Quality only hurts once. If you plan on doing a long hike you'll be living out of a tent for months. This is one area where spending the money will definitely improve comfort and safety.
I purchased this tent in 2018, and still consider it my main shelter three seasons of the year. Yes it is expensive, but if you take care of it it’ll last a lifetime. Thanks for the review Luke. Awesome as always.
Luke I’ve been a long time fan of your channel and have a request;) Could you include metric sizes for all your non-American viewers? Maybe just as text on the screen while you talk imperial or something. Anyway keep up the great work!!
The Zpacks is not a bad tent. It is single-walled, however. IMO, I think the Durston XMID 2P is a better tent. It is a double-walled two-trekking pole tent and made from high-quality durable materials. I have one and have tested it out on the AT and it holds up very well in heavy wind and heavy rain. Great review.
@Timothy Mckee Yeah, I heard. Supply cannot keep up with the demand. I had tried to order the Stargazer kit and as soon as they became available, they sold out immediately. I ordered the kit as soon as it was available again and received it within two weeks. I get nothing but compliments on the tent when I am out backpacking.
I bought a Duplex for my upcoming AT thru hike in 2023. I absolutely love it. It’s extremely lightweight, incredibly strong and is a palace for one person. I could not be happier or more pleased with my decision to part with that amount of money for it.
Excellent video and review. Just some thoughts on the price. When I go camping it usually involves taking a vacation day or two from work and is an investment in my entertainment and enjoyment. If I used this tent 10 times that would be $65 a night. If I stayed dry and my gear was dry and I had a great nights sleep, $65 seems very reasonable. You get what you pay for and quality gear pays dividends. Plus, after you've climbed 2,000 in elevation with a Heavy tent and gear (ouch), how sweet to have this lightweight baby. Pay now or pay later. Thanks for all of your hard work...
Cheap tents are usually a complete waste of money, but not all, I have a Eurohike tent, currently setup in my Garden to test some cold weather gear, it has been there over a week, hasnt leaked, despite heavy rain and freezing temperatures, I paid about 50 UK Pounds for it! For cold, it is better than some of my expensive Tents, costing hundreds, would I take it up a mountain, maybe not, thats what I save my expensive gear for.
Well, I don't think it's so black and white, it's not a choice just between a cheap/heavy and expensive/light tent. Yes, $65 a night is reasonable, but what if you could get something lighter and it was only $20 a night? As a tent, this is very light, but for much less, you could get a tarp and save even more weight. This is obviously not for everyone, but if you are willing to learn something new, you could spend something like $150 for Borah Gear 7'x9' silpoly tarp which weighs just 260g. You can add a polycro groundsheet which adds perhaps 75g, and this could be your whole setup, for 2 people. (Bigger tarp for more comfort, maybe a 9'x9' , say 360g). You have to learn how to use it, but it can be much more roomy and versatile than a tent. If you are worried about bugs, Sea to Summit makes a bugnet for 2 which weighs 137g, costs about $50. All in all, you could have a double wall shelter that weighs something like 375g and cost you maybe $200. Stakes are not included in the weight, but neither are they with the Duplex. Of course, this ain't for everyone, but it is a way in which you can substitute skills for money. Cheers!
Great review as always! I personally can't stand "rainbow" style doors; it's next to impossible to get yourself or just gear in and out of the tent without opening them right up and that lets all the mosquitoes in! Being able to just unzip the bottom and slide yourself and everything else through is much better for keeping the bugs out.
I agree, this is a great product. Best part is, it is so light weight and roomy! Expensive? Yes, but when you're out in the mountains, you need the best shelter you can afford and one that is reliable. That describes this tent.
I went for the Lanshan 2 (blatant copy of this tent) since I'm willing to put up with a heavier version made of lesser materials with more upkeep in exchange for it being about 1/5th of the price. If I was doing a huge through-hike like the AT or something similar I would definitely upgrade to this though.
Bought it last year. This plus a quilt to replace my sleeping bag made a huge difference in pack weight and comfort (and pack bulk). I also bought a ZPacks Arc Haul a few years prior. Great combo of gear. I use it for motorcycle touring/camping too. I'll take my Big Agnes Copper Spur when I might need a freestanding tent (don't have the kit, but did buy two poles to use when not backpacking with trekking poles.) Otherwise this is such a great tent. Downside is single wall = occasional condensation. Buy once, cry once. Great review!
Two other Cons. 1. The warranty. It's only 2 years. Better than the original "one thru hike" though. 2. Connected to #1. Dyneema is a laminate material, not a woven fabric. This means even if you baby it the material *will* start to simply breakdown naturally and there is nothing you can do to stop it, hence the shorter warranty. One of the reasons they used to have the "one thru hike" warranty was that the constant packing and unpacking over 2000+ non-stop miles speeds up the breakdown significantly.
I have known Z-Packs a long time, and they built a couple real nice, custom rucksacks for me. Nice folks. I have always wanted to check out more of their gear & stop by the shop in Florida. Good show.
Bought one a few years back for my out West adventures. Love it. It truly is an awesome tent. I rarely use it on the East Coast because I am partial to the Chameleon hammock. So I named it Chief No Trees since that’s the only time I break it out.
I bought my son the Zpacks Plexamid in Camo . He lives in Colorado , so he loves that tent , and it's 16oz. weight !! I have the Free Duo in Camo . For the weight vs Size . I have zero complaints . I did have a " Free Return " of the poles , after Zpacks had reports of hubs breaking . I had NOT had a problem , but sent them back for the new set . Just an aside . The copy cat 3F UL Gear & other clones of this tent , have a " inner liner " available for 4ish Season use , I have SEEN . Be safe out there folks ... Gubs
great review brother. best tent i ever used too... winter winds tho... you're not wrong. gotta lower the trekking poles and bring the corners down to reduce ventage. works but you're still right its not great at bearing snow load. still worth every penny, and i'm poor... i had to save and save and im still paying it off and ZERO regrets bro none. love your channel, you're one of the better voices in this scene. my best to your family
that was 3 months ago... it's paid off now, no regrets whatsoever. if you have this and an expedition or a litefighter, you're ready to rock in almost all environs and seasons
I got myself a used plexamid for kayak camping trips; it even came with the fiberglass tent pole. I love it, nice and light, and super easy to set up. I also got that clear sleep pad (18$) you see on the Walmart app. Both items each weigh about 14 ounces. Because these items are so light, I can bring more junk snacks to munch on😉
I have this tent, I'm a weekend warrior...I had a heavier setup prior to buying the duplex, and my legs were absolutely destroyed (non hiking legs) the weight savings even on a 10 mile hike is worth every penny to me
I'm Section Hiking the AT. My hiking buddy has this Tent - it is AWESOME! I couldn't afford it so I purchased a "knockoff" design - the Mier / Lanshan 2P (on AmazonPrime)...which is made of Nylon...its a nice tent for the price ($140) BUT it the Nylon will absorb some water when it rains. If I was do a Thru Hike of the AT...I would purchase the Zpack Duplex w/o blinking an eye...as that would be my home for nearly 6 months - worth every penny!!
Yes, it is imho the best tent! I use the Duplex alone because I am 6'2" and I love gear explosion, my wife uses the Plexamid and both of us never regretted any Euro. Yes, we are from Germany and the price is even higher for us with shipping, customs and tax but it is worth it!
In January I bought the Durston X-mid 2 Pro, it's in the mail to me now (heh). The vastly better storm-worthiness, simplicity of setup, and comfort are worth the added weight for me. And it packs down smaller!
