Single vs. Double Wall Tents

[Brycen]

I have been wondering about the difference between single wall tents and double wall tents. I have read numerous posts saying that condensation is more of a problem in single wall tents than in double wall tents. In using my Hex 2 tent both alone and with the mesh "nest" insert I have found little difference in the amount of condensation. Logically I cant understand why mesh would decrease condensation. Is condensation usually less of a problem in double wall tents because the mesh stops it from dripping into the tent? As the walls of my Hex 2 are so steep, the condensation runs down to the bottom of the tent and then drips off onto the ground. I haven't had a problem with condensation in the tent, with or without the mesh "nest" insert. I would like to get a second opinion, as I am thinking of purchasing another tent. Thanks.

[Kerosene]

All tents will condense on the outer wall given the right conditions (even if the outer wall is "breathable", like Epic, although it won't happen as often). A double-wall design simply moves any condensation to the outer layer, although if you have a mesh "nest" then you might still get a little wet if you inadvertantly bump or brush against the fly. Regardless, I'd recommend a sleeping bag with a DWR-treated cover which can come in handy whenever there it's wet out.

Here's a 1.5 pound single-wall tent: http://www.sixmoondesigns.com//shop/shopexd.asp?id=36

Here's a 2.25 pound double-wall tent: http://www.bigskyproducts.com/tetontents/TetonEvolution1Pdetails.htm

[Stoker53]

All tents will condense on the outer wall given the right conditions (even if the outer wall is "breathable", like Epic, although it won't happen as often). A double-wall design simply moves any condensation to the outer layer, although if you have a mesh "nest" then you might still get a little wet if you inadvertantly bump or brush against the fly. Regardless, I'd recommend a sleeping bag with a DWR-treated cover which can come in handy whenever there it's wet out.

Here's a 1.5 pound single-wall tent: http://www.sixmoondesigns.com//shop/shopexd.asp?id=36

Here's a 2.25 pound double-wall tent: http://www.bigskyproducts.com/tetontents/TetonEvolution1Pdetails.htm
Kerosene......Do you have any personal experience w/the Teton dbl wall tent? I'm wondering about duribility of the floor material. Tent looks interesting.

[Just Jeff]

Poor ventilation causes condensation. I think people say single-wall tents have more of a problem because they don't ventilate as well as double-wall tents. But I also think that, if you have a quality tent (either single or double), it has more to do with how you pitch it...you can increase ventilation by using the wind to your advantage, for example.

Double-walled tents also give you another layer between your bag and where the condensation occurs, so it may not be as much of a problem.

FWIW, even tarps have condensation under some conditions...and you can't get better ventilation than that!

[Jaybird]

i've owned a SINGLE-wall tent (Kelty Dart-2) for 4 years & have NEVER had any probs with it....of course, i leave the mesh vents open when NOT RAINING.


i cked out the above LINKS...
WOW! a 2lb 2.5oz tent for $235....is this supposed to be a BARGAIN?


i bought a TexSport Knollwood bivy (http://www.texsport.net/acatalog/Knollwood_Bivy_Shelter_Tent.html#a01163) a couple years ago for my wife for $40....its a good little, all purpose 2-person tent...& only 3lbs.

ck it out: http://www.texsport.net/acatalog/Knollwood_Bivy_Shelter_Tent.html#a01163


seems to work fine! :D


see ya'll out there: APR 28-May 20 HOT SPRINGS,NC-PEARISBURG,VA

[Footslogger]

I think the bottom line is weight and stability. If you're hiking one of the distance trails in the USA and not planning to bivuac on top of any seriously high mountains you might want to consider a lighter weight single wall tent. For more expedition style hiking a low profile, double wall tent would likely be a better choice.

Condensation, as has already been pointed out, is a funtion of humidity and poor ventilation. You exhale warm moist air while you sleep and it fills the tent. If there is adequate ventilation you won't get much condensation. Trap that exhaled air (moisture) inside the tent and it will condense, regardless of whether you're in a double wall or single wall tent. The majority of double wall tents have one or more vented panels on the top of the tent body to deal with this. For obvious reasons ...that's not an option on single wall designs.

'Slogger
AT 2003

[bigsky]

Kerosene......Do you have any personal experience w/the Teton dbl wall tent? I'm wondering about duribility of the floor material. Tent looks interesting.Stoker53,

Teton Tents uses double coated silicone silnylon fabric for its tent tubs on the Teton Evolution and Revolution series tents. This is a very common fabric in lightweight backpacking applications.

It is lighter than other heavier "traditional" fabrics, but will last a long time when taken care of. Over on the backpackinglight Yahoo group, on an April 17, 2005 post Brawny stated, "A silnylon rain suit is extremely durable. I have over 5,000 miles on one set, having used it on the PCT in 2001 (1,968 miles- to complete the entire trail) and my thru hike on the AT (2,168 miles), plus numerous local Georgia Mountain trips." To me that says a lot for the durability of silnylon when taken care of.

We will have the Teton Tents on display at the ADZPCTKO on the PCT in California later this month http://pct77.org/adz/ and at Trail Days on the AT in Virginia in May. These are both great events and invite everyone to attend.

Bob
www.bigskyproducts.com (http://www.bigskyproducts.com/)

[Stoker53]

Bigsky.....Good info. I've never given much consideration to tent weight in the past since the majority of my trips have not been solo and the tent gets split up amoung several people.


