It was only a few years ago when I even heard the word “Dyneema.”  A buddy of mine and I were visiting while at work and he was telling about how everyone was going to this material with different pieces of gear because it was so durable and stupid light.  I immediately looked it up.  My immediate thought was, “I never knew backpackers were so rich!” as the price difference between ounces and pounds is as incredible as the weight difference.

Little did I know that I, too, would be making the switch as I had never known the weight savings that would come with working a little extra, saving a little extra and then not having to tote a little extra on the trails.  I worked the extra, saved the extra and hit the purchase button on Zpacks website for the Duplex.  I research everything to the extreme degree, looking at all the options and making sure I am getting the most bang for my buck.  In this case, it was a lot of “bucks” so I did a ton of research before hitting that button. At over $600, it hurt a lot to hit the button, but I knew, in the end, my body would be thankful.

Zpacks has been around for a long time.  As one of the industry leaders in the Ultralight backpacking world, they have put together a lineup of tents, backpacks, clothing, and other items that many have come to trust and absolutely love.  The company was founded in 2005 by Joe Valesko, a thru-hiker with over 10,000 miles of experience on the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Continental Divide Trail.  Valesko began designing and producing his own gear in his apartment after he couldn’t find gear that met his needs for his thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail.  After coming up with some gear and figuring a few things out, he tested and refined his gear during the hike.  Since then, Zpacks has grown into one of the largest and most respected ultralight gear companies in the market.

The Duplex

Now, let’s get to it.  The tent.  I can skimp on many things and decide to do without or leave some things at home…but my shelter is not one.  In Arkansas, we have way too many bugs, snakes and spiders for me ever to get a good night’s sleep cowboy camping.  Plus, when we travel (like we did up in Michigan), you never know what you will be dealing with (as with the black flies and mosquitoes in Michigan).  Therefore, a good shelter is a must have for me.  I wanted something dependable, long lasting and super light.

Here is what I found that convinced me that this was the tent for me.  Then I will give my testament as to whether it worked out for me or not.  The following is stated from the Zpacks website (www.zpacks.com) about the Duplex.  The website is very good and gives amazing detail, videos, and descriptions of all their tents.  Their statements will be followed up by mine.

This ultralight tent will allow you to push your limits and hike greater distances; whether losing yourself in the beauty of the Pacific Crest Trail, or weathering an afternoon storm in the Swiss Alps.

I remember when the package arrived in the mail.  I thought they had shipped the wrong thing, maybe putting a puffy jacket in the package instead of a tent.  Growing up in the world of Coleman, I had never experienced anything quite like what I was about to see.  Inside was a tent the size of a football, that weighed about half what a football weighed.  It was unreal.  It was several days of going around, showing it to people, and exclaiming how cool it was that a tent was inside.  Nobody could believe it.  But then again, I was not showing it to seasoned backpackers either.

One of their tricks to convince you this tent is light as a feather is not to include normal things that are used in the tent weight description.  I am sure this is common among ultralight companies and not just a gimmick they alone use to trick you.  It is a lot like not include food and water in your base weight.  I mean, who backpacks without food and water?  Makes no sense to me.  Anyway, one thing to remember, this tent requires two trekking poles to setup.  Otherwise, you will need to purchase a couple of their tent poles in order to set it up.  These are not included in the weight of the tent, so if you add those it will add to the weight of the tent. Also, you will need to buy stakes with this tent as it does not come with stakes (also not included in the total weight of the tent).

The weight difference compared to other heavier tents will allow you to hike longer distances.  As with anything, when you lighten your pack, you make a way for yourself to be able to use less energy and be able to go longer distances.  That is the truth.

Specifically designed for the demands of long-distance backpacking, the award-winning Duplex hits the sweet spot when it comes to size, weight, and features.

