Dyneema Comparison, which is Darker and less See Through?
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- Опубликовано: 8 фев 2025
- In this video I compare olive drab, spruce green and camo DCF against each other to see how see-through and light filtering they really were compared to one another.
I use two 2020 Altaplex tents and my camo Duplex.
UPDATE: for 2021 Zpacks just confirmed some new colors, 2 in .75, which are “burnt orange” and “dirt”, these will be comparable to the spruce green as it relates to translucence and light coming through. Their new “white” color is the thinner .55 DCF and is a bit more see-through.
Finally a video that tells and shows the differences between the various DCFs - that made my choice very much easier 👍
Glad it helped Hans! Thanks for the comment. Cheers!
@DJ Ness I got the camo
Just about to pull the trigger on the solo Plex but undecided between the drab & green, did a (hopeful) search on YT and your video came up... brilliantly done and helped me decide towards the spruce green, thanx from the UK 👍
Glad the video helped Barry and congrats on your new tent!
Cheers 🍻
Great video Alex. I watched it the first time and was about to comment and then when I pushed the comment button, it said...error. I didn’t realize it had been put to private. 🤣. Awesome comparison. I am glad I got the Spruce Green. I think you recommended the Duplex to me after I had some questions on your video setup a while back. I’m glad you did. It has been the best tent I have ever gotten. That Altaplex is awesome. I really like how you did the ISO mode with the camera to show the light differences. Well done my friend! Crow✌️
AS THE CROW FLIES HIKING Yep, as soon as I uploaded it I noticed a little boo-boo in the editing so I had to re-upload again😆. I liked the idea of the Ulta Plex in the olive drab but it was just too see-through for me. The spruce green is great and more versatile in my opinion. Good choice!
Thanks for watching Crow! 😎👍👍
Hi Alex, great review. Thank you so much for the kettle and the cookie! I will be trying it out next week. I hope that you are well and having fun. The 9th Element Base camp is open and you are always welcome. Cheers!
Ninth Element You’re absolutely welcome Mindy! Titanium is great for boiling water, for everything else, it can be a bit tricky since it develops hot spots.
Thanks for the offer, I’ll keep you posted when I head that direction.
All the best 👍
Have spruce green and love it. Very light and light transmitting. I sleep with a buff over my eyes anyway and all enough to obscure view from outside. They are all great.
Dave Somers agreed, they all have their pros and cons. That’s a great recommendation on the buff. I’m going order one and give it a shot next time I head out 😃👍
Awesome! This video was exactly what I was searching for. I’ll go for the Camo version.
Solaris Waves Great choice! Glad it helped😃👍
@@alexonthemountain8343 It definitely did! I'm not getting the zpacks though. I'm getting a Bonfus Duos. Very similar to the duplex but better ventilation and wind resistance. You might want to check it out 🙂
Solaris Waves That’s the first time I hear about that tent. Thanks for pointing it out to me. It looks very similar to the Duplex and seems to give you even more headroom👍 it’s great that someone is finally offering a product like this in Europe, since Zpacks tents are taxed quite high when imported...
What an interesting video and well done for seizing on something no-one else seems to have considered and using the camera was a great idea. I can definitely see myself upgrading to a DCF tent someday. Best wishes, Chris
Chris J-B Thanks Chris, it’s definitely a more specialized one that’s for sure, lol. Hopefully it can save people some trouble in choosing which DCF to go with.
DCF is great, it definitely has it’s pros and cons compared to silnylon. To save on weight, DCF is outstanding but can get noisy in the wind and also doesn’t hold up to abrasion as well.
Cheers buddy! Thanks for watching 👍
Great to see a backpacking review where someone actually made a comparison scientifically. I just ordered a Duplex in Spruce Green for the same reasons mentioned by yourself (it's a bit darker and more durable). The camo I don't think I'd enjoy waking up to brown light.
Glad it helped and congratulations on your new Duplex! I actually just sold my camo one and got the Spruce Green one as well.
Cheers 👍
Very helpful, thank you. I have a Plexamid in camo and quite fancied the Tarptent Notch
Li, but they only make dyneema tents in olive drab and your video confirms my fears about how see through it is.
Glad it was helpful!
