My Lodge 2 is definitely inner only erect first. Then chuck the outer over the top.
I thought it would be a problem but in practice it isn't.
Also, in practice with regard to worries about putting it up in the rain I take reassurance from the surprising but true factoid I was told on taking up commuting by Vespa many years ago - despite the reputation of British weather there are surprisingly few days when it will actually be raining to any great degree during the twin morning and evening windows of hopping on the scooter. Even more so with the 5 minute window of putting the tent up. And not likely to be a mega problem unless rain really torrential, which it rarely is. How often does the gloomy forecast say heavy rain when it's mostly just light rain/drizzle/bit damp?
Isn't that the thing, though, with tents and with all our gear really - the "fear factor"?
I specifically chose a tent that was not inner first pitching because of the "fear" of the inner getting soaking wet when I was pitching it. For me, being dry is priority number 1 and the image of a soaked inner, puddles on the floor while struggling to get a fly over everything in the dark and the rain and the wind was enough for me to reject that option.
But how often does it happen?
In truth, hardly ever!
Instead, I went for a free-standing tent (for those times when pegging out was impossible), all-in-one pitch (to get it up quickly in bad weather) and a 4 season tent to be comfortable in winter.
As it turns out, the tent is not actually free-standing- it will not stand on it's own. If it is not pegged out the fly sits against the inner.
The all-in-one pitch is really only practical in warm weather. Winter means condensation meaning the whole tent gets wet if taken down all in one. Instead, the reality is separate pitching for fly, then inner. While possible, it is very finnicky!
And the extra lining over the mesh needs to be open in winter to minimise the condensation!
As things turn out, my cheapy tunnel does a far better job!
I spent the guts of a year researching tents to find the one that checked all my boxes. I've spent the last year trying to get the new tent to do the things it's supposed to do!
Damn the fear!
It's all well and good to recommend a tent, but the user has to know the conditions the reviewer is using the tent.
Climate, location, time of year, frequency of pitching, personal preferences are vital.
For example, the condensation issue with my tent is only an issue because I pack it up every day and like to camp in the winter.
I chatted online with some other owners before I bought the tent.
After my problems I chatted again.
Their usage differed very much from mine. Pitches for up to a week at a time, never used in winter. No problem to dry it out -warm weather camping. No wild camping.
So, before you buy a tent, figure out how you want to use it and when.
Then find out who does similar. Their recommendations should have more weight.
