In the world of ultra light shelters, the Zpacks Duplex reigns supreme. I can say this with some authority, having carried it for the length of my PCT yo-yo, that’s over 5300 miles! I pitched it well over 200 times in every condition; snow, rain, hail and wind, and in each situation it kept me warm, dry and bug free.
Design:
The Duplex is a tarp tent styled shelter composed of high strength lightweight Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF). It combines an A-frame single walled freestanding external design with a high walled bathtub floor and fully enclosed mesh sidewalls, keeping the interior rain and bug free. There are two rainbow zippered doors, one on either side of the mesh sidewalls, and four storm doors that keep the wet out.
Durability:
Don’t let the perceived fragility of DCF fool you, it’s just as durable as it is lightweight. Zpacks gives an expected life of 2500 miles, or one thru hike. I’ve more than doubled this mileage on my Duplex, and it’s still going strong.
Livability:
Other than sheltering me from the elements, my favorite feature of the Duplex is it’s massive interior. After a long day on trail, I’d look forward to crawling inside with all my gear and still having space to stretch out. I never had any issues with water getting inside, even in the most heinous of downpours.
Setup:
If you’re nervous about learning to pitch a freestanding, don’t be! After a bit of practice, pitching the Duplex becomes second nature and only takes minutes. Pitching the shelter requires 8 stakes, and a pair of trekking poles. If you’re like me and don’t use trekking poles, Zpacks sells carbon fiber poles that do the job. They only weigh 2.5 ounces, and fold up small enough to be rolled up with the tent.
What I Liked:
- Ample room inside for me and my gear.
- No footprint needed.
- Quick to pitch and tear down.
- High walled bathtub floor to keep the wet out.
- Two doors, each with a vestibule and a view.
- Pitched using trekking poles.
- Rolls up incredibly compact.
- Ultra lightweight, while maintaining durability.
- Dries out quick.
What I Didn’t Like:
- Zippers on mesh doors failed after about 4000 miles of use. I can’t complain too much, as Zpacks repaired this free of charge after my hike.
- Due to it’s larger footprint and freestanding design, you have to be a bit more picky when choosing a spot to pitch for the night.
- Collapsed on me a few times in extremely high winds, but this was most likely a result of a bad pitch.
- Condensation was an issue at times.
Specs:
- Weight: 21 ounces
- Height: 48 inches
- Floor Width: 45 inches
- Floor Length: 7.5 feet
- Vestibules: 2
- Doors: 2
- Material: Dyneema Composite Fabric
Conclusion:
The Duplex is incredibly spacious, easy to pitch, freakishly durable and light as a feather. Unfortunately, all of these factors add up to a hefty price tag. At $600, there are certainly cheaper options for an ultra light shelter, but think of it as an investment in your future trail comfort. If you can foot the bill, it’ll lighten your load when busting out those 40 mile days in the flats of Oregon, and keep you dry and sane during the worst whiteouts the Sierra can throw at you.
Cheers!