Some food for thought would be to get the solid inner for the Notch Li to help with translucence, but then the downside would be more condensation. Cheers👍
Hey Alex! Super cool video. You are so talented at explaining difficult info in understandable terms. Glad you threw in the Camo Duplex, for comparison. I like that one ! your videos always make me smile. Important to make that dark, robust coffee mid recording!! Lol!! First things first!! Lol 😂 hope all is well with you
Journey With Nichole That’s right, ha ha, there’s no proper living without a little caffeine every now and then!
Thanks Nicole, I really appreciate it. All is well on this end except that it’s extremely hot here in Vegas right now 🥵😃. All the best!
Nice to see a video from you again. Very informative and educational. I've had a spruce green Plexamid but I had issues with the carbon fibre struts and Zpacks kindly let me upgrade to a spruce green duplex for just $50. I had an Aeon Li in the .51 and it was way too transparent. I much prefer the duplex. You should do a tent comparison for all the tents you own with regards to performance. You must have an idea to which is your favourite. Keep the videos coming. Thanks
Magpie Collingwood Thanks Magpie, glad you liked it! It doesn’t surprise me about the Aeon Li being so see tbrough since the the DCF is so similar to Zpacks’ .55. I almost bought it as opposed to the Altaplex but I’m glad I didn’t. That’s a great idea, I’d especially like to do a comparison of the Duplex and HMG Dirigo 2 since they have a lot of similarities. Once I have more nights in the Altaplex, in storms and such I’ll do a true review of it as well.
All the best 😃👍
Thanks for this! I very much needed this information
Glad it helped 👍
Thank you for such relevant info. I have been going backwards and forwards between olive and the blue because of the transparency, however after watching your findings I’m going for the dirt as camo not available, I will just have to deal with the extra weight!! Great video 👍
Glad it helped Ann. The dirt looks like a great color. If you do want a shelter in camo, then Mountain Laurel Designs still carries it, but they only make pyramid tents.
Cheers 👍
My buddy just tripped full force over my main guy line causing a catastrophic tear at the ridge. Now I'm finding the camo pattern has been discontinued ☹️.
Sorry to hear that…
There is a company in the UK called Wild Sky Gear. They still make shelters out of the camouflage Deneena. I would try and reach out to them to see if they can sell you a patch along with some glue and DCF tape. The camo might not be identical, but once it’s on, I don’t think you would notice it much.
All the best
@@alexonthemountain8343 - Thanks for the info, i'll check it out. Unfortunately DCF patches wont fix this, lol. I'll have to sew new pieces into place and seal the seams. I doubt i'll have the time to learn how to do all that. I guess I'll be going with the spruce green and maybe one day I'll find a used camo print Zpacks shelter to keep as a solo stealth camp shelter. I think from now on I'm only going to use high vis everything when camping with friends.
i need to upgrade my tent, not urgently but soon. so i'm still shopping these days. Thought this upload was very helpful Alex, like most of the advantages of these two tents except the see-through part Lol. Thanks for the great review!
Becca where2gonext he he I know, the drawbacks of Dyneema fabric 😬
Glad it helped, cheers 😎👍
Thanks al ot Alex for this very high quality video! I was really struggling choosing between the two fabrics for a triplex, but your video is definitely the best explanation / clarification on that matter :) We went for the triplex dirt, as camo is unfortunately not an option anymore. Got Subbed!
I’m happy the video gave you some clarity on the different fabrics. Congratulations on your new Triplex, it’s a fantastic tent with heaps of room.
Thanks for the sub!
All the best.
Great comparison there buddy, very good video for someone to watch just before purchasing. Hope you're well buddy, ATB Dave 👍
Dave Outdoors Thanks Dave! It’s definitely a “specialized” video so to speak... Hopefully it can help some make a decision in which DCF to go with.
Cheers buddy, can’t wait to see your next adventure😎👍
Awesome comparison. The only additional test I would've liked to see is translucency with full sunlight on the tents. It's insane how transparent and hot they become. Maybe time for a revised video and adding other brands like Durston X-Mid Pro dyneema tent?
Glad it helped! Actually Zpacks, Tarptent and Durston all source their .55 Eastern Europe olive drab cuben fiber from the same manufacturer, so they are all comparable. Extremely see-through in the sunlight!
