Head to head
Tarptent Double Rainbow vs Tarptent StratoSpire 2
The Tarptent StratoSpire 2 gives each person more floor — 15.6 sq ft against 15.3, which is the difference between standard and standard. The Tarptent Double Rainbow is the lighter carry at 35.9 oz, and the Tarptent Double Rainbow is the cheaper of the two at ~$284.
Tarptent Tarptent Double Rainbow | Tarptent Tarptent StratoSpire 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Ultralight | Ultralight |
| Rated capacity | 2-person | 2-person |
| Floor area per personestimated | 15.3 sq ft (standard) | 15.6 sq ft (standard) |
| Floor area | 30.6 sq ft | 31.1 sq ft |
| Vestibule area | — | 25.6 sq ft |
| Peak height | 42 in | 48 in |
| Minimum trail weight | 35.9 oz | 38.8 oz |
| Packed weight | 39.5 oz | 43.8 oz |
| Weight per personestimated | 17.9 oz (trail weight) | 19.4 oz (trail weight) |
| Pad fitestimated | 2 × 25 in pads fit | 2 × 25 in pads fit |
| Fits sleepers up toestimated | 6ft 10in tall | 6ft 8in tall |
| Doors | 2 | 2 |
| Freestanding | non-freestanding | non-freestanding |
| Poles | carbon | trekking poles |
| Wall type | single wall | double wall |
| Season rating | 3+-season | 3+-season |
| Floor hydrostatic head | 5,000 mm | 5,000 mm |
| Packed size | 16 x 5.5 in | 16 x 5 in |
| Approx. price | ~$284 | ~$339 |
Tarptent Double Rainbow
A single carbon arch pole and a top strut, six stakes, and you have a 50-inch-wide shelter that takes two 25-inch pads — which almost nothing at 36 ounces does. The fabrics are the surprise: 20D silpoly and 30D nylon 66 both rated past 5000 mm, which is twice what most ultralight tents carry, and the polyester fly does not stretch when wet. It is not freestanding on its own, but two 55-inch trekking poles make it so, which is a useful trick on a platform. Floor area here is computed from Tarptent's published 88 by 50 inch floor, because Tarptent lists dimensions rather than area.
Best for
A pair on wide pads who want high waterproof ratings at an ultralight weight and a fair price.
Tarptent StratoSpire 2
The StratoSpire's hexagonal footprint is the reason to buy it: six small fabric panels under balanced tension, which is a far better shape in wind than the four big panels of a square mid. Inside there is 31.1 square feet on a 52-inch floor that widens to 62, plus 25.6 square feet of vestibule split across two sides, and it is genuinely double-walled with a choice of mesh or solid inner. Thirty-nine ounces, $339, and two trekking poles that can go handle-up or tip-up depending on their length.
Best for
Exposed camps where a square mid gets loud, and pairs who both use wide pads.
Rows where the two differ are tinted. Specs are the makers’ own; floor area per person, weight per person and pad fit are our arithmetic on them.