Zpacks is a small outdoor brand that was founded in Florida, USA in 2005. The brand was started when the founder, who was trying to take on trekking on the Appalachian Trail, found a backpack that could last for long distances and long periods, and eventually made it in his home garage. The more trekkers are labelled "The King of Ultra Light," the more ZPacks are developing gears that are not only incredibly light and durable, but also have a good ease of use, and are gaining popularity, especially among long-distance trekkers who are looking to reduce the weight of outdoor gear. Although it is not yet well known in Japan, Zpacks is steadily gaining fans behind the scenes of major outdoor companies, and is truly a talented brand known only to those who know it.
the Duplex tent, a two-person, sold by Zpacks . We will review the experience and impressions of this ultra-lightweight tent, which I use on a regular basis.
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The rough features of the Duplex Tent
The Duplex Tent is a two-person tent specially designed for ultra-light backpacking and through-hiking. Thanks to the full use of the special material DyneemaR Composite Fabric, which is synonymous with ZPacks, it is possible to achieve three points at the same time: ultra-lightweight, compact, and sturdy. Despite its compact size when stored, the tent is spacious and features a design that does not sacrificed comfort. In addition, there are one wide open entrance on the left and right, so even if two people use it, it can enter and exit without straddle the other party, and it is also highly breathable, making it a highly comfortable model with ingenuity that is fully designed to make it easy for users to use.
Recommended points
- Although it is a 2-person tent, it is extremely lightweight at 550g.
- Compact when stored
- High water repellent and weather resistant
- Spacious space
Points that interest me
- It's expensive and difficult to obtain (from Japan)
- Short warranty period
- Low privacy
- I'm concerned about the flapping sound in strong winds
- Pegs and poles are sold separately
Main Specifications and ratings
| item | Specifications and ratings |
|---|---|
| Number of people to sleep | 1-2 people |
| Minimum Weight (Official) | 550g |
| Main body material | .75 oz/sqyd DyneemaR Composite Fabric (for green) |
| Floor material | 1.0 oz/sqyd DyneemaR Composite Fabric |
| Indoor 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 removal | ★★★☆☆ |
| Weather Resistant | ★★★★★ |
| Durability | ★★★★☆ |
| weight | ★★★★★ |
| Portability | ★★★★★ |
| Versatility | ★★★☆☆ |
| comprehensive evaluation | ★★★★★ |
Detailed review
When you purchase a tent, all you will receive is the tent itself and the staff pack (storage bag). There are no fly or other small parts, so all waste is eliminated and it is a minimalist piece that is put together. This is the ultra-lightweight reduction pursued by Zpacks, and is one of the brand's biggest features. Since it is equipped with only the bare minimum of equipment, you have the freedom to customize it with additional accessories that can be purchased on the Zpacks official website.
The tent is compact, only 20.3 cm x 33 cm.
The staff pack uses DyneemaR Composite Fabric, a special material that is also used in tents. The opening is closed with a bell claw, wrapped around and secured with a buckle. Even if you store the tent inside the staff pack, there is still some space left, so you can also pack the poles and pegs you need when setting up.
There's no need to worry about the tent popping out and it's waterproof.
Simple setup by simply spreading it out and fixing it, then erecting the pole.
The Duplex Tent is non-independent 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 describe how to set up the unit in text and in English, so beginners who are not used to using tents may be a little confused about setting up the Duplex Tent. First, spread the tent on all sides. With plenty of room to the ring-shaped drawstrings at the four corners, the pegs are tied together and secured to the ground.
Next, there is a vertex on the side that will set up the pole on the entrance to the tent, so insert the pole there and stand it up vertically. Attach the pegs to the drawstring on the door and secure them to the ground. Do the same for the other side.
All you have to do is adjust the drawstrings on the four corners and doors so that the entire tent is stretched out, and you'll be done in no time.
