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Zpacks Duplex Tent Review

Zpacks Duplex Tent Review

The Zpacks Duplex Tent is a single-wall 2 person tent made with Dyneema Composite Fabrics (formerly called cuben fiber) that weighs 19.4 oz. It has two doors, two vestibules, and requires two trekking poles to erect. Despite its high-tech construction, the Duplex is a remarkably simple tent to set up and use, which probably explains its widespread popularity with backpackers of all stripes. (See the Dyneema Composite Fabrics FAQ for more information about this remarkable material.)

Specs at a Glance

  • Weight:  19.4 to 21.5 oz depending on color (21.5 oz, actual in Spruce)
  • Type: Single-wall, two-person
  • Material: Dyneema Composite Fabrics, Insect Netting
  • Doors: 2
  • Vestibules: 2
  • Minimum number of stakes to set up: 8
  • Dimensions:
    • Internal floor width – 45″
    • Internal floor length – 90″
    • Zipper entry height – 36″
    • Vestibule depth – 20.5″
    • Peak height – 48″
    • Packed size – 8.5L
  • For full specs visit Zpacks.com

The Duplex is made with Dyneema Composite Fabrics (DCF) which is a lightweight, high strength, highly waterproof material which makes it good for making tents because it doesn’t absorb water or stretch overnight. While the Duplex is large enough to fit two people, it is lightweight enough that you seriously consider using it as a spacious 1-person tent, which many people do. This is perhaps its greatest advantage over tents made with conventional fabrics.

The Duplex is light enough that you can use it as a spacious 1 person tent
The Duplex is light enough that you can use it as a spacious 1 person tent

The Duplex has a simple pleasing design. It’s basically a single-wall tarp tent, with a waterproof DCF bathtub floor connected to the sidewalls with insect netting. The bathtub floor is 8″ deep, which will protect you from puddles and running water if it rains. Like most tarp tents, the bathtub floor is connected to the tent’s walls with insect netting to provide air circulation and help prevent internal condensation. An added guyline running from the floor to the overhead panel lets you angle the ceiling so any internal condensation will drip outside and not onto the floor.

The bathtub floor is connected by mesh, allowing it to float independent of the walls
The bathtub floor is connected by mesh, allowing it to float independently of the walls

The netting also lets the floor “float” which is very beneficial on uneven tent sites, where one side of the ground may be higher than another and you need to adjust your trekking poles to different lengths. This is a great benefit if you camp on “wild” unprepared tent sites, especially in a forest.

Deep waterproof bathtub floor protects you from puddles and running water
Deep waterproof bathtub floor protects you from puddles and running water

The Duplex has two mesh walls and doors which are protected by side vestibules. The vestibule doors open in the middle, so you can roll back half for wind protection or both for increased ventilation. Long rainbow-shaped zippers in the mesh walls let you get out on either side of the vestibules if you only have one half-open. The mesh walls are flexible, so it’s best to use two hands when opening or closing them to help support the fabric and prevent zipper jams.

The vestibule doors overlap, but are not connected by a center zipper
The vestibule doors overlap but are not connected by a center zipper

The vestibules don’t close with a zipper, but overlap one another, and are held in place with a hooked buckle connected to the side guy out. This eliminates the need for an extra pair of tent stakes and makes setup easier. You can also hold the doors closed with a toggle, although its primary purpose is to reduce flapping in windy conditions.

The vestibule doors are held closed with a two-hook buckle
The vestibule doors are held closed with a two-hook buckle

The vestibule doors are cut high to encourage airflow, which is a common design pattern in single wall tents to help prevent internal condensation.  While you can moderate the amount of airflow to a degree, by shortening the poles and closing the vestibule doors, the Duplex is cold and drafty in winter and shoulder season weather.

While the vestibules are deep enough for gear storage, I’d think twice about cooking with an alcohol stove in one if you want hot food during a rainstorm. Canister stoves are much safer in these circumstances because the flame is covered and the fuel won’t fireball when lit. (Yes, there are parts of the world without bears, where you can cook inside your tent.)

Vestibule size is good for gear storage, but I’d recommend against cooking with an open flame.
Vestibule size is good for gear storage, but I’d recommend against cooking with an open flame.

