TT double rainbow vs moment vs nemo hornet 2p

I had a Nemo Hornet 2p and wasn’t to crazy about it (if you’re taller than 5’8”, your feet will touch the bottom). Mine was a 2018 and leaked pretty bad as well. Nemo claims to have addressed the waterproofability in their 2019+ models to their credit.
I purchased a Moment DW and so far like it a lot. You can buy a mesh inner for three season camping and if you decide you want to give camping in snowy conditions or rough weather a try, you can get the solid inner and second cross pole. The cross pole will make the tent more solid and carry snow loads and also allows you to used the tent free standing.
Even with a 25” pad I’m able to bring my pack into the Moment with me. Personally, I’m not a fan of leaving my pack in the vestibule but that’s purely personal.
There are many great tents out there as you know I’m sure, a few or more for you to consider are the Big Agnes Tiger Wall 2p (more interior volume than the Hornet 2p and almost the same weight), Zpacks Duplex and Zpacks Altaplex (if you’re using trekking poles).
Good luck on the hunt!

5’8” looks too short

Are you looking for a two person tent or a one person tent?

Since you state that you are a beginner I HIGHLY recommend that you avoid any DCF shelter for the time being since might end up paying $50 to $100 for each saved ounce in weight and only use the tent a couple of times.

My wife and I have used the two person Double Rainbow in the Sierras for three season backpacking and in the California coastal range. The basic Rainbow is a single wall tent, and like all single wall shelters, can be subject to condensation. While I bought the cloth inner fabric because I was concerned about condensation, I have found condensation on the inside of the DR to be not much too worry about if you keep the side doors open a bit.

For two people, the DR is tall enough for my wife to sit up and read her book, extra long for me at 6ft 2 inches and wide enough for two pads.

Many of the very light weight two person tents from Big Agnes and others are great tents but they achieve a lot of their weight savings by being smaller inside. Some are barely wide enough for two pads and often only at one end! and not long enough for me. I find that in a short and wide more tradition double walled tent, you get condensation on your sleeping bag since your bag is touching the walls.

If you backpack above tree line and expect high winds, the Double Rainbow and the Rainbow will be more stable if you attach guy lines to the top arch of the rainbow.So you will need more stakes and more guy lines than come shipped with the tent.

Watch the set up video on the TT website. Henry Shires stands behind his tents and his team does quality work. Excellent materials and worksmanship. If you are not confident in your ability to seal the seams. Pay TT to seal them for you.
Cheers

Sounds like to is a better choice

I have no experience which the Moment but Ryan Jordan just reviewed it. If you think you will be camping in very rainy inclement conditions or snowy conditions, the Moment is probably a better choice since it is double walled. Some BPLers have owned both DR and Moments and might chime in.

Also in ‘north cal’ with many many nights in a Double Rainbow. Tight for two, very nice for one. Condensation issues negligible, esp in the Sierra. Some moisture on the coast but plenty of room in the tent so bag stays dry. Could be a problem for two…

We have a Nemo in the family as well. Pretty nice form factor, packs nicely, and of course double wall. Cannot argue against it.

I will say that the construction on the Tarptent is second to none. Given your choices, if you really only need a solo tent, I’d choose the Moment.

My wife and I have spent probably 200 nights in our Tarptent Double Rainbow(s) over several thousand miles of trail.

We’ve used the older version (pre-2019 upgrades) and the newest version with the improved interior sidewall angles and the improved cross-strut design.

I mostly have good things to say about this tent. It’s cozy for two (because of the inward sloping sidewalls) but fine for average sized couples. It would be a palace for one.

Condensation can be an issue (as with any tent) but that is largely site selection and weather-dependent. We now have the inner liner and I suspect this will solve any condensation splashdown problems on rainy nights, but we have still to test that.

the best thing about this tent is that it’s really easy to setup and is a great solution for people who don’t use trekking poles (I personally find them to be major hindrances). Just stake out the four sides then slide the pole and the cross-strut in. Easy peasy.

The tent also have a relatively small footprint compared to its livable volume, which is a major boon in areas with limited but often crowded campsites.

I have no experience with the other two tents but I have zero reservations recommending the Tarptent Double Rainbow.

As an added bonus, whenever I have contacted the company, Henry Shires himself (the owner) has responded. It’s a quality operation and customer support is second to none.