Single Wall Tent vs Double Wall: Which is Better for Camping?

It's difficult to decide between a single-wall tent and a double-wall tent, especially when planning your next thru-hike. There are numerous aspects to consider for this type of tent, making it difficult to choose which option is ideal for you. We'll go over the advantages of each piece of equipment so you can pick what form of shelter is best for you.

Single-wall tents work best in cold and dry environments, whereas double-wall tents function best in wet and humid environments. Double-wall tents often have larger vestibules than single-wall tents, offering additional dry room.

This means that thru-hikers must comprehend the entirety of their journey. Use the 80/20 rule and choose gear that will work wonderfully for you for the most (80%+) of the hike and supplement for the remaining 20% as needed.

Let's dig more into best single wall tent vs. double-wall tents, the advantages and disadvantages of selecting a tent body for a comfortable stay on the trail, and why many thru-hikers prefer single-wall tents.

The Comfort of a Single-Wall Tent

A single-wall tent, as the name implies, has a single fabric wall between the interior and external. This single wall must stop water and liquid while still breathable and allow air to move freely through. 

This means that a single-layer tent must be constructed with care to regulate moisture and airflow while minimizing perforations that could allow in water and moisture.

The trekking poles carried by the hiker in cold weather will be used in most single-wall tents. Because practically all hikers will have trekking poles, they can become dual-purpose tools, which helps to minimize unneeded weight.

Furthermore, single-wall tents usually include a mosquito mesh at their doors that connects the tent floor to the walls. This can be utilized to aid drop condensation and protect the occupant from vermin.

READ ALSO: Best Tree Tent for Camping

Why Use a Single Wall? The Advantages

There are numerous advantages to using a single wall tent for your thru-hike. A notable advantage is that single-wall tents often weigh substantially less than comparable double-wall tents, making them ideal for light and rapid trail travel and in less condensation.

Furthermore, they tend to be much smaller when packed, easier to set up, and require fewer stakes, allowing for setup with less impact in the rain.

Weight

One important reason a hiker should choose a single-wall tent is that they are typically lower in weight than practically any identical double-wall tent due to the use of less overall materials to build the single-piece inner, outer, and bathtub floor.

Packed Size

When fully packed into your backpack, excellent materials take up less space and dimensions. This allows you to carry smaller and lighter backpacks or carry horizontally rather than vertically, consuming less inside room overall.

Speed of Setup

Most of these tents can be set up in record time using only your trekking poles and a few stakes. This can be useful at the end of a hard day of trekking or in bad weather to be set up and out of the way as quickly as possible.

Fewer Stakes

Overall, because you don't have to stake out a rainfly, you can reduce the number of stakes you need to set up or break down and save some time.

Can Be Cheaper

Many single-wall tents are far less expensive than dual-wall tents since they require fewer materials and labor, which translates directly into financial savings.

Tub Area Less Likely to Get Wet During Setup

These lightweight tents have their inner walls hooked directly to your outside wall, so the moment you pull it out, you already have rain protection in place to keep your interior dry.

The Disadvantages of a Single Wall Design

Aside from the benefits of a very lightweight, single-wall tent, there are certain drawbacks to them that may be deal breakers for some.

Internal Condensation

This is a major concern for many people, especially if they are on a rainy or humid hike. Internal condensation forms on the inside of the tent wall, and any bumps or rain can displace it onto your gear or you.

I've had a few horrible encounters with this in the past, and being rained on while attempting to sleep is a great way to grow to dislike trekking in general.

The main problem is that it might make your sleeping quilt or bag moist or wet. This can be a problem if you can't dry it out before the next night. The wet down becomes, the poorer it performs in terms of temperature retention.

Can Be Expensive

A single wall layout can be cheaper for many tents due to its single layer of fabric, but with numerous cottage gear firms making modern tents from very lightweight materials like DCF, often known as Dyneema, these prices can be incredibly high.

Many DCF single-wall tents are $500 or more. The material provides a nearly flawless rainproof outer wall while remaining extremely lightweight and easy to pack, implying that you will pay dearly for each ounce dropped.

