Hello folks.

My girlfriend and I are shopping around for the right tent for our needs, but we have an overarching concern: condensation. I have what one might call an overheated body, and I have never had a tent that did not rain down on me (and my unsuspecting tentmate(s) the next morning (and often through the night).
I have decided that my highest priority is finding a tent that is as condensation-proof as possible, though I know there will always be variability in this.

We have been looking only at double-walled tents. As well, here are the primary parameters that we are shopping for in a tent: two-person; three-season; double-door; under five lbs; and, ideally, able to set-up as fly-only.

Please help me...my g/f is the closest thing to a mountain lion in human form, which is a great thing most of the time, but definately not at 3am under just-showered-on-once-again-thanks-to- peacefully-slumbering-boyfriend-as-
portable-stove conditions

Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

Hayes

Edited by scotch on 08/03/2006 16:54:24 MDT.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/big_sky_products_evolution_2p_tent_spotlite_review.html

You might want to look at the MSR Hubba Hubba - the body is all mesh, except for a small panel in part of the roof, so you'd get maximum breathability - approaching sleeping-under-the-stars ventilation - with the fly off. If you pitch the fly, you can open both vestibules completely, again exposing all that lovely mesh. Of course, if you have to button them up tight, all bets are off. (The vestibules - one on each side - are split down the middle, so if the rain isn't too bad, you could leave half of it open, which would allow a fair amount of ventilation.) All in all, a very nice tent.

One other suggestion: how about a shared tarp and individual bivies? It would maximize ventilation (and let each of you adjust to suit your own preferences) while still providing adequate rain shelter. For tarps, I'd suggest the Granite Gear White Lightning, probably 10x10 size. It's a snap to pitch, since it requires only two cords to guy out the ends; the side guy-outs are adjustable webbing, like a tent. For bivy sacks, my first choice would be the ID Salathe, if ventilation is a concern, since the storm panel opens to the waist and is fully backed by mesh for bug protection. If bugs aren't a problem, you can save a pound (and a lot of money) with the REI Minimalist bivy, which opens to the waist, but doesn't have the mesh backing. The White Lightning and Salathe are not the lightest gear out there (one tarp plus two bivies will put you just over 5 pounds), but they are incredibly easy to use, functional and bombproof. Substituting REI Minimalist bivies will let you get by for just over 3 pounds, and save about $200 - but you lose the bug protection.

Good luck.

Edited by garkjr on 08/03/2006 21:02:10 MDT.

I can think of 3 tents off the top of my head that meet your criteria. You should check at least 2 of them out in stores before making your decision (the 3rd is from a mail order company)

MSR Hubba Hubba

Big Sky Evolution 2

REI Quarter Dome

All 3 weigh in at about 4 pounds and have 2 vestibules. I have the QD and have been happy with it

Big Sky would be great if you could actually get one. Sure you'll pay for, but wait for months for delivery.

I love my Hubba Hubba for a two person. I've used it in temps around freezing, while it was raining/snowing and it was dry in the morning when I woke up. That was with 2 6' foot people in it.

re: tents

Edited by betsyleigh on 08/08/2006 14:30:25 MDT.

I'd say a BA Seedhouse SL2 because it is an outstanding piece of equipment and weighs in at 2.4lbs. It has the fastpitch option and the inner body is all mesh so 0 condensation worries. However, it has only one door.

You shouldn't buy a tent without high level vents. Any tent without these will trap humid air like crazy unless there is a breeze.

I like the Kelty Ridge 2 but I've never seen one. It seems like a better version of the Hubba Hubba, with much bigger vestibules and the addition of high-level vents. The Kelty floor is less waterproof than the MSR (1800mm vs 5000mm). As far as weight specs go, the R2 should be 6 oz lighter than the HH.

The Big Sky Evolution has high-level vents, but actually getting one is impossible at this point.

Edited by richard.s on 08/10/2006 00:07:12 MDT.

Thank you all very much for your guidance.

We are going with the Hubba Hubba primarily because of the versatility in set-up, allowing for the least amount of cover if weather allows for it.

I just wanted to put in a good word for the Kelty Crestone 2. I have one and it is fantastic. The pitch is very sturdy in high wind. Had a good test of that at a superwindy beach in Hawaii. I haven't actually weighed the tent to check Kelty's specs, but the 4 lbs 2 oz min 4 lbs 12 oz packaged that they claim compares favorably to the Hubba Hubba. It also has vents on top and I've never had any condensation problems.

One thing that I like about it is that there is a nice triangle of room inside the tent at the head and the feet for keeping gear inside. The vestibules are big, and my boyfriend and I never need them because there is enough room inside the tent for all of our gear. The 4 lbs 2 oz split between 2 people is not bad for such a solid shelter.

aaaaaaand it costs less than half what the HubbaHubba costs. ($120 at campmor)

Check these out:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/single_wall_tents_shelters_review_summary.html

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/double_wall_tents_review_summary.html

Focus in on the condensaton/ventilation parts of the review summaries. Ventilation is your main concern but the condensation-resistance of having a double wall is a huge help.

The Seedhouse 2 is small for 2 adults due to the sloping walls(see the review).

I reviewed the Hubba Hubba myself- it's not the lightest at 4 lbs but it's very large inside with the cross-pole and has double doors and vestibules- a big help if you fine yourself in muggy but non-rainy situations. It really is one of my favorites.

The Big Sky Products stuff is stellar. Might want to call them before you get too excited, though...I hear they have a bit of a backlog.

I sure love the tarp idea- that's the best ventilation possible...but it's not for everyone.

Best of luck!
Doug Johnson

Hello Hayes,

I realize this is totally beside the point of your post, but my curiousity has gotten the better of me. How is your girlfirend "the closest thing to a mountain lion in human form"? Does that mean she's the same color as a mountain lion, or in some other way physically resembles a mountain lion? Does she like to be in the mountains a lot? Do mountain lions have an aversion to being dripped on? Sorry to bother you, but I just couldn't figure it out and it bugged me for some reason. Thanks.

Annick

P.S. Hope your new tent works out

REI has the Hubba Hubba on sale till Sep. 4th. Great price for a quality tent. $219.99 http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47863094&parent_category_rn=4500457&vcat=REI_SEARCH

The Stephenson's Warmlite2RS is light, spacious, and vents wonderfully. There is nothing better but a 3RS, which is larger. Great 4 season tents

> I have what one might call an overheated body, and I have never had a tent that did not rain down on me (and my unsuspecting tentmate(s) the next morning (and often through the night).
I have decided that my highest priority is finding a tent that is as condensation-proof as possible,

With all due respect, I am willing to bet that you do NOT sweat much more than anyone else. Human physiology does not vary that much at night.

I suggest what you need to do is
a) find a tent which has GOOD ventilation features
b) determine how to use them as effectively as possible.

I can make my tent collect a lot of condensation if I want, OR I can keep the inside almost dry. As long as there is a high vent which is OPEN, plus a low vent at the other end of the tent, you should get some through-flow of air.

Anyhow, being gently showered upon at 3am is probably not as bad as sitting up in the morning and getting a whole headful of frost scraped off the inside of the roof down the back of your neck ...

However, lying on your back snoozing away while your breath gently turns to snow directly above you and falls down on your face has a specal charm all of its own.