Your order includes:
- Rainbow Li tent body
- Your choice of pole set type
- Six 6.38-inch / 16.2 cm aluminum DAC J stakes
- Stake bag
- Tent bag
- Freestanding/trekking pole support kit
- DCF patch kit
- Emergency pole splint
The patented Rainbow is our lightest arch pole-supported shelter and is the 1+ sized version of our most popular Dyneema® shelter, the Double Rainbow Li. The Rainbow Li has a single-side entry with a vestibule, is free-standing capable with trekking poles, and is a hybrid double wall with the optional liner, making it exceptionally versatile.
Looking for a double-walled tent? Check out the Moment Li
Looking for something more durable and less expensive? Take a look at the sil-poly Rainbow
Key Features:
- Fits users up to 6 ft 6 in / 1.98 cm.
- Single-walled with condensation-catching gutters, and optional condensation liner.
- Can be made freestanding with the use of two trekking poles.
- Trekking poles can be used under the top crossing pole for additional structural support in high wind or under snow load.
- “Porch mode” provides a large covered space in front of doors, perfect for cooking or staying out of the sun/rain.
- Made with Dyneema® Composite Fabric (DCF) and fully factory seam taped.
- Premium components: Tarptent carbon fiber or DAC poles, DAC stakes, YKK zippers, Tarptent UltraPE cording, magnetic door ties
- Fits wide sleeping pads up to 36 in / 91 cm wide, and users up to 6 ft 6 in / 1.98 cm.
- Fast and stable 6 stake fly first pitch.
- Arch poles pack short to 16 in / 40.6 cm.
- Partial solid interior blocks cold winds while maintaining views and ventilation.
- Large and adjustable high and low venting options.
- Optional clip-in liner provides double-wall-like condensation separation.
- Can be made freestanding with the use of two trekking poles.*
- Integrated interior pockets and overhead clips. Optional gear loft.
- Vestibules can completely roll back for views and ventilation.
- Low fly edge blocks wind and rain splashes.
- “Porch mode” provides a large covered space in front of doors, perfect for cooking or staying out of the sun/rain.
- Trekking poles can be used under the top crossing pole for additional structural support in high wind or under snow load.
*Please note that the Rainbow Li requires at least 43 in / 109 cm trekking poles to become free-standing. We also offer substitute carbon fiber PolyPoles. Trekking poles only required for free standing, not required for general use.
General:
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- Sleeps: 1+
- Seasons: 3+
Minimum Weight: 22.7 oz / 644 g (nylon floor, carbon pole set; no bags, stakes, or freestanding kit)
Typical Weight: 26.3 oz / 746 g (nylon floor, carbon pole set; all bags, stakes, and freestanding kit)
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- Rainbow Li body (nylon floor): 18.2 oz / 516 g
- Rainbow Li body (DCF 0.96 floor): TBD
- Pole Sets:
- Carbon Fiber (7.8mm): Tarptent 7.8mm carbon fiber arch pole: 3.75 oz / 106 g + carbon fiber top strut: 0.75 oz / 24 g = 4.5 oz / 128 g
- Carbon Fiber (7.8mm) (Short): Tarptent 7.8mm carbon fiber arch pole: 3.9 oz / 111 g + carbon fiber top strut: 0.75 oz / 24 g = 4.65 oz / 132 g
- Aluminum (9.3mm): DAC NFL 9.3 aluminum arch pole: 6.7 oz / 190 g + DAC NFL 8.7 aluminum top strut: 0.85 oz / 24 g = 7.55 oz / 214 g
- Aluminum (10.65mm): DAC PL 10.65 aluminum arch pole: 8 oz / 227 g + DAC NFL 8.7 aluminum top strut: 0.85 oz / 24 g = 8.85 oz / 251 g
- Tent bag: 0.5 oz / 17 g
- Stake bag: 0.2 oz / 5 g
- Freestanding/trekking pole support kit: 0.2 oz / 5 g
- Two trekking pole handle adapters and two pieces of cord
- Stakes: 2.7 oz / 77 g (total)
- Six 6.38-inch aluminum DAC J stakes: 0.45 oz / 13 g (each)
- Liner (optional): 1.9 oz / 54 g
Dimensions:
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- Interior Height: 42 in / 107 cm
- Floor Width: 36 in / 91 cm
- Floor Length: 88 in / 224 cm
- Packed size:
- Standard poles: 16 in x 4.5 in / 43 cm x 12 cm
- Short poles: 12 in x 6 in / 30.5 cm x 15.2 cm
- Note: The nylon floor version packs slightly smaller than the DCF floor version.
