Tarptent rainbow Li

I’m waiting for the Moment Li… single wall’s just don’t work for me.

SUPER excited about this as I had a Northface on the AT years ago that was the exact same setup as the Li for a LOT more weight  (it was the year 2000.)  My hope was the TT would put this out in a Li version at a super light weight.  But…then I just compared all the specs to my Nemo Elite and my excitement dwindled.  My Elite, without the bag and with modified guy lines and stakes comes in at 24.9…the Rainbow Li says it weighs 24.1.

While the height of the Li is 5 inches taller than the Elite…the 37 inch height of the Nemo is fine for me. And…the Nemo has a width of 50 at the top and 42 at the foot while the Li has a continuous width of 36.  While the vestibule is a smidge bigger on the Li….I’m bummed I’m not seeing better reasons to fork out the money for the Li.  Don’t get me wrong…I’d love the Dyneema that doesn’t soak up any water…but not seeing Li’s edge here.

Am I missing something?

I have the Nemo Hornet 1P Elite… there’s no way I’d trade down to a single wall of the same weight.

But…then I just compared all the specs to my Nemo Elite and my excitement dwindled. My Elite, without the bag and with modified guy lines and stakes comes in at 24.9…the Rainbow Li says it weighs 24.1.

I don’t want to hijack the thread on the Rainbow Li, but how did you get your Elite down to 24.9? Based on the dimensions you listed it sounds like you have the 2P version which Nemo specs at 27oz. Not sure if their spec includes stakes or not.

I love my Double Rainbow Li, but am seriously considering switching to the Hornet Elite to have something stuffable and double wall.

Ahhh… Good catch.  Nope.  I have the Elite 1P– and 6 MSD mini Groubdhog stakes, no Divvy sack and modified guy lines weighs 24.9…

Where I was wrong:

The 1P Elite is not 50 and 40 inches wide…but 40 and 32 inches wide (compared to the 36″ Li). I still like the extra 4 inches at the head.

Having used a 1-person Rainbow and still use a 1-person Nemo Hornet, the Rainbow has significantly more useable interior volume – it’s not even a close comparison. I like the Hornet and it’s big enough for me, but well, that’s what you’re getting with the Rainbow – more living space.

I’d also say Tarptent’s newest iterations of the Rainbow are more stormworthy than the Hornet. The Hornet’s high-fly is not good at keeping cold winds out. Henry Shires will probably also chime in about the Nemo’s low hydrostatic values, however, my Hornet has kept me dry through some huge downpours.

Uh… I’ve had the TT Rainbow. It’s a condensation collecting fiend. I’ve had several iterations of the Hornet 1P in significant storms and not found them wanting.

Also, I’ve found the Nemo Hornet Elite (and standard) 1P is the least condensation collecting tent I’ve ever used. Period.

Beautifully crafted as are all TT’s offerings. If, like me, you don’t do trekking poles and don’t mind dealing with condensation, this is your huckleberry.

https://www.tarptent.com/product/rainbow-li/

I love my DR Li. It’s a palace for myself for a ridiculous light weight. The few oz weight savings on the Rainbow Li isn’t worth the trade off in livability. Condensation has not been an issue at all. I recently used it in the White Mountains of NH in 60 mph wind gusts and rain at night followed by temps in the 30’s with wind chill factored in. I still had no issues. I do use the optional liner for the inside but it’s only a few oz and essentially turns it into a double wall tent in the most important areas. This tent is amazing!!

Of course the TT 1P Rainbow has more inside space, as it is a single wall.   The Nemo 1P Elite has a double wall, but according to the Nemo site, pitches net inner first.  In any kind of a rainstorm that is a disaster.  But the condensation from the single wall can be pretty awful.  So the debate goes on, since both tents have design shortcomings.

Claims of weathering storms in single wall tents have been accepted on the theory that the camps were in low humidity climates.  Don’t buy that anymore, having camped all over the USA except the far Northwest, which if anything is wetter.  So think there has been some touting going on here.  My favorite post on BPL was from Dan Durston, who when hiking the PCT, observed hikers heading out for the nearest lodging when things got rough.  We had something like that when several hikers attempted a winter thru-hike of the Cohos Trail in northernmost NH.  They ended up seeking shelter in the Mount Washington Hotel basement, and even uninvited in private hunting camps, which many felt was not at all cool.  My only comment was, “life is for learning.”

Whether a tent be fabric or DCF, a breathable but solid water repellent DWR inner seems the best option for storm protection, and will keep out rainwater for a few minutes during the pitch.  Then with the fly installed can be stormproof if well designed and guyed.  And will keep us dry and safe, and able to stay on the route through foul weather.  That is backpacking.

I’m not super experienced compared to some on here but al I can say is I’ve not had that experience with my dcf Double Rainbow. Of course I use that small optional liner , but I used it not too long ago in a crazy storm with humidity, pouring rsin, then wind and drastic change in temps and it performed beautifully…

I’m not super experienced compared to some on here but al I can say is I’ve not had that experience with my dcf Double Rainbow. Of course I use that small optional liner , but I used it not too long ago in a crazy storm with humidity, pouring rsin, then wind and drastic change in temps and it performed beautifully…

I think it’s important to point out you’re using a fairly large volume 2P tent (Rainbow) as a 1P tent… that really does change the condensation equation.

Personally, I don’t like that much room in a 1P tent. I had the 1P Rainbow, and found it palatial. No way I’d be interested in the 2P Rainbow. But these sort of differences are the stuff of life.

In spit of my initial dogmatism, I “may” yet give the Rainbow Li a try. It’s been 10 or 11 years since I owned my previous Rainbow, and I truly love the design. The Rainbow is essentially a large MSR Hubba (I still have the Hubba HP version). It might be worthwhile to experiment with different venting than I did 10 years ago, and also see how the DCF behaves. Trying to keep an open mind here at the beginning of my 6th decade…

When TT first came out with a clip-in liner for the 1p Rainbow, I got one, but found it inadequate for several reasons, including insufficient coverage and much reduced interior space.  The current liner may be better, but could not tell from the photos and images on the site.  In any case, I’d want something securely affixed to the structure so that the reduction in space is limited to no more than 1-2 inches on the entire side walls.  And solid, as is the TT clip-in.  Also, the liner is spec’d at 4 oz, which is considerable for a 1P DCF tent weighing around 22 oz, not counting the liner, 6 pegs, and bag.

I really liked the space in the 1P DCF Rainbow with the 3′ width, 88″ length and 42″ hooped height, which offers much more room than an A-frame with similar dimensions.   But decided later that the best way to add space and minimize weight to a hooped tent like this is to extend the floor and inner into one of two vestibules.  And this has worked out best ever since, for the modded Goondie I’m using, as well as the current tent project; both of which are self-supporting, which I think reduces tension on the stakes and adds to wind stability.

The clip-in costs $30, and I’d suggest getting one and eyeballing it before investing in the DCF Rainbow.  No objection to the info on the TT site.  It’s just hard to evaluate a clip-in without seeing one up close.  And do think that inner side walls are all that need to be added on this side-entry tent, what with the long front wall protected by the front vestibule and netting door.  But am not sure if there is netting inside the rear wall to fully protect against bugs and crawlies, and against rubbing against condensation.  Some things you might want to check out before buying if you want to be able to fully button up in storms.

This is a great tent design, popularized by Chris Townsend on his many treks, and who at one time was an occasional poster on BPL.  The design came initially from the Phoenix company, and now is also made by Trekkertent (about two months wait time).