The interior of the Duplex is quite spacious for one, with good headroom below the center of the tent at the peaks.  The amount of ceiling clearance diminishes as you get closer to the head and food end, which is the nature of an A-frame design. However, you can raise the ceiling above your head and feet by staking out the guylines attached to the DCF side panels. It’s not really an option, but a necessity to avoid internal condensation transfer to the foot of your sleep insulation and to provide more clearance for your head.

While there are two mesh pockets sewn to the sides of the bathtub floor, there is a notable absence of corner pockets or hang loops on the ceiling for lights or stashing fragile items, like glasses.

I tested a spruce colored version of the Duplex, which fairly transparent, which can be a consideration if you prefer more opaque walls for privacy. That transparency can also make the tent quite hot inside if pitched in intense sunlight. Although it’s also a bonus during a full moon when moonlight lights up the interior.

The Duplex’s DCF is semi-transparent which can reduce privacy.
The Duplex’s DCF is semi-transparent which can reduce privacy.

The Duplex comes fully outfitted with guylines and linelocs, but you need to supply your own tent stakes for the soil or ground conditions you expect to encounter. The linelocs make it very easy and fast to tighten the pitch once you’ve got the tent staked out and set up.

When packed, the Duplex is kind-of bulky, taking up about 8.5 liters of space. DCF shelters are best folded rather than stuffed to minimize their volume when packed.

When packed the Duplex takes up about 8 liters of space, which is about the size of a 20 degree down sleeping bag.
When packed the Duplex takes up 8.5 liters of space, which is about the size of a 20 degree down sleeping bag.

Comparable DCF Tents

Key: SW=Single Wall, DW=Double Wall

Make / ModelSW/DWPeopleVestibulesWeight
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 2SW1-2224 oz
Durston X-Mid Pro 2SW2219.6 oz
Big Agnes Tiger Wall 2 CarbonDW2222 oz
MLD Duomid + Nest (all DCF)DW2126 oz
MLD Trailstar + Nest (all DCF)DW1120.5 oz
Tarptent Stratospire LiDW2227.7 oz
Zpacks DuplexSW2219.0 oz
Zpacks Duplex ZipSW2220.4 oz
Tarptent Aeon LiSW1115.8 oz
Tarptent Notch LiDW1221.5 oz
Zpacks PlexamidSW1115.3 oz

There are relatively few one and two-person DCF tents available, and while tent weight and cost are important dimensions, it’s worth understanding what other variables are important to you before you make a purchase decision.

Here are some important dimensions that are worth considering when choosing between different tents and shelters. This might seem long a long set of variables, but they can help you avoid buying the wrong shelter, especially a shelter from a cottage manufacturer that you can’t return for a refund if it doesn’t meet your needs.

Modularity: Do you want the ability to split apart your shelter into components and only use part of it in different weather or terrain? For example, buying a pyramid tarp and an inner nest, or a double-wall tent, can be much more flexible than buying a single wall tent with a permanently sewn-in floor.

Internal condensation: Many people prefer a double-wall tent because they can’t stand the thought of internal condensation making their gear damp.

Interior Space: Do you want to be able to store your gear inside the tent with you? If so, you might be better off buying a two-person tent and using it by yourself. Do you need a tent that can fit two people, even though realistically you plan to mostly use it for one person?

Dimensions: Do you prefer a tent with a high ceiling or one that’s long because you are a tall person. Do you prefer a tent with vertical or high-angled end walls because you have big feet that will touch a sloped ceiling?

Number of Doors: If you plan on using a two-person tent for two people, it is much more convenient to have one with two doors.

Ease of Entry: Tents that have wide side doors are usually easier to get in and out of than ones that have a narrow front door. In addition, wide vestibules with two independent doors (split in the middle), make it possible to use one half for gear storage and the other half for entry.

Footprint: How much space is required to set up the tent? For example, if you like to camp at unprepared (wild) tent sites, it can be easier to find a level, dry, or open space for a one-person tent instead of a two-person tent.

Draftiness: Some tents are draftier than others. For examples, shelters with a rain fly and vestibules that go all the way down to the ground tend to be warmer than those that don’t because they have less airflow. Tarp tents, where the fly and the floor are connected with mesh, tend to draftier than double wall tents.

