If you’ve ever camped in a single-wall tent, you’ve probably woken up feeling like you’ve spent the night inside a steamed-up microwave.
That classic internal rainstorm – condensation – is the price we usually pay for ditching the double-wall design in favour of lighter, faster setups.
But now, Simond, the Chamonix-based mountain gear specialists, might have cracked the code with Condensless, a new multi-layered fabric designed to tackle condensation at the source.
The first backpacking tent to get the Condensless treatment is the MT900, a 1.5kg, two-person trekking shelter that comes with a minimalist one-pole setup, semi-freestanding frame, and enough headroom (100cm) to sit up in.
That’s all fairly standard ultralight fare – until you take a closer look at the shimmering, foil-like outer. This isn’t just for show.
What makes Condensless different? It’s not just that it’s waterproof and breathable – plenty of tent fabrics can claim that.
The real breakthrough lies in the way Simond has layered the material to outsmart condensation. Think breathable, waterproof coating that limits moisture build-up from inside the tent.
That’s supported by a durable polyester layer, giving the fabric enough strength to withstand rough use in exposed conditions.
Then there’s the clever bit: an inner aluminium film that helps regulate the tent wall temperature, keeping it above the dew point, the tipping point where condensation usually forms.
A final water-repellent treatment on the outer face stops rain and damp air from soaking in.
In plain English, the tent walls stay warmer, so less water condenses inside.
In lab tests and real-world bivvy trials, Simond’s field testers reported 72% condensation-free nights. Compare that to standard tent fabrics, which came in at a measly 6%.
It’s not just the material that’s clever. The MT900 packs down to just 5L (39 x 12 x 12cm), and the Y-pole design makes it quick to pitch, especially appealing when the weather turns or energy levels dip.
There are dual doors, integrated side pockets, mesh panelling for airflow, and a stable structure that holds firm in wind tunnel tests up to 70km/h.
With 5,000mm waterproofing on the outer and 3,000mm on the groundsheet, the MT900 is built to take on proper mountain conditions.
For now, Condensless is launching with a single model, but Simond says it’s already expanding the fabric into other tents.
If those 72% dry-night stats hold up across broader conditions – think damp UK trails, humid jungle camps, or alpine treks – we might be witnessing the start of a real shift in tent design.
Lightweight hikers and climbers, take note: the double-wall may not be dead, but it’s got serious competition.
The Simond MT900 Condensless 2-person tent is available now at Decathlon for €370/ £350 (approx. $466/AU$ 729.61).
