10 Tips To Reduce CONDENSATION In Your Tent

[@florianbappler7242]

Oscar I think I got it. To reduce moisture from breathing, reduce the temperature difference and avoid touching the walls I'll just sleep next to the tent, problem solved👍 nice video, well explained

[@MrDkgio]

It’s why tarps are way better

[@pf844]

Just stopping breathing works for me

[@outsiderswalks5460]

Lots of great advice :) a few add ons/comments 1. differens between single and double wall tents is not the amount of condensation, but if you get in contact with it - in general i find single wall tents like Xmid pro, duplex or similar kinds is very airy. Add on. The type of ground you sleep on is one of the most important condensation sources - wet soil, grass or similar holds a lot of moisture that you sleeping on it will evaporate and create condensation - dry ground, something like a pine forest with dry needles is a great surface (it also works as natural insulation) wet ground both creates more condensation - but is also a lot colder to sleep on that dry ground. add 2. making sure you are not overheating in your bag/quilt also is quite important for not creating excess moisture

[@whosjulez1157]

True. I don't get why people think a little mesh would magically get rid of all the moisture🤔 Kind of bad to hear that stuff repeated from an "Expert"

[@mercywarren7397]

I've been camping for at least 55 years, and these are excellent rules to tent camping. Very well done. I want this Man's campout list.

[@matts2594]

Actually for the very last tip, if you have a towel it is a good idea to use it at the start of the dry-out period in the morning, rather than after letting your tent air out. If you use the towel first, then there’s a better chance that the little bit left behind can air dry. If you wait until packing up to towel dry the tent, whatever the towel leaves behind will be trapped as you pack up the tent.

[@Mike-vd2qt]

If you're solo, Tarptent Protrail model. Front entry with your head and door opening at 45" high. You get less condensation. Even in rain the sides and foot area vent well. If I do get condensation, I turn it inside out in the am, shake it off, and pack out. Dries in five minutes when the day warms up later. Super easy and fast to pitch, packs up in seconds. I've used both double and single wall over the last 50 years. Double walls still get wet inside the fly, and you still have to dry them out later, main benefit is freestanding for double walls if needed. Nice video, good advice for pitching along a hillside where the cooler air drains downhill at dusk, and staying away from water to avoid condensation. ☮

[@panhandlejake6200]

One change that I have made to my 1P dyneema tent is to add a second "wall" made of polycryo. I used velcro tabs to attach a small panel of the polycryo to the foot end of my tent and then a second piece along half of the side wall. The sheets are about 2 feet high and hang a little loose so that they are away from the main wall of the tent. Any condensation that forms either runs down the tent wall and out the lower edge as intended, or falls onto the sheet and then runs down and out the lower edge. The inside of the sheet stays dry which protects my quilt. I don't add the sheet by my head because I am able to manage staying away from the tent wall -- and the additional sheet will not get into my way. I do occasionally wipe this portion down if it does get too wet. The polycryo adds a little more than an ounce to the weight of my tent and has kept my quilt much dryer.

[@Teufel_Resen]

Starting to think I’m the only one who holds their breath while sleeping in tents to keep the condensation to a minimum.

[@woodywoodhead175]

When i Look Bushcraft Vids, i think the crators do that. It's often so stupid 😂

[@soap924]

😂

[@Juanlu.]

El mejor vídeo, con diferencia, que he visto en el que se aborda este problema! Gracias! Saludos desde España!

[@CuantoSinSentido]

Españistan*

[@aaronpohl9817]

Just stating the obvious, but ventilation is one of the key differences between an ok tent and the upper league. Double wall also creates airflow between the mesh and the outer shell like a chimney. Plus in a winter tent the space between the outer and the full fabric inner creates a stepped temperature difference (cold outside, warm in between, warmer inside) that reduces condensation. The effect is stunning: Some weeks ago we slept with three persons in a two person helsport winter tent at around 0 Celsius in a windless night with nearly all vents closed (one of us had a sleeping bag with a plus 5ish rating hence the weird setup). Zero condensation. I’ve had nights with a dripping three persons MSR although it was only two persons in there.

