Rainbow

The Tarptent Rainbow 1 is as big as many 2 person tents. Fantastic piece of kit, especially in the Li model which is made with Dyneema.

The Tarptent Rainbow 1 is as big as many 2 person tents. Fantastic piece of kit, especially in the Li model which is made with Dyneema.

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.

I always look on eBay for used ultralight tents. This would be nice if the price doesn’t go too high. Plenty of space for the weight. I have the Tarptent Rainbow and love it. Seller may take £100, worth an offer. https://ebay.us/m/iX3wD6 This is also nice https://ebay.us/m/YJb2ud

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.

I have the Rainbow solo (regular version, not the Li) and I love it! Sets up super quickly, no learning curve, gave me a lot more campsite flexibility than my buddies who both had trekking poles Durstons and were still learning how to set them up well. I think if I was to get a 2p tent, I’d either go for the double rainbow or the 2p free standing durston.

Check out the Tarptent Rainbow or Double Rainbow. I’ve heard of people using the single with a dog. But you’d need the double for another person.

The xmid 2 is ~9oz lighter and is more affordable like you said. I would look at getting the single wall DR, it’s the same price as the xmid 2 and only 6oz heavier. What you get is more versatility due to the freestanding option. Along with better site selection due to the smaller footprint of the DR (the Xmid 1 has a nearly the same footprint as the DR). Also more internal volume due to the arch pole. The fly is 20D and the floor is 30D compared to the 15D for both for the Xmid, so should be more durable. Both tents are loved so can’t go wrong. I love my double rainbow tho. Just bought the single rainbow Li got my upcoming pct hike. Also, they are great for tall people, so smaller people it should feel like a palace.

I would seriously recommend the tarptent rainbow 1p for about $300 and 2lb. It is only semi free standing, but you can add add trekking poles to the end clips to make it fully. Edit lb not oz 🤦‍♂️

The poles go in the vent slots with some reinforcement to prevent tearing, like a small towel or buff. However, adding a couple of guy lines is better for wind, the poles are best for vertical support for snow loading. This advice is right from Henry. The Rainbow 1P Li fits the Sierra well because of its small footprint, poles for semi freestanding mode, and vertical walls so condensation can be prevented from brushing on your quilt. The weight vs living space is very good in case you’re stuck inside for a while. I get 24.1 oz for tent and poles (stakes extra). A pyramid tent is much lighter (16-18 oz) but less livable and takes many more stakes (up to 10). Like all things, trade offs.

Tarptent has a double wall Rainbow 1P silpoly version that is 40” wide.

Im a happy Tarptent owner as well. I too, have the dyneema versions of both the Rainbow 1p and Dipole 2p. The Rainbow works great when hiking solo and a smaller footprint is needed. Plenty of length, width and height.

Tarptent DiPole or Rainbow models. Go to Tarptent website- contact and owner Henry Shires will respond to your questions (usually same day). Great tents, tall height/length/steep walls for maximum useable interior space, easy/quick setup, very storm worthy. I own both of the models above.