Materials:
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- Fly material: 0.55 Dyneema® composite fabric (CT1E.08), rated to over 8,000mm hydrostatic head, made in USA, olive green
- Floor Material: 15D quadruple ripstop, silicone and polyether urethane (Sil/PeU) coated nylon 6.6 rated to over 4,000mm hydrostatic head, dark grey
- Fly Zippers: YKK #3 Aquaguard waterproof
- Mesh: 15D nylon no-see-um mesh
- Solid Fabric: Breathable and windproof 10D ripstop nylon
- Guyline/Cording: Tarptent UltraPE cording
- Arch Poles:
- DAC NFL 9.3: 9.3mm diameter 7000 series aluminum alloy
- DAC PL 10.65: 10.65mm diameter 7000 series aluminum alloy
- Tarptent 7.8mm Carbon Fiber: 7.8mm diameter carbon fiber tubes with carbon fiber inserts
- Folding Cross Struts:
- Easton® 3.9 carbon fiber : 7mm diameter carbon fiber composite, made in USA
- DAC NFL 8.7 : 8.7mm diameter 7000 series aluminum alloy
Does this tent require seam sealing?
- No, this tent is fully waterproof from the factory.
Do I need trekking poles?
- No, but trekking poles can be used to make it freestanding or for providing additional structural support.
Can this tent be freestanding?
- Yes, two trekking poles or substitute poles can be used to make it freestanding.
What is the condensation liner?
- The liner clips underneath the canopy panels, mimicking the extra layer of material you would have in a double-wall tent. It separates you from condensation that forms on the underside of the canopy and is recommended if you expect lots of condensation and/or just prefer to have an extra barrier.
Is this tent stuffable?
- We highly recommend folding and/or rolling the tent and not stuffing it to extend the Dyneema® fabric lifespan, but the pole set is easily packed separately.
Are there additional tie out points for extra staking?
- Yes, there are additional pullouts on the arch sleeve and perimeter hem.
Does this tent accommodate tall people?
- We recommend this tent for people up to 6 ft 6 in / 1.98m
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?
- Maybe. Use of a groundsheet depends on the ground conditions and floor type selected. Our 15D nylon floors are more durable than 0.96 Dyneema® composite fabric, but both are reasonably tough and do not usually require a groundsheet. A groundsheet is recommended for use on highly abrasive and/or sharp ground, such as on sandstone or when pitching on sharp rocks. 0.96 Dyneema® is more prone to both punctures and abrasion than nylon, and regular use of a groundsheet can greatly extend the lifespan of Dyneema® floors in moderately abrasive environments.
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.
The first version of the Rainbow was launched in 2006.
The DCF Rainbow Li launched in 2021.
Version 2026 (Nylon floor launched July 2026, DCF floor expected October 2026)
- Longer above-door vents
- Moldable vent rim stiffener
- Bigger pole tip pockets to improve fit with large-diameter arch poles
- Updated floor reinforcement
- Comes with a freestanding/trekking pole support kit for easier use of those features
Version 2024
- Added a 15D 4000mm quadruple ripstop Nylon 6.6 for nylon floor option
- Improved floor tensioning system
- Updated arch poles now pack to 16 in / 40.6 cm
- Minor construction updates
Version 2021
- First version
5 reviews for Rainbow Li
Rainbow Li
Price range: $584.00 through $699.00
Tom Co. (verified owner) –
I had been waiting for a Rainbow LI and when I saw it was now available, I jumped all over it. The first thing I did upon receiving was to set it up on the carpet in the house. I used freestanding mode with a couple of big pieces of furniture to pull out the sides. It was easy to set up. The freestanding mode worked well with my regular tracking poles. A close expression of the tent showed nice straight even seems, no hanging threads and just general quality construction. This tent is slightly smaller than the silnylon version. It is 1 inch shorter at 42 inches 4″ narrower at 36 inches but the same length 88 inches. I put a standard size pad inside and it is plenty roomy. I could easily fit all of my gear inside. Take down was easy and unlike many of my other tents it easily fit in its stuff sack.