[@OscarHikes]

Good point! It also depends on each model specifically. Some double wall tents are poorly designed and will still condensate quite a lot. But for the most part, yes, the added ventilation and the temperature difference barrier is what makes them work better than single wall.

[@jackvoss5841]

I carry a small to medium mesh bag. Dirty clothes dry nicely in an open-mesh bag. A little while of hanging in open air does wonders, especially if it’s sunny. Courtesy of Half Vast Flying

[@annarborthenorris5455]

Read the comments. Lots of trolls plague your channel. There are more people who appreciate you then there are haters. Keep up the good and helpful work 😊

[@comicmania2008]

Just come back from the wettest 2 days I ever had camping, and it didn't even rain! 🤣 Loving the tips you gave, some things I never even thought of before, like emptying the tent and allowing a thorough airing, allowing gear to dry in the sunshine, if there is any sunshine! But thanks!

[@awalkingingmistake]

I use a bivy so that I can be maximally sweaty at all times

[@christopherrowley7506]

On cooking in the tent: the combustion process also creates water vapor. For every mole of propane you burn, you create 4 moles of water vapor. So that really increases the humidity even apart from boiling water

[@Gigabajts]

Learned a lot from this!

[@weeringjohnny]

I've had good results from putting the end of my sleeping bag into a breathable jacket rather than a dry bag to protect the sleeping bag from condensation.

[@waltbates8257]

Genius, thanks Aaron! Inexpensive, practical, double purpose translates to less bulk & weight (leave those 1lb, $100, micro spikes at home!). I am always learning from you!

[@outdoorsman1140]

I use a thin lightweight Tyvek (breathable) open backed bivy bag over a lightweight summer or 3-season quilt. The bivy bag uprates the warmth of the quilt (saving some weight on the quilt), but means that it doesn’t matter if the foot box or side of the breathable waterproof Tyvek bivi bag touchers the wet single walled tent skin.

[@lifesahobby]

Leave the door open all night . You breath out a pint either nose or mouth .once your warm air hits cold air it will condense . It's that simple . Open The door , vent the air . You'll be warmer with the door open all night than trapped with the wet air inside .

[@Sheilawisz]

Condensation totally ruined camping for me. It's like sleeping inside a water trap. I am still trying to find a way to enjoy camping. Thanks for the video!

[@jamesb7563]

Best way I found to manage condensation was to get a long enough single wall DCF tent. It’s so much easier to sit up and wipe down the inside with a cloth, I like the super absorbent Swedish cloth. With my double wall tent made of Sil nylon I don’t have to worry so much about touching the sides BUT it’s just so much harder to wipe it dry and I often end up carrying a soggy wet tent!

[@OscarHikes]

Yeah that's true, but the cost difference is a major factor for most people! I didn't mention DCF because I've never owned a DCF tent myself. :(

[@BushcraftBuddy]

Great summary. Thank you for that! Cheers

[@JanisBebritis]

i'm "so glad" i purchased a single wall tent just few weeks ago :D

[@Corilo91]

Good thing is, a single wall tent has its advantages! :)

[@STho205]

Just get a thin tarp and use it as a fly....stretching it out with a space between the tent wall and the fly.

[@ccorProductions]

Great video! One thing I don`t agree with is waterproofing your sleeping bag or anything else for that matter with washing machine waterproofing. You should always use a spray to waterproof only the outer layer of lets say a sleeping bag or GTX jacket. This is because the waterproofing is meant to keep water out. By waterproofing the inside aswell you`re basically making it harder for water vapor to escape, thus keeping it inside 👌

[@Selluin]

Awesome video and tips!

[@irtehdar2446]

Double bag. Single wall tent. A thin sleeping bag inside another thin sleeping bag works better in my experience than a single thicker bag. Don't know why it works but I was homeless for 18 months and this trick I picked up from an old fellow hobo. I'm guessing it's about keeping bodyheat inside the bag and making sure any moisture/heat that does escape has a free path to outside the tent.

