Gear Advice: Tarptent Scarp 1 Ultra VS Double Rainbow Ultra

[Huond0203]

Hi all,
I was looking at getting a new tent and am torn between the Tarptent Scarp 1 Ultra and the Double Rainbow Ultra. I do all my walking in Tas, particularly around Central Plateau, Arthurs and other SW Mountains in both summer and shoulder seasons.

Has anyone had experience with these two tents and the Ultra Material?

Cheers

[Neo]

No but I am loving my new Tarptent Moment DW Li. Pretty sure anything they design is fantastic so maybe you should get both!

[north-north-west]

Ultra material, no. But I still think the Scarp is as close as it gets to the perfect single person tent design.

[Franco]

If it is for just yourself I would suggest the Scarp 1.
As a bonus if by any chance you want to later extend your seasons a bit, you can get the X poles for the Scarp and turn it into a pretty good 4 season tent.
Ultra is a new type of laminate fabric so there is no extended user experience but TT tested the fabric for some time before commiting to it.

[Huond0203]

No but I am loving my new Tarptent Moment DW Li. Pretty sure anything they design is fantastic so maybe you should get both!

Don't even tempt me .

[bernieq]

I have both Scarp1 & Moment DW - both very good tents. MDW needs minimum 2 pegs (1 each end) but I carry 6 - for 2 crossed at each end (a lot of tension for just 1 peg imo) & 2 to guy out the arch-pole in high winds. For the Scarp1, 8 pegs. All up, the MDW is 300+g lighter.

Both have useable vestibules on each side, the Scarp's are slightly larger. The Scarp1 has a lot of room inside the inner; useful in *&%$#! wx. The MDW is more restricted but has enough room for gear - but be aware it is narrow at head & foot.

[headwerkn]

We've got the Double Rainbow in DCF, not Ultra, but the design itself is excellent. Very easy to pitch, freestandingish option if you use hiking poles, tonnes of interior space for two bodies (square, not tapered), porch-able vestibules and very, very good in strong wind considering how light it is. Only real thing I consider a negative is the vestibules aren't super spacious when everything's zipped down in rain.

[myrtlegirl]

I'm keen to see a Scarp1 up live and close - any members on here would could assist please? I'm in the south of Tas.

[north-north-west]

I'm keen to see a Scarp1 up live and close - any members on here would could assist please? I'm in the south of Tas.

I have an older one. There has been a slight remodelling since but no major changes. Also southern Tas, so PM me and we can set up a meeting somewhere convenient.

[Osik]

I've owned a couple of tarptents, all silnylon though. two models of the moment, the first circa 2010 (single skin w condensation liner), the second (double wall) purchased early last year. Absolutely one of my favourite 3-season tents I've ever used & I've used my first one plenty in the high country in Tas. To be honest, even though the second is a better design think I preferred the first. Haven't used a scarp but have checked friend's tents out & if I still lived in Tassie there's every chance I'd own one.
Bought a double rainbow DW last year with the thought that it was light enough as a solo tent but enough room to take for 2, set it up in the backyard, really liked some aspects such as the headroom but just didn't love the overall design the same way I did the moment. Certainly didn't feel as sturdy either. Others may have different views. Anyhow sold it & I suspect the new owner is loving it.
Definitely reccomend checking out the tents in person if you can, though if not I guess YouTube videos aren't a bad substitute.
Sorry can't help you with the Ultra material, be interesting to see the longer term reviews.

[markg]

How do the Tarptents and others like it for example ZPacks stand up to strong winds? iNn such places as the Vic high country ??

[Tortoise]

How do the Tarptents and others like it for example ZPacks stand up to strong winds? iNn such places as the Vic high country ??

My Scarp 1 got pummelled for 36 hours at High Moor in the Western Arthurs, without the optional crossing poles. It stood up very well. I'm not confident my Notch Li would have faired so well, but that's most probably just user error. I don't know if a proficient user could stop the struts sliding inwards on slick wet tent platforms.

[north-north-west]

How do the Tarptents and others like it for example ZPacks stand up to strong winds? iNn such places as the Vic high country ??

My Scarp stood up to some 40 hours at Eldon Peak in vile condiitons - wind at Mt Read was measured at 94kph, it was probably more where we were. They're solid little tents.

[Franco]

How do the Tarptents and others like it for example ZPacks stand up to strong winds? iNn such places as the Vic high country ??

I haven't seen a ZPacks shelter that is even close to a Scarp 1.
Take a look at this thread :https://www.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/comments/s01w36/tarptent_popularity_in_the_british_isles/