Pitching in the Rain: Can you set up a tent in the rain and keep the inner tent dry? You can with most single wall tents and some double wall tents, but not with ones that require that you pitch the inner tent first.

Ease of Pitch: Some shelters are easier to set up than others. The simplest ones are tents that have an exoskeleton frame, which is one reason why they are so widely used on mainstream tents. When it comes to cottage manufactured tents, ones that have a rectangular footprint and symmetric sides are usually easier to set up than ones that have offset, asymmetric peaks or asymmetric walls.

The simple symmetric design of the Duplex makes it easy to setup
The simple symmetric design of the Duplex makes it easy to set up

Recommendation

The Zpacks Duplex is a two-person, DCF tent that is lightweight enough that it can be used by one person. While it’s expensive compared to most conventional two-person tents, it’s a relative bargain compared to the handful of other one and two-person DCF tents available today. While the Duplex tends to be drafty in cool weather, it has excellent ventilation to reduce the chance of any internal condensation transfer to your gear. It’s easy to get in and out of, with wide side doors and vestibules which can be used to store gear or enter and exit at the same time. As a single wall shelter, you can pitch the Duplex in the rain and prevent the interior from becoming soaked, which is a real advantage in a wet climate on extended length trips. While the internal dimensions can be snug for two people, the vestibules provide valuable gear storage to free up the living space area. Perhaps best of all, the Duplex is drop-dead simple to set up, with a symmetric two-pole design that will get you out of the weather and high and dry in no time at all.

Disclosure: Zpacks loaned the author a tent for this review.

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73 comments

  1. Great tent! I’ve got a couple thousand miles on mine, and it is holding well. I do use kite tyvek as a ground cloth though.

    • I can see doing that if you camp on abrasive ground and actually use the tent A LOT and want it to last.
      I usually camp on very gentle forest duff or grasslands and don’t bother with a footprint.

      • Christopher Klemetson

        Nice review! I bought the Camo Duplex for my 2017 hike. It worked great! If I could tweak anything it would be the storage bag. I think it’s a lil too small.I find it a chore everytime trying to make it fit. -Inspector Gadget

  2. I bought a Duplex as soon as they came out…Nov 2013…and love it. I have used a DIY 2x think Polycryo ground sheet (made from a Patio Door sealing kit) since new and have found no damage or wear. Given the cost of the Duplex, for 2 ounces I think it is a valuable addition regardless of the material you normally camp on.

  3. Although I don’t use it exclusively, I’m very happy with mine, very comfortable as a 1-person shelter, sets up faster than a double wall tent. I got the heavier DCF in green.

    I’ve seen and heard complaints about the cost, but it’s the least expensive 2-person shelter on your list, makes me feel even better about my investment. I waited until I saw them in the Bargain Bin in early fall, got a whopping $25 off (sarcasm) and it shipped almost immediately versus having to wait weeks for them to build it. The only flaw that I could detect was some excess adhesive that most manufacturers probably would have let slide.

    • I think that design and its simplicity would have also succeeded if it were made in silpoly and silnylon.
      The tent is incredibly easy to set up.
      Zpacks is leaving a lot of money on the table by not making the less expensive variant or at least licensing it (to china). I realize that they’re wedded to Dyneema, but having a set of less expensive products lets you grow your customer list and get them onto an upgrade path where none existed previously….
      Heck, they could even do it through MassDrop…

      • Ah, Marketing. Smart man!

      • Those are some good thoughts. For personal reasons, if they didn’t want to expand the company, they could as you say, get it done in China.

        The first reviews are coming in on Dan Durston’s MassDrop tent.

      • I think you are definitely right about this. You are starting to see some copy-cat versions pop up at other companies. I bought some fabric and have spent some time trying to emulate the design in a silnylon because I like the design, but I am unwilling to spent $600 on a tent (and I like making my own stuff so I can customize details).

      • Gossamer Gear’s “The Two” is basically the silnylon version at around 30 oz and $389.

      • There is 3F UL Gear Lanshan 2 tent (also named Lancer, available at Amazon or AliExpress)… It is essentially it – Duplex made out of silnylon and tweaked (in particular it is double wall and there are vents).