[@STho205]

I have a fleece 'liner' that is a thin sleeping bag. I use it alone in the hot muggy Southeast US...but if I use it and a thermal bag in Fall/winter it helps a whole lot over just the 0degree (-18C) bag.

[@themooseontheloose]

Always double bag it

[@PraktischTaktisch-Gut]

I have a double layer tent. Got a lot of condensation, last night. I thought it was raining inside but just the top of my sleeping back and the tent inner walls were wet. My inner tent looks like mesh but it isnt. I opened the tent air flow over night, but that wasnt enough. We were sleeping on wet sole, but got 2 floors. Luckily us, we had water-resistant sleeping back so the moisture was just outside, thanks to carinthia synthetic sleeping back. Now I am looking if thr tent itself is the problem or the circumstances. By the way i had the less moisture in my tent with a simple one wall tent were the air flow window was close to the ground but like all around. Was also nice to see birds in the morning jumping around my tent looking for bugs and not recognizing me.

[@jorisev]

Sometimes you can't avoid it - if the humidity outside is very high. I camped in a forest in Scotland 2 weeks ago. I could see water droplets floating around outside with my headlamp when going to bed. It's like being inside a cloud. In the morning the outside of my down quilt was rather wet near the middle, even with some water droplets sticking to the inside of the thin (see-through) fabric. My friends (in nearby tents) had similar issues. For those conditions you just need to know that your sleeping bag can handle it. There are no tricks to prevent this. My (untreated) down quilt is overstuffed, so a bit of moisture should be OK. Synthetic is even better (but bulky of course).

[@mirjamhoss2923]

Excellent hints, thank you very much!

[@michaelw2288]

When picking a pitch site, they often advise the 5 Ws where Wind is to be avoided. In my Akto tent, it needs a good wind to ventilate. I seek out a more exposed site. If you have to zip up your door, you can use a pot or sandals etc to prop up the fly for more venting.

[@countrygirl63baker64]

Thank you Oscar, it was VERY informative

[@ExeleroVersus]

First, thanks for the great content and useful channel. But, if I may say, ironically in the tip 5 you skipped the most important arguments against stove inside the tent: 1. Synthetic fabrics that tents are made of are highly flammable. ("How fast does a tent burn? Approximately with a speed of 100$ per second.") 2. Fire produces CO gas (carbon monoxide). Which can cause significant health effects, including death. Of course, that would be in the very worst case. Like during winter with a tent guarded by a snow skirt. Though anyway, it's possible to have a headache from CO even in milder conditions.

[@drewp8046]

Awesome information !!!

[@lenwenzel7440]

If you like animals cooking inside your tent is a great way to get visits from friendly creatures; from bears to ground squirrels and all creatures in between your space and person can benefit in a greater appreciation of nature. Keep a camera, and bear spray handy for those inevitable visits.

[@Bierfuizl]

You can use your rain jacket for the foot end. Typically it is watertight AND breathable. Turn the sleeves inside to avoid water entering there. Use when you have to camp in high consendation spots and/or weather.

[@dr_hikes]

Hi, fellow hiker here! Thank you for your video! I would like to add up another point to cooking inside. This is dangerous due to carbon monoxide buildup. Interestingly there is some data that CO level is still ok while there is NOTHING on a gas stove. As long as there is something on it, i.e. your pot, CO lever skyrockets since the temperature gradient doesn't let gas to be burnt fully to CO2 and H2O, and leaves a lot of the hazardous CO. AND carbon monoxide is really bad since it forms permanent bonds with our haemoglobin which lead to it permanent loss. If you get severely poisoned, the only way out is having some blood transfusion. Thank you.

[@grsfhhytff]

My bivvy tent is a condensation nightmare so I ended up taking a tarp to hang over the door, meaning I can always leave it open. Solved the problem entirely.

[@OscarHikes]

That's a really great idea actually!

