Zpacks - Duplex Lite

Mainly because it's expensive I'm guessing

I have a zpacks duplexl, so the taller version from the duplex. My amok 220 cm pad fis in there no problem.

I’ve used a couple of different trekking pole tents (Zpacks Duplex, Durston Xmid 1P) pretty extensively in the park and never had an issue setting up. They definitely save you weight.

Am i stupid, but why dont they just sell their tent and get a zpacks UL 2p tent? Its literally 18oz and with all the stakes its 19oz... Its not like 1oz is even a noticeable difference considering if you wanted to save that much weight you could just have velcro shoes instead of shoelaces..

You could probably sell your tent and get a zpacks tent that weighs nothing, hell the 2p UL one is $700 but weighs the same as your tent if you removed the bathtub and all the stakes.

used a duplex lite - so basically a brand new model for 2024 - over 100 nights this year and had zero problems that were not a result of my own stupidity. i would give a full endorsement of zpacks tents and also their customer service which helped me out with some unrelated things.

Yes, it is very common to use a 2-person tent solo. You need to look at interior dimensions, for example Zpacks Altplex 1-person tent is 40”x90”, which is identical to their Duplex Lite 2-person tent (40x90 interior). The regular Duplex is 45x90”. Their smallest 1-person tent, the Plex Solo, tapers from 38” to 28” wide by 90” long. Your sleeping pad is either 20” or 25” wide. If you plan on bringing any gear into the tent or plan on doing anything in there besides sleeping (reading, relaxing, waiting on the weather) a 2-person tent is worth it.

I hiked the AT with a Z-Packs Duplex, and it was downright palatial. Can’t imagine doing it in a single person tent, no thanks. Have fun out there!

Hi, hiked jmt with a double rainbow. Mine was made in USA before tarptent started manufacturing overseas, so not sure about quality now :( Replaced it with a Zpacks duplex. Loved many things about the tarptent, but also had many issues... 1) Biggest issue I had with the tarptent was that the weatherproofing/seam sealing started to fail. This can't happen with the duplex because the fabric is naturally waterproof 2) Set up is similar but SO MUCH easier & quicker for duplex because it uses trekking poles vs tarptents dedicated tent pole that you have to carry, assemble & shove into a sleeve. I am much less frustrated setting up the duplex vs the tarptent!!! ----- Both tents rely on staking! That being said, if you are new to these kinds of tents they can present condensation issues vs double walled freestanding tents (waking up because water is dripping on your face). Allegedly can be mitigated by campsite selection & leaving doors open etc. Never looked into it much because I don't care Staking is definitely a learning curve and not always possible, might end up having to use rocks to try to secure the tent! Sometimes I didn't have the energy to try to use rocks for every stake, so I just used it like a bivy. These are very loud in the wind if you can't stake well because they depend on staking. My husband hates these kinds of tents, constantly complains about condensation & and will not participate in any complex staking games with me 😂

I also have the xmid pro 2+ and it's my favorite tent so far. Other tents I own/have owned are the Big Agnes Tiger Wall (both the 2p and 3p), Gossamer Gear the Two, and the Zpacks Duplex. I always camp with another person, either a friend or with my partner on a double pad+quilt system. TBD on two people+dog.

I’ve used a Durston X-mid and a Zpacks Duplex. These are two of the pinnacles of backpacking tents. I also use a Naturehike Cloud Up which is the best budget tent I’ve used

Perhaps decide first which type of tent is for you. (1) trekking pole (usually A-frame) (2) (semi?) freestanding; (3) tunnel (usually when camping in more challenging weather). Within each category, materials, weight and price should point to what's right for you (DCF is lighter, more expensive, may not last as long as silpoly). We've used trekking pole tents (Zpacks Duplex) for several years. More recently felt that semi-freestanding was a better idea. (BA Tiger Wall 3P; when I travel solo, Nemo Hornet 2P). If weight is secondary vs strength -- Hilleberg tents (tunnel) have an excellent reputation.

