Zpacks Duplex Zip Ultralight Tent Overview [2024]

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This can be a gear assessment of the Zpacks Duplex Tent for 2024.

The Zpacks Duplex Zip Tent is likely one of the greatest ultralight backpacking tents for 2024. This assessment has been up to date to mirror the long-term use and testing of the Zpacks Duplex Zip over an nearly 2-year interval. The addition of zips to the already succesful and common Duplex elevated the attraction of this tent to backpackers and thru-hikers who commonly expertise dangerous climate.

In case you are fascinated by an ultralight 2-person tent that may be very waterproof and well-designed, the Zpacks Duplex Zip might be the tent for you.

Hold studying to seek out out extra.

How We Examined

The Zpacks Duplex Zip used on this assessment has been extensively evaluated and researched by the professional writer who has a few years of expertise in Via-Mountain climbing, Backpacking, and Mountain climbing. The tent was equipped by Zpacks and examined for nearly 2 years in each cool and heat climate together with throughout rain. The analysis, testing, and expertise of the writer have mixed to supply this assessment of the Zpacks Duplex Zip in 2024. Learn the Overview Coverage for additional particulars.

In-Depth Overview: Zpacks Duplex Ultralight Tent 2024

Zpacks Duplex Zip Trekking Pole Tent

Weight: 20.4 oz / 577 grams
Professionals:
> Ultralight
> Waterproof and seam sealed
> Good in dangerous climate
> Small pack measurement
> Good inner dimensions for two folks
Cons:
> Not low-cost

The ZPacks Duplex Tent has been round for just a few years and has cemented itself as probably the greatest ultralight thru-hiking tents. The addition of zips on the vestibule has improved the stormproofing of the tent which supplies it extra attraction for these tenting in dangerous climate.

Like all Zpacks Tents, it’s made with Dyneema (Cuben Fiber) which isn’t solely light-weight however sturdy and has the added benefit of not sagging when it’s moist like nylon tents. The current addition of the zips makes this tent superior in dangerous climate.

After I examined this tent I favored the way in which the underside of the zips are connected to the tent pegs by way of a wire and hooks system. This well-thought-out design will not be seen on too many different tents and lets you maintain the tent pitched solidly when the zips are closed, open, or with just one facet of the vestibule open. It additionally permits the zips to be simply zipped to the underside with out issue. Whereas it’s fiddly to make use of the very first time, it’s a easy characteristic like this that units this tent other than many others within the area.

The Zpacks Duplex Zip tent is it’s a non-freestanding tent and wishes trekking poles or poles from Zpacks that aren’t included in both the burden or price of the tent 2.5 oz (71 grams).

I used to be capable of simply arrange this tent with 6 ultralight tent stakes, however 8 tent stakes will make the tent extra bombproof in windy climate.

The interior dimension of the Duplex is enough for 2 backpackers to sleep comfortably. However your backpack and kit will must be saved within the vestibule space. There are handly inner storage pockets which can be nice to your cellphone, PLB, and headlamp.

The Zip model is simply about $50 dearer and 1.4 oz / 38 grams heavier than the non-zip model, however for my part, it’s a significantly better possibility. The one caveat can be if you happen to had been mountaineering in dry areas more often than not with solely occasional rain. The PCT thru-hike can be instance of when the non-zip model can be higher as there can be just a few days of rain on the path.

Total, the Zpacks Duplex Zip Tent is a well-designed ultralight 2-person tent that’s greatest fitted to ultra-lightweight Via Hikers or backpackers wanting the perfect and lightest tent available on the market. The zips on the vestibule provide superior waterproof ranges from this already bombproof tent.

Materials

The Zpacks Duplex is made with Dyneema, formally often called Cuban Fiber. This tent additionally makes use of a light-weight bug mesh and comes with high quality waterproof zippers. And when not in use it matches into a pleasant sized Dyneema Stuff Sack. Every part about this tent is about being as light-weight as doable.

The principle materials is .55 oz / sq. yard Dyneema which is similar specs as all of the Zpacks Tents. The material may be very skinny and nearly see-through. It’s fully waterproof with a hydrostatic head rated at 15000 mm. That implies that regardless of how heavy the rain, you’ll keep dry.

