Using the fast pack mode of a tent

Depends on the tent.

When you set the tent up with fly how low does the fly go? Almost to the ground? 6 inches from the ground? How about the front. How close does the bottom of the door get?

Basically, the key to keeping water off of you is getting the fly close to the ground so the wind can not blow the water sideways into your tent. After that you have to deal with the water running down the sides.

Also important is camp site location. Pitch your tent in a bowl and all of the water will end up on the footprint.

Want a quick test? Set it up in the front yard and spray the hose at it for a good 5 minutes. Walk all the way around and really soak it good. Then examine the results.

My suspicion is the area within a foot of the "walls" will get some splatter but everything else will be fine. If this is acceptable you are good to go.

What Sean said.

Eric

The footprints available for most tents are several inches smaller than the fly. This is so rain can't get on top of the footprint and make a puddle under you and your sleeping bag/pad. As long as the fly covers low enough to keep most of the water off the footprint, you should be fine for rain. Snow is another matter, as it can drift in sideways.

The hose test would work good. I've set tents in my yard and then ran my underground sprinklers before.

Derek,
Many people on this site sleep under tarps with just as much ventilation (gaps), and drafting. If it works for a tarp it'll work for a tent. I only do this when I take my tent to the beach.
To address a later post, fast-packing can be called the 'footprint/fly' option, and not all double layer tents allow for this option. Much to my frustration, the economical and relatively light REI QuarterDome does not.

I had not heard the term "fast pack" before, is that the standard way to describe using just the footprint and rain fly?
Sorry for the newbie question.

Hi Peter:

Yes, 'fast pack' is a popular term for setting up a shelter with just the fly, poles and footprint — leaving out the inner tent itself. A few tent models can be set up with just fly and poles.

Some people also use the term "fast fly" mode.

I have used the fast-fly configuration on my BA SL1 here in Alaska. It rained a bit, but I didn't get wet. It was windy, & I got a bit of windchill for a while since I had no bathtub wall to block the wind. All in all, I warmed up just fine & was OK. I certainly loved the low weight which was under 1#12oz.