Zpacks is a small outdoor brand founded in Florida, USA, in 2005. The brand began when its founder, who wanted to trek the Appalachian Trail, was unable to find a backpack durable enough for long distances and extended periods of time, and ended up making one himself in his garage. Many trekkers refer to Zpacks as the "King of Ultralights," thanks to its unbelievable lightness and durability, as well as its consistently user-friendly gear. Zpacks has gained support, especially from long-distance trekkers who are concerned about reducing the weight of their outdoor gear. While not yet well-known in Japan, Zpacks is steadily gaining fans in the shadows of major outdoor companies, making it a truly talented brand known only to those in the know
the Duplex, a two-person tent sold by Zpacks . I'll be reviewing my impressions and experience using this ultra-lightweight tent, which I use regularly.
table of contents
Duplex Tent's main features
The Duplex Tent is a two-person tent specifically designed for ultralight backpacking and thru-hiking. Thanks to its full-body construction using ZPacks' signature Dyneema® Composite Fabric, it's ultralight, compact, and durable. Despite its compact size, the interior is spacious and comfortable, without sacrificing comfort. Other features include two large-opening entrances on each side, allowing two people to enter and exit without having to step over each other. The tent's ventilation is also excellent, making it a highly comfortable model packed with user-friendly features
Recommended points
- Ultra-lightweight at just 550g for a two-person tent
- Compact when stored
- High water repellency and weather resistance
- Spacious space
Points of interest
- Expensive and difficult to obtain (from Japan)
- Short warranty period
- Low privacy
- The flapping noise is annoying in strong winds
- Pegs and poles sold separately
Main specifications and evaluation
| item | Specifications and reviews |
|---|---|
| Number of people sleeping | 1-2 people |
| Minimum weight (official) | 550g |
| Body material | .75 oz/sqyd Dyneema® Composite Fabric (Green) |
| Floor material | 1.0 oz/sqyd DyneemaR Composite Fabric |
| Room size | Width 230 x Depth 153 x Height 122 cm (tent entrance height 91 cm) |
| Storage size | 20.3 cm x 33 cm |
| accessories |
|
| Living Comfort | ★★★★☆ |
| Ease of setup and takedown | ★★★☆☆ |
| weather resistance | ★★★★★ |
| durability | ★★★★☆ |
| weight | ★★★★★ |
| Portability | ★★★★★ |
| Versatility | ★★★☆☆ |
| comprehensive evaluation | ★★★★★ |
Detailed Review
When you purchase a tent, all you receive is the tent itself and a stuff pack (storage bag). There are no flies or other small parts, so it's a minimalist design that eliminates all unnecessary elements. This is the ultra-lightweight design that Zpacks pursues, and one of the brand's greatest features. Because it only comes with the bare essentials, you have the freedom to customize it with additional accessories that can be purchased on the Zpacks official website
When stored, the tent measures just 20.3 cm x 33 cm
The stuff pack is made of Dyneema® Composite Fabric, a special material also used in tents. The opening closes with Velcro, and the tent is rolled up and secured with a buckle. Even when the tent is stored inside the stuff pack, there is still some space left, so you can pack the poles and pegs needed for pitching
There's no need to worry about the tent popping out, and it's completely waterproof
Simple setup: just unfold, secure, and set up the poles
The Duplex Tent is non-freestanding and requires two poles and six pegs to set up. As mentioned above, this tent has no other parts, so the setup process is relatively simple. However, the instructions only provide textual instructions, and are written in English, so beginners who are not familiar with tents may find it a little confusing to set up the Duplex Tent. First, spread the tent out on all four sides. Tie the pegs to the looped drawstrings at the four corners, leaving some slack, and secure it to the ground
Next, insert the pole into the entrance of the tent, where there is a point for the pole, and stand it upright. Tie a peg to the drawstring of the door and secure it to the ground. Repeat on the other side
All that's left to do is adjust the drawstrings on the four corners and door so that the entire tent is taut, and it's ready in no time
When the wind is strong or you want a more sturdy setup, you can secure the side drawstrings to the ground with pegs. The fluorescent yellow drawstrings make them stand out in the dark and in the elements, helping to prevent accidental tripping or bumping into things
To be honest, setting up the Duplex Tent requires a bit more practice than a typical freestanding tent. You'll need to get used to the tricks of how to tug it up properly; if you think the tent is taut, the door won't close, or if you leave it taut enough, the tent may not be tall enough. Once you get used to it, however, it's no problem to set up the tent in about three minutes. The official website also has a video on how to set it up, so we recommend checking that
The poles and pegs are not included in the set when you purchase the tent ( these accessories ). Ultralight hikers, the typical users of this tent, tend to be particular about the poles and pegs they choose and own, so this is a reasonable specification for them. Also, those who use trekking poles for hiking can use them instead of tent poles, which not only reduces the amount of luggage they need to carry, but also the weight of the gear they pack in their backpacks.
Spacious living space with excellent ventilation
There are four doors that act as flies, and each can be opened and closed independently. You can open all the doors to enjoy the view from inside, or you can open each door individually, or you can close all the doors in bad weather or to ensure privacy. It's an excellent system
When not in use, the door can be rolled up and secured using the hooks on the edge of the tent
There are hooks on all the doors
When you open the door, you'll find another mesh door inside. Although the mesh is quite fine, it provides excellent ventilation and prevents pesky gnats and mosquitoes from getting in. In addition to the door, mesh is also installed under the side walls of the tent itself, so it easily overcomes the issue of it becoming too muggy when the door is completely closed
You can enjoy the scenery and feel the breeze without attracting insects
The Duplex Tent's greatest feature is its bathtub floor design. Named for its bathtub-like shape, this design keeps the tent elevated from the ground and prevents water from seeping in from outside. The diagonal tent walls also extend about 12 cm from the bathtub floor, allowing rainwater that hits the tent to flow to the ground and avoid entering the interior.