The ground materials is the marginally heavier weight 1 oz / sq. yard Dyneema. The heavier-weight materials is a little bit thicker and well-suited to the ground. Rated at 20000 mm hydrostatic head it’s so waterproof that the burden of you and your gear within the tent won’t enable any water to penetrate by means of the fabric. Most ultralight tents made with different supplies can not make this declare.

Usually, something above 10000 mm hydrostatic head won’t enable water to penetrate by means of the fabric even when your complete weight is on it. In different phrases, this tent ground will maintain you dry, even if you’re camped in a puddle of water. However please strive not to do that.

Footprint

Zpacks declare you do not want a footprint with this tent, Whereas that’s true, many will need an additional layer of safety when tenting on rocky floor or locations just like the desert with numerous sharp vegetation.

The Zpacks Duplex Zip doesn’t include a footprint and until you’re constantly tenting on rocky or spikey floor, it’s not wanted. The ground of the tent is made with sturdy, waterproof, and seam-sealed Dyneema. When utilizing an ultralight tent like this most individuals can be higher served by utilizing some type of footprint to guard the ground of the tent.

Most hikers and backpackers use the constructing materials Tyvek. It is likely one of the higher choices and is well-known and well-used throughout the backpacking group. Except utilizing this tent in areas with floor floor then higher to make use of a footprint resembling this.

Weight

The Zpacks Duplex Zip is actually a really light-weight tent. It is available in at 20.4 oz / 577 grams is spectacular. The Zip model of this tent is 1.9 oz / 52 grams heavier than the best-in-class Duplex that comes with out zips. These weights don’t embrace the burden of tent pegs and trekking poles.

Packed Dimension

The Zpacks Duplex pack all the way down to a powerful measurement of 5.6L. It matches properly right into a Dyneema stuff sack. What I actually like in regards to the stuff sack is the scale, it’s beneficiant sufficient that you just don’t really feel you want a number of makes an attempt to roll the tent or fold it into some excellent form to make it match. It would match into the stuff sack simply regardless of the way you stuff it in.

Having a stuff sack with a beneficiant quantity of room inside makes it so easy to pack the tent.

Inside Dimension

For a 2-person tent, the Zpacks Duplex Zip is large enough for 2 folks to suit inside, nevertheless, there’s little room for anything aside from your sleeping pads and sleeping baggage. The dual vestibules are large enough for gear storage outdoors the interior tent.

Whereas there’s sufficient room for 2 folks, this makes a really spacious one-person tent for these wanting additional room.

I believe that most individuals wanting to purchase this tent can be solo hikers who desire a bit extra room than the common 1-person tent. And for that, this tent is the proper ultralight tent.

I’ve met many solo hikers over time who love to make use of a two-person tent due to the additional area (myself included). It will even be nice for individuals who go solo backpacking and mountaineering with the canine or for {couples} who don’t thoughts a little bit of a good match to maintain their weight down as little as doable. If you need extra room, go for the Zpacks Triplex which comes with zips or with out.

Sturdiness

The Zpacks Duplex Zip is primarily designed for use by ultralight backpackers and bikepackers who need to shave as a lot weight as doable with out sacrificing security. And for that, this tent excels.

Zpacks states that they’re designed for use for one thru-hike however I do know many who’ve used the identical Zpacks tent for 3 thru-hikes. So the query is, how laborious are you in your gear?

The character of the tent permits it for use for round 200-500 nights earlier than it should begin to present indicators of being worn out. For many tents, both ultralight or not, I are inclined to get round 500-1000 night time use earlier than they’ve too many holes, damaged zips, delamination of the seams, and have in any other case seen their greatest days. I believe 300-400 nights can be thought of truthful use for this tent.

Climate Safety

The Dyneema material of the Zpacks Duplex is waterproof and windproof. Due to the seam sealing the fabric won’t leak and are very waterproof. One other benefit of Dyneema is the truth that it won’t sag when moist. This can be a frequent characteristic of most tents however not this one. When you set it up, it stays arrange.