Hi, Luke, one of your best reviews (you may have been even too excited !! :-). I have the Solplex, now replaced by the Plexamid, which is the one person version. It's great. At times I wish I had gotten the Duplex for the room, particularly great if stuck for a lot of time in the weather. However, in many rugged areas it can be hard to find a large enough tent site. Stuck in the weather for some time - white colour especially is much less depressing. Speaking of weather, one of the advantages of Dyneema tent and cord is that it does not stretch. Why is that important you ask? - other materials stretch particularly in the rain - and you have to go adjust them - including more than once in wind and rain in the middle of the night. Tent stakes - for most people who are at the point of considering this tent, they already have quite a collection of tent stakes and use different favourites for different conditions - often one takes a few bigger stronger stakes to anchor the key tent points and save a little weight with smaller lighter stakes for other points. Snow and sand, use deadmen; on rock use rocks. I don't really want to pay any more for stakes I will probably not use. (Lots of reviews of pegs on RUclips). Cost - yes, people get hung up on this. But do enough backpacking, do enough in iffy situations, age a little and don't carry weight so well, want to finish a thru hike you start, then out here on the trail, cost doesn't matter (you find a way to pay) But yes, you only buy if you want light, dependable, long lasting, best weather proofing, etc. (otherwise there are lots of options out there) - And how much is that per kilometre over 10++ years?? Buy once, cry once. Check out videos of 4-season but non-extreme conditions - you may be able to extend use & safely. A tent liner from a clone might be possible. Otherwise consider a Dyneema tarp to cover - still very light winter solution.
I wish this was available 25 years ago. As you stated, all tents will degrade with time. The same is true for the human body. LOL. 20 years ago I could have justified the expense due to the type of camping/hiking I did at the time. Now the wife and I use a small camper. Don't get me wrong, we are still very active and don't need or want to stay in the camper watching tv etc. We are at the age where a bit of climate control (especially humidity) a comfortable bed and room to stand up while dressing makes us still able to and want to get outside and enjoy nature. It is great that alot of people are still interested in doing this! Keep getting outside as long as you are able to! 😁👍
While I can understand the price is really high: It’s good practice in my view to NOT add tent stakes at high end tents. Stakes depend a lot on the nature of the trip and expected ground. I went to the desert and you simply have another set than what you use in an area with forests.
I agree, and if I remember correctly, I believe their reasoning for it was pretty much that. People are very specific on their stake choices, so rather than charging more and adding stakes, they just didn't include them in the price and dont ship any.
Hello 👋 Luke, thank you for sharing this great review. It's certainly a great tent. Unfortunately, the price point disqualifies me. Please keep up your great reviews. 🤗
I’ve spent a couple thousand dollars on zpacks gear but I can’t seem to the pull the trigger on one of their tents. I’m currently rocking a Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL1 Bikepack and I love it. I got the bikepack version because of the shorter pole sections. It’s free standing and simple without the exposed frame of the zpacks and it’s only around 2.5lbs. All the gear I’ve purchased from zpacks(Arc Air 50 DCS, ARC haul Zip 64, trekking poles, quilt, vertice rain jacket, gators and various stuff sacks) have all been top notch gear. Highly recommend the solo quilt. They also have relatively quick shipping. Way faster than Hammockgear(🤬). They sent the wrong bear bag and replaced it with no issues and I got it a few days later. Excellent company. Just not sure about their tents. I think I would go with Gossamer Gear before zpacks.
Awesome overview and review! My favorite thing about Zpacks is that they have the Triplex version. I just ordered one last week ($50 off sale!) and am PUMPED to start using it. Super light and TONS of room for me and the huskies or me and two other people.
@@DoseofDirt you're making me excited to Shell out $800! Lol. Did you get one of the lighter weight colors or the darker slightly heavier color? And do you like the color choice you made? (I don't care about the actual color, I'm concerned about the transparency)
@@jtpromolab I went for a lighter color (the blue) after considering the heavier ones. My main thing was saving weight, so I went with a lighter color. But I will tell you, it is pretty transparent! I knew that going in, but it was even more transparent than I thought it would be. It's definitely not clear (as you can see from videos). but with the light just right you can see the outline of just about anything in the tent. But I honestly love the tent. It was crazy expensive (got it for $700 over black friday) but it's light and spacious!
Nice review Luke. I own this tent and agree it is flipping great. It's 2 pounds lighter than my previous tent. 2 pounds! That alone makes it worth the price to me. Three features you didn't really explain: 1) the overlapping door flaps allows you to set up the tent pointed into the wind and stake out 1 or both of the top layer door flaps to divert the wind past the door. Then you can roll 1 or both of the bottom layer door flaps open so that you get tons of ventilation but little if any wind. Genius! 2) The low tie outs on either end really are necessary to use so that if it's windy and you a on the taller side the tent wall doesn't hit your face when it flaps in the breeze. 3) Pulling the floor wall up with the attachment cord not only helps keep out splashing rain but also prevents you from accidentally pushing the wall of the floor out past the end of the tent which, on a rainy night, would let a lot of rain into your floor. Strength and honor!
G'day Luke, I am prepared to put away the bucks for water PROOF and indeed light weight and resilient materials that don't need treatment and I like the floor especially too. Btw, I still see this as a 1 person + gear, but hey, as a 6 footer, that's what suits me personally, The kinda thing I have been looking for since I don't need to worry about snow and with the light weight one can still afford to cram in a tarp as well for over the top and make a decent verandah to sit under, preferably with a small fire. 1st class review as always mate. Cheers Duke.
I'm excited for mine to turn up on Friday. Ordered it from Australia. With the Flex Kit it comes in at $1012.00 AUD including delivery. Expect another $215.00 AUD when it arrives in Australia. This is customs, import duty and GST.
@@niteshsitaula no. It comes then UPS contacts you. When you pay the invoice they email you they clear it for delivery. Delivery took about 7 days. Although when I set my tent up my excitement changed to disappointment. All the sealing tape began to lift inside and out. I water tested it and it leaked like a sieve. Then on the side hitches the material began to deteriorate like it was rotting or dissolving. I'm far from bloody happy. I'm waiting on an email back from them.
@@niteshsitaula they got back to me very quickly and the new tent is on it's way. There was no hesitation in replacing it. I am yet to send the faulty one back, they want to inspect and investigate the problem. So customer service was excellent.
I got an altaplex sent over to the UK a few years ago, was expensive but I've never regretted it, I take it up to the Scottish Highlands which can get pretty rough weather and it's never let me down, I might get the duplex next after I've saved up a bit.
Pulled the trigger on the Duplex years ago. Also got a dynema tarp. Both are so light one can afford to carry both. No issues. No water absorption, no sagging. I don’t have the carbon poles for free standing setup. I think it’s a mighty fine tent. I use different stakes for different areas. Thanks for your good review, nice perspective too. Texas
We fit 3 teens/preteens in the triplex and the 2 adults in a duplex. No ground sheet needed. Light weight enough for even a preteen to carry in their pack. Easy to maintain. Hang it in your shower in fall/winter to clean and dry or on the clothesline the rest of the year. When it snows or storms pitch it low to the ground. Many nights in 25+ winds. Use rocks to help set tent stakes with sandy ground. But if you can't get a tent stakes in the ground or find abundant rocks you have to move to a tarp tent aeon li or some other freestanding. This is my go to tent. Take care of it. I roll but don't stuff. Its worth the cash.
I absolutely would buy this tent. If price equals above average quality and materials then yes. The confidence that the shelter will perform in adverse weather conditions will then lessen the sticker shock.
