Tarp Tents Work Well on East Coast ?

I use a Tarptet Rainbow (solo) in Florida year round. No unmanageable condensation problems at all.

I'm thinking about getting a Henry Shires Cloudburst (or Squall 2) or a SMD Lunar Duo (will be for 2 people). They all have floors and full bug netting but don't have netting between the fly and the occupants – so any condensation that drips will hit the sleeping bags rather than running down the netting.

When I go out in the MD area during the spring with the SD lightning (or family camping with a SD Meteor Light), the inner fly has big drops of condensation all over the inside even when I guy out the fly to get maximum ventilation. However, they roll down the mesh, and don't rain on the occupants, or get the sleeping bags wet.

ps: I tried using the Meteor Light without the fly ONCE in the Spring when I was sure it wouldn't rain. It turns out that the dew settled right through the mesh and soaked the sleeping bags about half way through (Marmot down bag & Sierra Designs poloarguard 3D bag). Both were plenty warm even when damp, but a pain to dry out at breaks, etc.

John,

I've been using TarpTent's and SMD shelters since 2006, mostly in the humid midwest, and I've never actually had condensation drip on me. When there has been condensation, it runs down the silnylon walls, hits the mesh, and then wicks down to the ground. No big deal at all.

Also, I get much less condensation in them than I got under the rainfly of my old double wall tent because they breathe so much better (all the mesh). When I use them, I have them wide open unless it's raining, just like below. This was just this past Saturday night in MN right off the St. Croix river. Humidity was super high because it rained most of the night. I had to close up the vestibules around 1am or so. Completely closed up and 40 degrees with rain, and I didn't have any condensation at all. Granted it was just me, and it was breezy, but there still wasn't any there. If it did ever drip on me, my WM bag has a great DWR finish, water beads up and runs right off.

I have a few tarptents and only one that I have had any considerable condensation is my SMD Wild Oasis. Not because it is a flawed design, but due to not being able to keep the door open in buggy conditions. Still, not that bad. I just use my pack towel to wipe down the interior before packing it.

Have never had water drop down on me.

@ Dan

Luv the Lunar Duo!!