Tarptent Double Rainbow

Jason,

I had the DR and I thought it was an awesome tent. The only thing that I disliked about it though was that it is single wall and I ended up preferring double wall shelters. I really liked the design and it is still one of my favorites. The only other issue that I can think of is that the mesh from the floor to the top angles in and takes away some of the room. You might bump into the mesh when two people are inside. If neither of these are an issue for you then you are set. However, Tarptent just released a new tent that is comparable called the StratoSpire. There is a 2 person version of it with straight walls so it should feel roomier and it weighs around the same if you already carry hiking poles.

Jason,
You really can't go wrong with the DR. My wife and I have been using one for a few years, and it's our go-to couples shelter. It does very well in a variety of conditions, and two people can sit up comfortably with one on each end. Side by side, you'd run into the mesh a bit, but its not bad.

It can be freestanding with the proper length trekking poles (but you still need two stakes for the vestibules–or tie them out to a rock/log), handles wind well, and the porches are fantastic.

BTW, is that 30lbs you're shooting for your base weight or including a certain amount of food and water? Even on a budget, you can decrease that by much more without spending a lot of time or money. Can you list what you're using or planning on using for your pack, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad? Those three items, including the shelter being discussed here, will make up the vast majority of your pack weight. With little effort and some help from the forums, you could drop that pack weight below 20lbs.

There are many articles and forums here that discuss an inexpensive lightweight kit. I think you could easily get a base weight of 15lbs.

Good luck!

That's total pack weight. I have the ULA Circuit backpack and Slumberjack Ultimate 20F sleeping bag. I don't have a sleeping pad yet. Those two come in at less than 5 pounds combined, so 30 pounds total does seem high. My only other gear so far is a Montane Light Speed jacket and my headlamp. Everything else I have yet to purchase. Maybe I'll start a thread with what I have so far and get some advice on what I still need.

>Maybe I'll start a thread with what I have so far and get some advice on what I still need.

That is an excellent way to start putting together a lightweight kit. Research everything. Spend time comparing many different things. The time you put into understanding how the items in a lightweight kit work by themselves, and in a system, is time very well spent.

watch these and get his book it could really help you save some weight and money

http://ultralightbackpackintips.blogspot.com/2011/07/video-tutorials.html

Jason,
Why did you dislike the single wall design?

I think you will be happier with the StratoSpire 2 if you use trekking poles, especially with 2 people. I haven't tried either tent, but I have several other Tarptent models.

Like Travis commented, a base weight of 15 lbs should be easy.

Jason:

You're single now; get a 1 person shelter for now and save a lot of weight immediately.

When you get married (or get a hiking partner with whom you want to share shelters), buy a 2 person shelter.

Better yet, she'll already HAVE a 2 person shelter…..and a whole gear closet full of stuff you can share.

"You're single now; get a 1 person shelter for now and save a lot of weight immediately.

When you get married (or get a hiking partner with whom you want to share shelters), buy a 2 person shelter.

Better yet, she'll already HAVE a 2 person shelter…..and a whole gear closet full of stuff you can share."

But best of all, she'll still be on her 1 person shelter too. And then you go gear shopping together.

Jeff

http://www.geartrade.com/item/232420

Amazon usually has the POE AC Elite sleeping pad on sale for about $60 and it weighs about 11-12 oz. It is 2.5 in thick too and somewhat insulated. Just thought I'd let you know. Good luck.