[@grsfhhytff]

@OscarHikes I had originally packed the tarp just to keep my stuff dry as I was on the West Highland Way at the start of October and didn't want to be cramming a wet bag into my tiny tent but even just natural condensation was brutal. I was having to hang my bag and tent off my pack to dry them out (which you can't always do in Scotland), so had that lightbulb moment the next day. It's definitely coming out with that particular tent every time from now on. I'm really enjoying your videos. I'm pretty experienced and I'm still taking away good information from them. Thanks 🤟

[@cyrilwingnek-qw1ik]

Your right

[@arcturiansangels123]

Thank you handsome great video , love the accent ! Iv been camping in open air on top of a hill to get away from people and noise, will try your recommendation to go near trees. I am good Bro hahaha, i just got a mini fan to use in case I need to dry the condensation, I use the groundsheet to waterproof my tent !

[@dontall71]

Thanks, lot's of good tips!

[@lukeflynn7025]

❤ from 🇮🇪

[@danielduesentriebjunior]

Be aware that from some trees sticky liquids may drip down making your tent look ugly. The fuel from cooking burns into CO2 and water.

[@pilgrimbruce6475]

Wrap up some rice or powdered milk in a paper towel and put that in the stuff sack for your tent. They absorb moisture so your tent will start out dryer when you set it up. This will also lessen any funky smells after you store your tent between hikes.

[@NelsonSherry]

Air flow, air flow, air flow. Although other things can make a difference, with good air flow, everything else is secondary. Also, I disagree with the advice to not put your feet in a pack or sack, as it works quite well as long as it is only your feet (i.e. don't pull it up to your knees) Also, spraying foot and head area of your bag can be useful to mitigate wetting out your bag from condensation, but please DO NOT treat your whole bag as doing so will hold more mousture in your insulation. Finally, if you cover your mouth and nose with a buff, to breathe through when sleeping, it can significantly reduce the moisture you exhale into your shelter, even when mouth breathing.

[@alazarth2985]

Can I put a tarp over a single-wall tent?

[@JamesCairney]

This was a good video

[@Colorado18]

thank you

[@tgeliot]

I've been frustrated with the double wall tents I've had because the fly is so close that it just touches the tent and passes in the condensation. I'll have to work harder with the guy lines.

[@romainvictoria9274]

Thanks👍

[@jorisev]

Use a small sponge to wipe off condensation. I personally hate to use my only towel for this. It will get smelly faster and I only want to use the towel for my face, hands etc

[@danielrevueltagonzalez491]

If you use a separate plastic floor for the follen, you Will reduce the evaporation of the floor produced by your heat and It Will condense in the plastic floor not in the fly tent.

[@abdbouzy4962]

Thanks

[@timolest5702]

What are you doing Bro! Are you good! 😂

[@brianlittle5282]

Appreciate the tips Oscar. I wonder if putting a hydrophobic spray on the inside of the fabric (if it’s compatible) like fogX etc., to prevent condensation from forming?

[@danielduesentriebjunior]

It won't prevent formation, but it may run down the fabric sooner.

[@PraktischTaktisch-Gut]

Anybody got experience with sleeping just with a tarp, sleeping bag perhaps a bivy bag and moisture? Will this open combination eliminate the condensation problem?

[@trexinvert]

I like my ultralight single wall tent. I don't care if my pack is full of wet gear and 5 lbs heavier from the water. I don't care if I have to stop for an hour to take everything out to dry in the sun and wind. The double wall tent will be 2 lbs more. ~ the miserable hiker

[@OscarHikes]

Funny, but true :(

[@trexinvert]

@@OscarHikes As, you can guess. I am being sarcastic "now". However, "before" I was very stubborn. Give me ultralight or give me death in the woods. My mind was set. I learned the hardway, and that is the only way "other hikers will learn", also. ~the "happy now" hiker

[@vamoslasbicis]

I' ve other concepts where to keep out your tent under a tree to keep safe of lighting bolt, perhaps you have to decide which is more important 😉

[@bluemoose1972]

Very well said. Straight to the point. 😎🐢🌽🌲🇺🇸🌎

[@dylanslater83]

I'll take condensation over the risk of a heavy branch falling on my tent.

[@OscarHikes]

In some situations, you should absolutely do this! It depends on what kind of forest you're in.