I have a knock off of this tent that cost @$100 a couple of years ago. It has served me well in rain and wind. If you’re a weekend warrior or only get out a few times a year I’d say look into a “copy” If I were thru hiking I definitely invest in one of these tents they are tried and true
I've been waiting on this review thank you I'm sold, I don't winter camp, just in the summer. I like the light wait for hiking and Kayaking!! Keep up the good work Luke.
Exporting this tent to Australia i was hit with import duty on top of the high price - so it cost about 1100 AUD - however i rode through France with it and it paid for itself in a week. Condensation in the UK was bad - i needed a special towel to dry it off to pack up before the sun got hot enough to dry it. Needed an eye mask as the light was disturbing. Very much the right tool for the job though. I love this tent.
Great review. I agree that if you're going to use it many nights each year the price is reasonable. We all like to save money but I have wasted an awful lot of money over the years buying something that I thought was "just as good" only to find that it wasn't and I had to upgrade anyway. Have you tested the 3F UL 2 tent? I have one. Its actually a 1 1/2 person tent and weights about 2 lbs. I had it out in the rain for 13 hours and it didn't leak. I think it comes seam-sealed but I didn't take any chances. I sealed it myself. I'm not saying the 3F is comparable to the Zpacks. I'm just saying it seems to do the job for less money, packs up a bit smaller but weighs twice as much.
Great review. See that you are using a plastic footprint. For me, a big positive with a dynama floor is that it’s absolutely waterproof and does not need a footprint. Also if you get a small hold in the groundsheet (not had so far) , its super easy to repair in the field with some dynena tape or even duct tape. Mine is over 6 years old and is still going strong. Would be tempted by the duplex plus for the extra legroom and avoiding sleeping bag touching the damp wall. The one negative, recently during very high wind, mine leaked on the side guy line. Contacted zpack who were aware of the issue and changed design. Followed their recommendation, repaired with seam seal and a dynema tape backing patch. Now fine again.
Just literally tore up and threw out a First Arrow 1 (made in Australia) tent I bought @10 years ago , used once in the back yard and stored it until last month when tried to set it up again, noticed that the fly had syrupy goo all over it. (Hydrolysis according to Sea and Summit). The underhook suspension design of the tent below the fly, the tapering lengths of the three internal poles oriented transversely were incredibly complicated. A very expensive tent that was a complete fail. Good thing I tried setting it up on the lawn this second time and realizing that I would never want to be stuck having to set it up on the trail--especially in the rain which is a good point you make with the Z Pack. Well, at least I already have the stakes! But ease of set up is critical, especially if you have to do it in the dark.
Storing a tent for that long in its stuff sack is going to not do it any favours. Will happen with lots of tents not just Wilderness Equipment ones. Try to store the tent loose hanging or in a pillow case. Make sure it doesn't get stored wet or I a humid environment
Thank you Luke for another in-depth review! I have seen other RUclipsrs using this tent on their adventures and it always looked like a great tent to have. I am still getting my gear together for my first backpacking hike and really was considering it primarily because of the double features of extremely light weight and endurance in multiple locations. Gotta be honest though, that price has stopped me in my tracks. I will need to put this one on my "wish list" and drop lots and lots of bills into the piggy bank before I can get it....
I thru hiked with the TarpTent Double Rainbow Li which is also dynima material. Although it is a little heavier because it has poles it has great head room and has been describe as palancial for one person. It has a free standing mode when on a platform or rock surface. One last advantage is it’s foot print is smaller then the Zpacks and will fit in tight spaces. Although expensive I think it’s worth it. If you haven’t tried one you should. Thanks and be well.
Nothing to be confused about - corporate greed is responsible for the inflation. If you were my age - 75 - you would know that inflation is cyclical. Young people just haven't been around long enough to experience it.
@@lekistick1013 Huh. So would you expect inflation in other countries? Name a country that you *don't* consider to engage in "Big Government Spending" and let's look up their inflation rate. What do you say? Are you with me? Name a country.
@@lekistick1013 When you use 'fiat currency' where it's value is based on growth, there has to be inflation or the numbers stop growing. National economies are huge like a supertanker, and their courses cannot be changed quickly so what's happening today began years ago and is inevitable at this point.
Pause: one thing I like about Z-Packs is they know to put the handle of the trekking pole at the top. Try getting the bottom of your pole full of mud & ice then chipping it away, freezing your fingers off so the tiny pole tip can fit a tiny grommet up top your tent: been there with the Gatewood Cape. Great as a poncho by the way, but nope.
I love my Duplex. It’s been through a lot. Still holding up without any issues. I use it in winter too. It’s a beast. I’m using the thicker 0.75 DCF though
Im pretty sure that dyneema would not last a thru hike here in Norway. Though I havent attemted one with it, i do have done both thruhikes i Norway and, tested a Zpacks Dyneema Alta one time. Here is why: The severe winds, and temperature shift up in the Norwegian mountains, can litterally give a test on gear specially your shelter. A 3 season tents that is not fully aerodynamic, too high, not breatheble enough, and is fully waterproof can fast turn into hell, when you are stuck up in the mountains. Thst happend to me twice. The closest thing I had to this is with the actually recommended Original Jervenduk, when i was hunting and had to take over after a long day hike up for groose. The trekking pole was set as a stand, and guylines where in place making it a pretty much like form configurantion of the Zpacks Altaplex. The weather that evening shifted so much, i litteraly got condesation hell, and almost got the fjellduken blown over. It though saved my life, but i knew from that experience that none breatheble non strech material will not work as a tent for this kind of terrain, if you get cought by a storm. The other time i got stuck it was on a silnylon cheap tent but that wasent 4 season either, so when snow and wind hitted, the tent needed to be hold and tied again, luckly i sold that tent. The other thing is that the Altaplex, slipped to much wind from the ground in, it didnt provide any warmth, specially on below to zero degrees celcius, it gets cold without having the ability to safely turn a stove inside a tent, like you normally can with exp. in a sil nylon tent. So even i do use dyneema material for specially backpack or stuffsack, in my country ill problaby would not use dyneema tents or tarp, since they are expensive anyway. Im helping a company design a new 4 season tent to aid this issue however. In my across Norway expedition, i will bring along the NorTent new UL Nylon 66 tent for 2 persons.
I've never used the steaks that come with a tent. I mostly desert camp and mountain camp where the ground is hard as a rock including lots of locks in it! I normally use what we refer to as Texas nails, they're heavy but they work. I've even been a few of those where others would break and fail
One other negative - you indicate good ventilation, but it has no ventilation up high at all, which does matter. Other "like" tents have some up high ventilation which can make a big difference.
Good one Luke! I do much of my summer adventures in north of Norway, and hit with 24 hours sunlight, you're right regarding the "see through" material. for two reasons one should consider the carbon material in the free standing kit. First, it's not the easiest material to repair in the field. Secondly, carbon is not the smartest choice when lightning strikes.
Best review of this tent I’ve seen to date. I saw you’ve tested the Nemo tensor pad. Just wondering if you think I can fit a wide tensor and a normal tensor without squeezing the walls? I saw it’s 45” wide which is the combined width of a normal and wide tensor. But I’m just concerned the 20 inch pad person is going to be lying right against the bathtub wall… thanks!
Came to review this older video since I'm interested in the tent. Funny to see how upset people are over the inflation comment. Also funny that they subconsciously know who you're referring to and immediately get defensive.
Pause ( part about snow): ever test that First Lite Nemo 1P with the semi-freestand, tie outs & skirts on vestibule...looks like a Hornet with a coat? Howabout that Kuiu tarp tent or the Deschutes Plus or Lunar Solo: giving you many tents to test as if you have not enough.