      • One should never fall in love with a design or a material or product. Things evolve and prices can come down. Making things in China is less costly and the quality is as good or better than made in US or Europe often. I imagine that Joe and the team at ZPacks are always looking at improvements. A standalone DuoPlex along the lines of the coper spur would be good in a next generation Duoplex.

      • MARK ANDERSON, AKA, Thoth al Khem

        HI…GOOD POINT Philip ! I own a new Duplex AND a Lanshan 2 and have wished for a Duplex Style Single Wall in 7 or 15D Silnylon OR SILPOLY, for less stretch, with the mesh at the head and foot just like the Zpacks Duplex. It would be uber light (around 28-30 Oz) and SELL LIKE HOTCAKES……HECK I would buy it just to own it…..I also have a 2010 Tarptent SW and love it……28 Oz…..Condensation (for me) has never been a problem even zipped up……….LOVE your work. I start the 700 mile desert section of the PCT end of May and I have Congestive Heart Failure… 8-)

  4. About the scale reading 21.5 oz vs 19.4 for the spruce colored tent, the spruce is the heavier .74oz canopy material, and that material makes the tent 2.1oz heavier as per Zpacks.

    All tents have floors made from the 1.0oz material.

  5. I don’t think it is necessary but they do sell a double x-crossed eternal pole to make it semi-self supporting. (but I have no experience with this model)
    Clever , but probably only relevant if you do not use hiking poles

    • the stand alone poles are quite helpful but wobbly. If I need to be stand alone I use the poles plus my hiking poles and a string across the ridgeline. Rock solid like that.
      I am off again with my old duoplex that now has many nights on it. No footprint needed. Modified to keep doors tighter with two extra pegs. Modified to ensure floow cannot push outside and let water come in – two additional lifters on each end like those it came with.
      Overall a great piece of SUPERLIGHT KIT! I will buy another IF this one every wears out.

  6. I have a new Duplex and set it up twice. The tape that seals the top seam is already peeling away. Not happy for a $600 tent. I shouldn’t be fixing anything.

    • There’s a warranty on the tent – contact the company by email. Send pictures of the damage.
      I received a tent that was obviously defective (a door panel sewn wrong) and received excellent service. I did send photos and was able to exchange the tent for a new one, since I hadn’t used it. I’m not sure what they’d do about your situation, but the seam tape shouldn’t be peeling off –

    • Send them a note as they provide great customer service. Joe at Zpacks never lets his customers down.

    • I have had a similar issue – a missing loop to secure the door panel. I emailed Zpacks and waited days, no reply, second email got a reply. They are offering a stick on patch or a repair OF A NEW TENT! Shipping times are slow (I waited for weeks), and I don’t want to wait again. Still waiting for a reply from Nicole at Customer Service. I know that Zpacks has a loyal customer base, but I am disappointed and am not confident in their product.

  7. Excellent review. Single wall tents such as the Duplex have for me one fatal flaw: I can’t see the night sky when due to bug pressure cowboy camping is impossible. Falling asleep under the stars is for me one of the most beautiful parts of backpacking. Dual wall tents rule IMO in low precipitation/high mosquito areas such as the Sierra Nevada.

  8. Easy setup,durable,absolutely water proof ( last hike monsoon rains)

  9. The head and foot room can be expanded by running the sidewall guy lines over a short ~50 cm stick planted close to the tent wall. This pulls the ends out and up and gives a lot more room. The tension on the guy line holds the stick in place.

  10. Hope you get to borrow the Aeon LI for a review.

    • This is a part of a DCF tent review series. The next ones up are the Dirigo 2 and then the Plexamid, followed by the Aeon Li.

      • Excellent, I have been thinking about getting either the Plexamid or Aeon Li to compliment the Duplex. Looking forward to your reviews of these!

      • Great to see this. I’ve got Aeon Li/Plexamid fever and am looking forward to your thoughts on these two. Honestly, I think if Tarptent offered the Aeon in the heavier weight and darker Spruce or Camo, I’d already have my order in. Thank you for the reviews, Mark.

  11. Just got my Duplex and I use a LANSHAN 2 footprint as a footprint……Uber light also. LOVE my Duplex. I start the PCT May 28 and I am in Heart Failure……WHY NOT?

