Single Wall Backpacking Tents

[kenk]

I'm actually not in the market for a lightweight tent right now, but last weekend, while at a local outdoor shop, I was looking at the Eureka Zeus Exo, which is a single wall tent. Instead of having a breathable tent with a seperate rain fly, this has a single waterproof shell, and then relies on extensive ventilation to keep down the condensation.

 

Does anyone have experience with this tent, or other similar single wall tents? Do they really stay dry inside?

[ScouterJoe]

KenK,

 

The short answer is no, but don't dismiss this type of tent out of hand because of that. The weight savings are significant and the problems from the condensation are few.

 

I have just returned from Philmont where some boys used the Zeus Exo and I used Henry Shires Squall Tarp Tent, another single wall tent. There was rain and hail for five of the ten days of our trek so humidity was relatively high. Condensation did form inside the tents but unless the inner walls were touched it did not cause any problems. I should also say that every morning all the tents, both single and double wall were covered in dew and needed a good shaking off before being packed away.

 

Learning to adapt to the minor inconviences of a single wall tent are worth it though. The Squall tarp tent (with a floor) weighs less than 2 lb and the 2-person Exo weighs 3 lb, 10 oz.

 

Keep on Hikin'

 

Joe