Zpacks Plexamid Failed Me. Still The Best Tent Ever!

Поделиться
HTML-код
  • Опубликовано: 13 окт 2024
  • #backpacking #zpacksplexamid #ultralight
    On a recent trip my new tent the Zpacks Plexamid failed me. But I still believe this is the best ultralight backing tent available at any price point. Here is my short review and initial thoughts after my first 3 day trip with this tent.
    Custom Built Backpacking Equipment
    www.HilltopPack...
    Zpacks Plexamid Tent
    zpacks.com/pro...
    Trekking Poles
    Hiking Hunger Carbon: amzn.to/2DE1cUA
    Stakes
    MSR Groundhog Stakes: amzn.to/2WfdOZj
    Video Filmed With:
    Sony AX33: amzn.to/2WaSPHb
    Sony FDR-X3000: amzn.to/2XVDH0H
    Rode Roadlink Wireless Lav Mic: amzn.to/2XXsq08
    My videos and personal projects
    www.BenMcMillen...
    My Wedding Photography Business
    www.McMillenPho...
    Links in the descriptions of this channel may contain affiliate links. Using these links may result in a commision paid to Ben McMillen which will help towards recovering the costs of creating video content for you.

Комментарии • 37

  • @warriorworkstraining
    @warriorworkstraining 3 года назад +1

    This is the video I've been looking for.
    Thanks

  • @sundaymorninghikes6275
    @sundaymorninghikes6275 3 года назад +1

    Excellent review! Thank you! How do you like it two years later?

    • @BenMcmillen
      @BenMcmillen  3 года назад +1

      Still using it. Hard to beat the weight savings

    • @sundaymorninghikes6275
      @sundaymorninghikes6275 3 года назад

      @@BenMcmillen Yeah...that weight, ease of setup, waterproof, customer support...hard to beat that. Thanks for your response! I've been looking at soooo many different tents and tarps, but I keep coming back to this.

  • @John-hp7tz
    @John-hp7tz 5 лет назад +2

    I own several ZPacks products from backpacks to sleeping bags to tents. I happen to have their Plexamid in my “basket” but have been waiting to learn more about your failure. Snapping roof struts has happened to other owners so I don’t think it was user error. More like a potential design flaw or quality control issue to me.

    • @BenMcmillen
      @BenMcmillen  5 лет назад

      I honestly think they need better instructions on how to set it up. After setting it up a few more times if you do it the right way there does not seem to have much stress on the top. But cranking down on it when pitching it wrong I can see a problem. Time will tell

    • @kgnbrisbane
      @kgnbrisbane 5 лет назад +2

      They have new style poles now. Different material and they double up. Very quick response and fix. Cannot fault their customer service.

  • @getlost3094
    @getlost3094 5 лет назад +5

    Your pitch is too taut at your 4 corners. This is why your bathtub groundsheet has very little side wall. It’s also too flat. This is high wind mode but my recommendation is to leave slack in the guy outs THEN insert your pole to erect the tent. After it is standing you can adjust your guy outs. If you pull the guy outs tight first....it is going to be way too taut and low to the ground once you insert your pole.

    • @BenMcmillen
      @BenMcmillen  5 лет назад +1

      No doubt I need more practice..thanks for the tip!

    • @getlost3094
      @getlost3094 5 лет назад +1

      Ben McMillen you bet. I pitched it exactly like you did at first too and I still do if it’s super high winds. It takes a lot more practice than the duplex did for me.
      Next time you pitch try this on the 4 corners. Pull your guy line out taut but don’t stake it. Take your free hand and measure about 8” down the guy line and then place your stake there (essentially about how deep you want your bathtub wall to be. Then erect your tent and play with the height of the stairs edges.
      It seems counterintuitive but your bathtub will be taller and loose until you get your gear and self inside.
      That’s what works for me anyway. It took me about 5 or so pitches to figure this tent out.
      Enjoyed the video too btw! :)

    • @BenMcmillen
      @BenMcmillen  5 лет назад +2

      @@getlost3094 I'm gonna practice then make a redemption video lol

  • @BackpackingWithJason
    @BackpackingWithJason 5 лет назад +1

    Very interesting tent. I have the Duplex but this one looks even better. Nice quick review. Good job 👍

  • @ulperformance4087
    @ulperformance4087 4 месяца назад

    No entry/exit zipper - alloys wind, cold wind and wind driven rain from entering. The pole and guy line are located at the center of the entry - a lousy location for entry/exit. Can it lay at ground level to prevent rain splasing in or cold or cold wind from entering. Is there a vent? If not, then increased likelyhood for greater condensation. Do they waterproof all sewing? Not a four season tent. I guess the sales cost limited Zpacks ability to provide the zippered entry/exit and vent - additional material and labor to provide at their price point.

