Tarptent Double Rainbow Tent Review

Bottom Line

In the world of ultralight tents, the Double Rainbow stands out with its excellent design, making it our favorite non-trekking pole tent for weight-conscious backpackers. There are technically lighter tents that don’t use trekking poles, but none are as durable, storm-worthy, or comfortable to use as the Double Rainbow. For balancing so many priorities well, it earns a solid spot on our list of the best ultralight tents tents.

The most unique design feature of the Double Rainbow is the single arched pole that runs the entire length of the tent body. It creates vertical walls at both the head and foot ends, which significantly increases head and foot space, allowing you to utilize the entire 88 inches of length.

This arched pole means your trekking poles (if you use them) are free to enable another unique trick: making this tent freestanding. By attaching horizontally at the front and back to the corners, the tent gains enough structure to be set up without stakes in places like granite slabs or wooden platforms. We also believe it’s quite weather resistant, with that curved pole allowing for a distributed wind force across the tent body that keeps the entire structure standing strong.

It still has flaws, namely the reduced lateral headroom, which limits it from being a truly great shelter for waiting out rainstorms. We also believe that trekking pole tents are quicker to set up and take down once you get the hang of them.

Removing that central pole can be tedious compared to pulling down trekking poles. However, we understand why this shelter is so popular; it’s great and comes at an excellent price! For those who love the concept of a pole tent but want to keep the weight to a minimum, the Double Rainbow is an outstanding tent that should last for years of use.

Comfort

We loved testing the Double Rainbow, finding its unique design both comfortable and spacious. The key feature enabling this is the single curved pole that runs through the spine of the tent, creating an arch across its entire length.

At both the head and foot ends, this pole ends vertically, which means that, unlike many trekking pole tents with sloping side walls, the Double Rainbow can utilize its full length of 88 inches. In practice, this translated to a comfortable experience while lying down, with the curved pole helping to avoid any feelings of claustrophobia. When we were stretched out on a 2.5-inch sleeping pad inside a 20-degree quilt, we didn’t feel anxious about the footbox touching the walls.

When sitting up, the comfort takes a hit due to the limited headroom created by the 24-inch crossbar. It’s not unusable, but compared to some other more spacious two-person tents, this isn’t the best option for waiting out a rainstorm while playing cards. The peak height of 42 inches doesn’t contribute much to alleviating this feeling, but it’s certainly adequate.

Other parts of the tent contribute to an overall positive experience. We loved the large side pockets, which can easily hold a headlamp, phone, or even the complete contents of a ditty bag. Interior clips on the ceiling facilitate stringing a clothesline or attaching an optional peak pocket that Tarptent sells. The switch from silnylon to silpoly is also fantastic to see since it doesn’t stretch or sag when wet, and the water-resistant zippers are smooth and easy to use.

The Double Rainbow has several unique features that help it stand out from the pack, including its ability to convert to freestanding mode. By attaching a pair of trekking poles to the four staking points, the combination of the trekking pole structure and the single tent pole creates a freestanding setup, requiring only the doors to be staked out. This is a fantastic feature for those who frequently camp in areas with poor staking options or on platforms like the Appalachian Trail.

Additionally, the doors include a small flap of fabric that can be unfurled to create a porch mode when the corner of the door is supported by a trekking pole. This is a fun feature that enhances livability during rainstorms.

Weight

For a semi-freestanding tent, the Double Rainbow weighs an impressive 36.6 ounces. While some other tents are lighter, Tarptent still provides a comfortable experience for two people in a design that is more storm-worthy than many alternatives. For these reasons, we believe the overall weight offered here is great. Moreover, considering it can be converted into a fully freestanding tent with some trekking poles, it becomes even more impressive.

Tarptent could certainly go lighter here, but we believe they’ve found a good balance between price, durability, and performance. The 20d silpoly rainfly and 30d silnylon are outstanding materials for general performance ultralight tents. The Easton carbon fiber poles are also a fantastic component to see, providing an excellent strength to weight ratio.

Ease of Use

Without trekking poles to deal with, the Double Rainbow is sure to appeal to those more accustomed to traditional pole tents, and overall we found it very user-friendly. Stake out the four corners, insert the single pole, and attach the crossbar at the top. Tarptent has been producing easy-to-use tents for decades, and their most popular model (the Double Rainbow) is no exception.

We appreciated that every part has some adjustability to facilitate setup while also allowing components to be cinched tight. The user-friendly magnetic door closures are also secure; we love seeing this feature appearing not only on this tent but also on many others recently.