As there’s a first rate quantity of air flow there can typically be a difficulty that water can splash into the tent from the mesh close to the perimeters of the tent. This happens with many tents and can often solely occur in very heavy rain when puddles happen. This may be prevented by tenting on grassed areas, pine needles, or one thing else that can restrict the quantity of floor splash.

Air flow – inside condensation

As it’s a single-layer building the problem of condensation can turn out to be a difficulty. To fight that, there’s a good of air flow on this tent. When it’s chilly and windy, the air flow will guarantee a not-so-pleasant quantity of chilly wind will enter the tent. In hotter climate, this air flow is way appreciated.

Vestibule

There are two vestibules on this tent. Each aren’t outsized however large enough to go away your backpack and footwear outdoors the tent at night time. There’s a full-length waterproof zip to shut the vestibule with well-designed hooks on the backside that make sure the zips could be totally closed with out including additional stress to the zips.

When it’s windy and wet the zips stop all of the water from getting into the tent.

Setup and Ease of Use

For anybody who has arrange a trekking pole tent, it’s a easy course of that may be very fast. For individuals who are organising a trekking pole tent for the primary time, it’s higher to do that at house earlier than heading out on the path. Whereas easy, it’s higher below a managed atmosphere than on the facet of a mountain, in sturdy wind and heavy rain.

Peg out the 4 corners of the tent, then add the trekking poles (adjusted to a top of 120cm) to both facet of the tent at their designated space. Raise the poles and the tent is ready. Set the facet anchors for added safety within the wind and alter the facet flaps to go well with. Simple.

There’s a fairly cool hook system that locks the decrease finish of the zips in place which reduces strain and stress on the zips. This characteristic will certainly enhance the lifetime of the zips.

Tent Stakes

The Zpacks Duplex doesn’t come customary with tent pegs. You have to use your individual or organize them individually. Zpacks shares among the greatest ultralight tent pegs available on the market. You will want no less than 6 tent stakes however 8 stakes can be a greater possibility, particularly when it’s windy. Zpacks Tent Stakes can be found and the a number of decisions are all light-weight and top quality.

Trekking Poles

As this can be a trekking pole tent you will want 2 trekking poles to arrange this tent. The perfect top for the trekking poles needs to be round 48 inches / 122 cm. So guarantee that you’ve got poles that may be set to that top. Some fixed-length ultralight poles resembling these utilized by extremely path runners could not work however nearly all adjustable backpacking trekking poles will work completely with this tent. The ultralight Zpacks Trekking Poles will work nicely with this tent. Or you should use the Zpacks Tent poles if you happen to don’t like to make use of trekking poles.

Worth and Worth

Let me make a few issues clear with regards to the value of this tent. It’s not low-cost. However lately, the value of all high-quality tents has elevated considerably. Whereas the value can be out of lots of people’s finances, for anybody wanting one of many lightest 2-person tents on the earth that is nonetheless the best choice on the market. A lot so, that that is the present tent I take advantage of on my journeys for the time being and it’s the present Editors Selection because the greatest ultralight 2-person tent narrowly beating the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 2P Tent.

Zpacks Duplex vs The Duplex Common

The Zpacks Duplex Zip is the perfect at school for the time being for ultralight backpacking tents for two folks. The traditional Duplex is lighter and for hikers that spend their time in locations with little rain, it’s positively a greater possibility. In actual fact, the non-zip model is healthier to your Pacific Crest Path Gear Record than the zip model for my part.

There may be little on the market to compete with regards to measurement and weight. For these wanting a light-weight 2-person tent with a bit of additional room so that you don’t really feel you’re claustrophobic inside then there are a few different choices. Take a look at the hyperlink under to take a look at all the perfect tents available on the market in 2024.

Conclusion

The Zpacks Duplex Zip is likely one of the greatest 2-person ultralight tents for 2024. However it’s best suited as an ultralight 2-person tent for individuals who desire a good stormproof possibility. For these backpacking in usually good climate, the non-zip model is healthier and might prevent a little bit little bit of weight. Solo hikers will get pleasure from a bit of additional room and received’t really feel cramped contained in the tent. {Couples} will nonetheless have sufficient room contained in the tent too.

Total, that is the greatest ultralight 2-person tent in 2024.

Ceaselessly Requested Questions

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