When it's windy or when you want to set up a more sturdy setup, you can also add a peg to the side wall drawstrings to secure them to the ground. The drawstring color is fluorescent yellow, so it stands out even in the darkness of nature or at night, and has been designed to prevent people from tripping or bumping into them.
But honestly, setting up a Duplex Tent requires a little more practice than a typical so-called freestanding tent. If you think the entire tent has bulging out, the door won't close, or if you have room to fill up, the tent doesn't have enough height, so you'll need to get used to the tips for fine-tuning a tent just right. However, once you get used to it, it's not possible to set up a tent in just 3 minutes. The official website also has a video showing how to set up the site, so we recommend using this
Note that poles and pegs are not included as a set when purchasing the tent ( these accessories can be purchased on the official ZPacks website). Many ultralight hikers, the typical user base of this tent, often choose and own pegs and poles with their own particular preferences, making this a reasonable specification for those. Additionally, people who use trekking poles to climb mountains can use trekking poles as substitutes for tent poles, which reduces the amount of luggage they carry, as well as reduces the weight of gear they pack in their backpacks.
Spacious living space with excellent ventilation
There are four doors that can be used as a substitute for flyers, each one being designed to open and close independently. If you open all the doors, you can enjoy the view from inside the room, and you can open only one of them, making it an excellent system that allows you to close all the doors in bad weather or when you want to ensure privacy.
When the door is not in use, you can turn it round and use the hook at the end of the tent.
Hooks are attached to all doors.
When you open the door, you will see another mesh door inside. Although it has a fairly fine mesh, it is breathable and does not allow annoying flies or mosquitoes to enter. In addition to the doors, there is also mesh under the side walls of the tent itself, so it is proudly able to overcome the challenge of "closing the door completely and getting hot and humid."
You can enjoy the scenery while feeling the wind without attracting insects.
The biggest feature of the Duplex Tent is the bathtub and floor structure inside this room. Named for its bathtub-like shape, this construction maintains its height from the ground and prevents it from flooding from outside. The diagonal tent wall protrudes approximately 12cm from the bathtub floor, making it easier for rainwater to hit the tent to flow to the ground and escape, and preventing it from flowing into the room.
However, if you place large luggage at the edge of the room, which hits the wall of the tent, the wall of the tent may not protrude from the bathtub floor, causing rainwater to flow into the room. In the event of rain, avoid placing bulky items such as backpacks on the edges and make sure the tent wall is set up correctly.
The bathtub floor structure prevents the inside of the tent from getting wet.
The room is spacious, with a width of 230 and depth of 153 cm, making it spacious enough for a two-person tent. The ceiling is also 122cm high, so even if an adult sits straight back, their heads will not be pushed against the ceiling. When using the Duplex Tent alone, there is plenty of room to put your backpack inside.
Even if you place an L size mattress, there will be plenty of space.
There is one mesh pocket on each side of the tent. It's not that big, but it's the perfect size to store your phone, headlamp, and sunglasses.
The mesh pockets are made of the same material as mesh doors.
Apart from pockets, this tent has no facilities. As a result, you can customize it to your liking with the additional accessories sold by ZPacks. As I already use this tent, a Duplex Tent hook , allowing it to light up consistent lights even in the dark at night.
The inside of the tent is brightly lit with both hands open.
There is also a small ring at the top where you set up the pole, so you can use it as a mini hanger by attaching a carabiner or hook. It's quite convenient for drying raincoats wet in the rain and hanging down dung jackets.
Here's a little trick you can do with Duplex Tent.
The vestibule is also spacious, allowing you to place wet items, shoes, and a large 60L-grade backpack. You can also use the space when cooking using a gas stove, but since the tent material is highly flammable, it may be best to refrain from doing so in consideration of safety.
The mesh pocket has a large label saying "Beware of fire", so you should refrain from cooking.
