Condensation

 

Whether you sleep in a double-walled tent or a single-walled ultralight the root of and resolution to the problem are all the same.

 Solo Motorcycle tent view from Above

THE BASICS
Condensation is the conversion of a vapor or gas to a liquid.  Water collects as droplets on a cold surface when humid air comes into contact with it.  

Redverz Solo motorcycle tent

 

IN A TENT
The single greatest source of condensation in a tent is your breath. Each of us exhales about 1 liter of water as we sleep at night. Camping with a mate? Double that figure. 
Solo motorcycle tent with BMW1200GS in Garage
THE RESULT? 
The water vapor we exhale is trapped by the outermost layer of our tents.   
 
Vast temperature changes, hot days and cold nights, promote condensation. 

Cooking in your tent contributes, as does storing wet clothes or gear inside. 

Simply camping by a stream or lake will add to the problem. 
 
WHAT CAN BE DONE? 
You can't stop breathing, you don't have control over the temperature highs and lows and sometimes the very best spot is right along the rushing river.

VENTILATE, VENTILATE, VENTILATE and then VENTILATE SOME MORE. 
If water vapor can escape out a vent, window or door you can reduce condensation. 



IT'S NOT A LEAK! 
999 Times out of 1000 Condensation is the Culprit Behind Moisture In a Tent  

Take these specific measures with your Atacama or Solo Expedition Tent
  • Open up the tent and release the heat and humidity that has built up after a hot day, especially before settling in for a much cooler night. 
  • Use a garage groundsheet to keep moisture from coming up from the ground. 
  • Ensure that you have staked out the flysheet far enough away from the inner tent to ensure airflow and that the two are not touching. 
  • If it is raining find the balance between rain cover and ventilation. 
  • Whopper storm? Rely on the vents at both ends of the tent to help keep condensation down.  
QUICK TEST IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE A LEAK.
Identify the source.  Set the tent up in your back yard. Run the garden hose over the spot and see if water comes through.  999 times out of 1000 condensation will be the culprit.  If not, a bit of maintenance and a dab of seam sealant will do the trick.  

FOR OPTIMAL RESULTS WITH LONG TERM, SEASONAL STORAGE ALWAYS STORE YOUR TENT COMPLETELY DRY AND LOOSELY PACKED. 

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