My shelter dilemma

[luke moffat]

And some people think hammock camping is bad. LOL

Not bad...just not my preferred method in the alpine or on the tundra

 

[8Crow]

I really want to like floorless shelters, but using a Seek Outside tipi for Colorado first season this year, we had a ton of condensation and then then when the rain/sleet storm blew through it was pelting the outside, knocking all that condensation down onto us...pretty miserable. I'm convinced that a good portion of that condensation wasn't even from us but from the grass, weeds & ground. Back when I was testing floorless shelters in my back yard, I would set them up on a cold afternoon to be used that night, and when I came back that night there would be frost all over the inside--clearly not from me. So do you guys just not care about the condensation, or are you finding a way to avoid it? Prior to our experience in CO this fall, I probably would have said I didn't care that much, but coming back from a long day to find puddles of water on your down bag is a little disconcerting.

 

[Lawnboi]

I really want to like floorless shelters, but using a Seek Outside tipi for Colorado first season this year, we had a ton of condensation and then then when the rain/sleet storm blew through it was pelting the outside, knocking all that condensation down onto us...pretty miserable. I'm convinced that a good portion of that condensation wasn't even from us but from the grass, weeds & ground. Back when I was testing floorless shelters in my back yard, I would set them up on a cold afternoon to be used that night, and when I came back that night there would be frost all over the inside--clearly not from me. So do you guys just not care about the condensation, or are you finding a way to avoid it? Prior to our experience in CO this fall, I probably would have said I didn't care that much, but coming back from a long day to find puddles of water on your down bag is a little disconcerting.

Condensation can be an issue with any single wall shelter. Iv had condensation in my shelter go from being nothing, to a minor problem, to all out soaking the inside. I agree though, I think it depends on what you pitch on rather than the people in the tent.

A liner will remedy that though, for a little added weight. A stove also seems to keep it down, most of the time. If I am expecting continuous bad weather, or continuous freezing temps, ill take a liner with every time, stove or no stove.

 

[8Crow]

If I am expecting continuous bad weather, or continuous freezing temps, ill take a liner with every time, stove or no stove.

So let's say you've got some sort of liner to create a double wall, but no floor. You're still getting all the humidity from the grass & ground. Is the dew point such that it's always condensing between the two walls? If so, you aren't really eliminating the condensation, you're just keeping it from getting all over you and your gear, right?

 

[Backpack Hunter]

It works on the same principle as any other double wall tent.

 

[dotman]

I really want to like floorless shelters, but using a Seek Outside tipi for Colorado first season this year, we had a ton of condensation and then then when the rain/sleet storm blew through it was pelting the outside, knocking all that condensation down onto us...pretty miserable. I'm convinced that a good portion of that condensation wasn't even from us but from the grass, weeds & ground. Back when I was testing floorless shelters in my back yard, I would set them up on a cold afternoon to be used that night, and when I came back that night there would be frost all over the inside--clearly not from me. So do you guys just not care about the condensation, or are you finding a way to avoid it? Prior to our experience in CO this fall, I probably would have said I didn't care that much, but coming back from a long day to find puddles of water on your down bag is a little disconcerting.

For how bad the problem was for you it almost seems like a venting issue. While there will be condensation I haven't experienced it nearly as bad as you did in your SO setup. I have used both kifaru and the golite sl5 without much issue even after 8 days straight of rain and I didn't run a stove.

 

[Lawnboi]

So let's say you've got some sort of liner to create a double wall, but no floor. You're still getting all the humidity from the grass & ground. Is the dew point such that it's always condensing between the two walls? If so, you aren't really eliminating the condensation, you're just keeping it from getting all over you and your gear, right?

Condensation will build regardless, and not only in your tipi, but floored tents as well. Ventilation is the only thing that can completely eliminate it, well that or some serious heat coming off your stove.

A liner keeps me from getting any of the effects of it. That's all that really matters to me.

Iv had one terrible condensation trip, it was in a paratipi. I would suggest trying a liner and seeing how it works out for you. If that dosnt help, sell off the tipi and buy a hilleberg.

I like walking into my tent with my boots on, and I love the stove. That's why im sicking with the tipi. But if I ever needed a non, heated shelter I would be very inclined to pick up a hilleberg.

 

[8Crow]

As for venting, there is a little vent in the peak of the SO tipi's, but they have sod skirts and it's staked down tight, so there is pretty much zero air movement. Condensation in a setup like that is understandable, I'm just trying to understand why everyone is so in love with floorless--is it because no on cares about the condensation or they've figured out some way to avoid it...all the hype made me wonder if I was just too dumb to figure it out.

It was my buddy's tipi and I won't be dropping that kind of cash on a shelter anytime soon. But there are lots of smaller/lighter/cheaper shaped tarp setups I might consider if I could figure out the condensation issue. It sounds like you either get a liner of some sort or just deal with it.

In hindsight, the thing I was most concerned about was really a non-issue. I was really worried I'd have a soaking wet down bag and wake up freezing in the middle of the night. Later on when I got home and tried to wash the bag as Marmot directed [almost ], I found that the DWR on the bag was so good you couldn't soak the thing if you wanted to.

 

[dotman]

I think you answered your question, the floorless shelter I have do not have a sod skirt and allow the air to flow.

My golite has huge I mean huge vents in the peak and allow some air to flow at the bottom. I don't get huge drafts and hardly get condensation.

Sounds like the sod skirt and small vent created the issue.