  12. Great review, as always.

    Quick question. Have you erected it with pacer poles? If so, did it pitch OK? Were there any problems with pole alignment?

  13. I’ll take the Tarptent stratosphere 2 Li for a 2 person Dyneema tent. It has much more USEABLE interior space and it is better in higher winds.

    For a one person Dyneema once again the Tarptent AEON.

    • Bill in Roswell GA

      The Duplex is popular because it’s easily available and has been around a few years during the Thruhiker YouTube boom. Personally I agree about Tarptent designs having some advantages. But at the start of AT Thruhiker bubble, Zpacks were easy to buy so Duplex and Plexamid dominate. I would take Zpacks or Tarptent over Big Agnes Dynema for any trip! Face it, we are now spoiled with choices!

    • Main problem I find with my Tarptent is that it’s hard to pack – the struts mean it’s too long to back sideways and it has to be stored vertically in such a way it’s hard to balance your pack. My Duplex is much easier to carry.

  14. Looking at the 2 person Dyneema tents on the market I’ll take the Tarptent Stratospire Li.

    At 1 lb. 10 oz. its innovative design offers more interior space than the Z-Packs Duplex and better wind worthiness with better ventilation when closed up for a storm.

    • In fact, the Tarptent Stratospire Li has significantly LESS interior space than the Duplex, according to Outdoor Gear Lab.

      Note that the Stratospire Li is 7 inches narrower than the ‘normal’ Stratospire.

  15. Minor update, the Duplex does have loops in the two apex points now, I just received my Duplex for doing the JMT again. Was able to add a line inside using the loops for hanging clothes to dry overnight.

  16. Hi Philip- Is this Duplex in Spruce Green or Olive Drab? Thanks very much.

  17. For anyone who is cramped in the Duplex, I opted for the Triplex with guy lines on the walls assisted by a couple of lightweight sectioned aluminum arrows for added lift. It is a mansion inside.

  18. Phillip – thanks for the continued support! Thinking of a new tent or tarp for 3 season, section or thru hiking AT and/or Colorado 14’er work (I’m into mid-Virginia in my section hike, so bugs will be more of a factor this summer). To date, I’ve used 8 X 10 flat tarps or Henry Shire’s Sil Notch (have used the Notch with the inner, and without – substituting a MLD SL Bivy). I had been contemplating getting the Tarptent Notch Li (using the Dyneema fly with my bivy when bugs weren’t an issue, and using the Notch Li inner when bugs were out) – saving 6.5 to 7.7 oz (over the present Sil Notch). I used to love using my 8 X 10 flat sil tarps, but with the ease of set up of the Sil Notch (much quicker/simpler) – I curreently use the Sil Notch fly and the bivy when it isn’t bug season. I’m sure you saw, ZPacks is making the Altaplex avail again at 15.5 oz (probably 19.1 oz with the 10 Easton stakes I would use), needs a 58 in trecking pole or pole jack. The Altaplex’s increased width/height addresses the foot of quilt touching wall issue (at least for us guys at 5’9″). With the incr height/width of the Altaplex, the Altaplex provides additional space/margin (over the Plexamid) and looks good (only thing is – I pretty much have to leave the bivy at home). Considering the Altaplex and rethinking the Notch Li – comparing the two. I like the TT Aeon a lot, but the packability issue would push me to the Altaplex if I don’t do the Notch Li. When I currently use my Sil Notch fly with the 6.6 oz MLD Superlight Solo bivy – I have never had any issues with wind/weather. Q1 – any general thoughts for the above mission (AT Thur/Section & Colorado 14er’ing) if the only two choices were Altaplex or Notch Li? Q2 – see the Notch Li handle the wind at: https://youtu.be/YMDwai1DnAg . Any opinion regarding whether the Altaplex would handle that wind as well, or better? Any thoughts/opinions on which might handle wind/weather better? Q3 – for non-bug situations, if a man really liked like the option of using/having a bivy (Superlight bivy), so he was going to use that with a fly or tarp, I don’t know of any better/simpler fly/tarp than the Tarptent Notch Li fly (that would really keep you dry for an extended hike). Which tarp/fly would you go to if you were doing a AT thru hike (non buggy situation), wanting to minimize weight, but not get “moist” during a blowing rain? Q4 – same Q as Q3, but in bug season? Would you just go to the Tarptent Notch Li and use the inner, or would you prefer the Altaplex, or do you some other/different preferred option/recommendation for a 5′ 9″ male? Thanks as always Phillip!

