double rainbow vs stratospire 2

[barakrosen]

so, what do you say? which tent is better?
i worry about the pitching of the SS2 (what will i do i one of my sticks will get loss or brake?), on the other hand, i like the fact that he has less condensation.

thanks

[Gambit McCrae]

I have the SS2, and although I like it, its not ideal. For one all the stakes pretty much have a specific spot they can go in order to get the whole tent taught. I still get condensation in the tent, and head space is an issue, im tall. I like the squall 2, and the dbl rainbow though. I know that if you brake a pole, you can fashion a stick in little time, or tent with others and barrow one of their poles. if all else, you can use the guylines to tie to trees and tighten them up

[bigcranky]

We had the Double Rainbow and found it cramped for two people because of the way the side walls angle into the top. The design is structurally very strong and wind resistant. We considered a Stratospire as a replacement for the vertical walls/doors, but ended up with a SMD Lunar Duo. (Which I can heartily recommend, btw. See this page and do the interactive photo thing to see the volume for yourself.)

[mankind117]

Having owned the double rainbow and owning the stratospire 2 I can definitately say the Stratospire 2 has a LOT more interior room. I have no idea what the previous poster is talking about with head space on the SS2. I'm 6'6" have am no where close to touching the roof with my head. In fact I've never seen backpacking tent with such ample headroom. As far as worry about losing a trekking pole, just carry one of the optional poles they sell for their trekking pole supported tents. Pitching it is not any harder than the double rainbow. They both require staking, end of story.

[Namtrag]

SS2 is so large. We just got one, and my wife and I keep our packs in the tent and still have plenty of room. The vestibules are monstrous as well. I've seen a DR in person, being used by a solo hiker, and honestly thought it was a one person shelter. I think the DR is a palace for one, but cramped for two. Our SS2 survived a windy stormy day/night up by Thomas Knob Shelter a couple of weeks back. We were in it from 1 pm until 8 am the next morning. I highly recommend it.

[barakrosen]

it is not difficult to pitch?
the thing is, when i hiked the PCT (with a squell) i sometimes had a probloem find a spot where i can pitch my tent. it's possible to pitch the double rainbow even on a rock, or soft send, which is a big advantage, dont you thing?

[Namtrag]

The SS2 definitely is not free-standing, and does have a large footprint, but we have been on three trips using it, and have had no problems pitching.

It looks difficult to pitch if you watch Henry Shires' video on the Tarptent site, but we watched Franco's video on youtube, and he does it in a much easier way. Henry puts the trekking poles in first and then stakes the corners. It's much easier to stake the corners first and then do the trekking poles. IMO anyway.

The condensation is no better nor worse than any other tent we have owned. It follows no logical pattern. We went out on one trip where it was not humid and the wind was blowing all night, and we woke up too heavy condensation. Then on our last trip, we pitched the tent on wet grass, and the night was completely calm with no breeze whatsoever, and the tent was dry when we got up. Go figure.

[shakey_snake]

I have the SS2, and although I like it, its not ideal. For one all the stakes pretty much have a specific spot they can go in order to get the whole tent taught.

You have to adjust the length of the trekking poles to get a wider or narrower pitch, just like a mid. This also addresses your issue with headspace.

I still get condensation in the tent, and head space is an issue, im tall. I like the squall 2, and the dbl rainbow though

So in shorter, single wall tents, you have adequate headroom and less condensation? hum...

[rocketsocks]

it is not difficult to pitch?
the thing is, when i hiked the PCT (with a squell) i sometimes had a probloem find a spot where i can pitch my tent. it's possible to pitch the double rainbow even on a rock, or soft send, which is a big advantage, dont you thing?

I thing your have you answer...?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQSNhk5ICTI

[Namtrag]

If that's his specific concern, and he's solo, definitely go with the DR. Just an aside, I am following a PCT thru hike blog and the tent they chose was the SS2.

Here is the review they put up before they started. It may be of some interest to the OP. I have been reading their blog since they went on the trail on May 1 or so, and they have not said anything good or bad about the tent.

http://travelingbytrails.com/gear-re...ter-2/shelter/

We had a BA Jack Rabbit before the SS2, and it's like going from a condo in Tokyo to a ranch house in Texas.

[Franco]

This is a video I shot last year on how to set up a non freestanding tent (the SS2 in this case) on a non stake friendly ground :

and this is the way I do the SS2 on stake friendly soil :

[barakrosen]

thanks everyone!
i have two more questions for you:
what do you think about the golite imogene tent? http://www.golite.com/Imogene-Ultral...nt-P47236.aspx
it's light, cheaper then the SS2. does anyone know this tent?

another thing: i found this tent in ebay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Expeak-TENT-...item1c367371b2
i never saw this tent, and it does not look professional.. what do you think?

[Franco]

I hope that I am not going to offend anyone but the materials used for the Expeak (polyester fly and fiberglass poles) are about the cheapest available so not comparable to the other two you have listed.
Also to me that shape is less than ideal in the rain because you need to keep the fly fully closed therefore you will not have any views nor much at all airflow (so loads of condensation)

[Venchka]

I can think of better ways to throw away $100. One more reason why I do not shop eBay or Amazon.
I do not think that you are looking at the features and design qualities that makes a tent liveable.

Wayne


Sent from somewhere around here.

[OCDave]

I'm thinking barakrosen is not real. Three posts and on his 3rd he is comparing Tarptent to EXPEAK-tent? No real person would do that. No one could really make that comparison, could they?

[barakrosen]

I'm thinking barakrosen is not real. Three posts and on his 3rd he is comparing Tarptent to EXPEAK-tent? No real person would do that. No one could really make that comparison, could they?

lack of knowledge doesnt make you non-real

[barakrosen]

what about golite imogene tent?

[barakrosen]

what about golite imogene tent?

[Surridge]

Just got the Double Rainbow and have taken it out the last two weekends. Love it so far. Plenty of room for two (and our dog as well). Havent experienced any weather yet but it appears sturdy and easy to set up

[Venchka]

THE STRATOSPIRE 1 OR 2 provides a huge amount of protected, dry, three dimensional space for doing everything you need to do when the weather is terrible. Liveability before gram counting.

Wayne