I have a Hilleberg tent which has the inner and outer connected if you want them to be, while packed, so you just insert the poles and a minimum of 4 pegs and you have shelter. Wind requires more pegs of course!

If last night was wet though, and you had to pack it away wet, then most likely it will all be fairly wet. The outer should probably be kept seperate if its got wet, although since through ventilation is not the best the inner is often fairly damp too from condensation.

Some tents pitch outer first, so keep the inner dry. Single skin tents, if you can still buy them? are supposed to be bad for condensation. You really want to pitch any tent so the outer and inner do not touch at all, then inside should stay dry.

If your tent is inner first and its raining then you just need to be quick!

I would think with most tents that have a small porch for cooking (no petrol!) you are supposed to be lying/sitting inside the dry clean bit? If you really want seperate space in the tent to sit while wet and dirty to cook then maybe you need a campervan?!


If you do want a tarp I have a couple of these;

Reusable All Weather Foil Space Blanket - ADULT - SP Services (UK) Ltd

The corner grommets pulled out in stronger gusting wind than I should have left one up in, but we also have a couple of "Clingons" which are handy too;

Clingons - The movable, reusable, instant eyelet

That tarp is either emergency blanket, for attracting attention, keeping rain or sun off, and the clingons have a fair few uses too, so worth some space in my view. The tarp isn't made to last 10 years use, but isn't bulky and heavy or too expensive either.

Or you could get a hammock, which will be smaller and lighter and can come with a tarp.