Tarptent - Rainbow

I use a Tarptent Rainbow which is kind of a 1+ tent with my St Bernard, and that's about as tight as I'd be willing to go. I also have a triplex but obviously that's plenty (and too much) room/footprint for a lot of sites. I think a 2 person is the right size, especially if they get wet and you don't want them snuggling your nice down quilt and would lean towards the xmid 2 for that reason, and it has double doors so they can get in and out without stepping on your inflatable pad. A good dog trick is to put their pad in first, then give them their "go to your bed" command, and then set your stuff up. I find doing it in this order he doesn't try to step on or steal my pad.

I have three of these: the Lunar Solo, X-mid 1, and Rainbow Solo. Lunar Solo is ok. Bit finicky to pitch sometimes but not horrible. I have to make sure to use my second trekking pole to lift the head end of the tent to give me enough room. XMid 1 for me is too small. (I’m 6’2” and about 230 lbs). No extra usable internal space. Feels tight. Of the three the Rainbow Solo hits a pretty nice sweet spot of price, size, and weight. I have the aluminum pole which I recommend. As you know it is single wall so probably better for dryer climates. I’ll probably pick up an Xdome 1 at some point. Maybe next year. The Lanshan tents over on Ali Express seem popular as inexpensive options. IMO the XMid Pro 2 is the perfect solo tent but is way more $$$ than your criteria.

I'm a fan of the Rainbow. Have a double in sill-poly and DCF. Never used the single, but I think the overall design does a good job of making it feel roomy.

I spent a zero in a wicked storm in the rainbow. I spent all day mopping the walls. Good news is that the inside of the walls drip outside the tub. I haven’t tried the pseudo wall because I haven’t wanted to carry it. But I’d like something to keep my quilt off the wall. My bones and bladder don’t move at the same speed anymore, the bathroom is a dealbreaker. I believe the xdome 1 plus has a door but no vestibule for privacy.

