Zpacks - Plex Solo

I loved my Zpacks Plex solo. People seem to be against Zpacks, but mine was perfect and I had zero issues/defects. The best part was that I could pitch in small spots that the Durstons couldnt fit in. I've never had a Durston. People seem to love them. They have a large footprint. There would often be jokes on Farout about a campsite being able to fit 4-6 regular tents or one Durstons xmid 2.

Do you just carry one pole when you use a Plex solo lite? I have a Plex solo (and xmid) but always use 2 trekking poles anyways, so a one pole tent feels sort of like a waste, when I could be utilizing both poles for more room. Thoughts appreciated 🙂

Plex solo. Seriously it’s the best option for what I do. Under a pound. 1 trekking pole. Full coverage.no foot print needed.

I have a Gossamer Gear Whisper, which resembles this in shape and mechanism. It is a palace inside: 102” long, 49” wide at the head end. I was amazed how roomy it is given its light weight. The Zpacks Pivot is significantly smaller according to the published specs. Max width is 42” and length is 1.5 ft shorter at 84”. But it adds a floor and the weight is impressive for a fully enclosed tent of this size. Not sure I’d prefer this to the Plex Solo, which fits my dimensions well and only requires a single pole to pitch.

With experience with a Duplex, Plex Solo and The Two, I'd probably pick The One if bulk was a big factor. It's not as sturdy in high winds as a non-stretchy DCF tent, but I've slept through some heavy gusts in my GG tent. A good pitch goes a long way. The sag is there, and some hikers I met find it bothersome while it's only a minor nuicanse for me. I'd say get the GG, try it out in a wet environment and see if you manage. If not, resell. You won't lose too much money. One inconvenience the Pivot Solo shares with the other Zpacks 1p tents is the low beak attachment. Getting in and out can be pretty inconvenient. But I guess that's where lower weight impacts comfort. The arched zippers in the Zpacks tents is a nuisance under high bug pressure. GG and Durston designs are much better there as theirs have the mesh fall into place even when the zipper is open, so you don't invite an army of mosquitos into your tent each time you get in or out. Think Yosemite right after snow melt. I'm going to take my The Two on the JMT this summer, and I've hiked in the Sierras before so I know what to expect.

Speaking of Zpacks, why aren't you considering the Plex Solo Lite? I have the tarp verion, and except for the no bug protection part, it's ideal for occasional fastpacking in the Sierras (no experience at the lower elevations you mention). And I'd have a Plex Solo, too, if it didn't cost so much and I already owned the tarp. Maybe this year, though.

I'm 5'9" and it's okay. But you mentioned fastpacking, when livability isn't really an issue. I'm not hanging out in it, that's for sure. It's just a place to sleep when not grinding out the miles. As for the DCF, I think it's a lot easier to set up than my huge (by caparison) silpoly SMD Lunar Solo. You don't have to constantly adjust it, and it stays taught. And while the tarp has no floor, I do use a DCF ground sheet from Borah Gear (0.8 oz Dyneema) that's held up pretty well. But I do spend extra time clearing out sharp stuff underneath.

I’ve really liked my plex solo for about 500 miles of mostly Sierra hiking. I’m very rough on everything and I’ve had to patch a few small pinholes but I blame myself, not the design, materials or manufacturing.

I have no issue with my PlexSolo after a couple hundred miles. I find it easy to pitch and plenty roomy for me and my kit. I’m 5’8” -ish

I’m not familiar with Volpi, thanks for sharing. I have a Salomon XA25 but it has a bit of a bounce when running and so I’ve been looking to try something new. Looking at a Joey but have heard mixed reviews about its stability while running. Im worried I’ll get the same results as my XA25. I have a plex solo lite and love it. Can’t speak to the Hmg tent.

Zpacks plex solo is super light, condensation is a problem though I would get the Alta plex

My issue with ZPacks tents is a pretty simple one. I have a Plex Solo. It has survived the CDT and 2/3s of the PCT and it is still truckin' with nothing beyond a small hole in the floor. It just wont die. But if it does, I have my eye on the Pivot. I will admit I am not a fan of the storm doors on the Plex. If they were a tad bigger, it would be perfect.

Maybe I was just unlucky, but I often had splashback issues with my Solo on the CDT. Granted, the weather on that trail was significantly worse than anything I experienced on the PCT.

I would recommend against going down the bivy path unless you are doing something that requires tiny footprints (like when climbing). Additional description of conditions would be helpful. You said east coast. How often do you end up on platforms? Assuming three season, and mostly forest my first recommendations would be something like HMG Mid-1 or the Zpacks Plex Solo which you have noted as too pricy. Based on what you said, I would would suggest looking at the [SMD Deschutes tarp](https://www.sixmoondesigns.com/products/deschutes-backpacking-tarp?variant=40374649487402) with perimeter netting + ground cloth. That will weight around 16 oz and cost less than $200. I have a list of some other options with brief observations about them at [https://verber.com/hexamid/#others](https://verber.com/hexamid/#others)

mine arrived with a pinhole day one :/ but well zpacks offered me a great discount so it's okay and DCF is super easy to patch so not that bad in the end.