Cold and Drafty

Most people will have some kind of draft problem. With huge mesh inner walls attached, there is nothing to stop the wind when it is hard, which can turn to heat loss if there is insufficient insulation.

The only way to mitigate this with most single-wall tents is to keep the tent walls as close to the ground as possible to create fewer draft difficulties.

Difficult to Pitch Without Practice

Many people find their first attempt at pitching single-wall tents to be a terrible experience because the operations must be kept in order. You should peg out the corners of some tents before adding trekking poles to build out the main body of your structure.

This shouldn't be too difficult if you do some trial settings at home to modify and adjust your configuration to maximize your speed and aptitude with the tent.

No Views

Single-wall tents have no way of opening up to see the stars or the night sky. You have limited views, usually limited to the doors, which can mean losing out on magnificent sights in the wild. 

Less Space / Minimalistic

A single wall's interior can be much more basic, with fewer pockets, lines, or locations in general to hang around and wait for a bad storm without feeling confined.

Suggestions or Hints for Improved Performance

Here are a few hints and suggestions to help you sort out your tent and improve your tents functionality, no matter the weather conditions you may find yourself.

Venting is Key

The only way to reduce condensation in a single-wall tent is to learn how to vent it properly. This will result from a few setup changes that will help you achieve more continuous ventilation to take out the air and avoid moisture buildup with trekking or tent poles, man lines, and door or exit locations.

This entails considering the weather and site placement in relation to anticipated winds, as well as determining how high you can push the tent off the ground to reduce condensation chances and how low you need the tent to preserve that crucial warmth.

This talent will improve with practice, but in order to have a nice walk with single-walled tents, you must master this simple yet technical skill.

READ ALSO: Best Camping Air Conditioners

Example of Single-Wall Tents

Do you want to buy a single-wall tent but need some examples? Then you're in luck because I've put together a nice variety of tents for you to compare.

The Comfort of a Double Wall Tent

A double-wall tent, as opposed to a single-wall tent, has two walls between you and the outside. The rainfly is a sturdy, waterproof cloth that will keep rain and moisture out of the living area.

The second is the inner fabric and mosquito net as a complete safety net around the living space, which allows you to set many tents on a lovely night without the rainfly for bugs and a clear view of the stars.

These two layers are separated by an air gap to allow for good ventilation and to allow any internal moisture to capture on the outer layer and run down to the ground without falling inside on the interior.

Freestanding/Semi Freestanding

Many double-wall tents are freestanding or, at the least, semi-freestanding, meaning they may be set up and then re-adjusted to fit the space and environment without being disassembled.

Ease of Setup

These tents are supported by a simple internal pole construction. Many hikers find them quicker to put up because they don't need handling guy lines, trekking poles, or exact pre-setup alignment.

Warmer and Less Drafty

You have a better chance of deflecting drafts because you have two independent walls. Furthermore, many tents include alternative inners that allow for a more substantial wall fabric for winter use or the standard mesh for three-season use.

Pitch without Rainfly

When you have some brilliant, gorgeous evenings, you can set the tent with the bug net inner merely to keep bugs out but without the rainfly to enjoy the grandeur of the stars and sky.

Pitch Rainfly So Inner Stays Dry

While not all double-wall tents have this function, many do, allowing you to first set up your rainfly and then attach the inner, preventing it from being exposed to the elements and keeping you dry and comfortable.

The Drawbacks of Double Wall Design

While there are numerous advantages to carrying double-walled tents, there are certain drawbacks and penalties to carrying additional gear.

Price

When looking at basic materials for double wall tents like SilNylon and SilPoly, the price of these sleeping bag style tents will be higher than the price of a similar material single-wall, implying that you will be paying for the extra wall to protect you.

Weight

Many of these tents will need you to carry greater total weight. Because they have two layers of fabric, it is difficult to reduce the overall weight to the same levels that a single wall would provide.

Bulky to Carry

Because of the extra fabrics and layers, the tents take up more space when compacted into the storage sack, requiring you to move more items around in your pack or even carry a larger, heavier backpack.

