Tarptent Double Rainbow Evaluation| CleverHiker

Backside Line

On the earth of ultralight tents, the Double Rainbow stands out with its glorious design, making it our favourite non-trekking pole tent for weight-conscious backpackers. There are technically lighter tents that don’t use trekking poles, however none are as sturdy, storm-worthy, or comfy to make use of because the Double Rainbow. For balancing so many priorities nicely, it earns a strong spot on our checklist of the very best ultralight tents tents.

Probably the most distinctive design function of the Double Rainbow is the one arched pole that runs the whole size of the tent physique. It creates vertical partitions at each the top and foot ends, which considerably will increase head and foot area, permitting you to make the most of the whole 88 inches of size.

This arched pole means your trekking poles (for those who use them) are free to allow one other distinctive trick: making this tent freestanding. By attaching horizontally at the back and front to the corners, the tent positive factors sufficient construction to be arrange with out stakes in locations like granite slabs or picket platforms. We additionally imagine it’s fairly climate resistant, with that curved pole permitting for a distributed wind drive throughout the tent physique that retains the whole construction standing sturdy.

It nonetheless has flaws, particularly the decreased lateral headroom, which limits it from being a very nice shelter for ready out rainstorms. We additionally imagine that trekking pole tents are faster to arrange and take down when you get the dangle of them.

Eradicating that central pole will be tedious in comparison with flattening trekking poles. Nonetheless, we perceive why this shelter is so in style; it’s nice and comes at a wonderful worth! For individuals who love the idea of a pole tent however need to hold the burden to a minimal, the Double Rainbow is an excellent tent that ought to final for years of use.

Consolation

We liked testing the Double Rainbow, discovering its distinctive design each comfy and spacious. The important thing function enabling that is the one curved pole that runs by way of the backbone of the tent, creating an arch throughout its whole size.

At each the top and foot ends, this pole ends vertically, which implies that, in contrast to many trekking pole tents with sloping aspect partitions, the Double Rainbow can make the most of its full size of 88 inches. In observe, this translated to a snug expertise whereas mendacity down, with the curved pole serving to to keep away from any emotions of claustrophobia. After we had been stretched out on a 2.5-inch sleeping pad inside a 20-degree quilt, we didn’t really feel anxious in regards to the footbox touching the partitions.

When sitting up, the consolation takes successful because of the restricted headroom created by the 24-inch crossbar. It’s not unusable, however in comparison with another extra spacious two-person tents, this isn’t the most suitable choice for ready out a rainstorm whereas enjoying playing cards. The height top of 42 inches doesn’t contribute a lot to assuaging this sense, however it’s definitely enough.

Different components of the tent contribute to an total constructive expertise. We liked the big aspect pockets, which might simply maintain a headlamp, cellphone, and even the entire contents of a ditty bag. Inside clips on the ceiling facilitate stringing a clothesline or attaching an elective peak pocket that Tarptent sells. The swap from silnylon to silpoly can also be implausible to see because it doesn’t stretch or sag when moist, and the water resistant zippers are clean and straightforward to make use of.

The Double Rainbow has a number of distinctive options that assist it stand out from the pack, together with its capability to transform to freestanding mode. By attaching a pair of trekking poles to the 4 staking factors, the mixture of the trekking pole construction and the one tent pole creates a freestanding setup, requiring solely the doorways to be staked out. It is a implausible function for many who regularly camp in areas with poor staking choices or on platforms just like the Appalachian Path.

Moreover, the doorways embody a small flap of material that may be unfurled to create a porch mode when the nook of the door is supported by a trekking pole. It is a enjoyable function that enhances livability throughout rainstorms.

Weight

For a semi-freestanding tent, the Double Rainbow weighs a powerful 36.6 ounces. Whereas another tents are lighter, Tarptent nonetheless gives a snug expertise for 2 folks in a design that’s extra storm-worthy than many options. For these causes, we imagine the general weight supplied right here is nice. Furthermore, contemplating it may be transformed into a totally freestanding tent with some trekking poles, it turns into much more spectacular.

Tarptent may definitely go lighter right here, however we imagine they’ve discovered a very good steadiness between worth, sturdiness, and efficiency. The 20d silpoly rainfly and 30d silnylon are excellent supplies for normal efficiency ultralight tents. The Easton carbon fiber poles are additionally a implausible element to see, offering a wonderful power to weight ratio.

Ease of Use

With out trekking poles to take care of, the Double Rainbow is bound to enchantment to these extra accustomed to conventional pole tents, and total we discovered it very user-friendly. Stake out the 4 corners, insert the one pole, and fasten the crossbar on the prime. Tarptent has been producing easy-to-use tents for many years, and their hottest mannequin (the Double Rainbow) isn’t any exception.

We appreciated that each half has some adjustability to facilitate setup whereas additionally permitting elements to be cinched tight. The user-friendly magnetic door closures are additionally safe; we love seeing this function showing not solely on this tent but additionally on many others not too long ago.

