Just came back from the CWT and there were two nights when it was simply impossible to set up the duplex because of the wind. Tent nearly blew away and would not stay down at all. Luckily, I could stay in a bothy on both occasions but it made me think twice about the performance of my tent, which I really love btw. Have now bought an emergency bivouac sack for just in case.
Very refreshing to see you test the tent in REAL conditions as compared to someone having it set up in their backyard, sunny and warm out. Definitely held up excellent in that wind and rain. Well done 👍🏕
John, canny wait til you get out and about again, and get some new adventures up. You mention looking for new suggestions, the river Ayr way is pretty decent, I'd be glad tae help out wi any details, I live near the end, be happy to help out wi supplies or anything. Aw the best bud, happy trails. And all the best tae wee Mossco, best dug on YT. 😁
I've seen some other reviews where people have said that they were not able to get any sleep due to the noise of the tent in the wind but I had a great sleep that night. Not that I used them, but I carry ear plugs and an eye cover too. What with it getting light at 4 in the morning in summer, and sometimes being in noisy campsites, they come in very handy sometimes. Plus they weigh nothing.
It's a great tent and justifiably popular with the thru-hiker crowd. But I'm still not convinced it can take serious weather. Those are big panels with very little support. A lot of reviews praise its poor weather performance but they are mainly from US west coast hikers where they don't see so much wind. I think it all depends on your expectations. To me, that was a pretty flappy and noisy performance in relatively modest conditions. Probably fine if you mainly camp in sheltered spots and check the forecast before you go. But in situations where you might get caught in a genuine storm a long way from shelter, I'd go for something more robust myself...
Looked at this tent and similar one's for long distance trails the huge weight saving is a big plus point but ijust can't be sure enough to buy into it huge cost also thanks for sharing atb
I ordered the "Spruce Green" version of this tent some days ago. The canopy of this tent has 50% more puncture resistance than the other versions, which i find very reassurring when i pay this much for a tent. I want it to last as long as possible. It weighs 60 grams/2.1oz more than the regular version, but thats totally fine by me.
Very true: I believe all three have about the same amount of mylar, so for general wear then they should fair roughly the same. The camo has a slightly thicker mylar laminate for the pattern I understand. For tensile and puncture resistance then the spruce green is defo the sensible choice what with the heavier weight as you say. Let us know how you find the Duplex, I hope you love it as much as I love mine! 🐾👍
As I understand it “spruce green” has higher dyneema thread count so stronger tear resistance but not sure any better wear or puncture resistance since that is probably more a function of the Mylar layer thickness.
Due to the way the doors overlap, there's actually one end that it's better to point into the wind. Then the doors don't scoop the wind as much. (I couldn't tell for sure in the video but I think you would have had less wind in your tent if you'd rotated it 180 degrees) I put a different colour of lines on the upwind corners so I can orient it that way on my triplex more easily. Cheers.
Yeah, it's the corners that have the Zpacks logos on them. The other two don't and they should be the downside corners: didn't realise that until later! My bad!
@@HoundsofHowgate I just learned this, too, from Long White Gypsy ruclips.net/video/LX-E2euwPD8/видео.html. What an essential tip! You should do an updated video in the wind with the tent oriented the correct way.
Thank you for this video! I've heard so much about this tent and have been wondering how it performs under windy/rainy/colder conditions since I do most of my hiking in the UK, Scandinavia, and Germany.
Hi Hounds, watched your videos about zpacks a couple of years ago and bought one. Love it! Planning on doing the coast to coast with my dog, Diego (Hungarian Vizsla) and wondering whether to take my zpacks duplex or something more robust. Worried about his claws on the bottom of the tent. How do you manage with Moss? Does Moss go straight in and lie down or do you protect the floor where she might walk? Also, I see the harness you use for Moss but in some comments you mention about changing it because it bounces on her back. Did you ever change it or manage to stop it bouncing? Thank you very much
Hi Allison, thanks! 👍 Initially I always used my separate Zpacks groundsheet inside on top of the floor to protect it, plus it helped create a separate barrier I could put between Moss and I if she was wet and/or muddy. Pretty quickly though, if she wasn't wet or muddy, I stopped bothering. I still always have it as it weighs nothing and is super handy: to sit on so I'm not in the grass with ticks, to cover Moss from midges when we stop, to cover kit when it's raining or as mentioned. I have both the flat groundsheet and the poncho groundsheet (for added versatility, but I've not used it yet so can't review). It may be that Moss just has short claws or even her weight (about 15kg) but I've not had any problems with it. That being said Moss tends to go straight in and lie down: she doesn't move about a lot inside, so that's another factor. If you are worried about it I'd definitely get the Zpacks groundsheet just in case until you experiment. In fact I'd get it anyway as it's super useful for so many things! I never did get her another dogpack but the bouncing I didn't like as over time I think it porbably would tire her out more. There are little clips to stop the packs doing that but they were only so effective and one eventually broke due to the wear and tear. But then when Moss even walks, nevermind runs, her nature gait is kinda bouncy: not all dogs are like that. So again, it's probably dog specific. We've now worn that dogpack out so I was looking at other packs. I've came to the conclusion that, for Moss, she needs smaller, more compact, close to the body, higher sitting panniers. As she's so bouncy I don't put much stuff in her pack anymore: in fact if you see in some of