Hi all,

Just came back from a trip with this tent and although the rest of it is fab we had major condensation problems even with the front and rear doors half open all night. Wondered what's the point of a warmer 4 season tent that you have to keep the doors open on? Even with them open the condensation was awful, wet bags and dripping down the wall. Is this unusual?

Thinking of getting rid and getting a 3 season around the same size - there seems to be little comfort difference whilst using a warm sleeping bag.

I would say condensation can be a problem in any tent regardless of season if you are not carefull. 

I would think carefully about changing the tent on acount of one trip.  What was the weather like, cold, still, freezing, fog etc...

well, it was about minus 3 and windy on the worst condensation riddled night.

anyway, what does 'not careful' mean? stop breathing? I would have expected the tent to cope - we had the doors open and only the mesh up. Our Tadpole doesn't condense at all. Granted that has a huge mesh panel in the roof but Iwould have thought opening a hole at both ends of the Westwind kind of replicates that.

Still confused...

Even in what are, in my humblest of opinions anyways, the Rolls-Royce of tents made by Hilleberg, the tent-makers seem as basic standard advice, to tell one to be ever ready for condensation problems within! There is even in the new tents brochure just now out quite detailed instructions on dealing with this most vexing problem it if it occurs at all. Advice to have a cloth ready to wipe down the inner tent surfaces as moisture build up is first off spotted, before one ever winds up with the dripping to the sleeping bag scenario.nb Well worthwhile getting that free brochure I think, just for some of the campers tips and tricks mentioned in it. If you click on the big top advert banner currently there for Hilleberg tents on the OM, then you can get the brochure too; as it was the way I got my one, at least!

Two ways of dealing with condensation in that guide.

1. Use a Rag

'Simply wiping off the condensation from inside the tent can often prevent your gear from getting dripped upon, and it can help stop condensation from continuing to happen.'

2. Jacket Over Your Bag

'Before going to sleep, zip your water-proof/breathable jacket over the foot of your sleeping bag. This will help keep any condensation from getting to your (bag's) insulation.'

I always leave a low vent or door open to allow cool air into the tent and a high vent or door open to let hot moist air out.  This will of course be dependant on tent design, doors etc - oh, and wind direction. 

A low vent could be a tied back snow valance on a mountain tent or a propped up flysheet etc.  A high vent will usually mean leaving the top of one of the outer doors open and as much of the inner tent doors open up high as possible.

Cooking inside the tent and leaving wet kit inside your tent will greatly increase condensation.  If you have wet clothes it is beter to get into  your synthetic sleeping bag with them all on and let them dry out during the night (adding to condensation a little ) or put them in a sealed wet bag, bin liner and place at the bottom of your sleeping bag so they are not frozen stiff in the morning when you have to put them back on. 

If you have a down bag wearing wet clothes in it may reduce the 'loft ' of the bag considerably so I would not recomend this.

Remember being in the tent when it is cold is like a warm glass of water placed in a fridge.  This is why ice cube trays often have lids to reduce condensation and frost inside the freezer...

Lastly try breathing towards the top vent on your tent so sleep on your back or side depending on design and layout. 

Having a mesh inner tent does not IMHO reduce condensation much and indeed a mesh inner can cause more problems as the condensation tends to collect mostly on the flysheet which can then drop off and drip through the mesh inner tent.  At least with a 4 season tent the drips will probably just run down the outside of the inner tent fabric on to the ground.

Hope this helps

Condensation happens...some mornings you'll find none at all and others loads of it.

Try and stay In the mountains with a nice tent like that, rather than wasting the UV exposure on low level pitches, it usually means less condensation and better views of the sunrise through your door to start drying the blighter out. 

In my experience with loads of tents.....it's not always down to the tent the biggest factor with condensation is "Mother nature" herself

In cold weather try using a vapor barrier liner (VBL) inside your sleeping bag.  That should cut down on moisture given off from your body and help minimize condensation in the tent. The VBL should also keep the insulation in your sleeping bag drier.

Once  I was a skeptic of the value/function of a VBL, but I am a believer now.