What a double layer tent is
A double-layer tent has two skins: an inner tent, where you sleep, and a waterproof flysheet over it. The inner is breathable, so the moisture you breathe out passes through it and settles on the flysheet instead of on your sleeping bag. The gap between the two holds a layer of air, which keeps the tent warmer, and the flysheet usually reaches past the inner door to make a porch. It is the most common way tents are built. A tent is filed here when its description says double layer, or mentions an inner tent, a flysheet or a rainfly.
The kinds in this range
- Backpacking tents such as the Naturehike Cloud Up, Mongar and Star Trails EXT, light enough to carry for days. See backpacking and trekking tents.
- Family tents with two rooms, up to tents for 8 to 12 people. See two and three room tents.
- Pyramid and hot tents with an inner tent. The Naturehike Ranch Fire weighs about 4.8kg with its inner tent and all accessories. See hot tents with a stove jack.
- Pop-up and instant tents with a flysheet over the frame. See instant and automatic tents.
- Roof and car tents, such as a hard shell clamshell roof tent in double-layer oxford fabric. See roof tents.
Mesh inner or solid inner
The inner tent decides how a double-layer tent feels. A mesh inner, like the B3 mesh on several of the Naturehike and hot tents here, lets air straight through: cool on a summer night, and it keeps insects out. A solid inner of nylon or polyester keeps draughts off and holds warmth, which is what you want from autumn to spring. Some tents let you choose: the TAIJI2 comes with a 3-season inner of 20D net yarn or a 4-season inner of 210T nylon.
Check what is in the box
Several pyramid tents here are sold as the outer tent alone or as a full set with the inner, and one, the Pyramid Tarp Tent, says its inner tent is not included and is sold separately. Read the product page to see which you are buying, because a flysheet on its own is a single skin.
Questions people ask about double layer tents
Does a double layer stop all condensation?
No, it moves it. Water still forms on the inside of the flysheet on a cold night; the inner tent keeps it off you. Open the vents, and pitch the flysheet taut so it does not touch the inner.
Can I pitch the inner on its own?
Some tents allow it on a dry night. On others the inner hangs from the flysheet, so check each product page.
How long does delivery take?
Delivery is included in every price and tracked to your door. Each product page says when that tent usually arrives, so check it before ordering for a set date.
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