the videos her pack looks massive it's probably just all her bulky clothes, boots and sleeping gear (that are bulky but don't weigh much). I tent to carry her heavy stuff like food and treats. Often towards the end of the day when we are getting tired I'd take her pack off and lash it to the top of mine and carry it for her. Much easier carrying her pack for a few hours that carrying her too like I did at the end of the Cape Wrath Trail! On researching I found a US company called 'Groundbird Gear' who make lightweight custom dog packs. You measure up your dog and they will make you a pack to suit. I'll be ordering one of those for Moss next. They are on IG and their website is: www.groundbirdgear.com/ As they are in the US, we would have to import the stuff and with it being custom it would be more expensive, naturally. I'd be tempted to buy a Ruffwear pack to try first as it might suit your dog just fine. Ruffwear stuff I've found to be good quality. It was the 'Approach' pack I had for Moss and I see Ruffwear now have a smaller differently cut pack called 'Front Range' which I might try. Unfortunately, like us with footwear, it's sometime a bit of trial and error to see what suits each individual dog, as they are all different. Anyway, hope that helps! Anymore questions the please feel free to ask and let us know how you got on. Cheers! John & Moss 🙂🐾👍
@@HoundsofHowgate Thank you so much John for all the info. As recommended by you I bought the duplex ground sheet when I bought the tent so that's good and great tip for if the dog is wet. I have bought Diego the ruffwear sleeping bag. I sleep on a neoair xlite but thinking of carrying Z-sol folding mat for Diego. I am also going to use a company to transport his food and extras - getting it delivered to a campsite every 2/3 days so I can replenish his food that I will have to carry. Diego is very bouncy too and he does have another ruffwear harness that I need to use to get him over stiles but it does rub him. It would just be great if he could carry his water. I will have to experiment. I have found your camping/hiking with dogs videos which I am working through now. Great stuff. Thank you for sharing. Hope you manage to get out again soon Alli
@@allisoncronnelly5004 I also seen Ruffwear do a hydration backpack for dogs: that might be something to check out too. If the harness system runs though it might be an idea to look at a different size or make right enough. I stopped carrying a sleeping pad for Moss as in the summer she likes to lie on the ground as it's cooler. What I do when it's colder is put all my hiking clothes and soft stuff in a bag (pack liner or bin bag etc) and flatten it all out. That gives her a wee bed and means when I put on my clothes in the morning they are warm: bonus! It also keeps stuff from freezing in the winter. 🙂🐾👍
Thanks for the review! One question though, does the wind get inside the tent? Couldn't hear any wind noise against the camera mic, but it just looked a bit breezy. It looks like it wouldn't hold heat in very well, too, so I guess its just a case of making sure you have a decent sleeping bag?
Thanks! 👍 Yeah, it's designed to allow plenty of airflow through the tent to help keep it cool in warmer temperatures (when most folk would be camping) but also more importantly to help manage condensation. As it's a single skin tent if you get too much condensation building up it can form and start to drip over you and all your gear: which isn't good. Better for it to be a bit breezy with less condensation than not. It's kind of a trade off with the weight saving. I can't say I've had any big condensation issues with either my Duplex or my Duomid (which is my winter tent). It's just being a bit more careful with campsite selection really. To get a tent that you can pitch anywhere in any conditions you are starting to look at double skin bomber tents and those start at about double the weight of the likes of the Duplex. I suppose it just depends on what sort of hiking you want to be doing. For me, in winter, I just be careful with campsite selection, take a decent sleeping bag and when it is below zero use a vapour barrier liner in my sleeping bag with a lightweight bivi bag on the outside of the bag as a wind block. I go over some of that specific gear in my packing for winter hiking vid. I'd say that the airflow in mostly all conditions apart from winter is not a problem though. In fact I was more glad of it than not because there is nothing worse than a roasting hot tent in summer that you feel you can't breath in. Hope that helps! If you have anymore questions then ask away! Cheers! 🐾👍
Thanks Damien! 🐾👍 Zpacks stuff can only be purchased directly from Zpacks, so if you are in the UK you will have some import VAT etc to pay on it. I made a vid about importing Zpacks stuff into the UK explaining exactly what you will need to pay of you are interested and from the UK. Links below: Zpacks Duplex: zpacks.com/products/duplex-tent Importing Zpacks to UK: ruclips.net/video/nhSiW8JePiA/видео.html Cheers!
Alright Fraser! Aye,no bad. Yersel? Moss and I are just ticking away drinking hunners o' Guinness and getting unfit as anything during the lockdown while trying to paint this freekin' cottage ahm buildin'. So aye gettin' there, thanks for asking. Weird times wae this lockdoon, eh! 🤔😬🚷
Thanks! 🐾👍 They don't really add much space, as such; it's more they increase the angle of the bottom half of the tent reducing the risk of rubbing your head or bag against the sides and maybe getting them wet if you have condensation. You definitely feel a perception of increased size though. As for the actual volume, I'm not quite sure. With me being 6'2" I feel they are worth it. If I didn't have Moss I might be tempted to not use them and just sleep diagonally. I don't really have any size issues even without the side poles though. I just like the steeper sides. If you were over 6'2" though then I think they would become more important.
Hounds of Howgate Thank you. I’m 6’2” and I will be sharing with my wife. Sounds like I’ll need them. I assume I could also use sticks from the are too?
Hi buddy did yiu ever do the full review on the duplex? Also yiu have the MLD duomid too don't you any videos planed on that tent yet? I. Looking at getting the duplex ordering either today or tomorrow and will hopfully order the duomid in around 4months.