Through the PCT and CDT I’ve had a Big Agnes copper spur, Zpack duplex, Tarptent Notch Li and a Durston Xmid Pro in search of the perfect tent. Xmid pro was my favorite. I recommend the dyneema bathtub on it.

I had to get a "real tent" when i started backpacking with my toddler. I ordered a zpacks duplex and has worked fine i will probably switch to a durston pro 2 soon just to check it out. Coincidentally went on a day hike with her shes now 6yr and we had a discussion about when she will be able to sleep with me under the stars and i said talk to your mother about that.

No. I’ve had 3 zpacks shelters. The duplex after doing the entire pct is still going strong. My favorite solo shelter is the hexamid solo tent. They all are light and awesome. They had some wavy stitches back in the day but not anymore.

I have camped on platforms with a Zpacks Duplex with the semi-freestanding flex poles. The main problem was not anchoring as anybody can figure that out even with a trekking pole tent. No, the main problem was the small area of the platform. An 8 foot tent extends outside the boundary of a 7 ft platform. One might take a look at some platform ideas at https://slowerhiking.com/shelter/how-to-stake-and-guy-your-tent-snow-rock-sand-platforms So I will have to disagree with the comment that a tent has to be completely free-standing to pitch on a platform.

A Zpacks Duplex with the extra 12 oz of Flex-Poles will also work, but be sure to use your trekking poles as well to support the two tent peaks, so you still need to securely use the peak guylines.

669 g is about the same weight as my Zpacks Duplex and my Durston X-Mid Pro 2, so this tent is NOT 100g heavier.

Oh sorry, I meant the duplex variant (as in, a 2P) my partner and I were using in 2024, not the ZPacks product; too much weight for one person by themselves. Thanks, I'll give the Solomid XL a look. That one's huge!

Zpacks are constantly working to improve their product, I wouldn’t worry about the supposed durability issues. It’s a great tent and many many people agree that it’s a nice size for one person and a snug fit for 2. gossamer gear the 2 is nice as well of ur on a tighter budget, just slightly less wind tolerant

If you want a free standing tent and like your MSR Hubba NX, you can’t go wrong with a copper spur. I own an MSR Hubba Hubba, Copper Spur HV UL1, and a Zpacks duplex. The MSR and copper spur are basically the same tent with a few minor differences: - copper spur is marginally lighter - msr has more metal clips so is likely more durable than some of the plastic clips on the copper spur (although I haven’t had any issues) - I prefer the interior pockets on the copper spur vs the msr and like that it’s two perpendicular zips per door instead of one big curved zip which is sometimes harder to open when not pitched perfectly taut.

The Zpacks Duplex is made with Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF) whereas most backpacking tents are Silnylon. DCF is a lot lighter but a LOT more fragile - this is the tradeoff with ultralight in general. You're sacrificing durability and convenience with the payoff of lighter weight. This requires additional care and attention when handling the tent and picking good campsites. This is the difference between someone who used a Duplex for multiple thru-hikes vs. the person who tore a hole on their first overnight trip.

Very happy with my Zpacks Duplex. It’s lighter and cheaper than the Durston tents

I had a z packs duplex and loved it. A bit loud on windy nights though. I happened to have a hiking pole snap actually! I spent about a week in Oregon looking for sticks of the right length before I could find a replacement stick. Kinda funny, and no big deal really

At 172cm the Duplex has served me very well for years now, including PCT thru. No holes or damage.

I’ve been using a Zpacks duplex for years. First couple I only used my hiking poles. Since I acquired the actual carbon fibre free standing poles. Love them. Quick and easy . Can set up anywhere.

Depends on your budget and tolerance for extra weight. I swear by my Zpacks Duplex tent but it’s a lot of $$$.

Most Zpacks tents like the Duplex, Altaplex, and Plex Solo have a 5" overhang around the perimeter. The Pivot actually has a 7" gap around the sides and back, so more than normal. The door can be left open in light rain to help with airflow.

I have the Zpacks two person tent and really like it. That said, on the very last day of a three week hike, I slipped on some loose rock going down a hill, landed on one of my poles and demolished it.