Review: ZPacks Duplex Tent - Amazing 550g for 2 people! A masterpiece of an ultralight tent that is ultra-light, compact, and robust - Outdoor Gearzine "Outdoor Gearzine" (2024)

Zpacks is a small outdoor brand founded in Florida, USA in 2005. The brand started when the founder wanted to trek the Appalachian Trail, but was unable to find a backpack that could last for long distances and long periods of time, so he ended up making his own in his garage. ZPacks, known by many trekkers as the "king of ultralights," is not only amazingly light and durable, but also has developed gear that is easy to use, and is used for long-distance gear that aims to reduce the weight of outdoor gear. It is gaining support mainly from trekkers. Although it is not yet very well known in Japan, Zpacks is steadily gaining fans in the shadow of a major outdoor company, and is truly a talented brand that only those in the know know.

This time we will be introducing Duplex, a two-person tent . I will be reviewing the usability and impressions of this ultra-lightweight tent that I regularly use.

General characteristics of Duplex Tent

The Duplex Tent is a two-person tent specifically designed for ultralight backpacking and thru-hiking. Thanks to the full use of Dyneema® Composite Fabric, a special material that is synonymous with ZPacks, it is ultra-light, compact, and durable at the same time. Despite its compact size when stored, the inside of the tent is spacious and features a structure that does not sacrifice comfort. Additionally, there are two wide-opening entrances on each side, allowing two people to enter and exit without having to step over each other, and it also has high ventilation, making it comfortable and fully designed with user-friendliness in mind. It is a high quality model.

Recommended points

• Ultra lightweight at 550g despite being a two-person tent
• Compactness when stored
• High water repellency and weather resistance
• spacious space

Points that caught my attention

• Expensive and difficult to obtain (from Japan)
• Short warranty period
• low privacy
• I am concerned about the flapping noise during strong winds.
• Pegs and poles sold separately

Main specifications and evaluation

Detailed review

When you purchase a tent, all you receive is the tent itself and the stuff pack (storage bag). There are no flies or other small parts, so all unnecessary parts have been eliminated and the product has a minimalistic design. This is the ultra-light weight that Zpacks has pursued, and is one of the brand's greatest features. Since it is equipped with only the minimum necessary equipment, you have the freedom to customize it with additional accessories that can be purchased on the Zpacks official website.

The stuff pack uses Dyneema® Composite Fabric, a special material that is also used for tents. The opening is closed with Velcro, rolled up and secured with a buckle. Even if you store the tent inside the stuff pack, there is still some space left, so you can also pack the poles and pegs you need when setting up the tent.

Simple setup, just unfold and secure, then set up the poles

The Duplex Tent is non-freestanding and requires 2 poles and 6 pegs to set up. As mentioned above, this tent does not have any other parts, so the setup process is relatively simple. However, the instructions only contain written instructions on how to set up the tent, and are written in English, so beginners who are not used to using tents may find it a little confusing to set up the Duplex Tent. First, spread out the tent in all directions. Attach the pegs loosely to the looped drawstrings at the four corners to secure them to the ground.

Next, there is a vertex on the side that will serve as the entrance to the tent, so insert the pole there and stand it vertically. Attach a peg to the door drawstring and secure it to the ground. Do the same on the other side.

All you have to do is adjust the drawstrings at the four corners and the door so that the entire tent is tensioned, and you'll be done in no time.

If the wind is strong or you want a more sturdy setup, you can also attach the drawstrings on the side walls with pegs to secure them to the ground. The drawstring is fluorescent yellow, so it stands out in nature or in the dark at night, and is designed to prevent you from tripping or bumping into it.

To be honest, setting up a Duplex tent requires a little more practice than a typical freestanding tent. If you think the entire tent is tensioned, you may find that the door won't close, or if there is some slack in the tension, the tent may not be high enough, so you need to get used to the tricks to fine-tune the tension to get the tent just right. However, once you get used to it, you can easily set up a tent in about 3 minutes. There is also a video on the official website showing how to set it up, so we it as a reference.

Please note that poles and pegs are not included as a set when purchasing a tent ( you can purchase these accessories Many ultralight hikers, who are the typical users of this tent, often choose and own their own pegs and poles, so this is a reasonable specification for them. In addition, those who use trekking poles to climb mountains can use them in place of tent poles, which not only reduces the amount of luggage they carry, but also reduces the weight of the gear packed in their backpacks. Masu.

Spacious living space with perfect ventilation

There are a total of four doors that can replace the fly, and each can be opened and closed independently. This is an excellent system that allows you to enjoy the view from inside by opening all the doors, or by opening each door individually, or by closing all the doors in bad weather or when you want to ensure privacy.

When the door is not in use, it can be rolled up and rolled up using the hook at the end of the tent.

When you open the door, there is another mesh door inside. Although the mesh is quite fine, it has excellent breathability and prevents annoying flies and mosquitoes from getting inside. In addition to the door, there is also mesh under the side walls of the tent itself, so the problem of ``it gets hot and humid when the door is completely closed'' has been clearly overcome.

The biggest feature of the Duplex Tent is its indoor bathtub/floor structure.
This structure, named for its bathtub-like shape, maintains its height above the ground and prevents water from seeping in from outside. Additionally, the diagonal tent walls protrude from the bathtub floor by about 12cm, so that rainwater that hits the tent runs off to the ground and does not flow into the room. However, if you place a large item at the end of the room so that it hits the tent wall, the tent wall will not stick out from the bathtub floor, and rainwater may instead flow into the room. In rainy weather, avoid placing bulky items such as backpacks on the edges, and be sure to check that the tent walls are set up correctly.