I think with any backpacking tent especially in the ultralight realm, if you treat it well, it’ll treat you well. I have a plex solo and a triplex and both are fabulous. And I’ve had no issues. Also, there is no seam sealing or coating that flakes off over time. As to the care of ultralight tents. Site selection is important. Check for widowmakers (branches above that may fall and hurt you or your tent). Make certain the site doesn’t have any sharp bits or pokies. I thoroughly drag a boot or shoe over the site to clear loose sticks or sharp bits from where I’d like to sleep. This helps prevent any punctures. Don’t camp in a ditch or swale. I try to camp in a slightly raised area of ground and avoid potentially being in a watershed. I’m a bit pedantic, but I wipe down my stakes before putting them in their little pouch. When packing my pack, I ensure no sharp objects inside that could rub and that the contents are secure and unable to jostle about. Jostling creates friction and creates wear. After every backpacking trip, I air out my tent immediately for a few days to confirm it is fully dry. I also like to wipe off any dirt with a damp rag. I shake out the interior and make certain everything is clean and dry before putting away. Bits of dirt on your tent will grind at its surface over the many miles, best to do what I can to improve it’s livelihood. Realize if your ultralight tent fails you, there’s a possible chance it isn’t a manufacturer defect, but rather we should be deliberately gentle on some of this exotic ultralight equipment. Not trying to be mean to anyone, but sometimes people abuse all their gear and ultralight definitely doesn’t allow for the same level of resilience as cordura or heavy canvas.

I have a Plex Solo and GG The One. The One is a really good tent. Not cramped, packs small, cheap and light. I found the condensation not bad but it does sag when wet. For me the sagging isn't a big deal - many people make it out to be some major issue that could ruin your trip. The Plex Solo is just nicer because it's lighter and gives you one less think to worry about. But I feel more cramped in the Plex Solo and really don't like getting in and out of it (much more of an annoyance than the sagging from The One).

Tents start at 11.8 oz / 334 g weight for a single wall shelter like the Zpacks Plex Solo. You will not like the price. Sleeping bags like the Sea to Summit Spark I are around 12.8 oz / 363 g. You will also not like the price of that one. Mattresses like the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT are around 13 oz / 368 g. Price... Yeah, the same as above.  So, yes, all that ultralight gear exists, see r/ultralight for example.

Love my Plex Solo. It's the regular version. I swapped out the guy lines for the 1.3mm. Weights 12.5oz. I like having the 1oz floor. It's a great tent if you are under 6'3".

Plex Solo Lite, Altaplex Lite, Pivot Solo, GG The One. The One sags some in rain-not insane amount. Needs a ground sheet as much as the others do. Packs down incredibly small. Lots of room inside for your height. No quality control issues with Zpacks. That was overblown and is a tired line.

The major point of this design to to prevent the footbox from touching dcf material-that is not needed for people under 6' with the Plex Solo, Altaplex.

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.

Z-packs Plex Solo might be more expensive, but worth every cent, being durable, easy to set up, and very kind to the back.

I love my Plex Solo and it feels quite spacious, with room for my pack inside (I’m 5’9”).

The cool thing about Zpacks making tents in-house and as orders come in is that they could create a bunch of different designs, put them out in the wild, and see what sticks - with minimal risk/loss. I like this tent more than the Offset Solo (Trio is awesome as a roomy UL tent) but its overkill for me. If I want a UL shelter, I want one pole and minimal weight (aka Plex Solo Lite).

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.

The thing that is significant on this tent is it includes extra bells and whistles- zipper storm doors, magnet toggles, a pocket, and extra headroom from the rear pole at 13.5 ounces. If you don't care about those features the Plex Solo Lite is hard to beat as a fully enclosed tent at 11.8 ounces.

3 to consider: Bonfus Middus 1P, Locus Gear Khufu w 1/2 or 2/3 inner, or the Aeon Li. I got over the packing issue w the Aron. Super simple set up, great weather resistance. I sold my Plex Solo. Poor wind resistance and absolutely hated all the staking.

I was very disappointed with it as well. I went ahead and sold it after a few trips. I bought a used Plexamid and have never looked back.

I sprung for one. It's my first 1P tent, and honestly that's the thing I'm not sure about - I miss having the extra room of a 2P. I might swap for one of the 2P Durstons at some point. However, for an UL 1P tent, I can't imagine anything better. The reason I went for it is I wanted to try a 1P tent that didn't put any fly material right next to my face - too claustrophobic. If you sleep with your head at the end with the shorter trekking pole, it does just that. The peak is right above your head which provides about 30 inches of head room, and the mesh wall behind the small pole makes it very feel open. I could hunker down in there comfortably if I had to. Not sure I could say the same for something like the Plex Solo (which I know a lot of you love - not dogging it. Just not my thing.) I've taken it out only once so far, about a month ago in Joshua Tree. It was super dry of course, so it wasn't much of a weather test. That said, ventilation is very good. Looking forward to getting it out again soon. Mine comes in right at the advertised 13.5oz without the sack, 14oz with. I cut down a Tyvek ground sheet to the floor shape - 4.5oz. With 8 of the big Zpacks stakes my shelter all in is at 23oz. My only gripe is that the bathtub floor is very 'floaty'. It lacks corner tensioners (which I guess is true of all Zpacks tents? Anyone have any advice on mitigating this?), and so doesn't retain the nice square shape seen in the manufacturer photos. I'm thinking of slapping on some Zpacks adhesive loops to the corners of the floor and some 1/16" elastic shock cord ties. Nothing too tight - I don't want it crazy taut, but it would be nice if the floor had form. The mesh pocket is very small and easy to knock stuff out of, but it did hold my iPhone 15 and a few other thin items. I'm also adding a couple of Zpacks adhesive magnet toggles at the peaks so I can easily hang my magnetic light(s) and use them as loops if I need to. All in all - it's great!