New Tent: Tarptent Double Rainbow DW (double wall)

[Stumphges]

Tarptent recently introduced a double-wall version of their Double Rainbow, the DR DW: https://www.tarptent.com/product/double-rainbow-dw/

The Double Rainbow has been a very popular hybrid single-wall tent for years, and Tarptent’s recently introduced DCF version, the DR Lithium (Li) has received very good reviews, including by BPL.

But both are single-wall tents and this new DR DW comes in at only a little more than 3 ounces heavier than the single-wall DR. That caught my eye. 39.65 ounces (sans stakes) is very good for a double wall 2-person tent, especially considering it’s made with 30d sil/sil nylon that is far tougher than the 10d and 15 sil/PU fabrics used by mainstream (Nemo, Big Agnes, MSR) competitors. (Of course, those competitors are mostly using two-pole designs, so there is the tradeoff).

The DR DW is quite similar now to the double-wall Trekkertent Phreeranger: http://www.trekkertent.com/home/home/39-phreeranger-dyneema-composite.html

Trekkertrent only have the 1p version of the Phreeranger on their site now, but used to sell a 2p version as well. One difference between their design and Tarptent’s is that the former has the pole sleeve on the fly and Henry at Tarptent has put the sleeve on the inner tent. (Another difference is that Trekkertent make theirs with no-sag silpoly, while Tarptent is sticking with super-strong but saggy silnylon.)

One potential negative that caught my eye is the apparent increase in wrinkles in the fly of the double-wall version compared to the single-wall DR. I wonder if that has anything to do with the change in pole sleeve placement.

 

[Rex Sanders]

Both those tents resemble the Moss Solus II that I used and loved starting around 1980. Weighed 3.5 pounds including everything, made from far less high-tech materials. And one less pole. Slept two grown men snugly.

This is the Solus I, with a drawing of the II at bottom right:

Bill Moss was a pioneering tent designer in many ways:
http://www.billmosstents.com/

— Rex

[Stumphges]

Hmm, that Moss tent may have been the progenitor of the Phoenix Phreeranger , which introduced the crossing pole to the design. Both the Trekkertent Phreeranger and the Tarptent Double Rainbow are essentially copies of the Phoenix version. I like the “EB” version of the Phoenix, with an eight-sided footprint and door centered in the vestibule wing. The Phoenix version also tended to have an asymmetrical inner that occupied one of the vestibule wings.

The Phoenix Phreeranger has a good reputation for wind- and storm-worthiness in Scotland, but the Double Rainbow is not rated highly in these over here, which confuses me.

 

Anyway, Tarptent have managed to make a double wall version that weighs only 3 ounces more than the single wall, which is most interesting.

[bradmacmt]

Anyway, Tarptent have managed to make a double wall version that weighs only 3 ounces more than the single wall, which is most interesting.

I agree. I’m glad to see the Rainbow offered in a double wall configuration. It’s a great design. I had the 1P version, and found it very wind worthy. I just couldn’t stand the condensation, so the double wall version is good news indeed. I did go to the TT site and did the math… I come up with 41.5 oz’s (carbon) not 40.5 they list.

Regarding Bill Moss, yes I always admired his designs going back to the 70’s. IIRC MOMA and the Louvre have Moss tents in their permanent collections. They were made in Camden, Maine. I can’t remember when, but he and his wife sold Moss tents to REI at some point, but continued making commercial oriented tents. Bill Moss dies far too young in his early 70’s. Brilliant guy who went to the top notch Cranbrook Art Academy as I remember.

[Jacob]

So its only a fly first setup if you already have the fly and inner attached? Also no way to pitch the fly only? Seems alot different from the moment DW if the pole sleeve is on the inner and you can’t pitch the fly without inner…

 

[Stumphges]

Jacob, seems you’re right on all counts. Personally, I’d rather be able to pitch inner-only than fly-only.

[runrig]

For me, fly only is perfect since I only need the inner when mosquitoes are out.

[Stumphges]

Being able to do both would be ideal:)

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