I'm assuming that the term "when taken care of" means basic protective measures you would use with any tent:

clear tent footprint of rocks, sticks, etc
use a ground sheet
don't set the tent on fire...unless you are sharing it w/an uninvited bear

Does the silnylon have any special protective requirements? What about UV resistance? It's been years since I've bought a new tent so I'm behind the new fabric technology curve.

[Kerosene]

Kerosene......Do you have any personal experience w/the Teton dbl wall tent? I'm wondering about duribility of the floor material. Tent looks interesting.Nope, no personal experience. I just found the link and description on this WhiteBlaze.net forum and thought that it looked interesting (see Post #15 at: http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=8502).

[Heater]

Stoker53,

We will have the Teton Tents on display at the ADZPCTKO on the PCT in California later this month http://pct77.org/adz/ and at Trail Days on the AT in Virginia in May. These are both great events and invite everyone to attend.

Bob
www.bigskyproducts.com (http://www.bigskyproducts.com)
What is the total packed weight of the Teton Evolution 2 person with tent, fly, carbon poles, hardware and footprint?

Also, I would like to see one of these. Is there anywhere in Central texas where I can look at one or where there will be one displayed in the future?

Thanks!

[bigsky]

Bigsky.....Good info. I've never given much consideration to tent weight in the past since the majority of my trips have not been solo and the tent gets split up amoung several people.


I'm assuming that the term "when taken care of" means basic protective measures you would use with any tent:

clear tent footprint of rocks, sticks, etc
use a ground sheet
don't set the tent on fire...unless you are sharing it w/an uninvited bear

Does the silnylon have any special protective requirements? What about UV resistance? It's been years since I've bought a new tent so I'm behind the new fabric technology curve.Yes, you are correct that avoiding "punctures" is the main thing and also keep the tent away from fire, including sparks, etc.

UV is tough on most fabrics... I noticed Campmor is now putting this warning on their web site: "Ultraviolet Light Warning: All tents, canopies, screen houses etc. that Campmor sells are intended for occasional use and not for permanent or season-long use. Continuous exposure will result in damage from Ultraviolet Light. UV damage is not covered by either the manufacturer's or Campmor's warranty." That being said, most people can expect a number of years of use out of their tents.

[bigsky]

What is the total packed weight of the Teton Evolution 2 person with tent, fly, carbon poles, hardware and footprint?

Also, I would like to see one of these. Is there anywhere in Central texas where I can look at one or where there will be one displayed in the future?

Thanks!Austexs,

The weights of different Teton Evolution 2P tent configurations are listed under "Specs" in the right hand column of the following web page:
http://www.bigskyproducts.com/tetontents/TetonEvolution2Pdetails.htm

The "hardware" you are referring may be what we call "Accessories" i.e. stakes, etc. also listed in the same column

We don't have anything scheduled for Texas at this time... hopefully we will in the future.

Thanks for your interest!

[Heater]

Austexs,

The weights of different Teton Evolution 2P tent configurations are listed under "Specs" in the right hand column of the following web page:
http://www.bigskyproducts.com/tetontents/TetonEvolution2Pdetails.htm
Yes. I have that bookmarked as it is one of the tents I am seriously considering at this time.

The website shows:

Tent, fly and carbon poles. 3 lbs 1 oz (1.39 kg)
(footprint not listed as part of this config)

Fly and footprint and carbon poles. 2 lbs 6 oz (1.08 kg)


Accessories - 8 Ti UL stakes, Stake bag, and tent bag. 4 oz

My config would be tent, fly and poles (carbon poles) at 3 lbs 1 oz, accessories at 4 oz... and the footprint at ?? oz.

All I have here to add up is tent, fly, carbon poles and accessories for a combined weight of 3 lbs 5 oz. Not bad at all for a two person tent!

But, what is the weight of the footprint alone?





The "hardware" you are referring may be what we call "Accessories" i.e. stakes, etc. also listed in the same column

We don't have anything scheduled for Texas at this time... hopefully we will in the future.

Thanks for your interest!
Well I have almost 2 years so hopefully I'll see one of these before that time.

Thanks,
Austexs.

[hikerjohnd]

Six Moon Designs has a new single/double wall design for their new Europa 05. I have set mine up in the yard and have been pretty impressed by the airflow. Check it out (http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=40) if you're in the market for a 2 man tent!

[bigsky]

Yes. I have that bookmarked as it is one of the tents I am seriously considering at this time.

The website shows:

Tent, fly and carbon poles. 3 lbs 1 oz (1.39 kg)
(footprint not listed as part of this config)

Fly and footprint and carbon poles. 2 lbs 6 oz (1.08 kg)


Accessories - 8 Ti UL stakes, Stake bag, and tent bag. 4 oz

My config would be tent, fly and poles (carbon poles) at 3 lbs 1 oz, accessories at 4 oz... and the footprint at ?? oz.

All I have here to add up is tent, fly, carbon poles and accessories for a combined weight of 3 lbs 5 oz. Not bad at all for a two person tent!

But, what is the weight of the footprint alone?




Well I have almost 2 years so hopefully I'll see one of these before that time.

Thanks,
Austexs.Austexs,

The weight of the Teton Tents 2P Footprint is 5oz.

thanks for your interest,
Bob

www.BigSkyProducts.com (http://www.bigskyproducts.com/)