Cheers 👍
@@alexonthemountain8343 ah nice. Great piece of info. Thanks much for showing this. I believe the dyneema patent runs out next year. Wonder if prices will come down then. Will have to see. Dyneema is not for me though. I ordered a Seek Outside Flight 2 pack in Ultra 400 a few days ago. Had looked at HMG but didn't like the DCF.
@@NikhilShahi lol, sorry I was dictating to my phone and not sure where that Eastern Europe came from. I’m in the same camp. The only way I would get another DCF tent is if it came with a solid inner. It’s simply too see through for my taste.
Thanks you. Spruce green looks like a better buy.
Glad it helped. The spruce or the burnt orange are very similar in terms of translucency.
ATB
Great information to know before buying, thanks! I think I'd go for the Spruce Green for a little more privacy.
Mike Robinson Thanks Mike! Yep, the Spruce green or the camo are great choices for more privacy 😃
Thanks finally the video ive been waiting to see, I'm over here in Australia so I dont wanna order one and then hating it, thinking heavier spruce green or the dirt colour. Orange and White seem a bit off to me. Its only 50g between the light and heavier DCF. Our dollar is finally looking good now 72cent AUD to 1usd.
Tim Dinte Glad it helped! The dirt looks like a great color choice. I kinda wish it was available back when I got my Altaplex, lol... Depending on the light the spruce green varies from looking blue to green which can be cool but less natural so to speak. Good luck on the purchase, you’ll love the tent!
Cheers!
Very helpful. Thank you very much.
Great stuff dude the Altaplex looks a real bomber tent. Love my Camo Duplex. Might think about the pocket trap with doors next year or the hexamid ✌️ Ben.
Wilderness Ways Yup, those are super light! Many thanks Ben!
Hi Alex. The doors are not switched, the tent is. Notice the 2 brand-patches on one side of the tent near the spikes... If you pitch with those 2 patches into the the wind they won't catch the wind. The doors overlap in the same direction, so wind from one side keeps them closed and the wind out, but wind from the other side would pull the door open and the tent becomes a bit like a parachute ;)
Very true Niels and good observation👍
I actually made a video on this subject for the Zpacks Duplex. The logos are sewn on the side of the upwind doors to help in windy conditions. Cheers
@@alexonthemountain8343 Cool and thank you for replying. Looking forward to seeing it :) Cheers
Another great video bud. Why didn't you do these during my camping days? haha
e brothers Thanks man! You should get back into it so we can head out and do a couple of nights on the AT, maybe through the Smokeys 😃👍
this is great! wish dark /grey dcf was in here also, grey dcf 0.8 vs the camo 0.67 that would be cool!
currently looking at a bonfus tent, and i'm undecided between camo or the grey dcf ( the grey is for sure more robust since it's heavier/ thicker so it will also be better in heavy weather) will also be darker then the spruce green, but i don't think it would beat the camo in see trough capability
Glad it helped! I’m not too familiar with the Bonfus tents unfortunately, but they look cracking on their site.
As far as .67 vs .8: Where the thicker dcf is going to help mostly is with snow load. Any dyneema shelter .55 or higher will perform very well in strong winds. My personal favorite is the camo because it’s less see through and darker. That being said, most manufacturers here in the US quit carrying it.
Best of luck on your tent purchase. Feel free to reach out if you have any other questions.
Cheers
@@alexonthemountain8343 yeah just wanted to order, seems they stopped doing camo also, jsut recently :'( big bummer! it helps alot with stealth camping/ wildcamping to bad i'm just to late!
ps; thanks for providing the info!
super interesting! great quality too
Snowonher Thanks buddy!
The spruce green is definitely darker. Enjoyed the comparison
Sawyer In The Middle Glad you liked 😃👍. All the best!
Great video bro. I too have a camo duplex and would get the same camo in my future plex purchase if they still had it. Thinking about going dirt brown in the heavier fabric. Thanks again for this video was just wondering the difference between the two greens.
Glad it was of help! I was disappointed when I heard Zpacks stoped making the camo. I heard it was due to some defect in the fabric where some of the mylar delaminated under certain circumstances.
