While I did have significant condensation in a Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo (since sold), I’ve had very little in Henry Shires’ Tarptents. IMHO, Henry’s tents are generally better ventilated. I found that the long “skirts” of the Lunar Solo, while great for preventing splash, tended to gather moisture from the ground outside and funnel it into the tent. I have not had any trouble staying dry in prolonged rain, even in the Lunar Solo when I stayed away from the walls.
It is a good idea to follow the instructions for reducing condensation on the Tarptent web site. It’s also important to have enough room that you’re not rubbing the tent wall (at only 5’3", I had problems with this in the Lunar Solo, probably because of my 2.5" thick air pad). I’ve had lots more problems with condensation in a double-wall tent, in which severe condensation on the fly leaked through the inner wall. (Never get a tent with an outward-slanting screen door, which has to be closed up tight in the merest drizzle.) IMHO, ventilation, not the number of walls, is the key. I never had the “misting” problem that some report, even during a series of cloudbursts (every evening for three days, in addition to all-day lighter rain) in the Colorado Rockies. However, I suspect that heavy rain hitting a tent with condensation inside will jar some of it loose. It never hurts to bring something to wipe condensation off the tent walls if it does become significant (something you can’t do from inside in a double-wall tent).
I personally would never go back to a double-wall tent–I find them far too claustrophobic!
grannyhiker