Yes I would purchase this tent and I have purchased this tent. I purchased the spruce green version so I paid 700.00 for mine plus another 100.00 for the footprint. My only regret is I did not do it years ago. When I am on the trail grinding for 10 to 14 hours a day why would I want to carry extra weight. I am a big believer in crying once. I have never regretted anything I have purchased that was high quality. My wife loves high end vacations and I love backpacking. For what we pay for one night at a overpriced resort I have this awesome tent. One more thing for you that complain about the cost this is what things cost when they are made in the USA not China. One more reason I love Zpacks and Western Mountaineering. Expensive and well worth every penny. My big three weigh less than 4 lbs I hate heavy packs.
Good review, as usual, but nothing about noise? Sounds crinkly to me, like the tent version of the "potato chip bag" Thermarest NeoAir Xlite. Combine the two and let the chips fall where they may.
Its for little people for sure. I ordered one to try out, had holes in it, so they sent me another after I returned. It also had holes in it, so got my refund back. Not sure why that material wears through or if I was sent returns. Im not patching expensive “new” gear.
When I learned the material was originally created for professional sailboat racing, I was like, "Oh interesting. That makes sense. Extremely durable, does not stretch, waterproof, and lightweight..." No matter how many reviews I watched regarding the weight, I was still shocked the first time I held it. I think that's why they don't include the stakes. They're not going to decide for you what stakes you use because they might weigh even more than your tent and you might find them useless for your purposes. Great stuff as always. Thanks!
They don't include to let you choose your own stakes. That's just an excuse. They don't include them to keep the weight lower for marketing purposes. If they would add a fitting set of stakes, it wouldn't be that light anymore, compared to other tents on the market.
@@kobold90 yes, and one could argue trekking poles follow the same marketing purpose. They're nice to have on a hike, but far from necessary, except to keep your tent up. "Since you already have trekking poles, it doesn't count." Yeah right. Then you add a ground sheet, because dcf isn't renown for abrasion resistance. Maybe a dry line, maybe a microfiber cloth to wipe the single wall condensation, etc. At the end of the day, when all the basic stuff are accounted for, you're looking at a bigger tent package. Then UL hiker count poles as worn weight, there doesn't count to their imaginary pack weight. 🤷 It's all kinda silly. 😜 ha ha
Great review of a a great product, I have a friend with one and its the ̶t̶i̶t̶s̶ bomb, ...Aaanndd then here's my beef: The political dig was uncool and I expected a little bit of "higher ground " from you. The guy your criticizing is in a tough position maybe the benefit of doubt is the more magnanimous position in the future?... ̶
Watching thru hiker couples on the AT use Triplex I noticed they got wet in heavy rain or heavy condensation. Or they reported wet anyway. Two inside. Is the Tri more vulnerable to condensation or rain splatter? Or was this just their setup in a particular location?
@@TheBahamabob - I can’t think of any reason why a tent with the exact same design, only slightly larger, would have issues with rain if the Duplex doesn’t. It was probably something with their setup. I often use all 12 stakes. All else being equal, a larger tent should have less condensation, not more.
Thank you for your quick thoughtful reply. Exactly my thoughts reflected by you. One night these experienced hikers set up in a drainage disguised as a tent site! Plus after 100 nights out it’s easy to get sloppy. Most others never reported this model of tents as anything but top performing. Just heard some occasional jeering from the double walled people in heavy storms. But I’m way over 70. Weight and performance both matter more to me!
@@TheBahamabob - no problem! I held off on buying the tent for years because I was also concerned about water and structural integrity. My fears were misguided. I haven’t been through a major storm yet, but after seeing the tent with 12 stakes, there’s no conceivable way the tent could have any problems. It’s fast to set up, but it’s a dream to take down compared to a freestanding tent. The only times I’d consider using a freestanding tent in the future would be in snow, or camping on rock (though there are ways to set up the Triplex on rock).
Very nice review! Do you think this could sleep 2 adults comfortably with their packs? Wanting to pull the trigger on this tent for our JMT hike this summer! Really like this tent, but want to make sure before making the purchase!
nice review as always. you should check out the Xmid from Drop Dan Durston. Awsome tent too! if you can get a hold of one. they're hard to find. smaller production and used ones online get snatched up instantly!
I bought the triplex version of this tent. Heaps of space. For cold weather use I have two Crux tents, an X2 shadow and an x1 assault; both of which are naturally warm due to the material they are constructed from. Yes, all three tents are insanely expensive but what price comfort and safety?
Who do we blame for inflation because I don’t who you are talking about and would really like to know
@@fett4675 iTs wOrlDwIdE. That must mean that US central banking policy has nothing to do with it!
Quality only hurts once. If you plan on doing a long hike you'll be living out of a tent for months. This is one area where spending the money will definitely improve comfort and safety.
I purchased this tent in 2018, and still consider it my main shelter three seasons of the year.
Yes it is expensive, but if you take care of it it’ll last a lifetime.
Thanks for the review Luke. Awesome as always.
Luke I’ve been a long time fan of your channel and have a request;) Could you include metric sizes for all your non-American viewers? Maybe just as text on the screen while you talk imperial or something. Anyway keep up the great work!!
He usually does when it comes the temperature and weight
Good idea. The inches and ounces thing is quit anoying...
@@Wastelander13 we just want you to convert... 🤣
@@Zawfee No chance 😂😂👍
Being an older Englishman I far prefer Imperial measurements or as we say,”real measurements”
The Zpacks is not a bad tent. It is single-walled, however. IMO, I think the Durston XMID 2P is a better tent. It is a double-walled two-trekking pole tent and made from high-quality durable materials. I have one and have tested it out on the AT and it holds up very well in heavy wind and heavy rain. Great review.
I have the XMID in the 1P and the 2P, I really like them.
@Timothy Mckee Yeah, I heard. Supply cannot keep up with the demand. I had tried to order the Stargazer kit and as soon as they became available, they sold out immediately. I ordered the kit as soon as it was available again and received it within two weeks. I get nothing but compliments on the tent when I am out backpacking.
@Timothy Mckee The next batch is going to be released next month. A couple thousand will be available.
How long did you use it on the AT?
I bought a Duplex for my upcoming AT thru hike in 2023.
I absolutely love it.
It’s extremely lightweight, incredibly strong and is a palace for one person.
I could not be happier or more pleased with my decision to part with that amount of money for it.
Excellent video and review. Just some thoughts on the price. When I go camping it usually involves taking a vacation day or two from work and is an investment in my entertainment and enjoyment. If I used this tent 10 times that would be $65 a night. If I stayed dry and my gear was dry and I had a great nights sleep, $65 seems very reasonable. You get what you pay for and quality gear pays dividends. Plus, after you've climbed 2,000 in elevation with a Heavy tent and gear (ouch), how sweet to have this lightweight baby. Pay now or pay later. Thanks for all of your hard work...
Cheap tents are usually a complete waste of money, but not all, I have a Eurohike tent, currently setup in my Garden to test some cold weather gear, it has been there over a week, hasnt leaked, despite heavy rain and freezing temperatures, I paid about 50 UK Pounds for it! For cold, it is better than some of my expensive Tents, costing hundreds, would I take it up a mountain, maybe not, thats what I save my expensive gear for.
