View Full Version : Zpacks duplex question
Does anyone think getting this tent in thicker material is worth the few extra ounces?
SteelCut
02-10-2016, 13:50
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php/111369-For-a-cuben-fiber-tent-what-weight-(0-51-or-0-74)-is-ideal
My personal opinion as a Duplex owner is that I'm happy with the 0.51 ounce CF.
I'm happy with the 0.51 CF on my zPacks Hexamid twin.
backtrack213
02-10-2016, 14:33
I just ordered a duplex with the camo. It's a little thicker then the base model but not as thick as the thickest one. I think it should be fine but depends on how rough you are with your equipment.
Except that I don't see myself in a camp tent. I wish midweight option came in other colors :)
*camo
Also, would the thicker fabric make the tent last longer? Or do you think it would degrade at the same rate as .51
*camo
Also, would the thicker fabric make the tent last longer? Or do you think it would degrade at the same rate as .51
That's an excellent question. I've never asked zPacks. They would probably have an answer.
Don't they mention on the web site that the 0.74 material is slightly less translucent? that might be a consideration for some.
While I have your attention...contemplating a new shelter and the zPacks offerings are on my radar. How does Cuben material compare to nylon in terms of wind and rain sounds? I'm well aware of the sound of even the lightest drops hitting the canopy of my current tent. I'm curious if Cuben material is similar or different?
Thanks for your input.
Wayne
Does anyone think getting this tent in thicker material is worth the few extra ounces?
http://hikelighter.com/2015/02/28/zpacks-duplex-tent-2/
Scroll down to Fabrics to read John Abela's take.
For me, as an ULer and sometimes SULer mainly LD hiker, I still went with the .74 CF Hexamid. I reasoned even though I'm a gram weenie most of the time cost and durability factored into the fabric wt choice with my average 3000+ trail miles a yr.(I use the gear I have ALOT) and variety of on and off trail treks and sometimes more abrasive environments than always on highly maintained trail east coast forested trails. If I wanted to or could afford new $600 UL/SUL shelters every 18 months or so I would have gone to the .51. Translucency could be a consideration of the different choices.
Don't they mention on the web site that the 0.74 material is slightly less translucent? that might be a consideration for some.
While I have your attention...contemplating a new shelter and the zPacks offerings are on my radar. How does Cuben material compare to nylon in terms of wind and rain sounds? I'm well aware of the sound of even the lightest drops hitting the canopy of my current tent. I'm curious if Cuben material is similar or different?
Thanks for your input.
Wayne
Since Dyneema Composite Fabrics(CF) have less or no stretch(sag) compared to silny the same shelter other than the fabric difference the raindrops have a slightly different sound. I tested this on my MLD Solomid XL in .75 CF verse someone else's MLD Solomid XL in Pro silny.
Kerosene
02-10-2016, 18:20
I went with the lightest version of CF and do not regret that choice.
How does Cuben material compare to nylon in terms of wind and rain sounds? I'm well aware of the sound of even the lightest drops hitting the canopy of my current tent. I'm curious if Cuben material is similar or different?
I find rain to be very loud when hitting the canopy ... that being said, I'm usually too tired to care and I do carry ear plugs. I can't really compare it to nylon since it has been a very long time since I used a slynylon tent ... back in the '90s before my long hiatus from backpacking. Then I bought my hexamid in 2013.
Thanks Coffee. Ear plugs are part of my 12 or 19 Essentials. The last time I was in my single wall WPB tent I thought acrons were hitting it. I stuck my head out and it was just a few seconds of drizzle. Cuben can't be any worse.
Wayne
What was really interesting last year on the PCT is hearing the rain stop in the middle of the night. The next thing I knew I was waking up with my tent walls collapsing from snow! A few shakes of the canopy mostly fixed it. Then I had to retighten guy lines.
Studlintsean
02-10-2016, 20:40
Don't they mention on the web site that the 0.74 material is slightly less translucent? that might be a consideration for some.