I'm looking for a well-priced, lightweight, durable, and spacious single-person tent. Could you help me decide between these options, or suggest other tents with similar features? Six Moon Designs - Lunar Solo · Tent Cost: $260 · Seem-Sealing Service: $35 · Stakes: Sold Separately · Weight: 26 oz (not including stakes or trekking pole) *I did not include the trekking pole weight because I will be carrying trekking poles regardless · Construction: Single Wall, Non-Freestanding · Canopy: 20D Silicone-Coated Polyester · Floor: 40D Silicone-Coated Polyester · Hydrostatic Head: 3,000 mm · Zipper: #3 YKK · Frame: Single 49" Pole (Not Included) · Entry: Side Entry · Floor Length: 90" · Floor Width: 48" · Peak Height: 48” · Pitch: 6 Stakes Six Moon Designs - Skyscape Trekker · Tent Cost: $275 · Seem-Sealing Service: $35 · Stakes: Sold Separately · Tent weight: 28 oz (not including stakes or trekking poles) · Construction: Hybrid Double Wall, Non-Freestanding · Canopy: 20D Silicone-Coated Polyester · Floor: 40D Silicone-Coated Polyester · Hydrostatic Head: 3,000 mm · Zipper: #3 YKK · Frame: Two 45" Poles · Entry: Dual Side Entry · Floor Length: 103" · Floor Width: 48” · Peak Height: 45” · Pitch: 6 Stakes Durston - X-Mid 1 · Tent Cost: $234 · Stakes: (8) DAC J Stakes · Tent weight: 28 oz (not including stakes or trekking poles) · Construction: Double Wall, Non-Freestanding · Canopy: 20D Sil/PE Polyester · Floor: 20D Sil/PE Polyester · Hydrostatic Head: 3500 mm · Zipper: YKK #3 AquaGuard with Buckle · Frame: Two 46 - 48" Poles · Entry: Dual Side Entry · Floor Length: 90” · Floor Width: 32” · Peak Height: 46” · Pitch: 4 Stakes (Minimum), 6 Stakes (Typical) Tarptent - Rainbow · Carbon Fiber Arch Pole Style: $289 · Syclone Arch Pole Style (Aluminum): $269 · Liner: $30 · Seem-Sealing Service: $35 · Stakes: (6) 6” Easton Nano Aluminum Stakes · Tent weight: 29.55 oz (including tent, carbon fiber arch pole, & carbon fiber cross struct) · Construction: Single Wall (double wall if you purchase the liner), Semi-Free Standing (can be a freestanding tent with the use of two trekking poles) · Canopy: 20D Nano Ripstop Silicone-Coated Polyester · Floor: 30D Double Ripstop Silicone-Coated Nylon · Hydrostatic Head: 5,000mm · Mesh: 15D nylon no-see-um mesh · Zipper: YKK #3 AquaGuard Waterproof · Frame: Carbon Fiber or Aluminum (trekking poles can be added to increase strength) · Entry: Side Entry · Floor Length: 88” · Floor Width: 40” · Peak Height: 42” · Pitch: 6 Stakes Durston - X-Dome 1 · Tent Cost: $369 · Stakes: (8) DAC J Stakes · Tent weight: 34.7 oz (including tent & pole set) · Construction: Double Wall, Freestanding · Canopy: 15D High Tenacity Sil/PE Polyester · Floor: 15D High Tenacity Sil/PE Polyester · Hydrostatic Head: 3500 mm · Zipper: YKK #3 AquaGuard (fly) or #3 (inner) · Frame: Carbon Fiber (trekking poles can be added to increase strength) · Entry: Side Entry · Floor Length: 85 - 90” · Floor Width: 27 - 50” · Peak Height: 42” · Pitch: 4 Stakes My Thoughts: Lunar Solo: Great weight, great price, spacious but it has a large footprint (guidelines need to stretch far to set up the tent properly). Skyscape Trekker: It seems like a good lightweight double-wall option but has few reviews online. Durston X-Mid 1: Impressive design. I have joined the Dan Durston cult, but the floor width is too narrow for my liking (As an alternative, the X-Mid 2 would be a little too heavy, and its footprint is larger than I prefer). Rainbow: I am currently leaning towards this tent. It seems like a good compromise between footprint size, space, weight, durability, and features. Durston X-Dome 1+: Reaching my max weight/price requirements and has no reviews. Do you know of any other tents that roughly meet or exceed my requirements? · Less than $400 · Less than 35 oz · 20D canopy and floor materials · Hydrostatic Head: 3,000 mm · Floor Length: 88” · Floor Width: 40” Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

I'm 6' about 185lb so I think I can avoid touching the walls if there's condensation in the rainbow. Have you tried using the liner they sell that makes it partially two walled? I've watched a couple videos on the Lanshan. Materials aren't as good, but for the price it's a great tent. I've read that it sets up easier that the Lunar Solo too. Yeah, the X-Mid Pro 2 is out of my budget but it looks great. Big fan of Durston products in general. And thank you for your input!

I ended up going with the Tarptent Rainbow sil-poly version. It finally came back into stock today. Unfortunately the price was raised to $369 for the Carbon Fiber pole option.

If I had to pick one, I’d go with the Tarptent Rainbow. It’s lightweight, durable, and hits the sweet spot between space and weight. Plus, the option to make it semi-freestanding with trekking poles is a nice touch if you end up in a tough spot for staking. Yeah, it's slightly shorter than some others, but at 88" x 40", it’s still plenty roomy for one person and your gear. The 5,000 mm hydrostatic head is also a big win for weather protection. Honestly, at just under $300 (with carbon fiber poles), it’s hard to beat for the features.

I adore my tarptent rainbow, I'd go for that

I've had the x-mid 1p and rainbow 1p. The x-mid is a significantly better tent IMO. The only time I would ever choose the rainbow over it, is if getting four stakes in the ground is a problem.

I have a Tarptent Rainbow and it’s held up to a 5 hour downpour, snow and hail. In my opinion it’s plenty storm proof for three season conditions. If it’s really wet I’ll get some condensation but the DW would reduce that. 