Speed of Setup

The quickness with which hikers set up camp is critical to getting food and good sleep. It's fantastic to be able to set up shelter quickly and efficiently after 8+ hours of arduous hiking in all kinds of weather.

Unfortunately, most double-wall tents have intricate pole arrangements and hooks to get the main body into place, and then you have to connect extras like the rainfly, guy lines, and other accessories to get sufficient protection in place.

Longer to Dry

After a long night, the weather and rain will increase, and most fabrics can shrug off part of this rain, but it still need to be dried to keep them mold-free and clean. SilNylon absorbs a lot of water, making it heavier to carry on following nights and taking a long time to dry out in the sun.

To extend the life of your tent, you must take care of it, even on lengthy routes, by drying out the tent and everything damp on a daily basis.

Proposals or Ideas for Improved Performance

Finding a dual-walled tent that allows you first to set up the rain fly and then go inside to attach the inner will help keep you and your gear much drier in the long term.

Furthermore, selecting a double-wall tent for high winds that employs trekking poles can help you save almost 8-16oz of pure tent pole weight, so opting for a trekking pole tent can help you use the gear you already have! 

Example Double-Wall Tents

Do you want to buy a double-wall tent for an inner wall but need some examples? Then you're in luck because I've put together a nice variety of tents for you to compare.

Why Thru-Hikers Choose Single Wall Tents

For the vast majority of people, condensation pouring into your face and forcing you to wake up may make you think you'd never want a single-wall tent, but there are compelling reasons for doing so.

Most thru-hikers will choose for a single-wall tent because to the significant weight savings and quick setup time. The DCF tents, which have become the right tent for a YouTuber favorite, are lighter weight, weighing in at less than a pound!

The major difference between a 3-pound tent and a 1-pound tent is noticeable after thousands of miles of hiking. The lighter the tent, the less room it requires, allowing you to buy a smaller pack and save even more weight.

When hiking for this length of time, the cost of a $500-600 tent is a very minor expense for a home over a 5 to 6-month journey, meaning you are spending only $100 a month for a high-quality residence to end your day in, which makes it seem less difficult to acquire.

Many times, a freestanding tent will allow you to simply change your position for maximum airflow or minimum drafts entering the tent.

SilPoly or SilNylon will be used to manufacture nearly all of these tents; both are sturdy and significantly less expensive than DCF, often being nearly 50% less expensive.

Seasonality Matters on Tent Choices

If you sleep in a double or single-wall tent, knowing the season is critical. If they face more rainy weather, most hikers should opt for a DCF or SilPoly tent.

The explanation for weather conditions is simple: SilPoly is water-resistant and does not absorb as much as SilNylon. Therefore, it will not sag with time. DCF is now the most waterproof material available in a camping tent.

3 Season Tent

Summer, Fall, and Spring are the best time for which three-season and double layer tent are available. They are usually made of mesh and are larger and more spacious than four-season tents. They are excellent for breathability but may not provide as much wind and rain protection.

If you're hiking the Appalachian Trail in three seasons, a single-wall tent will suffice. However, a double-wall tent may be preferable if it's going to be very wet and rainy outside, as it often is.

4 Season Tent

Most long-distance hikers will not be out on typical trails in the winter, but for those who want to go thru-hike in those harsh circumstances, you need to choose a more durable and warm tent.

These are often double-walled, with the inner layer of fabric and less no-see-um mesh to assist in conserving all of the heat radiated out from the body during those long, chilly nights.

READ ALSO: Best Portable Camping Sink

Take Home

Hikers with a lot of experience strive to save as much weight as feasible. In this instance, modern tents like the Zpacks Duplex will be your best bet for minimizing packing weight and saving space while also providing a wide vestibule for outer gear storage.

If you don't mind carrying a little extra weight on your back, or if you trek in areas where it is expected to rain on a regular basis, the double wall may be ideal for you.

It is critical to consider the forecasted weather as well as the number of miles hiked per day. These factors will impact the type of shelter that will keep you and your gear dry from the rain.