I recently had a nice sunny day so I set it up in the yard. Again a very straightforward easy to set up tent. I bought the liner with this tent so I install it. It attaches with two clips in each lower corner, two clips at the top and a single clip about midway down each side. It does not decrease the headroom or lying down faceroom very much. Almost all my backpacking is in Washington state where high humidity and condensation are a big factor so I planning on using the liner full-time. At 5’11” I like how much sit up room there is in this tent even with the liner installed. The porch is a nice addition. I can see where it would be useful on rainy days for sitting inside the tent and cooking in the porch. The only thing is the little porch tab is a bit small it would be nicer if it were say 4 inches longer. The only other downside I can see ,and this is a nit pic, is I don’t really like the included stakes, so I replaced them with groundhog type stakes. I also clipped in a small mesh ditty bag. The total weight of the tent, with the liner installed, with eight new tent pegs and my little ditty bag is 28.5 ounces. Excellent. I am anxiously awaiting an overnight trip.
Customer service at Tarptent is first rate
This tent is easily worth five stars
Scott Spencer –
I loved my silnylon Rainbow and was waiting for this bad boy to come out. My absolute unicorn dream tent for solo trips (the majority of my backpacking). The trekking pole option works like a charm with my GG LT5’s. Spacious enough for one on the move, porch mode if I’m with a group hanging out at a base camp. Yeah, all around a winner!
Michelle from Florida (verified owner) –
I wanted to wait to give my review until I put this tent through a test of the elements. Having just hiked the FHT through South and North Carolina I can give a real review.
This is my first one-person tent and I can say that although the footprint (area) of the tent seems small, once inside it is spacious. I had room for me, my pack, all of my gear, was able to sit up without touching the top, and was able to stretch out without touching either end.
This is my first single-wall tent (though it is listed on this site under the double-wall section, it is not, it is a single wall tent) and I did purchase the liner as I’ve read all the warnings about condensation. I slept right next to the water a few times and in high-humidity areas a few times. Only once did I notice any condensation and it was very minimal. Yet I was glad to have the liner to catch any drops that may have otherwise found their way to my face or my down sleeping bag.
The set-up was frustrating a few times as the teeny-tiny little ‘lip’ on the pole that is supposed to catch on the tent body hook (and prevent the tent body from riding up on the pole is so teeny-tiny that it wouldn’t “catch” and finally when it did, it slipped out at night. Because the corners are staked out the whole body won’t ride up on the pole but I think this could be engineered better.
One night I was on a particularly rocky area and so used the poles instead of stakes; this was super easy and very convenient to have this option.
The zipper isn’t like anything I’ve had on a tent before and does require two hands to pull it open and closed.
This tent held up through light snow, hail, rain, and wind, and didn’t leave me soaked in condensation in really wet areas. Given the light weight, small footprint, and spacious inside I’m considering it a keeper for my backpacking trips and am excited to have found this company.
Flaco –
Tarptent missed a golden marketing opportunity with this one… they should’ve named it the rainbro!! Even with this oversight i still love the tent. Just enough space for one person and gear, can be pitched freestanding, and only weights an ounce more than my altaplex. Seems pretty close to perfect. The only thing i would change (other than the name) is i wish there was a full rainbow door on the interior, but this is a minor inconvenience. Thanks for making the perfect, freestanding, one bro tent!!
Phil Jones (verified owner) –
I purchased the Rainbow Li just before my AT thru hike in 2022. It made it the whole way with flying colors. Occasionally we were required to set up on platforms, which the rainbow handled just fine with the help of my hiking poles as cross members. Its small size also helped in some tight camping spots along the way. The only issue I had was some condensation on rainy nights in the damp Maine woods. Other than that, i was a great shelter for a thru hike. I also purchased the rainbow roost to hang my phone and headlamp while doing some late evening reading on the trail. I am 5’8″, so I was able to also keep my pack at the foot end of the tent each night.