Anyhow the dirt looks like a good choice👍
Cheers
Interesting video - I could have been real nerdy if also have compared it with the StratoSpire Li 😊
Hans Kirk - Hiking Haha! It would have been cool to have one of those. I think Tarptents’ .51 is very similar to the Zpacks’ .55. Cheers Hans 👍
Great info on Duplex see-throughness Alex! I'm trying to make my mind for an ultralight but yet durable enough backpacking (2person) tent, and duplex is in my short list....however camo is not an option anymore from ZPacks so if I choose to go with Duplex probably will be the sprooce green one for some tiny extra privacy......In any case, I wish I had a similar European (=cheaper) alternative though for a good ultralight and durable 2 person tent...I really like the design of the duplex so ZPacks wins so far, but any alternatives/suggestions would be much appreciated! Great video mate, keep on keeping on :)
Many thanks buddy! I’m glad it helped...
Another option for you could be a Tarptent Stratospire Li, you could choose the option to have a solid inner. The drawbacks are that it will definitely take up a bit more room in your pack, is a bit heavier and a bit more involved to pitch, but on the positive side, it is a true four season tent that can handle almost any weather you throw at it. Having said all that, I just love the minimalism and ease of the Duplex. If you haven’t seen it yet, I would recommend my video on how to pitch it in strong winds to get a better idea of it’s design and versatility.
Cheers bud, let me know if you have any other questions. Always glad to help 👍🍻
@@alexonthemountain8343 many thanks Alex, much appreciated! Yeap, have already checked the Stratospire Li, really impressive & veeery smart design but still, the Duplex wins for its simplicity and packability...in any case, both are top ultralight options (but damn...very expensive for Europeans due to import charges etc, however I can't find any cheeper alternative with such great characteristics, so Duplex will probably be the winner for me also). Thanks again my friend, greetings from Greece
I just ordered the white plex solo from Zpacks
Cheers Carl. Fantastic shelters, enjoy 👍
Is there a difference in the thickness of the CF.
Shame that Zpacks doesn't offer the olive drab + 0.75 combination, the spruce green doesn't blend in as well where I camp but I still prefer the slightly added privacy. Thanks for this.
Glad it helped! Hopefully in the future they’ll come out with better color options.
Happy holidays!
My Duomid is the .75 spruce green. And through out the years its gotten less transparent I think. It might be as it wears it gets more folds and makes it more blurry but don’t quote me on it.
Alright brother see you around
The camping guy Are definitely some great advantages to having the thicker this year. Thanks for watching my friend 🍻
Brilliant video. Subscribed.
Glad you found it helpful!
Thanks for the sub!
Cheers
Curious about nighttime privacy when inside with a headlamp lit.
Super nice channel! Subscribed 🤟🏼
Martin Bundgaard Thanks buddy, you too! I subscribed as well. Cheers 🍻
Thanks for the good comparisons, unfortunately zpacks don’t make shelters in the camo anymore, considering mountainlaureldesigns instead as they still do, although it’s a .68 dyneema instead of a stronger .75 like your zpacks spruce, but blending into the forest is important to me
Right, it’s unfortunate that Zpacks stopped making it. I heard that some people trouble with the mylar layers separating on the camo, but I’ve personally never experienced that so not sure if it was just a bad batch of dyneema perhaps...
Ron over at MLD makes some great tents if you decide to go that route. I might pick up a Solomid Xl myself.
Cheers 👍
This comparison was awesome! I'm definitely going with the spruce green. Wish the camo was still offered. one question... are the door tie backs included or do you have to add them?
Much appreciated! Glad it was helpful Tara. Yes tie backs/toggles are included. The tents you see here are just as they come from Zpacks. Cheers!
My friend, Love your new video! Stay connected! 🇬🇷💙
Relax in Greece Very much appreciated! Cheers 🍻
Cheers for the comparison, neat way to do it. Do you know if there is any difference in the packed size between the 0.55 and the 0.75?
Glad it helped Fredrik!
You would think that there would be a difference in pack size between the two fabrics, but it’s not noticeable. Both pack down about the same…
All the best!
Considering that you’re camping out in the wilderness, what’s the problem if no ones there to look at you.?
Brett M.S. Right, great question. In my case, when I go to the UK for instance, I use the tent wild camping, where it’s not an issue, but I also stay at campgrounds as well where I prefer a less see through tent.
Cheers 👍
@@alexonthemountain8343 oh I understand now, thanks. Brilliant videos, beautiful to watch.
