Zpacks Duplex Zip: A Zippered Upgrade for Ultralight Comfort
The Zpacks Duplex has long been a favorite among thru-hikers for its ultralight design, spacious interior, and impressive weather resistance. However, its original design lacked zippers on the storm doors, opting for an overlapping closure. The new Zpacks Duplex Zip addresses this zipper deficiency, offering a tent that retains the beloved features of the original but adds waterproof zippers, magnetized door toggles, and peak vents on both storm doors.
Overview
The Duplex Zip retains the essence of the original Duplex but introduces a zipper system for the storm doors, providing a more conventional closure option. With a weight of 20.4 ounces and an MSRP of $699, it adds a mere two ounces and an extra $30 to the price compared to the zipperless version.
Circumstances of Review
The Duplex Zip underwent testing in various conditions, including the New Jersey section of the Appalachian Trail and Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park. The tent faced rain, wind, humidity, and even encounters with caterpillars. The review provides insights into its performance under different circumstances.
Intended Use
The Duplex, in both its original and Zip versions, is tailored for ultralight backpacking, especially popular among thru-hikers aiming to minimize pack weight without compromising comfort. The Zip variant is also highlighted as relatively beginner-friendly, making it accessible to backpackers of varying experience levels.
Original Duplex vs. Duplex Zip
The original Duplex, praised for its solid durability and wet-weather protection, is positioned as purpose-built for thru-hikers and ounce-counting backpackers. The Duplex Zip retains these qualities while addressing the zipper concerns, offering a more conventional closure system.
Weight and Packed Size
The Duplex Zip maintains its ultralight status, with a weight of 20.4 ounces. The packed size is compact, correlating with its weight, making it easy to carry and store. Even with the addition of tent poles, the set-up is neatly stowed away, enhancing its portability.
Weather Protection
Despite its thin fabric and hybrid single-wall construction, the Duplex Zip proves to be remarkably weatherproof. It withstood early winter conditions with moderate winds and below-freezing temperatures, showcasing its ability to handle challenging weather. While it may exhibit minor weaknesses in extreme conditions, it remains a top choice for fast-and-light 3-season backpacking.
Durability
The Dyneema Composite Fabric used in the Duplex Zip demonstrates exceptional strength, with the tent holding up well even in demanding situations. The thin fabric withstands sharp objects, and after numerous outings, the tent and its components show no signs of wear, attesting to its durability.
Ventilation
The Duplex Zip ensures ample ventilation with its mesh construction. The mesh sidewalls and a ribbon of mesh along the tubbed floor contribute to good airflow. While it excels in humid or hot conditions, it may be somewhat drafty in cooler, windy weather. It’s deemed an excellent choice for summer trekking or thru-hikes.
Livability and Interior Space
For an ultralight tent, the Duplex Zip provides a spacious interior, accommodating two winter sleeping pads side-by-side with room to spare. The 28 square feet of floor space, coupled with a generous peak height of 48 inches, creates a comfortable living space. The optional Freestanding Flex Kit further enhances headroom and structural stability.
Storage
The Duplex Zip offers a surprising amount of interior and exterior storage for an ultralight tent. With two doors and vestibules, it eliminates the inconvenience of crawling over each other at night. The vestibules, while not exceptionally large, are adequate for storing backpacks and hiking boots. Interior mesh pockets provide additional storage for smaller items.
Set up and Take Down
The Duplex Zip can be pitched as a freestanding tent with the Flex Kit or supported with trekking poles and stakes. While there may be a learning curve in setting up the tent, practice makes it easier. Securing vestibule doors to the guylines might be a bit tricky initially, but once mastered, the tent becomes straightforward to pitch and take down.
Conclusion
The Zpacks Duplex Zip takes a beloved ultralight tent and addresses the zipper concerns of the original. With enhanced convenience and weather resistance, it proves to be a worthy upgrade for those who value the simplicity of zippers in their tent doors. While the slight increase in weight and cost may be a consideration, the added features make the Duplex Zip a compelling choice for backpackers seeking a balance between ultralight design and user-friendly functionality.