  • @SomewhereOutside
    @SomewhereOutside 5 лет назад +2

    How do feel about the door? Everytime I watch a video on any of zpacks tents I always find myself wishing the tent door didn't fall to the ground. Seems like it would be easy to damage the mesh getting in and out and that the door would easily get muddy falling onto the ground. Great video and thanks for sharing your experience

    • @BenMcmillen
      @BenMcmillen  5 лет назад +1

      I had the same thought. But in use I had no problems. More experience with the tent may prove otherwise but honestly I don't think I'll have any issues. Hard to complain when saving this much wait. I honestly love it

    • @kgnbrisbane
      @kgnbrisbane 5 лет назад +1

      Yeah, don't like it either. Bit of a pain in the rain.

  • @ericb.4358
    @ericb.4358 4 года назад +2

    Try a Tarptent Aeon Li (DCF fly like the Plexamid) for a more secure tent in high winds. Better yet, I ordered a gen. 2 Tarptent Notch Li (again, DCF) double wall for 3 season camping. VERY fast setup with only 4 stakes. Tarptent has shifted their DCF tent fabrication to China and now has even higher build quality.

  • @kgnbrisbane
    @kgnbrisbane 5 лет назад +2

    One of my poles broke as well. Zpacks sent out the new style poles, so will see. My tent did not tear.

    • @BenMcmillen
      @BenMcmillen  5 лет назад +1

      I've done a few trips with the new white rods. No more problems. Absolutely love this tent

  • @rotaaable
    @rotaaable 5 лет назад +1

    Sorry if I have missed that, but why do you pitch it so close to the ground?

    • @BenMcmillen
      @BenMcmillen  5 лет назад +1

      Still learning. I'm much better at it now. Just inexperienced at the time of the video

  • @vincentc6919
    @vincentc6919 4 года назад +1

    ZPacks has fixed that issue with the carbon fiber rods.

  • @BehindTheCamera
    @BehindTheCamera 5 лет назад +2

    Love that tent!

    • @BenMcmillen
      @BenMcmillen  5 лет назад

      We will post an update at the end of the season

  • @hungrydad7537
    @hungrydad7537 5 лет назад +1

    Are those swinging steel targets in the background?! Lol

    • @BenMcmillen
      @BenMcmillen  5 лет назад

      Yes. This is my property. Not sure what what's funny though

    • @hungrydad7537
      @hungrydad7537 5 лет назад +1

      Because great minds think alike! I love the plexamid and shooting steel! lol👍👍

  • @pgreenx
    @pgreenx 5 лет назад +4

    Fail is at 6:20

    • @BenMcmillen
      @BenMcmillen  5 лет назад +1

      Guess I could have marked that. Thanks!

    • @pgreenx
      @pgreenx 5 лет назад +1

      Ben McMillen no problem. It was worth the wait to know this. Thanks

  • @halibut1249
    @halibut1249 5 лет назад +1

    Very similar to $200 SMD Lunar (25 ozs) except for material & rainbow door. IMO Solplex was much better design, two walls of screening, better airflow, but ZPacks discontinued it.

    • @BenMcmillen
      @BenMcmillen  5 лет назад

      I have heard things about the lunar

    • @halibut1249
      @halibut1249 5 лет назад

      @@BenMcmillen -one thing about ZPacks, they are innovative and always trying to improve their tents and all other camping gear, so even the Plexamid may undergo changes. The material can't be beat, liteweight & dries very quickly. In your vid you mentioned bike camping/touring, so the camo color would work well if you plan to stop on the roads you're travelling. Thanks for your vid!!

    • @BenMcmillen
      @BenMcmillen  5 лет назад

      @@halibut1249 absolutely. Actually I think they already made updates to the pleximed. They sent me to support bars for the top and they are obviously different