While I have your attention...contemplating a new shelter and the zPacks offerings are on my radar. How does Cuben material compare to nylon in terms of wind and rain sounds? I'm well aware of the sound of even the lightest drops hitting the canopy of my current tent. I'm curious if Cuben material is similar or different?
Thanks for your input.
Wayne
I have never owners nor slept in a CF tent but I have consciously observed the difference in sound between my tent and my brothers Zpacks tent. The cuben fiber has a "tighter" / high pitch sound. My musician family members can probably describe it better but, Yes it sounds different. Not sure it is much to
wlrry about
squeezebox
02-10-2016, 21:53
Anything about a ground cloth for under Cuban fiber tent.
Vegan Packer
02-10-2016, 22:43
I went with the lighter fabric, but I got a ground cloth. I also got the interior optional liner, which I'll test out this season to see how it does with condensation. It also blocks out the light, but I bring eye blinders with me, so that part doesn't really matter to me.
Kerosene
02-11-2016, 12:19
I did get the lightest CF fabric for my zPacks Hexamid Twin and love it! I also got the bathtub floor, which is made out of seemingly durable 1.0-weight CF. I use the bathtub floor as a groundsheet on shelter floors.
I went with the lighter fabric, but I got a ground cloth. I also got the interior optional liner, which I'll test out this season to see how it does with condensation. It also blocks out the light, but I bring eye blinders with me, so that part doesn't really matter to me.
Can you pls provide the link for the optional liner? I am failing at finding it. Thanks.
Had a 74oz duplex, chose 1oz for its replacement
Vegan Packer
02-13-2016, 00:59
Can you pls provide the link for the optional liner? I am failing at finding it. Thanks.
I think that it is on the payment page (link at the top of the page), and then you enter it into the description, and it is $75 for the Duplex liner. Going by memory, but I am pretty sure that this is right.
.74oz
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d43/cbr6fs/Hiking/Lakes%202015/20150531_202948_zps309twoic.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d43/cbr6fs/Hiking/Lakes%202015/20150531_205214_zps1qrxgccq.jpg
1oz
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d43/cbr6fs/Hiking/20151001_182209_zpsb1kz56gc.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d43/cbr6fs/Hiking/20151001_182242_zpsj9d3bf0u.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d43/cbr6fs/Hiking/20151001_182313_zps4utjekug.jpg
DuneElliot
02-13-2016, 11:55
I just bit the bullet and bought the Duplex with the heavier 0.74 material. I'm not hard on gear by any means but since I am spending so much money on a tent I would prefer to have the slightly heavier-duty one despite the 2oz weight gain...and what is an extra $15 when dropping $600 on a tent?!?!
I like the idea of it being just a little less see-through and the peace of mind it gives me in a places where equipment failure could be disastrous. I'm sure the 0.51oz CF is just fine but the 0.74 was just personal preference for me.
DuneElliot
02-13-2016, 11:57
.74oz
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d43/cbr6fs/Hiking/Lakes%202015/20150531_202948_zps309twoic.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d43/cbr6fs/Hiking/Lakes%202015/20150531_205214_zps1qrxgccq.jpg
1oz
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d43/cbr6fs/Hiking/20151001_182209_zpsb1kz56gc.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d43/cbr6fs/Hiking/20151001_182242_zpsj9d3bf0u.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d43/cbr6fs/Hiking/20151001_182313_zps4utjekug.jpg
Thanks. A better representation of the Spruce 0.74 oz color and look of the heavier CF than on the ZPacks website.
squeezebox
02-13-2016, 13:50
Does anyone in St. Louis have a Duplex that I could look at in real life?
sethd513
02-14-2016, 14:12
I have a camo duplex. my wife and I love it. Very happy with the material. Depending on how long it last will determine getting a second at the .6 or going .74/1 in the future. Anything heavier then the camo print which is supposably the same as the .5 would be very durable in my opinion so far. If 2 or 4 oz is an issue you can probably find it somewhere else to have more peace of mind in your shelter.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I'm looking to order one in .74. I like a really taught pitch and when I'm pulling tight on everything it just gives me extra piece of mind. Plus I don't care for the translucency of the thinner fabric.