Shangri-La 2 vs. Tarptent Double Rainbow Any Thoughts?

Do you plan on using the Shangri-La only as a tarp? or will you be using it with the nest?

Do you hate bugs?

Do you mind dealing with a bit of condensation?

If you plan on using the SL2 with the inner net, then the DR is lighter.

The SL2 with the inner tent will deal with condensation better than the DR.

The DR is bug proof, the SL2 is as well, but only with the nest

Can't speak for the SL2, but the DR withstands winds pretty well.

SL2 appears to handle snow loads better than the DR due to its shape, but this should be a minor concern for you since you don't plan on many winter trips.

Not having to deal with poles inside the tent is a plus for the DR.

SL2 is way more affordable, especially with the additional 20% couple at golite.com

I personally own a DR and love it. Good luck!

I'd second much what Konrad said and add a few things-

– No poles inside the DR!
– The DR is very ergonomic, especially for two people. I love not having to carefully enter at one end of the tent, carefully navigating around the poles inside the tent. The DR's double doors are well placed and well designed- feels like a lot less work for me to enter and exit the DR- unzip and stand up, no crawling required. Especially appreciated when nature calls or I'm sore.
– DR is lighter, if you're planning on using the SL-2's nest
– DR's doors allow for a lot better ventilation and landscape viewing/stargazing

I have no experience with the DR, but I have a SL2. I am 6'4" and the SL2 has loads of length even with the nest if that is an issue. It is rock solid in wind also. It is a little bit of a hassle with the poles on the inside, but you can angle them away from the center if you are using it as a one man. I have even set the front pole to the side and outside of the nest to increase space inside. I also like the option of using just the tarp for cases when there is not a bug concern.

Can't speak for the Shangri-La, but own a Double Rainbow….. LOVE the single Rainbow, (assumed I would equally love the Double) but the Double Rainbow does have limited head room for 2 people, no problem sleeping 2 people, but in bad weather it's a little more difficult for 2 people to 'sit' in due to the angles of the walls. (usually I use a Lunar Duo for my 13yo daughter and I, especially if there is any potential for having to hang out in the tent for anything other than sleeping. Its a palace!)

IF you are only going to use the fly on the SL2 and IF you use trekking poles, I'd suggest getting the SL3 instead of the SL2. The Golite website is not very informative in how they list weights. I realized after I bought the SL2 that the SL3 fly was only something like 1.5 oz heavier (the pole throws off the comparison). So I sold it and got the SL3. I got a 1.5 oz trekking pole extender so the SL3 is 3 oz heavier for a lot more room. You can get you and both your kids inside it. Even with the nest, the SL3 is listed as 19 oz heavier than the SL2 but 12.87 oz of that is the heavy pole. So going with extender it's about 7 oz heavier than the SL2.

If you're always going to use the nest, the DR seems like a better choice.

Where did you source your 1.5oz pole extender Randy?

Terry, it was given to me by another member on here who wasn't using it. I think they used to be available for the SL3 predecessor the Hex 3. You can make your own easy enough by just cutting aluminum tubing down to the size needed. It's nice to have a cap on the end that gets put in the dirt so it doesn't collect in the tube.

Also, there's the strap method to connect 2 poles together that Craig W. posted:

http://sweepingthegarden.wordpress.com/2010/12/28/trekking-pole-connector/

Thanks Randy, I'll keep an eye out for the hex version since I only use one trekking pole.

Thanks everyone for your insights