I ain't buying it fella. Sounds to me like someone is practicing "the speech" for the wife! 👍
@@pspicer777 😂
Well, I don't think it's so black and white, it's not a choice just between a cheap/heavy and expensive/light tent. Yes, $65 a night is reasonable, but what if you could get something lighter and it was only $20 a night? As a tent, this is very light, but for much less, you could get a tarp and save even more weight. This is obviously not for everyone, but if you are willing to learn something new, you could spend something like $150 for Borah Gear 7'x9' silpoly tarp which weighs just 260g. You can add a polycro groundsheet which adds perhaps 75g, and this could be your whole setup, for 2 people. (Bigger tarp for more comfort, maybe a 9'x9' , say 360g). You have to learn how to use it, but it can be much more roomy and versatile than a tent. If you are worried about bugs, Sea to Summit makes a bugnet for 2 which weighs 137g, costs about $50. All in all, you could have a double wall shelter that weighs something like 375g and cost you maybe $200. Stakes are not included in the weight, but neither are they with the Duplex. Of course, this ain't for everyone, but it is a way in which you can substitute skills for money. Cheers!
Great review as always!
I personally can't stand "rainbow" style doors; it's next to impossible to get yourself or just gear in and out of the tent without opening them right up and that lets all the mosquitoes in! Being able to just unzip the bottom and slide yourself and everything else through is much better for keeping the bugs out.
That door style is a weakness of the tent as you note. You also have to climb over the entirety of the mesh every time you go in and out.
Totally agree. It should be changed.
Stopped by to have a coffee with luke. He is truly a PRO. I always enjoy his VIDS. Peace everyone and please support this guy. He is the real deal.
I agree, this is a great product. Best part is, it is so light weight and roomy! Expensive? Yes, but when you're out in the mountains, you need the best shelter you can afford and one that is reliable. That describes this tent.
I went for the Lanshan 2 (blatant copy of this tent) since I'm willing to put up with a heavier version made of lesser materials with more upkeep in exchange for it being about 1/5th of the price. If I was doing a huge through-hike like the AT or something similar I would definitely upgrade to this though.
I'm thinking the same
Bought it last year. This plus a quilt to replace my sleeping bag made a huge difference in pack weight and comfort (and pack bulk). I also bought a ZPacks Arc Haul a few years prior. Great combo of gear. I use it for motorcycle touring/camping too. I'll take my Big Agnes Copper Spur when I might need a freestanding tent (don't have the kit, but did buy two poles to use when not backpacking with trekking poles.) Otherwise this is such a great tent. Downside is single wall = occasional condensation. Buy once, cry once. Great review!
This might be the best of the very many reviews of this tent.
Thanks for the details, views from all angles, and discussion of tradeoffs.
I Love it, it’s the best backpacking tent I’ve ever had so far!
Awesome review. My Triplex just came in the mail last week. I’m very excited!
Two other Cons.
1. The warranty. It's only 2 years. Better than the original "one thru hike" though.
2. Connected to #1. Dyneema is a laminate material, not a woven fabric. This means even if you baby it the material *will* start to simply breakdown naturally and there is nothing you can do to stop it, hence the shorter warranty. One of the reasons they used to have the "one thru hike" warranty was that the constant packing and unpacking over 2000+ non-stop miles speeds up the breakdown significantly.
I have known Z-Packs a long time, and they built a couple real nice, custom rucksacks for me. Nice folks. I have always wanted to check out more of their gear & stop by the shop in Florida. Good show.
Bought one a few years back for my out West adventures. Love it. It truly is an awesome tent. I rarely use it on the East Coast because I am partial to the Chameleon hammock. So I named it Chief No Trees since that’s the only time I break it out.
I bought my son the Zpacks Plexamid in Camo . He lives in Colorado , so he loves that tent , and it's 16oz. weight !! I have the Free Duo in Camo . For the weight vs Size . I have zero complaints . I did have a " Free Return " of the poles , after Zpacks had reports of hubs breaking . I had NOT had a problem , but sent them back for the new set . Just an aside . The copy cat 3F UL Gear & other clones of this tent , have a " inner liner " available for 4ish Season use , I have SEEN . Be safe out there folks ... Gubs
great review brother. best tent i ever used too... winter winds tho... you're not wrong. gotta lower the trekking poles and bring the corners down to reduce ventage. works but you're still right its not great at bearing snow load. still worth every penny, and i'm poor... i had to save and save and im still paying it off and ZERO regrets bro none. love your channel, you're one of the better voices in this scene. my best to your family
that was 3 months ago... it's paid off now, no regrets whatsoever. if you have this and an expedition or a litefighter, you're ready to rock in almost all environs and seasons
I got myself a used plexamid for kayak camping trips; it even came with the fiberglass tent pole. I love it, nice and light, and super easy to set up. I also got that clear sleep pad (18$) you see on the Walmart app. Both items each weigh about 14 ounces. Because these items are so light, I can bring more junk snacks to munch on😉
I am confused... Are you blaming one person for the high inflation rate all over the world?
I have this tent, I'm a weekend warrior...I had a heavier setup prior to buying the duplex, and my legs were absolutely destroyed (non hiking legs) the weight savings even on a 10 mile hike is worth every penny to me
Just bought one for my recent packing trip! 10/10 would buy it again.
My 2lb. Stansport green 2 person Scout aframe with a tub floor and no see em bug screen for $22 still holding up after 3 years.
There's no way that's not a condensation mess in a humid, rainy night
Been using a budget tent for years. Doesn't leak, and I can't imagine spending that much money on a tent, unless it was for EXTREME conditions.
I'm Section Hiking the AT. My hiking buddy has this Tent - it is AWESOME! I couldn't afford it so I purchased a "knockoff" design - the Mier / Lanshan 2P (on AmazonPrime)...which is made of Nylon...its a nice tent for the price ($140) BUT it the Nylon will absorb some water when it rains. If I was do a Thru Hike of the AT...I would purchase the Zpack Duplex w/o blinking an eye...as that would be my home for nearly 6 months - worth every penny!!
The water absorption and sagging of nylon is an issue for sure.
Yes, it is imho the best tent!
I use the Duplex alone because I am 6'2" and I love gear explosion, my wife uses the Plexamid and both of us never regretted any Euro.
Yes, we are from Germany and the price is even higher for us with shipping, customs and tax but it is worth it!
I always wondered if you'd ever review this tent. Very cool.
In January I bought the Durston X-mid 2 Pro, it's in the mail to me now (heh). The vastly better storm-worthiness, simplicity of setup, and comfort are worth the added weight for me. And it packs down smaller!
Hi, Luke, one of your best reviews (you may have been even too excited !! :-). I have the Solplex, now replaced by the Plexamid, which is the one person version. It's great. At times I wish I had gotten the Duplex for the room, particularly great if stuck for a lot of time in the weather. However, in many rugged areas it can be hard to find a large enough tent site. Stuck in the weather for some time - white colour especially is much less depressing. Speaking of weather, one of the advantages of Dyneema tent and cord is that it does not stretch. Why is that important you ask? - other materials stretch particularly in the rain - and you have to go adjust them - including more than once in wind and rain in the middle of the night. Tent stakes - for most people who are at the point of considering this tent, they already have quite a collection of tent stakes and use different favourites for different conditions - often one takes a few bigger stronger stakes to anchor the key tent points and save a little weight with smaller lighter stakes for other points. Snow and sand, use deadmen; on rock use rocks. I don't really want to pay any more for stakes I will probably not use. (Lots of reviews of pegs on RUclips). Cost - yes, people get hung up on this. But do enough backpacking, do enough in iffy situations, age a little and don't carry weight so well, want to finish a thru hike you start, then out here on the trail, cost doesn't matter (you find a way to pay) But yes, you only buy if you want light, dependable, long lasting, best weather proofing, etc. (otherwise there are lots of options out there) - And how much is that per kilometre over 10++ years?? Buy once, cry once. Check out videos of 4-season but non-extreme conditions - you may be able to extend use & safely. A tent liner from a clone might be possible. Otherwise consider a Dyneema tarp to cover - still very light winter solution.
