The questions are directed towards members that use single wall tents, other than hot tents when canoe camping.

Why do you use a single wall tent?

Do you have a personal favorite?

I move camp often and appreciate the simplicity of single wall tents, especially during set-up and take-down in inclement weather. I use the Bear ul2 or VIK 1 .

I haven't used a single wall tent due to condensation concerns if my down sleeping quilt touches a wall. Have you had trouble with condensation?

I do like the ease of using a Durston tent where I can just keep the inner and the fly connected at all times so it pitches like a single wall tent, but has the features of a double wall and has very large vestibules.

sraighthairedcurly, I transitioned from double wall tents with separate rain fly to double walled with pre-attached rain fly and now I mostly use single wall tents. Weight, compactness and convenience are the primary factors for my personal decision.

I test and evaluate all my equipment prior to use in the field. I identify the strengths, weaknesses and I learn to use it efficiently. Sometimes when wind and rain is forecasted I will spend the night in a new tent in my yard.

Condensation is my primary concern when using a single wall tent. Early testing almost drove me away from their use. Dew point temperature, tent design, tent location and moisture management inside the tent all play a role in the amount of condensation that will form on the interior of the canopy.

Photos are examples of tent testing in my yard:

I use a Tarptent Aeon Li, link below. It’s a single wall tent.

Tarptent Aeon Li

I also have a Moment Li DW tent - same maker. It’s a double wall tent but the interior clips to the fly so it goes up like a single wall tent. Super easy to pitch.

The Aeon Li has become my go to tent for the BWCA/Q over the last couple years. The whole thing weighs about 19 oz. with a carbon pole and sets up in a minute or two (I used to use a Marmot Tungsten 1P or a Big Agnes Copper Spur 3 P).

As you know tents will collect condensation on the inside of the fly or single wall…but with the single wall you will touch the sides with your sleeping bag, gear, etc. I keep a small absorbent cloth in the tent with me for use, if necessary, to soak up any condensation, but that’s not very frequent.

I leave the tent open slightly (or a lot) and I don’t really get any condensation - even in the rain, unless a serious down pour. I do this in May and late September, and all months in between. No real condensation issues.

I have a Durston DCF (Xmid 2 pro) single-wall tent. I use a down bag inside.

Condensation can be nonexistent, or can be significant. When it's bad, it is still manageable. A bandana is my tool to wipe off moisture when needed.

Like it because it goes up/down very fast, shakes almost dry after rain, weighs 28 ounces with the poles / stakes and is the ideal size for me (5'11" & 170) plus the 55# Cerberus, and all my gear can fit inside with us. Also has two doors and generous vestibules.

Not for canoe country (with the voluminous cargo space) but for Bikepacking we have the Zpacks Triplex. Super duper lightweight, but you pay for it with your pocketbook. I don't have a gym membership or any tv/ streaming subscriptions, so I pretend that is enough to indulge in my outdoor extras. We still use my other single wall (the CCS lean 3) for family canoe trips and even family bikepacking. But if its just my spouse and I, we will take the triplex.

Haven't had many issues. We use down bags. most nights we have in it have dipped below 32 so maybe the condensation just froze.

I trip with a Zpacks Free Trio dyneema tent and absolutely love it. It's incredibly light, packs small, is freestanding, is totally waterproof, and has enough room for me, my wife, and our dog. I honestly don't think I'll ever own a non-dyneema tent after this. The biggest drawback is condensation, which can be downright ridiculous. I carry a small Swedish dishcloth with me to wipe it dry in the morning and that works well.

sns: "I have a Durston DCF (Xmid 2 pro) single-wall tent. I use a down bag inside.

Condensation can be nonexistent, or can be significant. When it's bad, it is still manageable. A bandana is my tool to wipe off moisture when needed.

Like it because it goes up/down very fast, shakes almost dry after rain, weighs 28 ounces with the poles / stakes and is the ideal size for me (5'11" & 170) plus the 55# Cerberus, and all my gear can fit inside with us. Also has two doors and generous vestibules."

Doesn't the Xmid have an inner, making it a double wall tent? Or are you using it in the fly-only configuration. My Xmid 1p certainly has an inner but I have used it without, especially in winter. Tents that have this option, inner or no inner, are a great option for those who are on the fence on single wall tents and may sometime want the condensation touching prevention or bug stopping an inner can provide.

The current DCF offerings from Durston are single-wall, unlike the Silpoly versions which are double.

Condensation is the result of water vapor and temperature. It can be nonexistent or abundant. There are practical steps that can reduce the amount of condensation that forms on the interior canopy of a tent. I consider tent design, tent pad location and interior humidity as important considerations for managing condensation .

sns: "The current DCF offerings from Durston are single-wall, unlike the Silpoly versions which are double."

I missed that design change. That's cool. Those newer versions of the xmid look really nice.

Read this thread twice, then went and googled single-wall vs double-wall tent and re-read this all again.

Why would anyone canoe trip in a tent without a fly?? Just Crazy, IMO.

bobbernumber3: "Read this thread twice, then went and googled single-wall vs double-wall tent and re-read this all again.


Why would anyone canoe trip in a tent without a fly?? Just Crazy, IMO."

Wait - are you saying that you think a single-wall tent is a tent with no fly, and thus not waterproof? Perhaps I am misunderstanding you...but if that's the conclusion you've drawn, I am afraid the googles have let you down.

Tomcat: "sraighthairedcurly, I transitioned from double wall tents with separate rain fly to double walled with pre-attached rain fly and now I mostly use single wall tents. Weight, compactness and convenience are the primary factors for my personal decision.


I test and evaluate all my equipment prior to use in the field. I identify the strengths, weaknesses and I learn to use it efficiently. Sometimes when wind and rain is forecasted I will spend the night in a new tent in my yard.


Condensation is my primary concern when using a single wall tent. Early testing almost drove me away from their use. Dew point temperature, tent design, tent location and moisture management inside the tent all play a role in the amount of condensation that will form on the interior of the canopy.


Photos are examples of tent testing in my yard:

"

Your neighborhood looks cool!

bobbernumber3: "Read this thread twice, then went and googled single-wall vs double-wall tent and re-read this all again.


Why would anyone canoe trip in a tent without a fly?? Just Crazy, IMO."

Single-wall tents have the rain fly built in.

Kermit: "

bobbernumber3: "Read this thread twice, then went and googled single-wall vs double-wall tent and re-read this all again.



Why would anyone canoe trip in a tent without a fly?? Just Crazy, IMO."

Single-wall tents have the rain fly built in."

I'm trying to learn...

"I do like the ease of using a Durston tent where I can just keep the inner and the fly connected at all times so it pitches like a single wall tent"...

the inner and the fly sounds like two layers.?? What am I missing here?

So, might help to look at Dan Durston's tents here

Durston makes double wall tents, where indeed the inner and fly can remain connected for convenience (as straighthairedcurly describes) or be used separately.

Durston also makes single-wall tents (those are designated "Pro"). These are essentially a fly with integrated mesh sides/doors and an integrated floor. I suppose one could say those mesh sides make it a hybrid, but the ceiling and ends are single wall (fly).