After you video I'm not going to ever buy a zpacks tent. I'm sticking with my Lanshan Pro silnylon. Lol
Senior Hiker 77 😅Lol! Dyneema isn’t for everyone that’s for sure. Silnylon definitely has its advantages; being less see through, quieter and also more resilient to abrasions. Thanks for watching, glad you found it helpful 😃👍
I have the Altaplex in the spruce green since the Camo is no longer an option. Due to the problem of it delaminating.
Great choice and great tent👍
Cheers!
@@alexonthemountain8343, I like it although I’m looking at Getting a triplex for when I decide to let my girlfriend tag along.
@@Wondering_Fireball That’s an awesome tent as well. I was thinking the same for when I take my gf out, or perhaps even a TT Stratospire (they’re a bit more roomy than a Duplex).
So true, I like the fact that between the two. I can go from hiking alone to being with a loved one. On the other hand maybe I should get her her own tent so she’s not disturbing my sleep. LOL
I don't understand how you estimate -0.7EV to be 3% less light? One stop represents 50% less light.
Right, but you have to look at it that there are about 23 stops of light between pitch dark and full sun. So one stop of light, to our eyes, represents about 4.5% less light than the previous stop. Hope that helps!
Cheers
@@alexonthemountain8343 Well that sort of makes sense, you have half the light but your eye just opens up to compensate? But I also came to thinking about dark window film that is applied inside cars. The dark material that is legally applied to the rear side and rear windows is typically 30% transmission and front side windows is 50% transmission. You apply these to a car and it sure is black in there, very hard to see inside.
@@richardsullivan1142 Yes, window tint is a lot different when it comes to how they explain the amount of light that is transmitted. When compared to stops of light for cameras, that would be like going down about 7 1/2 stops
(To reach around 30% in relative terms).
Sadly they have stopped making the camo version now
I know it, it’s very unfortunate. I think now only Mountain Laurel Designs have the camo color available for their shelters.
@@alexonthemountain8343 yeah I went for olive drab in the end but I'm sure I will still love it but it's a scary amount of money but due to hip problems I need to go as light as I can
My olive duplex has just turned up and I really love it and I find the fact I can see through it to some level, provides me with more security as I can see if anyone is near. I don't think it's a bad thing for UK wild camping as you're alway on your own and not meant to do it so more on edge anyway.
@@dalefalgate2716 Glad you got it on time to take advantage of the rest of the Summer in it.
Right, that’s definitely one of the pros of the OD. Also, I always thought it would be a relaxing way to watch the rain from the inside.
Enjoy Dale!
@@alexonthemountain8343 yeah, too be honest it is fairly see through and maybe I would of got the spruce or blue if I was to order again but it does let so much light in, it makes it feel so big a spacious
why don't they ALWAYS sell the camo? I would've got it. I got the blue instead
Roy Martinez Right! Unfortunately they discontinued the camo. Their new colors are white, dirt and orange...
Cheers 🍻
I looking at the earth brown, wonder how it will rate in your tests.
Hi Perry, I’m assuming you’re talking about Zpacks’ new “Dirt” color? What’s a bit strange is that I don’t see it available on Zpacks’ site today, not sure if they temporarily took it down. Anyhow, if I recall it is .75 DCF, which I would imagine be very similar to the Spruce Green as it relates to translucence. Hope this helps! Cheers
Alex on the Mountain , they say if I order it now I would have it by Christmas. Gosimeer gear is also coming out with a dyneema version of the Two. I own and love the Two, so if it’s coming out about the same time I’m going to go with it.
Perry Kerr I just got confirmation from Zpacks that both dirt and burnt orange colors are the thicker .75 DCF. So they will both be a little bit darker than the standard .55, which comes in olive drab or blue. Cheers!
Alex on the Mountain😎
Alex on the Mountain , I know, which is why I am lookin at them and they should be more durable. I hope.
I wonder about the other colors, "Dirt" and "Burnt Orange"
From what I gather, Burnt Orange and Dirt compare to the Spruce Green in terms of translucence since they are the same thickness.
Cheers
You have too much money lol
I wish! Lol, I just have too much credit card debt 😁
I've been saving up for a DCF hammock tarp for the last 6 months lol
actually, if my wife caught me buying a tent like that I would be living in it permanently
@@samsmith8870 🤣🤣