Does this tent require seam sealing?
- Yes, this tent utilizes 100% silicone-coated fabrics, which require seam-sealing with the included kit. Please read our buyer’s guide section on seam-sealing for more information and guides.
Do I need trekking poles?
- No, but trekking poles can be used to make it freestanding or to provide additional support.
Can this tent be freestanding?
- Yes, two trekking poles or substitute poles can be used to make it freestanding.
Does this tent accommodate tall people?
- We recommend this tent for people up to 6 ft 6 in / 1.98m
Is this tent stuffable?
- Yes, the pole set is easily packed separately, and the fly and interior are fully stuffable.
Are there additional tie out points for extra staking?
- Yes, there are additional pullouts along the arch, on the sides, and along the perimeter hem.
Which pole type should I choose?
- Our carbon fiber poles are exceptionally light but are the most flexible of our pole options due to their smaller diameter. They are great for moderate conditions where weight is a priority over wind performance. Due to their brittleness, carbon fiber poles have lower durability than aluminum.
- DAC 9.3 NFL poles are heavier but also much stiffer and a bit stronger than our carbon fiber poles due to their larger diameter. We recommend DAC 9.3 poles for most users as they are a good balance of weight, stiffness, and durability. Aluminum poles have much better durability than carbon fiber poles due to their bend-before-break characteristic.
- DAC 10.65 PL poles are the heaviest, but also the stiffest and strongest poles we offer. They are recommended for users who expect extreme wind or snow loading.
Do I need a groundsheet?
- Probably not. 30D sil-nylon is very durable compared to most ultralight floor materials, and in most conditions, a groundsheet is just additional weight. A groundsheet is recommended for use on highly abrasive and/or sharp ground, such as on sandstone or when pitching on sharp rocks/sticks.
How do I avoid condensation?
- ALL tents suffer from condensation in the right/wrong conditions but there are steps you can take to limit it. Try to avoid camping overnight in cool, damp environments such as river valleys, meadows, marshes and next to water. If possible, choose an elevated campsite with a bit of a breeze and preferably under a tree canopy. Please refer to the Choosing a Better Campsite video to better understand how to avoid condensation.
THhiker (verified owner) –
I love this tent! I’ve now used it on two trips; the first in very windy conditions and the second on a platform in light rain. Though the tent was very secure in the wind I later bought additional stakes and guy line from Tarptent to stake out the arch sleeve and perimeter hem. I used shock cord to secure the hem with the stakes. I had Tarptent seam seal the tent and they did an excellent job.
The tent can be set up very quickly and I left the inner attached to the fly to allow for a dry setup in the rain. Compared to all other 2-person tents I’ve used, the Double Rainbow is a palace! I use a long wide pad and have an incredible amount of head room to sit up (I’m just over 6′ in height). Its great to be in a 2P tent that doesn’t require mummy-shaped pads because the foot end gets too narrow. The vestibules have ample space for packs and muddy shoes.
I was very impressed with Customer Service. I had a question about setup in windy conditions and Henry Shires replied very quickly!
Jean Lefebvre (verified owner) –
Could not wait to try. So I set up with forecast of heavy rain and possibly snow. Rained hard all night with high winds + about 5cm (2 inches) of snow in the morning.
Impressed by ease of set-up and ventilation. Not a drop of water in the tent and zero condensation. Impressed. Would recommend it to anyone. Never mind 4 or 5 stars. 10 STARS⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
— May 23 Update —
Just came back from a 2 weeks motorcycle trip. Encountered all types of weather heavy rain and high winds. My Double Rainbow DW was a marvel,easy and fast to setup. It was a fortress.
In June I’m leaving for a 5 weeks trip of the Canadian Maritimes, Newfoundland and Labrador and for the first time in 55 years of motorcycle camping I’m really confident and 100% pleased with the shelter that I’m using.