Hi there. I've not done the full review yet. Initially I was wanting to give it a real good test but then hiking and editing those vids kinda took up all my time. And then it was winter where I use my Duomid. So yeah, got both. The Duplex is my tent of choice for everything other than winter. Super light, nice movement of air through it, big and easy to pitch. Plus pretty flexible too what with the the freestanding kit that you can take depending on the hike. I also like that's it's all in one and sealed off from bugs. It keeps me tick free while in camp. For winter I like the Duomid with the half inner as it means I have a bathtub floor, netting to keep any condensation off me and the other half with a groundsheet down that I use as a wet area for changing in, wet kit and cooking in. Plus it's shape is better for shedding wind and snow. Both are excellent tents and very well made. I was a bit worried about spending a large amount of cash on them but I'm glad I did and have not regretted it. 👍
Useful video thanks. I've just given my Zpacks Duplex its first try out over 5 nights. It is breezy but i prefer that than a closed in, still air environment. I have the fixed carbon poles rather than trekking poles at the moment which lift it quite high. The only problem that i had was on one night when it rained all night and i was on a slope with myself and my billow sliding into one end. With all teh condensation due to the rain outside i got some puddles at the end where i was slipping into, i havent yet found a way of lifting the ends up away from the groundsheet. I noticed that you have extra little poles for the ends to lift it which i dont have. Did that come with the tent or is that sonething that you did yourself ? All the best. i agree the design and materials are fantastic and also agree that in cold conditions i would use a good liner and a light bivvy to keep the heat inside the bag
Thanks! 🙂 The small poles and trekking pole cups I have attached to slot them into are sold by Zpacks but don't come with the shelter: I bought them at the same time to give me more headroom as I'm tall. They won't necessarily help with what you talk about. So the problem is when you slide and press on the bathtub floor and push it against the fly. That allows either condensation or rain to travel down and instead of dripping off outside it drops into the bathtub floor. So there are a couple of things to do to address that: Firstly to not slide about. As the floors and sleeping mats tend to slide easily you need something with friction to stop that happening. What I do is take my sitpad and put that under me to provide some resistance. But it could be some clothing or just something that is more grippy you already have on you that you can put between to stop the sliding. For a wee while I carried about some rug gripper. It weighs nothing and it's like a grippy spider web material designed to stop rugs sliding on wooden floors etc. But you could try and improvise with things you already carry. Secondly I think you really need to be able to adjust pole height. Setting up the Duplex on different pitches, what with all the angles and different heights, really makes having adjustable poles super handy. If it's raining heavy you can shorten the poles and have the outer closer to the ground and the bathtub sit higher inside. When it's nice you can lengthen them to maximise airflow. Thirdly, experiment with the guy out corner point guy line length. If I want more air I leave them long. If I want a more tight pitch, then I put the peg closer and shorten the guys. These are mainly the 4 corner ones to noodle about with. If you put them closer then the bathtub will sit higher inside. Fourthly, adjust the tension of the bathtub tie inside to pull it away from the outer. If the outer pitch is sitting kinda funny then you can sometimes shorten it to pull it up or pull it in by hooking it (as it's detachable) to something inside near the door. That one is kinda hard to explain without showing you though. I'm sure I've seen it mentioned on RUclips so I'll have a look to see if I can find a video showing it for you. Finally, try to arrange your gear inside so you create areas. So like, try and make sure you don't have a lot of stuff up at the top and bottom that can move about and press on the bathtub to push it out or against the outer. A lot of it is just pitch trial and error and building a working knowledge of the shelter in different situations so you can get the best out of it. Trust me, I know as I've had the same! For example one night I slid down on a sloped pitch so much that my feet poked the bathtub floor out of the outer and my footbox got soaked through the night! So I hope that give you some ideas on things to play about with. In the meantime I'll have a wee look to see if I can find that vid for you. Cheers! John & Moss 🐾👍
Check out 7:40 in this vid. ruclips.net/video/l_dXEnVOEas/видео.html See how you can detach the bathtub pull from the mittenhook? Well if the bathtub is sitting too close to the outer it usually means you have your pitch not quite right in the first place. But if you detach it, you can pull it up and in and attach it somewhere else inside to keep the bathtub away from the outer. Say a side zipper pull or something. But that's a last resort. You really want to play about with pole height and corner pull out length first to dial your pitch in first. Unfortunately the fixed length poles will be limiting your ability to do that. That's probably the biggest contributing factor. Hope that helps and by all means let us know how you get on or ask away if you want any more ideas etc. 🙂🐾👍
@@IshwaraYogaNET No worries bud. Like I said, let us know how you get on and we can bounce some ideas around so you can get your setup just the way you need it. There is definitely a little bit of a learning curve with such shelters as there are a lot of variables that come into play with getting the right pitch. It's kinda like an old car or something: you develop a knack for it and you get to know what's right for certain ground or weather. It's just the way of it with minimalistic type shelters. Which is nice in a way as there is more skill needed so it feels more connected when you get it just right. Campsite selection, weather, ground and reading it right and such. I'm on FB, IG, Twitter, here and I have a contacts page on my website. So if it's helpful you can message me on any of those and show pics of what is going on etc and I'll try and help out as much as I can. For sure though, being able to adjust pole height plays a big part in it all though. That's definitely something to think about. If you do, don't go for twist lock by the way. As in no internal locking mechanism. They fail over time. Oh yeah, I looked up that anti slip stuff: 'rug underlay' it's called. Cheap and light and kinda a grippy grid thing. I bought a bit and just cut a torso sized bit to put under my mat and pillow to stop it slipping about. I eventually stopped using it when I got some technique down though. But yeah, let us know how you get on. 🙂🐾👍
@@HoundsofHowgate Great i think i will try and find you on FB. Much to think about. I will look into trekking poles and also the little end poles and cups. Yes have to stop the sliding situation on sloping ground :)
Hi Mark, they arw trekking pole cup holders. They and the carbon fibre poles can be bought as a kit from Zpacks. Great things for adding more headroom inside the tent for tall yins.
