Why do tents now have partial rain flies?

I'm looking at the Wenzel Pinon Sport 7x7 3 person dome tent
http://cgi.ebay.com/Wenzel-Pinon-Sport-7...1QQcmdZViewItem

and the rainfly only goes 40% down the side of the tent, at most. What gives? Are the sides so water proof we no longer need a full rainfly? Or are they (the mfr) cheaping out?

I saw a similar tent advertised in a circular on Sunday.

Yeah, this reminds me of a tent that REI makes. The Camp Dome 2, which also has a rainfly that doesn't go to the ground. It should still keep all the rain out in mild to moderate rainstorms. But I wouldn't trust a tent like this in severe weather.

Also, with very little mesh there would probably be condensation issues in humid weather.

REI Camp Dome:

http://www.rei.com/product/731378

Mumblez, I can see you're from Michigan. I can only surmise you have not camped here in a rainstorm. In a rain storm it often comes down hard and fast, rain blows sideways, and water splashes up from the ground to get under the rainfly. Hence my need for a full rainfly.

But thanks for your input.

Maybe I worry more than others because I have camped in some very extreme summer storms. You know, the kind where normal people at home go into the basement. Where all your stakes pull up and the only thing holding the tent down is you and 3 inches of water you are sleeping in.

bulrush,

What I meant when I said mild to moderate rain is exactly that. Basically, these tents are not made for serious backpackers or anyone who wants a tent that can handle REAL weather.

Just a couple weeks ago in the Detroit metro area (Oakland County especially), there were some severe thunderstorms that would have destroyed a tent like this or the REI Camp Dome. Even some stronger, better made tents might not have survived.

So, this tent is not recommended for a backpacker who may encounter severe weather. I see it as an affordable tent for the casual car camper, the kind of person that wants a real value.

Ask almost any backpacker and they will choose a full coverage rainfly over partial coverage. Part of the reason for the partial rainfly is definitely a cost-cutting measure. Very few people prefer it.

And if you know you need a full rainfly, why even ask about a low-end tent like this? Always glad to help if I can.

Sorry, I didn't mean to be annoying. But what I was really asking about was, is this a market trend? It appears that at least some models are using the "partial" rainfly even though the ad/box/description says "full rain fly".

So, I know what you're saying. Having been through extreme weather, where my tent would have blown away had I not been in it, I do look for tents that would stand up to that. I think they are called "log cabins". <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

No, I was not camping in that weather by choice, I was a kid with family and there was no place, literally, for us to go to spend the night. A hotel was not an option, nor do I remember one within an hour driving distance on those particular nights.

You look at an el cheapo piece of crap @ $29.99 and you read "market trend" into it? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

It's cool. I get these questions everyday at work. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

As far as I've seen in the tent market this doesn't seem to be a "trend". It is mainly only seen in the lower priced tents.

My BA Seedhouse SL1 has been in some pretty severe storms and held up like a champ. Staking the entire tent out helps, but using guylines is almost even more important for stability and wind resistance.

Most all of these inexpensive (cheap) family camping tents are like this.

Wenzel is a pretty heavy and crappy brand. You'll probably get wet. If you are car camping though, one of these tents combined with a BIG cheap blue tarp hung OVER it (not attached to it... hang above from trees using separate ropes) would be fine as this keeps the actual tent from getting wet. I wouldn't want to try to carry this combo on my back though!

One GOOD half-fly design is the Sierra Designs Serius. I have used this in the past and had no leaks or condensation. Great tents!

http://www.rei.com/product/763154

Bigfoot <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />