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Old 07-30-10, 09:57 AM
  #39  
benajah
One legged rider
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Moraga, CA
Posts: 1,390

Bikes: Kuota Kharma, Surly LHT, CAAD9, Bianchi fg/ss

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Originally Posted by do-well
what are people's take on single skin versus double skin (or whatever terminology you prefer)?
It really depends a lot on the weather where you are. Single skin backpacking tents (not tarps or big pyramid type tents) are generally not very well ventilated so you tend to get a lot of condensation. Double wall tents with a mesh tent+rainfly are much better for 90% of the weather you see in North America...but the downside is they are heavier and take longer to pitch. Its all tradeoffs.
I use a single skin Outdoor Research bivy sometimes, love it, but you have to leave the zipper a little undone or you will have water dripping on your head.
I have several double wall backpacking tents, a NF and a Black Diamond and a Walrus and love them but they are all ultralight, rather expensive versions.
Don't have a Hennessey but do use a Clark Jungle Hammock sometimes, which is basically a suspended double wall tent. Works great in forested areas but is a tad heavy (built to be really durable).
The thing about a single skin tent, is to get one that is really well ventilated, you are generally going to pay a bit more, as good single wall tents tend to be really top of the line. A well ventilated one is difficult to make which is why for most of the last 30 years they were most common among alpine climbers.
These days they are getting more popular due to trickle down tech making them easier to make affordable.
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