I've used one, you're looking at condensation issues in the UK, also, subjectively, it felt cooler than a double-skin tent.
In cold, dry, mountain environments - think Alps, Andes, Himalaya - the dry, cold atmosphere means breathability works better and I've used a Bibler single-skin tent in the Andes at 5,000 metres or so without any problems.
In the UK though, I think you're better off with an ultra-lightweight conventional fly / inner combo.
Cheers Jon, thanks for the info. I wasn't really thinking of getting one but curious as to what the pros and cons were. I'd also imagined they'd be quite heavy for single skinners too.
I've always liked the idea of the convenience of a single skinner but don't like the idea of being dripped on and wondered if goretex might solve that problem- from what you say not in a humid environment.
it depends on the fabric used, as to how much condensation occurs, some gore-tex tents are made with air permeable gore-tex which work better when not ventilated at all as it helps create a microclimate to push moisture through, aslo you dont suffocate because of this, alternatives would be either non-breathable and therefore lots of venting required, or made from epic fabric, not strictly waterproof but if you seal the seams holds off most, have a look at outdoor designs for air permeable gore-tex or black diamond for epic
i have used the gore-tex ones in the uk and experienced little condensation in most conditions
Cheers Gearboy- I assume you're refering to the face fabric used rather that the actual goretex membrane itself?
I think I saw something on the MacPac website mentioning someting about that- apart from the condensation issue did you find that there were any other pros/cons about it?
you could always consider a tarptent. Very light, very easy to pitch,loads of ventilation but weatherproof and complete with midge screen, roomy too. I am currently looking at an American design, Henry Shires tarptents. Previously I used a Golite, a lot of faffing around to set it right. These seem to be a whole lot better if the testimonials and write ups are anything to go by.
sorry not explained too well, if you get a goretex tent make sure it is air permeable version, otherwise you will suffer condensation, yes other fabrics bonded to the membranes/coatings on other single skin do effect condensation levels, dont get into that! pros/cons of single skin vs twin skin, not much really! i did experience less condensation on the gore tent than on the fly of a twin skin in similar conditions to be honest you are better getting a light twin skin for most uses, if you want to save weight then look at black diamond firstlight or lighthouse, and seal the seams, you will stay dry in most
I found that the air permeable Gore-Tex suffered badly from condensation in typical UK non-summer conditions, it also felt as cold as a very cold thing. Partly I suspect because the relatively high volume meant it was almost impossible to warm the interior enough to create a temperature / humidity gradient between interior and exterior. I suspect performance is actually pretty variable. Anyway, the bottom line for me is that I might consider a singleskin tent as an mountaineering high altitude option, but not for owt else.
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