One thing about Dyneema, it does not pack down small.  I wish it were able to compress more, but that’s just the fact of the matter, you take what you can get.  This tent packs down to the size of a football and that is a little larger than others, but smaller than others as well.  This tent is so light that many scenic trail thru-hikers, take it (even though it is a two-person and have more room) rather than skimping on a smaller tent.  In bad weather, when you are stuck inside for long periods of time, it is nice to have the extra room or have a space for one of your buddies that is in full regret mode for thinking cowboy camping is cool.

Even though it is super light, it does not skimp on features.  It has what you need and no more or less.  The bathtub floor adjusts easily.  Many different tie-down locations are available and usable.  You are able to get air in or draw the tent all the way down on the ground in order to stay warmer.  The mesh inside will protect you from bugs and that is about all you need.  You’re not moving in.  You just need it for a little while to rest and then back on the trail.

Plus, as far as features go, it has something that not many (if any) other trekking pole tents have, a kit to make it free standing.  Yes, it is extra and not including in the original tent or price, but you can ultimately have 2 tents in one with an extra $100 thrown in.  My wife and I ordered this kit.  It is light and easy to setup.  We love it.

The Duplex is lightweight, roomy, well-ventilated, packs down small, pitches easily, and can be set up in the tightest of spaces. You won’t find a lighter functional two-person tent anywhere on the market. Voted the most popular ultralight tent by Appalachian Trail thru-hikers two years in a row.

I was pretty shocked at how roomy this tent was when my wife and I first set it up in the back yard.  We both were able to fit our mattresses inside, plus clothing and other gear.  The vestibules are large enough to fit your packs and shoes without them getting wet with rain.  It pitched very easily and quick and after a couple times and watching a video or two, you will look like an old pro.  It’s not very hard at all.  I do wish the sides had zippers (they do have a zippered model), but as I have stated in one of my other backpack reviews, I am torn with zippers.  Zippers fail and I would definitely be in a horrible spot if I could not get the doors to close.  With that said, I am fine with the little tab closures.

A smaller 53” x 100” (135 x 254 cm) corner to corner footprint allows you to squeeze into those hard-to-find backcountry flat spots, providing a decisive advantage over asymmetrical designs with larger footprints that require much more space to set up.

This works out pretty well for me.  If you get to a spot where there is not much room, you will need less room with this tent than with others.

Symmetrical design allows two adults to lay side by side in either direction, creating a superior sleeping experience for couples when compared to asymmetrical offset pole designs. The symmetrical pole design also avoids the steep wall angles found in asymmetrical tents, creating more practical usable space, allowing two people to sit upright side by side facing out either door while removing shoes or while reaching out to cook or access gear just outside the tent.

This tent would not be the same with just one door.  But with the two doors being on opposite sides, you have options as a single backpacker, or you have so much more available space with two.  Just like the description states, you can both be sitting up, with feet outside the tent.  Or one can be doing something such as removing or putting on shoes, while the other is cooking or digging in their bag.  It works out really well.  I also like the fact that when my wife and I are laying down, we are together and not offset.  I am not sure I would like being offset as what we have is more like we are home.

The symmetrical design also allows any of the four storm doors to be opened or closed independently, providing best in class views and ventilation. Leave all four open on nice weather nights for a breeze and great views. Close the upwind doors to block cold wind, or close all four for 360° rain protection. The overlapping doors are closed with custom made metal hooks, with a toggle at the center to keep them pinned.

Venting is a pretty big deal.  You want to avoid things being wet in your backpack if at all possible.  Plus, when you are sleeping, you don’t want to feel anything dripping down on your face or gear.  Being able to vent the tent properly will prevent the condensation from your warm body and breath bouncing around inside.  I do love having the four independent storm doors being able to be opened or closed at any time.  You can open everything up or close it all down and even in between.

I love being able to sleep with all the doors open when it is warmer or closing them up in the winter time to stay warmer (or to pretend that mountain lion or bear is not there).  It is amazing how warm the tent stays with the doors closed.  I never would have imagined it could stay warm being able to see through the material on the outside.