[@dylanslater83]

@@OscarHikes I'm Australian, lot of gum trees here, they call them widow makers 😬

[@jackvoss5841]

Can you say, “Durston X-MID” Courtesy of Half Vast Flying

#notacult 😁

[@darkshaman7087]

Big tree's carry big branches so I would never park my tent under a tree as could get killed especially if lightening strikes

[@ScrypKat56]

I'd love to know how you control your mouth breathing while sleeping! LOL

[@stigcc]

I have not tried it but people are using tape over the mouth. Many good effects from breathing through the nose, I heard.

[@dereinzigwahreRichi]

Nr. 3: what is a tent good for, especially in colder conditions? Keeping you warmer than you were without it! And what doesn't happen when you let the vestibules open? Exactly that! So freeze or have condensation it is...

[@whosjulez1157]

Single or double wall tent doesn't make ANY difference in condensation 😬😬 That is just false🤦

[@trytheoutdoors]

So wonderfully thorough. What is your background, sir? Are you lucky enough to earn your livelihood doing this? Rgds Imran UK

[@Kronenbourg_1664]

Another reason, maybe most importantly, to not use a fire or stove in a tent is carbon monoxide building up from the fumes which can be deadly

[@OregonMike]

Funny.... marketing always claiming they can prevent condensation. You tubers lying to back marketing lies that defy the laws of physics.

[@OscarHikes]

Cool

[@cyz6969]

That’s very nice 👍

[@timypp2894]

Not just warm... Warm moist air

[@cyrilwingnek-qw1ik]

😅

[@OuterEarthling]

You look like Linus Tent Tips.

[@tomnoyb8301]

Heat does not cause condensation, moisture does. If one were to toast a dry-cracker on a 100% alcohol stove (propane itself produces moisture), it'd cause no excess condensation. Which raises the question of 'why foliage?' The reason condensation forms is because the tent fabric is cold, and tent fabric gets cold due to sky-shine. Yes, warm breath will condense on the tent wall, but one can't reduce the temperature of their breath; they can effect the tent-wall temperature. The reason foliage reduces condensation is not 'micro-climate,' it's by blocking night sky-shine. If one looks up the temperature of the night-sky, they will find it's -273°C or so. That cold effectively radiantly 'shines' down and cools the tent's walls just enough to increase condensation. Look at the grass under vs away from trees on a dewy morning? Dew will be present on grass not protected by tree-cover, but much less dew underneath. Could one call it a 'micro-climate?' Maybe, but that doesn't give the hiker enough information to make the wisest campsite selection.

[@detharp]

buy a Samaya Alpine 2.0 ,haha, 1200€ for 1200 grams, got one ,never ever condens, state of the art❤

[@furiousdoe7779]

Under a tree you can have small bugs that poop on your tent and that is no good for the outside of your tent .

[@ilvarsilvars6657]

Labs

[@21JG777]

This guy: don't sleep in water-resistant sleeping bags, you'll get wet Also this guy: Don't sleep in breathable sleeping bags, you'll get wet

[@McBlamin]

LOL - what are you even doing Bro?!

[@danielduesentriebjunior]

How on earth do you dare breathing in a tent?

[@dereinzigwahreRichi]

Nr 1.: a double wall tent is in no way a guarantee for avoiding condensation, contrary to what is said in the video. I don't know where this idea comes from, but if you're not in peak summer conditions this clearly isn't the case.

[@terminallydrunk1900]

No it's not. I'm dealing with it now. Just having more ventilation seems to be the way.

[@robinsteararoadiary]

Double wall tent reduces condensation by having a mesh wall that prevents you from touching the condensation ? 😂

[@Mark_7260]

yup, this video is a load of rubbish.

[@afabriciuss]

Tip 7.2 don't drink water 🤷‍♂

[@jackscott2840]

Try & breathe through your nose when you sleep? Ok.. ffs 🤣🤣🤣😂😂🤣😂😂🤣😂😂💀💀💀💀🕵🏻‍♂️🕵🏻‍♂️🕵🏻‍♂️🕵🏻‍♂️

[@CharlesHarpolek4vud]

How much of A danger here's a little kidding you're sleeping tent under a tall tree that could be struck by lightning including you?