Single Walled Tent Vs Double Walled Tent

Have you ever asked yourself what the difference between a double-walled tent and a single-wall tent is?

Well, the difference might be the construction designs or the use of each tent.

Let me walk you through the key single wall vs double wall differences…

About Single-Wall Tents

The single-wall tent has a single wall, just as its name implies.

The single-wall tents are made of breathable fabric and robust waterproof fabric.

Over the years, the tents have been mainly used for mountaineering purposes.

To produce a lighter tent that different people can use, manufacturers have opted to use non-breathable fabrics and coated fabrics.

About Double-Wall Tents

This is a tent that has two walls. It has a rainfly and a tent body. Initially, the tents were made of cotton.

Currently, they’re being made up of fabrics such as nylon ripstop fabrics.

The main reason why the tent has two layers is to ensure that it can achieve breathability and waterproofness. The rainfly is completely waterproof and not breathable.

The inner part of the tent is entirely breathable; however, it is not waterproof.

When you combine the two, you get to witness the benefits of the two.

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Double-Wall Tents?

The pros of the double-wall tent include:

Less condensation

the tent can deal with condensation effectively.

As the moisture evaporates, it will pass through the mess present in the inner part of the tent.

It will then condense in the rainfly.

The tent poles and stakes will hold the rainfly away from the inner part of the mesh. As a result, the mesh will stay dry throughout.

The tents are freestanding

the tent can stand on its own, and there is no need to stake it to the ground.

The tent poles will ensure the tent has a proper structure, and there is no need to put some tension on the tent fabric.

There is also no need to look for a soft surface to stake the poles into the ground. You can even erect the tent in a parking lot.

The cons include:

 The tent is heavier

the tent weighs at least 0.5kgs more than a single wall tent.

The added weight results from the extra fabric used when adding the rainfly, tent poles, and additional stakes.

More expensive

The tent costs at least €100 more compared to the single-wall tents.

The average cost of the tent ranges from €350 to €600. The single-wall tent costs ranges from €250 to €500.

The tent is more expensive because of the additional material.

Pros and Cons of Single-Walled Tents

The pros include:

Lighter

The main advantage of this tent is that it is lightweight. A tent to be used by a single person will weigh at least 680 grams.

The double tent, on the other hand, weighs more than one kilogram.

The tents are lighter because fewer materials have been used during the manufacturing process.

The tent also has fewer stakes, and poles might not be included.

You can set up the tent faster

it’ll take less than two minutes to set up the tent.

The main reason why it takes less time is because you won’t be tasked with staking and attaching a rainfly.

The cons include:

Condensation will be an issue

the condensation will occur when the humid and warm air comes into contact with the walls of the tent.

The body normally warms the air in the tent.

Your sweat, breath, and the environment usually introduce some moisture into the tent.

The air outside will then cool the walls of the tent.

Double Wall Tent vs Single Wall Tent

We have looked into the differences between the single-walled and double-walled tents, and you can now tell the difference between the two.

Also, you can determine which is the most suitable tent for you when you go camping or mountaineering with your loved ones.