Thanks for sharing! I am planning to do a long distance walk across Scotland next year, and I am bringing my dog along (also a border ;)) , so all your videos are extremely helpful to me. Look forward to your full review on the Zpacks tent - I looked into buying it a few months back, but couldn't figure out how to get it to Europe (I'm Danish) without paying more than the value of the tent in shipping costs and taxes :/ Excited to hear how you managed :)
Good morning Janni! Thanks for the positive feedback: much appreciated! Which walk are you thinking of doing? Sounds interesting! I had to order my Duplex from Zpacks and have it shipped over where it was then duly held by the mail service until I paid an exuberant amount in tax. 20% of the value and then mail fees to get it in to the UK basically. I don't think there is any other way other than that I'm afraid! P.s. Stay posted for specific dog hiking/backpacking vids coming in the not too distant future :)
Thanks - will have to give the Zpacks tent some extra thought again then - it may be worth the extra expence 🤔 looking forward to more videoes about hiking with your dog - those are extremely helpful to me. Would especially like to know how much gear you bring along for Moss. And what about the midges - do they bother our four-legged friends as well? And would also like to know if you have ever encountered any problems hiking with your dog in Scotland? - apart from the occational injury of course 😉 Iam doing a lot of different walks starting on the WHW and walking all the way across to Skye and from there out to finish on the Hebridean way - about 800 km in total. I have 7 months with no other plans though, so we can take our time about it 😊
Excellent @@jannig.jensen6932 ! It sounds like you have an epic trip planned! I'm currently editing my Cape Wrath Trail videos but your questions have made me feel excited to make a dog related hiking video I have been planning for some time: this weekend! How about you reply here with every question you can think of relating to hiking with your dog and I'll make a full video this weekend with a question and answer section, tips and tricks and full dog gear layout and review including food and weights etc?
Yes I'm really excited about it - can't wait to get started :D Looking very much forward to your Cape Wrath video report! And it sounds fantastic with the dog related video - I'm sure that it will be extremely helpful to me. Apart from the things mentioned in my previous comment I have a bunch of things, that would be interesting to hear your view/take on. Of course, I don't expect you to include it all in your video - you can just view the following as suggestions on things you might talk about ;) Do you use any particular dog food when backpacking? Have you ever had to bring your dog on busses or other public transport vehicles on your trips? And if so, do you know of certain rules/restrictions with regards to that in Scotland? Leash - if you are in full control of your dog, is it ever frowned upon to not have him/her on a leash? How do you go about having Moss on/off leash? Harness - i'm worried that it will limit freedom of movement and cause chafing when worn over a longer period of time - what is your experience? And how much weight do you allow him to carry? Generally good and bad experiences with your dog on the trail/ Pro's and con's to bringing your dog along. Do you allow him to drink from and swim in streams and lakes? Any other potential health hassards that you take measures to avoid? I read a report that mentioned deer fences on the southern-most part of Skye - is that (or other obstacles like it) something you have encountered elsewhere in Scotland? And if so, where you able to get Moss across without having to take a major detour? I plan to wild camp pretty much all the way because it seems like many hostels and hotels won't accommodate dogs, and if they do, it is very expensive. Is that your experience as well, and do you always camp with Moss? If you go for a shower on a campsite or go on other errands where it might be difficult to bring your dog, do you just leave him in the tent or do you get a fellow camper to watch him for you? What gear you bring along for him, and any other tips and nice-to-know's you can think of with regards to hiking with your dog in Scotland ;) I think that was all I could think of - for now ;) Looking forward to the video :D
That's great Janni, plenty of info there to get me started. I'm going to make and edit the video this weekend and I should have it online by Monday evening: hope it helps! 🐺👍
Hi Tone, that's interesting that you say that as anything I've ever read on Dyneema/Cuben Fibre says that that it does not stretch. Well, 0.5% technically I believe, which is basically not noticeable. That's on tent manufacturers sites, sailing forums and general posts etc. Where about did you find the information on Dyneema tents stretching in strong winds as I'd like to check it out. It's not that I don't believe you: for the science, you know. I'm always interested to hear about theory vs. real world experience etc. You know, like, it might not be the fabric stretching but the seams pulling around and causing slack or as there is little shock absorption it transfers more shock to the pegs that say a Silnylon tent for example, thus causing the stakes to loosen over time. Cheers 🐾👍
The lineloc 3’s might have loosened up in the wind. If the stakes didn’t move, and we know that DCF doesn’t stretch, then the linelocs are the only remaining factor.
Just came back from the CWT and there were two nights when it was simply impossible to set up the duplex because of the wind. Tent nearly blew away and would not stay down at all. Luckily, I could stay in a bothy on both occasions but it made me think twice about the performance of my tent, which I really love btw.
Have now bought an emergency bivouac sack for just in case.
Very refreshing to see you test the tent in REAL conditions as compared to someone having it set up in their backyard, sunny and warm out. Definitely held up excellent in that wind and rain. Well done 👍🏕
Thank you! 🙂🐾👍
John, canny wait til you get out and about again, and get some new adventures up. You mention looking for new suggestions, the river Ayr way is pretty decent, I'd be glad tae help out wi any details, I live near the end, be happy to help out wi supplies or anything. Aw the best bud, happy trails. And all the best tae wee Mossco, best dug on YT. 😁
Cheers, if the dog can sleep through that it must be a great tent! Impressive.
I've seen some other reviews where people have said that they were not able to get any sleep due to the noise of the tent in the wind but I had a great sleep that night. Not that I used them, but I carry ear plugs and an eye cover too. What with it getting light at 4 in the morning in summer, and sometimes being in noisy campsites, they come in very handy sometimes. Plus they weigh nothing.