I wish this was available 25 years ago.
As you stated, all tents will degrade with time.
The same is true for the human body. LOL.
20 years ago I could have justified the expense due to the type of camping/hiking I did at the time.
Now the wife and I use a small camper.
Don't get me wrong, we are still very active and don't need or want to stay in the camper watching tv etc.
We are at the age where a bit of climate control (especially humidity) a comfortable bed and room to stand up while dressing makes us still able to and want to get outside and enjoy nature.
It is great that alot of people are still interested in doing this!
Keep getting outside as long as you are able to!
😁👍
Who did Luke refer to when he talked about inflation? Sorry I am not for the US.
I would assume covid since there’s world wide inflation due to covid, supply and demand, corporate greed, etc.
Awesome looking tent, great review Luke💯
While I can understand the price is really high: It’s good practice in my view to NOT add tent stakes at high end tents. Stakes depend a lot on the nature of the trip and expected ground. I went to the desert and you simply have another set than what you use in an area with forests.
I agree, and if I remember correctly, I believe their reasoning for it was pretty much that. People are very specific on their stake choices, so rather than charging more and adding stakes, they just didn't include them in the price and dont ship any.
Hello 👋 Luke, thank you for sharing this great review. It's certainly a great tent. Unfortunately, the price point disqualifies me. Please keep up your great reviews. 🤗
I’ve spent a couple thousand dollars on zpacks gear but I can’t seem to the pull the trigger on one of their tents. I’m currently rocking a Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL1 Bikepack and I love it. I got the bikepack version because of the shorter pole sections. It’s free standing and simple without the exposed frame of the zpacks and it’s only around 2.5lbs.
All the gear I’ve purchased from zpacks(Arc Air 50 DCS, ARC haul Zip 64, trekking poles, quilt, vertice rain jacket, gators and various stuff sacks) have all been top notch gear. Highly recommend the solo quilt. They also have relatively quick shipping. Way faster than Hammockgear(🤬). They sent the wrong bear bag and replaced it with no issues and I got it a few days later. Excellent company. Just not sure about their tents. I think I would go with Gossamer Gear before zpacks.
My other vicarious hiking and camping channel, Homemade Wanderlust, uses this tent. Great review man.
Awesome overview and review! My favorite thing about Zpacks is that they have the Triplex version. I just ordered one last week ($50 off sale!) and am PUMPED to start using it. Super light and TONS of room for me and the huskies or me and two other people.
This is what I would like for my wife and I. We will be getting one some day soon as well!
@@jtpromolab I am loving the triplex! Had it out in some decent snow this winter as well! Still can’t believe how light the thing is! You’ll love it!
@@DoseofDirt you're making me excited to Shell out $800! Lol. Did you get one of the lighter weight colors or the darker slightly heavier color? And do you like the color choice you made? (I don't care about the actual color, I'm concerned about the transparency)
@@jtpromolab I went for a lighter color (the blue) after considering the heavier ones. My main thing was saving weight, so I went with a lighter color. But I will tell you, it is pretty transparent! I knew that going in, but it was even more transparent than I thought it would be. It's definitely not clear (as you can see from videos). but with the light just right you can see the outline of just about anything in the tent.
But I honestly love the tent. It was crazy expensive (got it for $700 over black friday) but it's light and spacious!
@@DoseofDirt thanks for the info! Btw I subscribed to your channel and enjoy your content.
Darwin and many other RUclips thruhikers swear by this tent 👍🏻
Nice review Luke. I own this tent and agree it is flipping great. It's 2 pounds lighter than my previous tent. 2 pounds! That alone makes it worth the price to me. Three features you didn't really explain: 1) the overlapping door flaps allows you to set up the tent pointed into the wind and stake out 1 or both of the top layer door flaps to divert the wind past the door. Then you can roll 1 or both of the bottom layer door flaps open so that you get tons of ventilation but little if any wind. Genius! 2) The low tie outs on either end really are necessary to use so that if it's windy and you a on the taller side the tent wall doesn't hit your face when it flaps in the breeze. 3) Pulling the floor wall up with the attachment cord not only helps keep out splashing rain but also prevents you from accidentally pushing the wall of the floor out past the end of the tent which, on a rainy night, would let a lot of rain into your floor. Strength and honor!
G'day Luke, I am prepared to put away the bucks for water PROOF and indeed light weight and resilient materials that don't need treatment and I like the floor especially too.
Btw, I still see this as a 1 person + gear, but hey, as a 6 footer, that's what suits me personally,
The kinda thing I have been looking for since I don't need to worry about snow and with the light weight one can still afford to cram in a tarp as well for over the top and make a decent verandah to sit under, preferably with a small fire. 1st class review as always mate. Cheers Duke.
I'm excited for mine to turn up on Friday. Ordered it from Australia. With the Flex Kit it comes in at $1012.00 AUD including delivery. Expect another $215.00 AUD when it arrives in Australia. This is customs, import duty and GST.
Are customs, import duty paid in advance ?? i am also keen to buy it . How long is the delivery time frame for Sydney keen to know cheers !
@@niteshsitaula no. It comes then UPS contacts you. When you pay the invoice they email you they clear it for delivery.
Delivery took about 7 days.
Although when I set my tent up my excitement changed to disappointment.
All the sealing tape began to lift inside and out. I water tested it and it leaked like a sieve. Then on the side hitches the material began to deteriorate like it was rotting or dissolving. I'm far from bloody happy. I'm waiting on an email back from them.
@@OldBumOnABike how did you go through the email?? As it is top-notch price and very expensive tent don't want to take any risk
@@niteshsitaula they got back to me very quickly and the new tent is on it's way. There was no hesitation in replacing it. I am yet to send the faulty one back, they want to inspect and investigate the problem. So customer service was excellent.
Would like it if you’d look at some cottage tent makers; LightHeart Gear, Seek Outside, Dan Durston, ect.
I do love Z packs.
I got an altaplex sent over to the UK a few years ago, was expensive but I've never regretted it, I take it up to the Scottish Highlands which can get pretty rough weather and it's never let me down, I might get the duplex next after I've saved up a bit.
Pulled the trigger on the Duplex years ago. Also got a dynema tarp. Both are so light one can afford to carry both. No issues. No water absorption, no sagging. I don’t have the carbon poles for free standing setup. I think it’s a mighty fine tent. I use different stakes for different areas. Thanks for your good review, nice perspective too. Texas
What dynema tarp can you recommend? I've always wanted some dynema. It's an amazing material. So unfortunate that it's so expensive!
Love my camo Duplex. Had it in 60mph winds. It breathes insanely well-don’t expect much more than a few degrees above ambient outside temps.
Personally I love the Zpacks tents, I have the Altiplex and my buddy has a duplex. Great tents.
We fit 3 teens/preteens in the triplex and the 2 adults in a duplex. No ground sheet needed. Light weight enough for even a preteen to carry in their pack. Easy to maintain. Hang it in your shower in fall/winter to clean and dry or on the clothesline the rest of the year. When it snows or storms pitch it low to the ground. Many nights in 25+ winds. Use rocks to help set tent stakes with sandy ground. But if you can't get a tent stakes in the ground or find abundant rocks you have to move to a tarp tent aeon li or some other freestanding. This is my go to tent. Take care of it. I roll but don't stuff. Its worth the cash.