The interior is spacious, with a width of 230cm x depth of 153cm, which is plenty of space for a two-person tent. The ceiling is also 122cm high at its highest point, so even if an adult sits with their back straight, they won't have to hit their head against the ceiling. When using the Duplex Tent by yourself, there is enough space to put your backpack inside.

There is one mesh pocket on each side of the tent. It's not very big, but it's just the right size to store your cell phone, headlamp, and sunglasses.

Other than the pockets, there are no amenities in this tent. You can customize it to your liking with additional accessories sold by ZPacks. Since I already love this tent, a Duplex Tent hook , so I can have stable light even in the dark at night.

There is also a small loop at the top of the pole, so you can use it as a mini hanger by attaching a carabiner or hook to it. It's quite convenient for drying wet raincoats or hanging down jackets.

The front compartment is also spacious enough to store wet items, shoes, and even a large 60L backpack. It is possible to use the space for cooking with a gas stove, but due to the high flammability of the tent material, it may be best to refrain from doing so for safety reasons.

Impressions after actually using it

The inside of the Duplex Tent is very spacious, so it doesn't feel cramped even when used by two people, which is a plus point. I've used the Duplex Tent during heavy rain or snowfall where I had to spend almost the entire day inside the tent, and I found it comfortable and not claustrophobic. This is because this tent is tall enough for an adult to stretch out, so despite its pyramid-shaped structure, there is plenty of space both vertically, horizontally, and heightwise.

Another nice feature is that there are doors on both sides of the tent. Especially when two people are using the Duplex Tent, you can go in and out without stepping over the other person, and you can also store your backpack and shoes firmly on your side, so you can keep the inside of the tent neat and tidy, which can easily get messy.

The biggest advantage of Duplex Tent is that it is extremely lightweight. Although it is a two-person tent, it weighs an amazing 550g! It's so light that you'll forget it's in your backpack. The tent also has no built-in framework and requires minimal accessories, making it compact at just 20.3 cm x 33 cm. If you can pack the tent tightly, you can make it even smaller, and even if you stuff things into your backpack, it will shrink flexibly.

Although it is extremely lightweight and small in size, it does not compromise on durability. The special material DyneemaR Composite Fabric is not only highly resistant to strong winds and storms, but it is also water-repellent, so you can protect yourself even in bad weather. I have used this tent several times during violent rain and wind such as typhoons, and I have 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 in an almost dry state.

However, in my experience, there have been several times when the hook that closes the door gets stuck in the door, or a small hole is left open by the sparks from a bonfire. The bathtub floor is made of a thicker special material, so there has been no damage from pebbles or twigs so far, but when setting up the tent, be sure to check for pebbles and twigs. is required. are repaired using special repair patches sold on the ZPacks official website

Speaking of strong winds, this special material can make a lot of noise when it hits the wind. When I used it at the beach, the sound of a plastic bag trembling echoed through the tent, making it difficult to sleep without earplugs. This is due to the sound generated when closed doors hit each other. The door is only secured by the hook near the ground and the hook in the center of the door, so the downside is that when the wind is strong, the loud noises can disturb your sleep.

Another point of concern is privacy. Since the material of the tent is translucent, the silhouettes of the people inside the tent can be seen vaguely from the outside. Although you can't see clearly, the privacy is definitely inferior to tents made by other companies. This may be a slight negative point for those who are concerned about it.

Most importantly, ZPacks products are quite expensive. The Duplex Tent we are introducing this time costs $599 (approximately 63,000 yen), and when you add shipping costs, you have to be prepared to spend quite a bit. On the other hand, the warranty period is relatively short at 2 years, and 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 admired mainly in the United States, and although it is a small company, it continues to evolve to provide users with the optimal outdoor experience. The Duplex Tent is the perfect mountain tent for long-distance trekkers, long-term backpackers, and camping enthusiasts who don't have strong legs, especially if weight is an issue. Ultra-light and sturdy, it is compact yet has a spacious living space, so it can be used with a trekking partner or a solo trekker who wants the luxury of space. It will be useful as an almighty tent that can be used in any season, weather, or environment.

However, Duplex Tent is quite expensive, so if you only go camping a few times a year, it may be an unnecessary investment. Also, it is not suitable for beginners who want to have a uniform set without thinking too much about it, nor is it suitable for people who are lazy and don't want to make their own arrangements or make minor repairs. However, for those who can clear these points, there is no doubt that the Duplex Tent will become a permanent camping partner.

Sigrist Arisa

Lives in Zurich, Switzerland. He spent his childhood in areas rich in nature in Canada and America, and after returning to Japan, he grew up in the concrete jungle of Tokyo. In 2017, she moved to Zurich after living together with her long-distance Swiss partner with the intention of getting married. Since then, she has fallen in love with trekking thanks to the influence of her partner who loves mountaineering. Living in a permanently neutral country blessed with mountains and nature, she continues her pursuit of comfortable, long-lasting ultralight gear perfect for trekking, and works as a freelance writer. By the way, she has never seen the Matterhorn with the naked eye.

Blog: Hoi, Arisa