Taking down the tent could be a bit cumbersome at occasions because it’s not as straightforward to drag the one pole out as it’s to slip it in. The pole sections separate beneath rigidity, so bunching up the material and pushing the pole by way of tends to work finest. This isn’t exhausting to do, however it takes a while.

Climate Resistance

With high-quality supplies and a wind-shedding design, the Double Rainbow provides glorious climate resistance in opposition to wind and rain. The big curved areas created by the tent imply there aren’t many massive surfaces for the wind to catch like on another trekking pole tents, and the sag-free silpoly ensures the tent stays tensioned all through the evening.

To boost storm worthiness, we advocate staking out the elective man strains from the middle of every arched pole aspect and directing one of many ends into the wind. The height vents are well-designed, offering respectable air flow on each side of the tent.

The addition of the porch mode on the doorways makes this tent uniquely fitted to ready out rainstorms extra comfortably, permitting the doorways to stay open. Nonetheless, as talked about earlier, the dearth of headroom prevents this from being actually nice as a haunt throughout lengthy, dreary rainstorms.

Sturdiness

The Double Rainbow has lengthy been a favourite on trails such because the Appalachian and Pacific Crest, able to lasting by way of a full thru-hike with correct care. A lot of its sturdiness stems from the high-quality supplies used within the fly and flooring. The 20d silpoly is a superb materials for the fly, resisting UV degradation higher than traditional silnylon, whereas the 30d silnylon flooring provides distinctive puncture and abrasion resistance.

When inspecting the tent for manufacturing high quality, we had been impressed by the general stitching high quality and really feel of the tent. Tarptent has been making tents for some time, and it reveals.

In comparison with another extra price range tents in our lineup, the Double Rainbow has a solidity that evokes confidence in its use. We imagine it will particularly profit backpackers who’re new to ultralight gear and nonetheless need assurance that light-weight supplies will endure over time.

Ought to You Purchase the Tarptent Double Rainbow Tent?

Non-trekking pole tents have gotten more and more uncommon within the ultralight world, but the Double Rainbow demonstrates that there’s nonetheless a spot for them. For those who hike with out trekking poles and revel in adventures with one other particular person, this is among the finest choices out there. From its sturdiness to its climate resistance and distinctive options, Tarptent has crafted one thing particular right here. After years of being an extremely in style shelter, it’s no shock that it has garnered such affection from the backpacking group.

All of it comes at a worth that’s affordable for the standard and options included. We imagine it provides nice worth, contemplating it’s a time-tested design that ought to endure a whole thru-hike, and for those who share the fee with one other particular person, it turns into a good higher discount.

For backpackers in search of a light-weight tent that may be pitched freestanding, this tent’s capability to simply accept trekking poles on the base is unmatched and could possibly be all somebody wants to listen to. Not each path provides the posh of soppy, safe earth. Moreover, for those who’re simply beginning your journey into ultralight tenting and really feel intimidated by trekking pole designs, the Double Rainbow gives a well-recognized different whereas delivering glorious efficiency.

What Different Ultralight Tents Ought to You Take into account?

If the Tarptent Double Rainbow Tent isn’t the proper match, our finest ultralight tents information has many different choices.

3FUL Lanshan 2 Professional Evaluation: If the worth and weight of the Double Rainbow are nonetheless a bit a lot and also you’re the kind of particular person in search of the very best price-to-performance ratio, the Lanshan 2 Professional is tough to beat. Boasting a equally spacious flooring plan however higher headroom, the Professional 2 ought to really feel comfy for 2 folks. Though it’s not fairly as stormworthy attributable to bigger cloth panels, it needs to be greater than enough for many situations. The few downsides embody poor inside pockets,  cheaper cloth high quality, odd peak vents, and the dearth of an choice to make it freestanding. Nonetheless, we imagine that for many individuals on the lookout for an inexpensive backpacking tent, the Lanshan 2 Professional is a superb alternative.

Durston X-Mid Professional 2+ Evaluation: To raise your backcountry adventures, we had been impressed by the livability, ease of use, and weight of the X-Mid Professional 2+. With a spacious inside that feels luxurious even for 2 folks, this tent is our best choice for consolation on the path. Moreover, the offset pole geometry enhances its storm resilience, whereas options like massive pockets, deep vestibules, and water resistant zippers make it user-friendly. Though it comes at a premium, we imagine it’s pretty priced in comparison with different tents made from Dyneema Composite Fiber.

Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo Evaluation: If the Double Rainbow is simply too massive in your adventures since you often go solo, the Lunar Solo is a superb alternative. With a 20d silpoly fly much like the Double Rainbow, its pyramid design ought to shed wind and rain even higher whereas remaining comfy. The beneficiant flooring area is almost enough for 2, so you’ll have loads of room for taking a backpack inside or simply stretching out.