It's a great tent and justifiably popular with the thru-hiker crowd. But I'm still not convinced it can take serious weather.
Those are big panels with very little support. A lot of reviews praise its poor weather performance but they are mainly from US west coast hikers where they don't see so much wind. I think it all depends on your expectations. To me, that was a pretty flappy and noisy performance in relatively modest conditions. Probably fine if you mainly camp in sheltered spots and check the forecast before you go.
But in situations where you might get caught in a genuine storm a long way from shelter, I'd go for something more robust myself...
Looked at this tent and similar one's for long distance trails the huge weight saving is a big plus point but ijust can't be sure enough to buy into it huge cost also thanks for sharing atb
U get what U pay for ⛺🤔
I ordered the "Spruce Green" version of this tent some days ago. The canopy of this tent has 50% more puncture resistance than the other versions, which i find very reassurring when i pay this much for a tent. I want it to last as long as possible. It weighs 60 grams/2.1oz more than the regular version, but thats totally fine by me.
Very true: I believe all three have about the same amount of mylar, so for general wear then they should fair roughly the same. The camo has a slightly thicker mylar laminate for the pattern I understand.
For tensile and puncture resistance then the spruce green is defo the sensible choice what with the heavier weight as you say.
Let us know how you find the Duplex, I hope you love it as much as I love mine! 🐾👍
As I understand it “spruce green” has higher dyneema thread count so stronger tear resistance but not sure any better wear or puncture resistance since that is probably more a function of the Mylar layer thickness.
Exactly.
Due to the way the doors overlap, there's actually one end that it's better to point into the wind. Then the doors don't scoop the wind as much. (I couldn't tell for sure in the video but I think you would have had less wind in your tent if you'd rotated it 180 degrees) I put a different colour of lines on the upwind corners so I can orient it that way on my triplex more easily. Cheers.
Yeah, it's the corners that have the Zpacks logos on them. The other two don't and they should be the downside corners: didn't realise that until later! My bad!
@@HoundsofHowgate I just learned this, too, from Long White Gypsy ruclips.net/video/LX-E2euwPD8/видео.html. What an essential tip! You should do an updated video in the wind with the tent oriented the correct way.
Yeah, it's a little know thing, isn't it! 🐾👍
Thank you for this video! I've heard so much about this tent and have been wondering how it performs under windy/rainy/colder conditions since I do most of my hiking in the UK, Scandinavia, and Germany.
another cracking video mate. Not sure if I would be happy with your tent or not. Sorry. Keep up your good work. Love your videos
Thanks! 🐾👍
Hi Hounds, watched your videos about zpacks a couple of years ago and bought one. Love it! Planning on doing the coast to coast with my dog, Diego (Hungarian Vizsla) and wondering whether to take my zpacks duplex or something more robust. Worried about his claws on the bottom of the tent. How do you manage with Moss? Does Moss go straight in and lie down or do you protect the floor where she might walk? Also, I see the harness you use for Moss but in some comments you mention about changing it because it bounces on her back. Did you ever change it or manage to stop it bouncing? Thank you very much
Hi Allison, thanks! 👍
Initially I always used my separate Zpacks groundsheet inside on top of the floor to protect it, plus it helped create a separate barrier I could put between Moss and I if she was wet and/or muddy. Pretty quickly though, if she wasn't wet or muddy, I stopped bothering. I still always have it as it weighs nothing and is super handy: to sit on so I'm not in the grass with ticks, to cover Moss from midges when we stop, to cover kit when it's raining or as mentioned. I have both the flat groundsheet and the poncho groundsheet (for added versatility, but I've not used it yet so can't review).
It may be that Moss just has short claws or even her weight (about 15kg) but I've not had any problems with it. That being said Moss tends to go straight in and lie down: she doesn't move about a lot inside, so that's another factor. If you are worried about it I'd definitely get the Zpacks groundsheet just in case until you experiment. In fact I'd get it anyway as it's super useful for so many things!
I never did get her another dogpack but the bouncing I didn't like as over time I think it porbably would tire her out more. There are little clips to stop the packs doing that but they were only so effective and one eventually broke due to the wear and tear. But then when Moss even walks, nevermind runs, her nature gait is kinda bouncy: not all dogs are like that. So again, it's probably dog specific.
We've now worn that dogpack out so I was looking at other packs. I've came to the conclusion that, for Moss, she needs smaller, more compact, close to the body, higher sitting panniers.
As she's so bouncy I don't put much stuff in her pack anymore: in fact if you see in some of the videos her pack looks massive it's probably just all her bulky clothes, boots and sleeping gear (that are bulky but don't weigh much). I tent to carry her heavy stuff like food and treats. Often towards the end of the day when we are getting tired I'd take her pack off and lash it to the top of mine and carry it for her. Much easier carrying her pack for a few hours that carrying her too like I did at the end of the Cape Wrath Trail!
On researching I found a US company called 'Groundbird Gear' who make lightweight custom dog packs. You measure up your dog and they will make you a pack to suit. I'll be ordering one of those for Moss next. They are on IG and their website is:
www.groundbirdgear.com/
As they are in the US, we would have to import the stuff and with it being custom it would be more expensive, naturally. I'd be tempted to buy a Ruffwear pack to try first as it might suit your dog just fine. Ruffwear stuff I've found to be good quality.
It was the 'Approach' pack I had for Moss and I see Ruffwear now have a smaller differently cut pack called 'Front Range' which I might try. Unfortunately, like us with footwear, it's sometime a bit of trial and error to see what suits each individual dog, as they are all different.
Anyway, hope that helps!
Anymore questions the please feel free to ask and let us know how you got on.
Cheers!