    • If I were doing an AT thru, I’d use a hammock. The ground on the AT is pretty gross in places.
      That video is really misleading. You’d get a lot less flutter if closed the vestibule door.
      I’d definitely bring the Tarptent for anything above treeline. The Zpacks shelters failed miserably in Scotland which has very similar conditions (total exposure san thunderstorms). I can’t imagine that the Altaplex would do any better. The Notch is very popular in Scotland. So is the Trailstar and Duomid.

      • Thanks Phillip!

      • What is this about the Zpacks failing miserably? I didn’t see anything about that in your review?

        • One of the requirements for tents in Scotland are doors that reach all the way to the ground to prevent cold and rain from blowing in under the doors and to prevent the tent from blowing away. Henry Shires made this change to all of his Tarptents that people use in that climate including the Notch, Stratospire, and Scarp to accommodate that requirement. Zpacks has made no such accommodation. Since there is very little “protection” in Scotland (no trees), the duplex and most of Zpacks other shelters are a big fail.

  19. I have had my Altaplex is some pretty sustained winds at treeline in Colorado and it did fine. There is a right and wrong orientation since the doors overlap ?

  20. Nice review. I’m interested in your thoughts on the durability and transparency of tent wall Dyneema fabric of these tents you’ve reviewed: Dirigo 2 (0.78oz DCF), Aeon Li (0.51oz), and Duplex (0.51 – 0.74 oz.; spruce is upper end of range). I’m currently leaning toward purchasing Duplex in spruce. I’ve read some other reviews of the Duplex and haven’t seen any complaints about the 0.51 oz fabric (colors Blue & Olive) not being durable enough or about tent heating up substantially when set up in sun due to fabric transparency. The latter issue grabs my attention since, on backpacking trips, I’ll often set camp (often in sunny site; mostly out in Cascades & Sierras) and then day hike around the area. I speculate if the greenhouse effect issue would not be too big of a downside b/c one would have time to air out tent and lower the inside temp before bedtime (and one’s food would be stored outside tent). Anyway, since you’ve used all three tents and likely have heard feedback from other backpackers, do you have comparative assessment of durability, transparency, or other pertinent parameters that you could share? Thanks.

    I tested a spruce colored version of the Duplex, which fairly transparent, which can be a consideration if you prefer more opaque walls for privacy. That transparency can also make the tent quite hot inside if pitched in intense sunlight. Although it’s also a bonus during a full moon when moonlight lights up the interior.

    • I don’t think tent wall durability is really that big of an issue since the floor is the only part of the tent that touches the ground. I’d ask yourself how much room you want. The duplex is certainly more spacious than the other two tents and better ventilated. It also has functional vestibules compared to the Dirigo.

      • Thanks, Philip. I limited my question above to those tents you have reviewed. Actually, I am trying to decide b/w the Duplex and Stratosphire Li. Floor square footage basically the same. The SS Li has larger vestibules and sounds like it would be more solid in windy conditions, but seems like the droopy interior mesh would noticeably reduce livable space. Any thoughts from you or readers comparing/contrasting these two tents would be appreciated. Cheers.

        • I’ve owned a Straospire 1. It’s head and shoulders a better tent design than the duplex. The vestibules rock. But it comes with a cost, which is that its harder to pack up horizontal in a pack with the corner struts. But in terms of wind and wild weather, it’s bomber.

      • Hi Philip,
        I’ve only started backpacking in the last 2 years but have found your site immensely insightful. Thank you for doing this. I am considering either the Duplex or the StratoSpire Li for my upcoming Ice Age Trail thru hike but reading your comments about the corner struts, it seems pretty clear that the StratoSpire would have to be packed vertical in my Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 pack as it is such a slim pack. Do you know if the Duplex will fit horizontally or would I end up packing it vertical too?

      • Thank you Phillip, that makes sense about no structure. Per Tarptent, the Struts on the Stratospire Li are “easily removable” and on the Dipole 2 li, they “fold to 13 inches and are easily detachable”. Do you know if they really are easy to remove on both models or if one is easier than the other? Putting a skinny strut vertical seems easy enough if it’s not too much hassle to detach/reattach from/to the tent.