However, if you place large items at the edge of the tent so that they are against the tent walls, the tent walls may not extend beyond the bathtub floor, allowing rainwater to flow inside instead. When it rains, avoid placing bulky items like backpacks on the edges and make sure the tent walls are set up correctly.
The bathtub floor construction ensures that the inside of the tent stays dry
The interior is spacious, measuring 230cm wide and 153cm deep, which is plenty of room for a two-person tent. The ceiling is 122cm high at its highest point, so even an adult sitting upright won't hit their head on the ceiling. When using the Duplex Tent alone, there's enough space inside to place a backpack
There is enough space even if you lay down an L-size mattress
There is a mesh pocket on each side of the tent. It's not very large, but it's just the right size to store a phone, headlamp, and sunglasses
The mesh pocket is made of the same material as the mesh door
Other than pockets, this tent doesn't have any extras. Instead, you can customize it to your liking with additional accessories sold by ZPacks. As someone who already loves this tent, I a Duplex Tent hook , providing stable light even in the dark at night.
The inside of the tent is brightly lit with both hands free
There is also a small loop at the top of the pole, so if you attach a carabiner or hook to it, you can use it as a mini hanger. It's very convenient for drying out a raincoat that's wet in the rain or hanging up a down jacket
Here's a little trick you can do with the Duplex Tent
The vestibule is spacious enough to store wet items, shoes, and even a large 60L backpack. It's also possible to use the space for cooking with a gas stove, but because the tent material is highly flammable, it's probably best to avoid doing so for safety reasons
There is a large sign on the mesh pocket that says "Fire Warning," so cooking should be avoided
Actual impressions after using it
The Duplex Tent is very spacious inside, and even two people won't feel cramped, which is a plus point. I've used the Duplex Tent during heavy rain or snowfall, when we had to spend almost the entire day inside the tent, and it wasn't claustrophobic at all, and it was comfortable. This is because the tent is tall enough for a full-grown adult to stand up straight, so despite its pyramid-shaped structure, there is plenty of space in all directions
Even if an adult sits down, their head will not hit the ceiling
Another great feature is that there are doors on both sides of the tent. Especially when two people are using the Duplex Tent, you can get in and out without having to step over the other person, and you can also store your backpack and shoes on your side, which helps keep the inside of the tent, which tends to get messy, neat and tidy
The biggest advantage of the Duplex Tent is that it's incredibly lightweight. Despite being a two-person tent, it weighs an astonishing 550g! It's so light you'll forget it's in your backpack. Also, because the tent has no built-in frame and requires minimal accessories, it can be folded up into a compact size of just 20.3 cm x 33 cm. If you pack the tent tightly, it can be folded up even smaller, and it flexibly shrinks even when you stuff it into your backpack
Despite its ultra-lightweight and compact size, durability has not been compromised. The special Dyneema® Composite Fabric is not only highly weather-resistant against strong winds and storms, but is also water-repellent, so you can rest assured that you'll be protected even in bad weather. I've used this tent several times in violent winds and rain, such as typhoons, and I've never had rainwater seep through the tent walls or the tent collapse. Another plus point is that when the weather improves, you can wipe the entire tent with a towel and store it almost dry
Camping in the snow. It works great even in sub-zero temperatures
That said, in my experience, the hooks that close the door have gotten caught on the door, and small holes have been created by sparks from a campfire. The bathtub floor is made of an even thicker special material, so so far there have been no damages from pebbles or twigs, but it's important to be extra careful when setting up the tent and to remove any pebbles or twigs. These holes and tears can be repaired with a special repair patch
Speaking of strong winds, the sound this special material makes when it hits the tent can be quite loud. When I used it at the beach, the sound inside the tent was like a stretched plastic bag vibrating, making it difficult to sleep without earplugs. This is caused by the sound made when the closed doors hit each other. The doors are only secured with a hook near the ground and a hook in the center, so when the wind is strong, the intense noise can disrupt your sleep, which is a negative point
Camping by the sea. Light sleepers might want to use earplugs
Another point of concern is privacy. The tent is made of semi-transparent material, so the silhouettes of people inside the tent can be vaguely seen from the outside. While visibility isn't particularly clear, it's certainly inferior to other tents in terms of privacy. This may be a minor drawback for some people
If you put your hand against the side wall of the tent, it is slightly transparent
When exposed to sunlight, the silhouette is clearly visible
And most importantly, ZPacks products are quite expensive. The Duplex Tent introduced here costs $599 (approximately ¥63,000), and when you add shipping costs, you have to be prepared to spend a lot of money. On the other hand, the warranty period is relatively short at only two years, so the risk of paying a large price in the event of damage cannot be ignored
Summary: Recommended for these people
ZPacks is a brand that is highly praised primarily in the United States, and although it is a small company, it continues to evolve to provide its users with the best outdoor experiences. The Duplex Tent is the perfect mountain tent for long-distance trekkers and long-term backpackers for whom weight is a particular concern, as well as camping enthusiasts with weak legs. Ultra-lightweight and sturdy, its compact size yet spacious living space means it can be used with trekking companions or partners, or by solo trekkers who want more space. It is an all-purpose tent that can be used in any season, weather, or environment
However, the Duplex Tent is quite expensive, so for people who only camp a handful of times a year, it may be more of an investment than necessary. It's also not ideal for beginners who want a fairly complete set of equipment without overthinking it, nor is it particularly suitable for those who are clumsy and don't want to bother with making their own arrangements or making minor repairs. But for those who can meet these requirements, the Duplex Tent is sure to become your everlasting camping partner
Sigrist Arisa
Blog: Hoi, Arisa
Related reading