Thank you Luke for the information you are the best
The thicker Dyneema from Zpacks comes in at 21 oz and is only a few dollars more. Worth it in my opinion.
Agree completely especially if you’re camping during shoulder seasons in it.
Lets see how it hols up to the new DCF Xmid 2p
Picked one up on marketplace as an upgrade to a lanshan 2. $450 with zpaks carbon fiber poles and stakes included. Score!
I absolutely would buy this tent. If price equals above average quality and materials then yes. The confidence that the shelter will perform in adverse weather conditions will then lessen the sticker shock.
YES!!! I love my duplex sooo much!!!
I like the durston xmid 2. It sets up fly first with trekking poles also and they are coming out with a dyneema version in 2022.
I’d like to see a review of the dyneema version when that comes
Never disliked one of your videos before Luke, it didn't feel good. I thought you were smarter and better informed than that.
I have a knock off of this tent that cost @$100 a couple of years ago. It has served me well in rain and wind. If you’re a weekend warrior or only get out a few times a year I’d say look into a “copy” If I were thru hiking I definitely invest in one of these tents they are tried and true
I've been waiting on this review thank you I'm sold, I don't winter camp, just in the summer. I like the light wait for hiking and Kayaking!! Keep up the good work Luke.
Agree with you. Great tent. I love mine.
You are such a thorough reviewer!! I absolutely trust your recommendations. Would love to upgrade to the zpacks on my next tent!
Exporting this tent to Australia i was hit with import duty on top of the high price - so it cost about 1100 AUD - however i rode through France with it and it paid for itself in a week. Condensation in the UK was bad - i needed a special towel to dry it off to pack up before the sun got hot enough to dry it. Needed an eye mask as the light was disturbing. Very much the right tool for the job though. I love this tent.
Great review. I agree that if you're going to use it many nights each year the price is reasonable. We all like to save money but I have wasted an awful lot of money over the years buying something that I thought was "just as good" only to find that it wasn't and I had to upgrade anyway. Have you tested the 3F UL 2 tent? I have one. Its actually a 1 1/2 person tent and weights about 2 lbs. I had it out in the rain for 13 hours and it didn't leak. I think it comes seam-sealed but I didn't take any chances. I sealed it myself. I'm not saying the 3F is comparable to the Zpacks. I'm just saying it seems to do the job for less money, packs up a bit smaller but weighs twice as much.
My son has one and loves it because he is very tall and he has plenty of room for him and gear.
Great review. See that you are using a plastic footprint. For me, a big positive with a dynama floor is that it’s absolutely waterproof and does not need a footprint. Also if you get a small hold in the groundsheet (not had so far) , its super easy to repair in the field with some dynena tape or even duct tape. Mine is over 6 years old and is still going strong. Would be tempted by the duplex plus for the extra legroom and avoiding sleeping bag touching the damp wall. The one negative, recently during very high wind, mine leaked on the side guy line. Contacted zpack who were aware of the issue and changed design. Followed their recommendation, repaired with seam seal and a dynema tape backing patch. Now fine again.
Thank you for the video.
Just literally tore up and threw out a First Arrow 1 (made in Australia) tent I bought @10 years ago , used once in the back yard and stored it until last month when tried to set it up again, noticed that the fly had syrupy goo all over it. (Hydrolysis according to Sea and Summit). The underhook suspension design of the tent below the fly, the tapering lengths of the three internal poles oriented transversely were incredibly complicated. A very expensive tent that was a complete fail. Good thing I tried setting it up on the lawn this second time and realizing that I would never want to be stuck having to set it up on the trail--especially in the rain which is a good point you make with the Z Pack. Well, at least I already have the stakes! But ease of set up is critical, especially if you have to do it in the dark.
Storing a tent for that long in its stuff sack is going to not do it any favours. Will happen with lots of tents not just Wilderness Equipment ones. Try to store the tent loose hanging or in a pillow case. Make sure it doesn't get stored wet or I a humid environment
Thank you Luke for another in-depth review! I have seen other RUclipsrs using this tent on their adventures and it always looked like a great tent to have. I am still getting my gear together for my first backpacking hike and really was considering it primarily because of the double features of extremely light weight and endurance in multiple locations. Gotta be honest though, that price has stopped me in my tracks. I will need to put this one on my "wish list" and drop lots and lots of bills into the piggy bank before I can get it....
I thru hiked with the TarpTent Double Rainbow Li which is also dynima material. Although it is a little heavier because it has poles it has great head room and has been describe as palancial for one person. It has a free standing mode when on a platform or rock surface. One last advantage is it’s foot print is smaller then the Zpacks and will fit in tight spaces. Although expensive I think it’s worth it. If you haven’t tried one you should. Thanks and be well.
I just got one of those. Only used it a couple of nights so far, but absolutely blown away so far.
Very helpful review.
Well, I don't know who to thank for that, please elaborate.
Hey Luke, long time watcher. I'm a little confused, who *do* we have to blame for inflation these days?
Nothing to be confused about - corporate greed is responsible for the inflation. If you were my age - 75 - you would know that inflation is cyclical. Young people just haven't been around long enough to experience it.
@@jm-bv1wh Corporate greed maybe... out of control money printing and Big Government Spending definitely!
@@lekistick1013 Huh. So would you expect inflation in other countries? Name a country that you *don't* consider to engage in "Big Government Spending" and let's look up their inflation rate. What do you say? Are you with me? Name a country.
@@lekistick1013 When you use 'fiat currency' where it's value is based on growth, there has to be inflation or the numbers stop growing. National economies are huge like a supertanker, and their courses cannot be changed quickly so what's happening today began years ago and is inevitable at this point.
@@jm-bv1wh Corporations do not print money and do not set the Federal Funds Rate, nor do they impose the reserve limits on banks.
Love the review! At what temperature would you choose a different tent you think? Curious about that
I have one and I love it ❤❤
I real love zpack wish I could afford one very good stuff 😱👍🏻
Pause: one thing I like about Z-Packs is they know to put the handle of the trekking pole at the top. Try getting the bottom of your pole full of mud & ice then chipping it away, freezing your fingers off so the tiny pole tip can fit a tiny grommet up top your tent: been there with the Gatewood Cape. Great as a poncho by the way, but nope.
I love my Duplex. It’s been through a lot. Still holding up without any issues. I use it in winter too. It’s a beast. I’m using the thicker 0.75 DCF though
Im pretty sure that dyneema would not last a thru hike here in Norway. Though I havent attemted one with it, i do have done both thruhikes i Norway and, tested a Zpacks Dyneema Alta one time. Here is why:
The severe winds, and temperature shift up in the Norwegian mountains, can litterally give a test on gear specially your shelter. A 3 season tents that is not fully aerodynamic, too high, not breatheble enough, and is fully waterproof can fast turn into hell, when you are stuck up in the mountains. Thst happend to me twice. The closest thing I had to this is with the actually recommended Original Jervenduk, when i was hunting and had to take over after a long day hike up for groose. The trekking pole was set as a stand, and guylines where in place making it a pretty much like form configurantion of the Zpacks Altaplex. The weather that evening shifted so much, i litteraly got condesation hell, and almost got the fjellduken blown over. It though saved my life, but i knew from that experience that none breatheble non strech material will not work as a tent for this kind of terrain, if you get cought by a storm. The other time i got stuck it was on a silnylon cheap tent but that wasent 4 season either, so when snow and wind hitted, the tent needed to be hold and tied again, luckly i sold that tent.
The other thing is that the Altaplex, slipped to much wind from the ground in, it didnt provide any warmth, specially on below to zero degrees celcius, it gets cold without having the ability to safely turn a stove inside a tent, like you normally can with exp. in a sil nylon tent.