I've been using the Rainbow for a few years now and really like it. The semi-freestanding really helped on the beach: yes I can stake into the sand but that is never a strong attachment when the winds kick up.

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

Honestly for winter I use a Tarptent Rainbow because the freestanding aspect is so much more useful when its snowy out. (I'm also 6'5 and it's super roomy)

The rainbow is fantastic and free standing with trekking poles. It also happens to exactly have that 40" width you want. I don't think you'd regret it.

After getting as much mileage as possible out of my BA 2P Flycreek and Tarptent Rainbow, I'm excited to invest in an ultralight shelter that shaves a pound or more off my base weight (I'm actually at the beginning of doing a big overhaul of my kit--should be fun). I've been researching different shelters, and I think I've got it down to a few options, though I'm open to other suggestions. **Use Cases** * Fast-and-light weekend trips, mostly in California (Sierras, Trinity Alps, Big Sur, Point Reyes, desert, etc.) though can be across the western US * Tahoe Rim Trail in the next couple years * Tour de Montblanc not out of the question (though might hut-to-hut) * Never say never: I won't rule out another US long trail like the AZT or PNW Trail, and could see doing the JMT **Criteria** * 1P or small 2P: I'm looking for something just for myself (I'm also in the market for a 3P family backpacking tent, but that'll be a different post) * Fastpacking (running) with a Salomon UA25 so packed size is important * Trekking pole tents only for easier packing (i.e., no ZPacks Offset Solo with its extra strut) * Want it to last for at least 5 years of adventures, since I expect my usage will be occasional * < 20 oz, lighter is better (ideally < 16 oz) but I'm willing to add an ounce or two for better durability, build, closures, etc. * Fully enclosed (I've woken up with mice running over me once, I don't want to do it again) * Don't love mids, I appreciate headroom * I'm 5' 4", don't need a ton of space but it's nice to have the option to bring my pack inside. **Options I'm Considering** * Gossamer Gear "The One": price is great, reviews are solid, but it sounds like the nylon retains water terribly and sags a ton and it might have trouble in high wind. Also would require a groundsheet, which adds to the weight. * ZPacks "Pivot Solo": new design with a funky setup, not sure if they've worked out all the kinks; have heard ZPacks has quality control issues. Otherwise, looks fantastic. * Durston "X-Mid Pro 1": some folks say the vestibules are so big it's hard to fit in a tight spot. Not sure how the diagonal orientation works with actually having usable space inside (vs. weird corners where you can't fit a pack). But I've heard wonderful things about Durston shelters. * ~~Tarptent "Aeon Li": seems to come in lower on reviews than others on this list.~~ Anyone have experience with some of the tents on this list? Any recommendations or considerations?

On a side note, I highly don’t recommend the Tarptent Rainbow. Message me if you want me to complain about it.

Yeah. Briefly: stakes, central pole, and top spacer pole are very skinny and weak, with awkward attachment system. They will break. You have to shove the main pole through a long sleeve, hate that. Trekking poles don't offer any added support (they lie along the ground - weird). Tent is not that stable, and performs poorly in wind, must be entirely closed in rain. Condensation since it's single wall. Not that lightweight. Not a true "semi freestanding" tent.

An X-Mid 1 or 2 would be a fine choice as well. Yeah, the Stratospire is a little finicky to pitch until you get the hang of it. (Although I own both an X-Mid 2 Pro and a Stratospire Li, I don't know if the struts help with stability all that much—so I'd say these two are comparable in stormworthiness.) My personal opinion is folks worry about footprint size a bit much. I'm about 70% done with the PCT and footprint size has been an issue for maybe 2-3 nights. Even then, I ran into trouble because I hiked into the night and should have been finding a campsite. With single-walled tents, I really like Tarptent's Rainbow line, but they don't perform as well in rain and wind, in my opinion, as the X-Mid/Stratospire-style design.

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.

I thought about the xmid and the Tarptent Dipole. Ended up with the Dipole because I'm tall and I didnt like the large footprint required to set up the Tarptent. I got the 1p and it's huge in the inside (for a ul tent).