Impressions of actually using it
The inside of the Duplex Tent is very spacious, and the added point is that it doesn't feel cramped when used by two people. I have used Duplex Tents in heavy rain or snow, which I have to spend almost the whole day in my tent, but it is not blockage and I can enjoy it. This is because this tent is tall enough to allow a large adult to straighten their spine, so despite its pyramid-shaped structure, there is plenty of space in both vertical, horizontal and height.
Even if an adult sits, his head will not hit the ceiling.
Another great thing is that there are doors on both sides of the tent. Especially when using the Duplex Tent together, you can enter and exit without straddle the other person, and you can also place your backpack and shoes on your side, allowing you to neatly organize the inside of the tent, which is easily cluttered.
And the biggest advantage of the Duplex Tent is that it is super lightweight. Although it is a tent for two people, it weighs an incredible 550g! It's so light that you'll forget you're packing it in your backpack. It also has no frame built into the tent, and the accessories needed are minimal, making it a compact size of just 20.3 cm x 33 cm. If you can pack your tent properly, you can put it even smaller, and even if you push something into your backpack, it will shrink flexibly.
Although it is extremely lightweight and small in size, it has not compromised on durability. The special material DyneemaR Composite Fabric is not only highly weather resistant to strong winds and storms, but also has a water-repellent finish, so you can protect yourself with peace of mind even in bad weather. I have used this tent several times even in violent rain and winds like typhoons, but I have never experienced rainwater flooding from the tent wall or collapse. Another plus point is that when the weather improves, you can wipe the entire tent with a towel or something similar, allowing you to store it almost dry.
Camping in the snow. It's very useful even at sub-zero temperatures.
However, in my experience, I've had a number of times when the door-closing hooks were caught on the door, or the sparks that blew from the fire made small holes. The bathtub and floors are made of thicker special materials, so there is no damage to pebbles or twigs at the moment, but when setting up a tent, it is essential to take care of them and take a clean look at the pebbles and twigs. are repaired using special repair patches sold on the official ZPacks website
Speaking of strong winds, this special material can be noisy when it hits the wind. When I used it on the beach, the sound of the plastic bags shaking and shaking echoing through the tent, making it difficult to sleep without earplugs. This is due to the sound that occurs when closed doors hit each other. The door is only fixed with a hook near the ground and a hook in the center of the door, so when the wind is strong, the harsh sound can interfere with sleep.
Camping by the beach. If you're in a light sleeper, it might be a good idea to use earplugs.
Another thing that concerns me is privacy. The tent's material is semi-transparent, so from outside you can vaguely see the silhouette of the person inside the tent. It's not so clear, but it's certainly inferior to other tents in terms of privacy. This may be a bit of a negative point for those who are concerned.
If you place your hands on the side wall of the tent, you can see a little through.
When exposed to sunlight, the silhouette is clear.
And above all, ZPacks products are quite expensive. The Duplex Tent we're introducing this time costs $599 (approximately 63,000 yen), and if you add shipping costs, you'll have to be prepared for a significant expense. On the other hand, the warranty period is relatively short at 2 years, and the risk of the damage being made will be large even if the product is damaged.
Summary: Recommended for people like this
ZPacks is a brand that is praised mainly in the United States, and although it is a small company, it continues to evolve so that users can deliver the most optimal outdoor experience. The Duplex Tent is the perfect mountain tent for long distance trekkers, long-term backpackers, or camping enthusiasts whose weight is a challenge. It is ultra-lightweight and sturdy, and yet compact, has a large living space, so it can be used with trekking friends and partners, or can be used by solo trekkers who want to use the space in a luxurious way. It will be a great tent that can be used regardless of the season, weather, or environment.
However, since the Duplex Tent is a rather expensive product, it could be an investment that is more than necessary for those who only camp as many times as they can with one hand a year. It is also not suitable for beginners who want to have the items evenly organized without thinking too much about the difficulties, and it is also not suitable for lazy people who find it troublesome to arrange their own style or repairs. But for those who can clear these points, the Duplex Tent is sure to become an eternal camping partner.
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Blog: Hoi, Arisa