The tarp overhangs the bathtub floor by 4-5 inches (12 cm). In calm rain or under wet trees one or two doors can be left open for air flow without water dripping on the floor space. In almost all conditions at least one downwind door can be left open for air.

You cannot emphasize how great the overhang is until you are in a downpour.  The bathtub floor is so nice when water is trying to pool up and the overhang helps move the water away from the tent.  You are able to adjust the height of the outside of the tent to control air with the bathtub and still keep the overhang when you can keep everything nice and dry.

Interior

Each screen door has a rainbow zipper which allows easy entry regardless of which storm doors are closed, and they give you access to every vestibule area. Each screen door conveniently drops inwards rather than hanging in your way. No need to roll it up or secure it.

The interior on this is so nice.  Yes, I know that some prefer a tarp and think that the interior is just a waste and added weight.  Yet, as I stated before, I am willing to sacrifice a very minimal weight addition in order to keep the biting flies and mosquitoes out.  When those are flying around my face, there is no rest to be had.

The screen doors come loose at the top so they fall inside the tent when opened.  I do like this so that you don’t have to tie them up to get them out of the way.  The only thing I do not like about this feature is that you have to been careful when sitting inside, with your feet outside that you do not damage the door when sitting on it.

This tent has a solid, sewn in 8 inch (20 cm) tall bathtub floor. The bathtub floor is a rectangle 45 inches wide by 7.5 feet long (114cm x 2.3m). Plenty of space for two average people to stretch out plus space for gear at the ends of the floor.

As I stated before, I was shocked at how roomy this tent was.  With both my wife and I inside the tent, we have plenty of room to stretch out, sit up, clean ourselves, store our gear and do everything we need to do to be comfortable.

Mesh pockets are conveniently located near each screen door so that they can be accessed from inside or outside the tent. They are a good place to store your cell phone, glasses, headlamp, the tent stuff sack, and spare seam tape (included). The pocket is about 8″ x 6″ (20 cm x 15 cm).

The pockets are very handy and we use them every time we are inside.  I even got the extra GEAR NEST so I could put my glasses up high and not roll over on them in the middle of the night and break them.  One of the places that we can take advantage of space is in the ceiling area.

Pro’s

• Extremely lightweight.
• Symmetrical Design is best for couples to snuggle and be like they are home in their love nest.
• Roomy interior
• 2 people being able to sit up at the same time.
• Interior is uber light and keeps insects and critters out.
• Has a kit to make it free standing.
• Does not require a ground sheet and is waterproof.
• Interior storage options are nice.

Con’s

• Price – Not because it is more expensive than any other brand out there. Actually, it may be a little cheaper in comparison.  Just Dyneema (DCF) makes it uber expensive compared to regular tents.
• This tent does require 2 trekking poles. If something happens to one of your poles, then you will be hunting a stick to set it up with.  If you do like me and forget your trekking poles, you will be hitching to an outdoor store to buy another set (also like me).  If you do not use trekking poles, you will need to purchase a set of their straight tent poles that will add around 6 oz to your weight.
• The Dyneema tent material is very thin. It lets a ton of light in.  If you are a light sleeper or sensitive to light, you may want to pack a mask to keep out light.
• Screen is very thin and sensitive to campfire ashes or anything that will cut or tear. I have had to place band aids over a couple tear holes in order to keep insects out on a trip.

 

Concluding Remarks

We have had this tent for a couple of years now and have slept in multiple nights and carried it on multiple overnight trips.  This is not something we just took out of the package, set up in the back yard and did the review.  We have spent warm nights, cold nights, rainy nights, windy and calm nights and everything in between.  In every instance it has performed like it said it would.  It is easy to set up and take down.  It airs out and cleans up easily and is lighter than all of the other single person tents I have.  It is made well (in the USA) and I see it lasting us a long time.  I hope to carry this tent to every state in the US and pack it for some upcoming trips overseas.  It is one of my favorite pieces of gear.  Zpacks does a great job and makes amazing gear.  I have been very pleased and would definitely buy it again.