. What you get for the weight is amazing, and set up is super simple. I love that it can be set up in the rain without getting the inside wet. I would definitely recommend getting the liner wall to help deal with condensation though.

I’d recommend looking at tarp tents(brand). Lowering your pack weight makes trips way better. Double rainbow is what I have for most trips. Have a rain shadow as well which helps when I need bigger. I like them both.

Tarptent all the way - has kept me dry and cozy for thuousands of kilometers in snow, rain and heat. I have never owned a better ultralight tent. Bonus: you buy from a small, independent company, founded and owned by a great guy - when I bought my first one (years back) he answered all my questions personally… What a legend!

Do you hike with poles? If so, the single-walled Zpacks Hexamid can be set up with your hiking poles and is USD $499. My Zpacks single-walled tents perform poorly in rainy, humid conditions but making this compromise will save you weight. Tarptent makes several double-walled tents for less than USD $500 that perform well, and there are also some excellent Chinese-made Lanshan tents on Aliexpress. My double-walled Tarptent performs much better than my single-walled Zpacks tents when it's set up, but it's also much heavier to carry.

I’ve had great experience with the tarptent rainbow series, just as long as the spine is facing into the wind and not the broad side.