How to pitch a double wall tent in the rain (and keep it dry), by Hiking Nerd on YouTube. 9 min 37 s.
- Video length
- 9 min 37 s
- Time to do it
- 10 minutes
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Pick a spot that drains well and is out of the wind. Clear sharp stones and sticks so they cannot puncture the floor.
Lay the rainfly flat on the ground, inside facing up. Keep the inner tent packed away and dry for now.
Assemble the poles and push them through the sleeves or clips on the fly. The fly now holds its shape.
Stake out the fly corners and guylines, keeping the fabric taut. Point the low end into the wind.
Lift the fly and crawl under it with the inner tent. Clip or tie the inner to the poles while it stays sheltered.
Hang the inner from the fly and adjust the tension. The inner should not touch the fly, or condensation will soak it.
Stake the inner floor corners and set the vestibule doors. Check that the fly covers the inner on all sides.
Wipe up any water that got inside, then get your sleeping bag in and close the doors.
Tips and common mistakes
Pitch the fly first so the inner never sits in the rain, which is the whole point of this method.
Keep the inner in its stuff sack until the fly is up and staked.
Angle the tent so the low end faces the wind and tighten guylines before the gusts pick up.
Check that the inner and fly do not touch, since contact points pull water through.
Questions
Does this work without a footprint?
Yes. The fly-first method protects the inner either way. A footprint just adds floor protection and a dry spot to kneel on.
What if my tent is not freestanding?
You can still stake the fly first, but you will need to tension the poles and corners as you go. Practice the order at home before a wet trip.
Will the inner stay dry in heavy rain?
It stays dry if you keep it packed until the fly is up and avoid touching the fly from inside. Some dampness from condensation is normal.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