John & Moss 🙂🐾👍
@@HoundsofHowgate Thank you so much John for all the info. As recommended by you I bought the duplex ground sheet when I bought the tent so that's good and great tip for if the dog is wet. I have bought Diego the ruffwear sleeping bag. I sleep on a neoair xlite but thinking of carrying Z-sol folding mat for Diego. I am also going to use a company to transport his food and extras - getting it delivered to a campsite every 2/3 days so I can replenish his food that I will have to carry. Diego is very bouncy too and he does have another ruffwear harness that I need to use to get him over stiles but it does rub him. It would just be great if he could carry his water. I will have to experiment. I have found your camping/hiking with dogs videos which I am working through now. Great stuff. Thank you for sharing. Hope you manage to get out again soon Alli
@@allisoncronnelly5004 I also seen Ruffwear do a hydration backpack for dogs: that might be something to check out too. If the harness system runs though it might be an idea to look at a different size or make right enough.
I stopped carrying a sleeping pad for Moss as in the summer she likes to lie on the ground as it's cooler. What I do when it's colder is put all my hiking clothes and soft stuff in a bag (pack liner or bin bag etc) and flatten it all out. That gives her a wee bed and means when I put on my clothes in the morning they are warm: bonus! It also keeps stuff from freezing in the winter. 🙂🐾👍
@@HoundsofHowgate Thanks -- this answers the question I just posted on another one of your videos. :)
Thanks for the review! One question though, does the wind get inside the tent? Couldn't hear any wind noise against the camera mic, but it just looked a bit breezy. It looks like it wouldn't hold heat in very well, too, so I guess its just a case of making sure you have a decent sleeping bag?
Thanks! 👍
Yeah, it's designed to allow plenty of airflow through the tent to help keep it cool in warmer temperatures (when most folk would be camping) but also more importantly to help manage condensation. As it's a single skin tent if you get too much condensation building up it can form and start to drip over you and all your gear: which isn't good. Better for it to be a bit breezy with less condensation than not. It's kind of a trade off with the weight saving. I can't say I've had any big condensation issues with either my Duplex or my Duomid (which is my winter tent). It's just being a bit more careful with campsite selection really.
To get a tent that you can pitch anywhere in any conditions you are starting to look at double skin bomber tents and those start at about double the weight of the likes of the Duplex. I suppose it just depends on what sort of hiking you want to be doing.
For me, in winter, I just be careful with campsite selection, take a decent sleeping bag and when it is below zero use a vapour barrier liner in my sleeping bag with a lightweight bivi bag on the outside of the bag as a wind block. I go over some of that specific gear in my packing for winter hiking vid. I'd say that the airflow in mostly all conditions apart from winter is not a problem though. In fact I was more glad of it than not because there is nothing worse than a roasting hot tent in summer that you feel you can't breath in.
Hope that helps! If you have anymore questions then ask away!
Cheers! 🐾👍
Good tip is to have two shammys for wiping up condensation before you pack it up. Happy Trails 🤠👍
Heyup chap😃👍. Have you any plans to go camping after the lockdown lifts???. A happy subscriber
Hi Fraser, oh yeah, really can't wait to get out after lockdoon for sure! Cheers! 🙂🐾👍
Brilliant upload thank you very much.
Where did you purchase this from? I'm after one then can ditch my other tent lol.
Thanks Damien! 🐾👍
Zpacks stuff can only be purchased directly from Zpacks, so if you are in the UK you will have some import VAT etc to pay on it. I made a vid about importing Zpacks stuff into the UK explaining exactly what you will need to pay of you are interested and from the UK.
Links below:
Zpacks Duplex: zpacks.com/products/duplex-tent
Importing Zpacks to UK: ruclips.net/video/nhSiW8JePiA/видео.html
Cheers!
How are you and Moss doing my mate.? Been subbed for ages. And hope you and yours are doing great👍☣😷
Alright Fraser! Aye,no bad. Yersel?
Moss and I are just ticking away drinking hunners o' Guinness and getting unfit as anything during the lockdown while trying to paint this freekin' cottage ahm buildin'. So aye gettin' there, thanks for asking.
Weird times wae this lockdoon, eh! 🤔😬🚷
@@HoundsofHowgate one stone at a time nakkerz👍☣😷🦝
@@HoundsofHowgate nowt wrong with Guinness chap!.. plenty Iron much immunity 😷☣🦡
Great video. Any chance you can tell me how much space having the carbon stakes installed increases the interior?
Thanks! 🐾👍
They don't really add much space, as such; it's more they increase the angle of the bottom half of the tent reducing the risk of rubbing your head or bag against the sides and maybe getting them wet if you have condensation.
You definitely feel a perception of increased size though.
As for the actual volume, I'm not quite sure. With me being 6'2" I feel they are worth it. If I didn't have Moss I might be tempted to not use them and just sleep diagonally. I don't really have any size issues even without the side poles though. I just like the steeper sides.
If you were over 6'2" though then I think they would become more important.
Hounds of Howgate Thank you. I’m 6’2” and I will be sharing with my wife. Sounds like I’ll need them. I assume I could also use sticks from the are too?
Yeah, totally. Sticks or your partners poles too. 🐾👍
Hi buddy did yiu ever do the full review on the duplex?
Also yiu have the MLD duomid too don't you any videos planed on that tent yet?
I. Looking at getting the duplex ordering either today or tomorrow and will hopfully order the duomid in around 4months.
Hi there. I've not done the full review yet. Initially I was wanting to give it a real good test but then hiking and editing those vids kinda took up all my time. And then it was winter where I use my Duomid.