So even i do use dyneema material for specially backpack or stuffsack, in my country ill problaby would not use dyneema tents or tarp, since they are expensive anyway.
Im helping a company design a new 4 season tent to aid this issue however. In my across Norway expedition, i will bring along the NorTent new UL Nylon 66 tent for 2 persons.
My favorite shelter is the Appalachian Trail Shelter, it's quite a bit heavier but much, much sturdier.
I've never used the steaks that come with a tent. I mostly desert camp and mountain camp where the ground is hard as a rock including lots of locks in it! I normally use what we refer to as Texas nails, they're heavy but they work. I've even been a few of those where others would break and fail
One other negative - you indicate good ventilation, but it has no ventilation up high at all, which does matter. Other "like" tents have some up high ventilation which can make a big difference.
Good one Luke! I do much of my summer adventures in north of Norway, and hit with 24 hours sunlight, you're right regarding the "see through" material. for two reasons one should consider the carbon material in the free standing kit. First, it's not the easiest material to repair in the field. Secondly, carbon is not the smartest choice when lightning strikes.
Best review of this tent I’ve seen to date. I saw you’ve tested the Nemo tensor pad. Just wondering if you think I can fit a wide tensor and a normal tensor without squeezing the walls? I saw it’s 45” wide which is the combined width of a normal and wide tensor. But I’m just concerned the 20 inch pad person is going to be lying right against the bathtub wall… thanks!
Came to review this older video since I'm interested in the tent. Funny to see how upset people are over the inflation comment. Also funny that they subconsciously know who you're referring to and immediately get defensive.
Who caused inflation?
I was wondering the same thing since it’s a global issue.
I kinda wanna UNSUBSCRIBE if he doesn’t say Trump. @TheOutdoorGearReview
My answer would be the coronavirus. But that’s not a “who”… if he says Biden, that would be shortsighted of him.
Pause ( part about snow): ever test that First Lite Nemo 1P with the semi-freestand, tie outs & skirts on vestibule...looks like a Hornet with a coat?
Howabout that Kuiu tarp tent or the Deschutes Plus or Lunar Solo: giving you many tents to test as if you have not enough.
Yes I would purchase this tent and I have purchased this tent. I purchased the spruce green version so I paid 700.00 for mine plus another 100.00 for the footprint. My only regret is I did not do it years ago. When I am on the trail grinding for 10 to 14 hours a day why would I want to carry extra weight. I am a big believer in crying once. I have never regretted anything I have purchased that was high quality. My wife loves high end vacations and I love backpacking. For what we pay for one night at a overpriced resort I have this awesome tent. One more thing for you that complain about the cost this is what things cost when they are made in the USA not China. One more reason I love Zpacks and Western Mountaineering. Expensive and well worth every penny. My big three weigh less than 4 lbs I hate heavy packs.
Good review, as usual, but nothing about noise? Sounds crinkly to me, like the tent version of the "potato chip bag" Thermarest NeoAir Xlite. Combine the two and let the chips fall where they may.
Looks good. Has anyone gone through a wind storm in this tent? If so, how did it do?
Thank you!
Its for little people for sure. I ordered one to try out, had holes in it, so they sent me another after I returned. It also had holes in it, so got my refund back. Not sure why that material wears through or if I was sent returns. Im not patching expensive “new” gear.
I believe I had the same issue, but didn't notice till after I used it. 😔
So far it's held up with only the two initial holes since the patch.
@@jeremymarkshannon4251 I switched over to the big Agnes, it’s heavier, but I like the frame better and the material is top notch.
When I learned the material was originally created for professional sailboat racing, I was like, "Oh interesting. That makes sense. Extremely durable, does not stretch, waterproof, and lightweight..."
No matter how many reviews I watched regarding the weight, I was still shocked the first time I held it. I think that's why they don't include the stakes. They're not going to decide for you what stakes you use because they might weigh even more than your tent and you might find them useless for your purposes.
Great stuff as always. Thanks!
They don't include to let you choose your own stakes. That's just an excuse. They don't include them to keep the weight lower for marketing purposes. If they would add a fitting set of stakes, it wouldn't be that light anymore, compared to other tents on the market.
@@kobold90 yes, and one could argue trekking poles follow the same marketing purpose. They're nice to have on a hike, but far from necessary, except to keep your tent up. "Since you already have trekking poles, it doesn't count." Yeah right.
Then you add a ground sheet, because dcf isn't renown for abrasion resistance. Maybe a dry line, maybe a microfiber cloth to wipe the single wall condensation, etc.
At the end of the day, when all the basic stuff are accounted for, you're looking at a bigger tent package. Then UL hiker count poles as worn weight, there doesn't count to their imaginary pack weight. 🤷 It's all kinda silly. 😜 ha ha
Dyneema is used for standing rigging (rope) instead of stranded steel on sailboats. Not for sails, however.
Great review of a a great product, I have a friend with one and its the ̶t̶i̶t̶s̶ bomb, ...Aaanndd then here's my beef: The political dig was uncool and I expected a little bit of "higher ground " from you. The guy your criticizing is in a tough position maybe the benefit of doubt is the more magnanimous position in the future?...
̶
After two years it's no longer 'testing' but 'using'. Thanks for - again - a great video.
Great review. Our Triplex is so light that I carry it on solo trips. I researched every DCF trekking pole tent and decided on Zpacks.
Watching thru hiker couples on the AT use Triplex I noticed they got wet in heavy rain or heavy condensation. Or they reported wet anyway. Two inside. Is the Tri more vulnerable to condensation or rain splatter? Or was this just their setup in a particular location?
@@TheBahamabob - I can’t think of any reason why a tent with the exact same design, only slightly larger, would have issues with rain if the Duplex doesn’t. It was probably something with their setup. I often use all 12 stakes. All else being equal, a larger tent should have less condensation, not more.
Thank you for your quick thoughtful reply. Exactly my thoughts reflected by you. One night these experienced hikers set up in a drainage disguised as a tent site! Plus after 100 nights out it’s easy to get sloppy. Most others never reported this model of tents as anything but top performing. Just heard some occasional jeering from the double walled people in heavy storms. But I’m way over 70. Weight and performance both matter more to me!
@@TheBahamabob - no problem! I held off on buying the tent for years because I was also concerned about water and structural integrity. My fears were misguided. I haven’t been through a major storm yet, but after seeing the tent with 12 stakes, there’s no conceivable way the tent could have any problems.
It’s fast to set up, but it’s a dream to take down compared to a freestanding tent. The only times I’d consider using a freestanding tent in the future would be in snow, or camping on rock (though there are ways to set up the Triplex on rock).
Very nice review!
Do you think this could sleep 2 adults comfortably with their packs?
Wanting to pull the trigger on this tent for our JMT hike this summer!
Really like this tent, but want to make sure before making the purchase!
What is the coldest temperature you can use a tent like this? The light weight of it is very appealing.
nice review as always. you should check out the Xmid from Drop Dan Durston. Awsome tent too! if you can get a hold of one. they're hard to find. smaller production and used ones online get snatched up instantly!
I bought the triplex version of this tent. Heaps of space. For cold weather use I have two Crux tents, an X2 shadow and an x1 assault; both of which are naturally warm due to the material they are constructed from. Yes, all three tents are insanely expensive but what price comfort and safety?
You should check out the Tarp Tent double rainbow Li
Lanshan, Lanshan, Lanshan, everybody together now….Lanshan, Lanshan, Lanshan!!!!
LANSHAN
U should do a review on lanshan pro, copy of this tent :)