Taking down the tent can be a bit cumbersome at times since it’s not as easy to pull the single pole out as it is to slide it in. The pole sections separate under tension, so bunching up the fabric and pushing the pole through tends to work best. This isn’t hard to do, but it takes some time.

Weather Resistance

With high-quality materials and a wind-shedding design, the Double Rainbow offers excellent weather resistance against wind and rain. The large curved areas created by the tent mean there aren’t many large surfaces for the wind to catch like on some other trekking pole tents, and the sag-free silpoly ensures the tent remains tensioned throughout the night.

To enhance storm worthiness, we recommend staking out the optional guy lines from the center of each arched pole side and directing one of the ends into the wind. The peak vents are well-designed, providing decent ventilation on both sides of the tent.

The addition of the porch mode on the doors makes this tent uniquely suited for waiting out rainstorms more comfortably, allowing the doors to remain open. However, as mentioned earlier, the lack of headroom prevents this from being truly great as a hang-out during long, dreary rainstorms.

Durability

The Double Rainbow has long been a favorite on trails such as the Appalachian and Pacific Crest, capable of lasting through a full thru-hike with proper care. Much of its durability stems from the high-quality materials used in the fly and floor. The 20d silpoly is an excellent material for the fly, resisting UV degradation better than classic silnylon, while the 30d silnylon floor offers exceptional puncture and abrasion resistance.

When inspecting the tent for manufacturing quality, we were impressed by the overall stitching quality and feel of the tent. Tarptent has been making tents for a while, and it shows.

Compared to some other more budget tents in our lineup, the Double Rainbow has a solidity that inspires confidence in its use. We believe this will especially benefit backpackers who are new to ultralight gear and still want assurance that lightweight materials will endure over time.

Should You Buy the Tarptent Double Rainbow Tent?

Non-trekking pole tents are becoming increasingly rare in the ultralight world, yet the Double Rainbow demonstrates that there’s still a place for them. If you hike without trekking poles and enjoy adventures with another person, this is one of the best options available. From its durability to its weather resistance and unique features, Tarptent has crafted something special here. After years of being an incredibly popular shelter, it’s no surprise that it has garnered such affection from the backpacking community.

All of it comes at a price that is reasonable for the quality and features included. We believe it offers great value, considering it’s a time-tested design that should endure an entire thru-hike, and if you share the cost with another person, it becomes an even better bargain.

For backpackers seeking a lightweight tent that can be pitched freestanding, this tent’s ability to accept trekking poles at the base is unmatched and could be all someone needs to hear. Not every trail offers the luxury of soft, secure earth. Additionally, if you’re just starting your journey into ultralight camping and feel intimidated by trekking pole designs, the Double Rainbow provides a familiar alternative while delivering excellent performance.

What Other Ultralight Tents Should You Consider?

If the Tarptent Double Rainbow Tent isn’t the perfect fit, our best ultralight tents guide has many other options.

3FUL Lanshan 2 Pro Review: If the price and weight of the Double Rainbow are still a bit much and you’re the type of person seeking the absolute best price-to-performance ratio, the Lanshan 2 Pro is hard to beat. Boasting a similarly spacious floor plan but better headroom, the Pro 2 should feel comfortable for two people. Although it’s not quite as stormworthy due to larger fabric panels, it should be more than sufficient for most conditions. The few downsides include poor interior pockets,  cheaper fabric quality, odd peak vents, and the lack of an option to make it freestanding. However, we believe that for many people looking for an affordable backpacking tent, the Lanshan 2 Pro is a great choice.

Durston X-Mid Pro 2+ Review: To elevate your backcountry adventures, we were impressed by the livability, ease of use, and weight of the X-Mid Pro 2+. With a spacious interior that feels luxurious even for two people, this tent is our top choice for comfort on the trail. Furthermore, the offset pole geometry enhances its storm resilience, while features like large pockets, deep vestibules, and water-resistant zippers make it user-friendly. Although it comes at a premium, we believe it’s fairly priced compared to other tents made of Dyneema Composite Fiber.

Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo Review: If the Double Rainbow is too large for your adventures because you usually go solo, the Lunar Solo is an excellent choice. With a 20d silpoly fly similar to the Double Rainbow, its pyramid design should shed wind and rain even better while remaining comfortable. The generous floor space is nearly sufficient for two, so you will have plenty of room for taking a backpack inside or just stretching out.