        Also, do you have any comments regarding strengths and weaknesses of the Stratospire Li vs Dipole 2 li? Thank you much.

        • I believe they’re easier on the Dipole, which is new. I never hazarded to take them out of my silnylon Strat – Too easy to lose. The biggest difference between those two shelters is wind and weather worthiness. The Strat is bombproof because it doesn’t have any vertical walls.

  21. Daniel Yacykewych

    Thanks for including the packed volume of a Duplex. Trying to estimate whether I could fit a Duplex and BV500 into a ULA Circuit along with a 20 down bag and clothes.

  22. Nice review Do you think the 2 person Tarp Tent Statospire Li will fit in the large side pocket of my GG Mariposa 60 backpack?
    Any thoughts on the Gossamer Gear DCF which I believe just came out.
    Thanks

  23. Good tent over all. Bad points 1) self supporting poles a waste of money, the slightest bit of wind buckles the tent 2) the anchor hook is very thin and easily broken, the charge of postage is ridiculously high. Zpacks insisted on using US postal (which would be no more than a price of a common letter) and would not replace it under warranty.

  24. I’ve hiked >3000 miles with my Duplex and in general I love it, but on three separate nights/years (not coincidentally in the same area roughly 15-20 miles south of Tehachapi on the PCT) the wind has been so very strong I had to take the tent down from the inside and burrito for the night. When I say “had to”, this was because everything had loosened up so much and was flapping so violently that it was impossible to sleep. My stakes were secured with large rocks and held fine – I guess that the guy lines loosened and on one occasion one of the poles collapsed (a Zpacks pole – perhaps I needed to tighten it further before pitching). Do you have suggestions for how to pitch this better in high winds (the pitch started out taught and even)?? Is this user-error or a weakness of the tent? (about one month ago when this happened, friends camped close by were happy in their Nemo Hornet 2p (pitched without the fly to reduce flapping) and BA Copper Spur 1p (both of theirs still standing). Thanks for any suggestions!

    • The problem is that Dyneema doesn’t stretch and you can’t make tent walls that are curved easily with it and that are more aerodynamic. There’s also the fact that duplex doesn’t have a rigid structure and the duplex doors do not reach the ground but are cut high for airflow. So it’s going to flap some. My suggestion would be to find a protected campsite first behind some shrubbery or a big rock. After that, try to position your tent so the corner is facing the wind, not the broadside. You might even try splicing a piece of surgical tubing in your guylines so they have a little give, like hammockers used to. But a self-supported dome with doors that drop to the ground is going to handle wind better than the angular duplex. All said, wrapping yourself up like a burrito isn’t the end of the world.

      • Thank you so much for your thoughtful comments! Makes perfect sense. Very interesting re the surgical tubing! Yes, exactly true re the burrito! It only made me worry to think IF the high winds had been accompanied by a lot of rain! Thanks!

        • Also, it’s crucial to pitch the corner with the Duplex logo on it into the wind.

          The reason is that the wind will catch the overlapping vestibule doors in one direction, but not the other.

          Zpacks mentions this in their instructions for the tent, which most people probably don’t read.

  25. Very noisy and crinkled with any slight breeze.

  26. I’m late to the party, but agree with all that this is an excellent, realistic review.

    I have a grey Duplex, purchased in 2018, that sheltered me for about 750 miles on the AT and all 2,650+ miles of the PCT. My only problem with the tent has been that one of the side zippers failed near the end of the PCT. After 3,300 miles and probably 90-100 nights of use, I think that’s pretty good.

    When I bought the tent, I was concerned that I might have a hard time setting up if I couldn’t find “good ground” (I previously used a free-standing tent), but I’ve never had any real problem.

    Definitely agree with your assessment that it’s a breezy tent, but it’s also pretty sturdy in the wind. I haven’t had it blow down on me (yet), even with some windy nights in the Whites, Sierra, and Cascades.

    I would buy again, but hope I don’t have to. A new one is a lot more expensive than the one I bought 3 1/2 years ago!

    BL: Yes, it’s a premium price, but you can’t beat the space in this mobile palace.

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