So yeah, got both. The Duplex is my tent of choice for everything other than winter. Super light, nice movement of air through it, big and easy to pitch. Plus pretty flexible too what with the the freestanding kit that you can take depending on the hike. I also like that's it's all in one and sealed off from bugs. It keeps me tick free while in camp.
For winter I like the Duomid with the half inner as it means I have a bathtub floor, netting to keep any condensation off me and the other half with a groundsheet down that I use as a wet area for changing in, wet kit and cooking in. Plus it's shape is better for shedding wind and snow.
Both are excellent tents and very well made. I was a bit worried about spending a large amount of cash on them but I'm glad I did and have not regretted it. 👍
Thank yiu so much buddy I'm now sold on ordering the duplex today and then the duomid in a few month 😊
Good info
Thanks! 🙂🐾👍
Useful video thanks. I've just given my Zpacks Duplex its first try out over 5 nights. It is breezy but i prefer that than a closed in, still air environment. I have the fixed carbon poles rather than trekking poles at the moment which lift it quite high. The only problem that i had was on one night when it rained all night and i was on a slope with myself and my billow sliding into one end. With all teh condensation due to the rain outside i got some puddles at the end where i was slipping into, i havent yet found a way of lifting the ends up away from the groundsheet. I noticed that you have extra little poles for the ends to lift it which i dont have. Did that come with the tent or is that sonething that you did yourself ? All the best. i agree the design and materials are fantastic and also agree that in cold conditions i would use a good liner and a light bivvy to keep the heat inside the bag
Thanks! 🙂
The small poles and trekking pole cups I have attached to slot them into are sold by Zpacks but don't come with the shelter: I bought them at the same time to give me more headroom as I'm tall. They won't necessarily help with what you talk about.
So the problem is when you slide and press on the bathtub floor and push it against the fly. That allows either condensation or rain to travel down and instead of dripping off outside it drops into the bathtub floor. So there are a couple of things to do to address that:
Firstly to not slide about. As the floors and sleeping mats tend to slide easily you need something with friction to stop that happening. What I do is take my sitpad and put that under me to provide some resistance. But it could be some clothing or just something that is more grippy you already have on you that you can put between to stop the sliding. For a wee while I carried about some rug gripper. It weighs nothing and it's like a grippy spider web material designed to stop rugs sliding on wooden floors etc. But you could try and improvise with things you already carry.
Secondly I think you really need to be able to adjust pole height. Setting up the Duplex on different pitches, what with all the angles and different heights, really makes having adjustable poles super handy. If it's raining heavy you can shorten the poles and have the outer closer to the ground and the bathtub sit higher inside. When it's nice you can lengthen them to maximise airflow.
Thirdly, experiment with the guy out corner point guy line length. If I want more air I leave them long. If I want a more tight pitch, then I put the peg closer and shorten the guys. These are mainly the 4 corner ones to noodle about with. If you put them closer then the bathtub will sit higher inside.
Fourthly, adjust the tension of the bathtub tie inside to pull it away from the outer. If the outer pitch is sitting kinda funny then you can sometimes shorten it to pull it up or pull it in by hooking it (as it's detachable) to something inside near the door. That one is kinda hard to explain without showing you though. I'm sure I've seen it mentioned on RUclips so I'll have a look to see if I can find a video showing it for you.
Finally, try to arrange your gear inside so you create areas. So like, try and make sure you don't have a lot of stuff up at the top and bottom that can move about and press on the bathtub to push it out or against the outer.
A lot of it is just pitch trial and error and building a working knowledge of the shelter in different situations so you can get the best out of it. Trust me, I know as I've had the same! For example one night I slid down on a sloped pitch so much that my feet poked the bathtub floor out of the outer and my footbox got soaked through the night!
So I hope that give you some ideas on things to play about with. In the meantime I'll have a wee look to see if I can find that vid for you.
Cheers!
John & Moss 🐾👍
Check out 7:40 in this vid.
ruclips.net/video/l_dXEnVOEas/видео.html
See how you can detach the bathtub pull from the mittenhook? Well if the bathtub is sitting too close to the outer it usually means you have your pitch not quite right in the first place. But if you detach it, you can pull it up and in and attach it somewhere else inside to keep the bathtub away from the outer. Say a side zipper pull or something.
But that's a last resort. You really want to play about with pole height and corner pull out length first to dial your pitch in first. Unfortunately the fixed length poles will be limiting your ability to do that. That's probably the biggest contributing factor.
Hope that helps and by all means let us know how you get on or ask away if you want any more ideas etc. 🙂🐾👍
@@HoundsofHowgate Thanks so much I really appreciate the thoroughness of your replies , I will re read and check the link, all the best, Ish
@@IshwaraYogaNET No worries bud. Like I said, let us know how you get on and we can bounce some ideas around so you can get your setup just the way you need it.
There is definitely a little bit of a learning curve with such shelters as there are a lot of variables that come into play with getting the right pitch. It's kinda like an old car or something: you develop a knack for it and you get to know what's right for certain ground or weather. It's just the way of it with minimalistic type shelters. Which is nice in a way as there is more skill needed so it feels more connected when you get it just right. Campsite selection, weather, ground and reading it right and such.
I'm on FB, IG, Twitter, here and I have a contacts page on my website. So if it's helpful you can message me on any of those and show pics of what is going on etc and I'll try and help out as much as I can.
For sure though, being able to adjust pole height plays a big part in it all though. That's definitely something to think about. If you do, don't go for twist lock by the way. As in no internal locking mechanism. They fail over time.
Oh yeah, I looked up that anti slip stuff: 'rug underlay' it's called. Cheap and light and kinda a grippy grid thing. I bought a bit and just cut a torso sized bit to put under my mat and pillow to stop it slipping about. I eventually stopped using it when I got some technique down though.
