It rained and rained — and rained some more.

It rained while we drove to the remote trailhead; while we hiked to the hillside where we had decided to camp high in the trees; while we set up our tents; while we slept.

And the next morning, when we woke up, it rained again — inside our tents. A sheer mist with an occasional fat droplet fell from the ceilings of our single-wall tents.

The tents were waterproof, but rain had pooled on the vents near the ceiling, closing off an essential way for air to escape. Instead, it hung around inside, condensing on the ceilings and walls.

Call us single-minded, but we weren’t upset by our wet sleeping bags, soaked sleeping pads, and damp, smelly dogs. For we had walked to our campsite in the Lost Creek Wilderness burdened with only seven pounds of tent to comfortably hold four adult humans and two dogs.

Despite the dampness of this particular weekend, we decided right then: We love single-wall tents.

Easy to set up, feather-light and well-designed, they made all the difference on this backpacking trip.

In the contest of hiking comfort vs. sleeping comfort, our knees won out. Our backpacks, which last year averaged about 35 pounds, have slimmed down to 25, thanks to artful packing, dehydrated food and those tents. So we’ll dry out and try the tents again.

That’s just what the designers of the newest single-wall tents are hoping — that consumers will be wowed by the weight of their designs and less than concerned about a little water. For if single-wall tents have a weakness, it is that they are best in dry, cool situations. Add humidity or heat, and the chance for condensation increases.

Not that single-wall tents all cause condensation, especially in Colorado. Our environment usually is perfect for the lightweight shelters. Days are warm and dry, nights are cool and dry, and there’s often a breeze, not a gale-force wind. Camping trips with the relentless rain of recent weekends are more often associated with wetter, more humid locales.

In those parts of the country, double-wall tents are a better choice. They handle ventilation by covering a breathable shell with a waterproof outer tent or fly. Moist air inside the tent rises, escapes through the inner layer and evaporates. Outside moisture condenses on the fly.

In a single-wall tent, moisture from the breath of people (and dogs) inside condenses on the ceiling and sides unless there’s a way out. That’s the reasoning behind elaborate venting systems that allow moist air that has risen to escape.

Lightweight single-wall tents aren’t new. For decades, mountaineers have been using them in snow and ice situations on the world’s big mountains.

And for years, only the most dedicated and well-heeled could afford them. As recently as the late 1990s, low-end single-walls hovered around $400. Now they range from $150 to $300.

Before you buy a tent, ask yourself these questions:

1. Where do I want to pitch a tent? An established campground? A tiny patch of backcountry? Just off a forest road next to my car? That determines the shape, size and weight of the tent you’ll need.

2. How many people do I want to fit in my tent, and how much room do they expect to have? Experienced mountaineers have been known to cram three or four people in a two-person tent. Families, especially those with children, are looking for roomier accommodations.

3. How much time will I spend in my tent? If you only fall into it, exhausted after a day of riding your bicycle or climbing, you need less space than if you expect to organize an indoor family poker game in the afternoon.

4. What’s most important: weight, size, ability to keep me dry? For many people, weight is the issue. Size can be dealt with, and wet stuff can be dried out.

5. How much time do I want to spend setting up a tent? Many new tents have easy set-up, but tents with multiple rooms or multiple poles require at least two people with dexterity.

6. How long do I want my tent to last? As with most outdoor gear, better products cost more. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t lower-priced tents that perform well. Before you head out, do some research.

At the store, ask to see a set-up tent, or set one up yourself. Look at seams, zippers, fabric, poles.