The Tarptent Rainshadow 2 is the bigger brother to the Squall 2 which won the 2005 Backpacking Light Lightitude award for Best Single Wall Shelter. This three-person Tarptent shares all of the features of the Squall 2 and offers excellent living space for three adult hikers for just over 2 ½ pounds. The floored version (tested) features a floating bathtub floor that keeps the sleeping area dry while taking tension off the fabric. The doorway can be set up with single or dual poles, the dual pole pitch giving better entrance access and wind stability. How does this XL-sized Tarptent stand up to rough weather conditions?
ARTICLE OUTLINE
- Introduction
- What's Good
- What's Not So Good
- Specifications: Year/Manufacturer/Model, Style, Fabrics, Poles and Stakes, Dimensions, Packed Size, Total Weight, Trail Weight, Protected Area, Floor Area/Trail Weight Ratio, Protected Area/Trail Weight Ratio, MSRP, Options
- What's Unique
- Recommendations for Improvement
# WORDS: 2120
# PHOTOS: 13
# TABLES: 1
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Discussion
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Tarptent Rainshadow 2 Tent REVIEW
A few months ago when I was looking for an UL 3 person tent, I unfortunately missed the Tarptent Rainshadow 2 in my research. I wound up going with the Hex 3 and I’m actually pretty happy with it, although I think I would have went with the Rainshadow if I would have know about it.
So why didn’t I know Tarptent made a 3 person shelter? Well, when I was going through their products, I assumed it was a two person tent since the number 2 followed the name. I would *strongly* suggest they name rename their tent to the Tarptent Rainshadow 3. Keep the versioning of their products to the year or name… eg 2006 Tarptent Rainshadow 3 or even Tarptent Raincover 3…
Anyway, I just might be selling my Hex next season…. ;-)
Frank, I agree that the naming system is confusing. The “2” refers to 2nd generation but that point is probably lost on most people who haven’t followed the product line evolution. Thanks for your comment.
-H
HS, a suggestion… [is it a good one??? i’ll let others judge]…
try Roman numerals for generation designations.
It might be clearer as many/most people have encountered this type of designation elsewhere, perhaps unrelated to backpacking and so will, perhaps(???), more easily make the mental transition and attach the proper meaning to the “II”, or “III”,…
e.g. the yet to be created, Squall III – 2-person shelter/tarptent”, which we’d refer to in the Forums, for the cognoscenti, as the “SIII”, or the “HS SIII”.
I have used the Cloudburst 1st generation, 2nd generation very successfully. I would recommend it for tight 3 man tent if you need other ideas. It would be cramped, but has more wind stability and snow stress. Does not require poles.
I have looked at the Rainshadow but not used. I have been happy with Tarptent products. Very few breakdowns, very light.
I have this tent & really like it. It certainly is spacious – in fact have we fit 4 (2 kids, 2 adults). The front top is a bit "tight" at the top where the vestibule connects together, but no biggie. I have not used it extensively in the rain.
Easy setup, but I've had the rear stake pull out on me in the middle of the night because the tent is so huge & grabs the wind… Recommend shipping & use of one of those long ti stakes to anchor the rear well. Or just pay more attention than me.
P
We just got done doing a 6 day hike on the PCT using this tent and it worked great. We (my wife and I) like this tent because it allows two people to bring all their gear inside and still have plenty of room to sleep and still is very light weight. The total tent in the stuff sack with the Tyvek ground cloth, stakes and tent is only 51 onces, which is less than 1/2 my REI half dome tent weight.
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