But yeah, let us know how you get on.
🙂🐾👍
@@HoundsofHowgate Great i think i will try and find you on FB. Much to think about. I will look into trekking poles and also the little end poles and cups. Yes have to stop the sliding situation on sloping ground :)
Thanks for sharing. What are the gadgets you had propping up the sides with a pole?
Hi Mark, they arw trekking pole cup holders. They and the carbon fibre poles can be bought as a kit from Zpacks. Great things for adding more headroom inside the tent for tall yins.
Hounds of Howgate Thanks kindly!
Thanks for sharing! I am planning to do a long distance walk across Scotland next year, and I am bringing my dog along (also a border ;)) , so all your videos are extremely helpful to me. Look forward to your full review on the Zpacks tent - I looked into buying it a few months back, but couldn't figure out how to get it to Europe (I'm Danish) without paying more than the value of the tent in shipping costs and taxes :/ Excited to hear how you managed :)
Good morning Janni! Thanks for the positive feedback: much appreciated! Which walk are you thinking of doing? Sounds interesting!
I had to order my Duplex from Zpacks and have it shipped over where it was then duly held by the mail service until I paid an exuberant amount in tax. 20% of the value and then mail fees to get it in to the UK basically. I don't think there is any other way other than that I'm afraid!
P.s. Stay posted for specific dog hiking/backpacking vids coming in the not too distant future :)
Thanks - will have to give the Zpacks tent some extra thought again then - it may be worth the extra expence 🤔 looking forward to more videoes about hiking with your dog - those are extremely helpful to me. Would especially like to know how much gear you bring along for Moss. And what about the midges - do they bother our four-legged friends as well? And would also like to know if you have ever encountered any problems hiking with your dog in Scotland? - apart from the occational injury of course 😉 Iam doing a lot of different walks starting on the WHW and walking all the way across to Skye and from there out to finish on the Hebridean way - about 800 km in total. I have 7 months with no other plans though, so we can take our time about it 😊
Excellent @@jannig.jensen6932 ! It sounds like you have an epic trip planned! I'm currently editing my Cape Wrath Trail videos but your questions have made me feel excited to make a dog related hiking video I have been planning for some time: this weekend! How about you reply here with every question you can think of relating to hiking with your dog and I'll make a full video this weekend with a question and answer section, tips and tricks and full dog gear layout and review including food and weights etc?
Yes I'm really excited about it - can't wait to get started :D Looking very much forward to your Cape Wrath video report! And it sounds fantastic with the dog related video - I'm sure that it will be extremely helpful to me. Apart from the things mentioned in my previous comment I have a bunch of things, that would be interesting to hear your view/take on. Of course, I don't expect you to include it all in your video - you can just view the following as suggestions on things you might talk about ;)
Do you use any particular dog food when backpacking?
Have you ever had to bring your dog on busses or other public transport vehicles on your trips? And if so, do you know of certain rules/restrictions with regards to that in Scotland?
Leash - if you are in full control of your dog, is it ever frowned upon to not have him/her on a leash? How do you go about having Moss on/off leash?
Harness - i'm worried that it will limit freedom of movement and cause chafing when worn over a longer period of time - what is your experience? And how much weight do you allow him to carry?
Generally good and bad experiences with your dog on the trail/ Pro's and con's to bringing your dog along.
Do you allow him to drink from and swim in streams and lakes? Any other potential health hassards that you take measures to avoid?
I read a report that mentioned deer fences on the southern-most part of Skye - is that (or other obstacles like it) something you have encountered elsewhere in Scotland? And if so, where you able to get Moss across without having to take a major detour?
I plan to wild camp pretty much all the way because it seems like many hostels and hotels won't accommodate dogs, and if they do, it is very expensive. Is that your experience as well, and do you always camp with Moss?
If you go for a shower on a campsite or go on other errands where it might be difficult to bring your dog, do you just leave him in the tent or do you get a fellow camper to watch him for you?
What gear you bring along for him, and any other tips and nice-to-know's you can think of with regards to hiking with your dog in Scotland ;)
I think that was all I could think of - for now ;) Looking forward to the video :D
That's great Janni, plenty of info there to get me started. I'm going to make and edit the video this weekend and I should have it online by Monday evening: hope it helps! 🐺👍
I guess if you are off on a sixteen day trip you must be off on the Cape Wrath trail?
Indeed I am. 👍
When you starting new video
bro do another video ,I find them rather entertaining, remember include the doggo
Its dyneem, it stretches out of shape, common problem with dyneema tents in strong winds
Hi Tone, that's interesting that you say that as anything I've ever read on Dyneema/Cuben Fibre says that that it does not stretch. Well, 0.5% technically I believe, which is basically not noticeable. That's on tent manufacturers sites, sailing forums and general posts etc.
Where about did you find the information on Dyneema tents stretching in strong winds as I'd like to check it out. It's not that I don't believe you: for the science, you know.
I'm always interested to hear about theory vs. real world experience etc. You know, like, it might not be the fabric stretching but the seams pulling around and causing slack or as there is little shock absorption it transfers more shock to the pegs that say a Silnylon tent for example, thus causing the stakes to loosen over time.
Cheers 🐾👍
Nope I think he has that wrong. Kevlar and dyneema has virtually no stretch.
The lineloc 3’s might have loosened up in the wind. If the stakes didn’t move, and we know that DCF doesn’t stretch, then the linelocs are the only remaining factor.
Bigby....?
great review but zpaks is a pack (italians mind)
Thanks Alex! 🐾👍
You are right, Zpacks first started out making ultralight backpacks, hence the name. 🙂
yeah this doesn't look stable at all sorry.