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View Full Version : TT Stratospire 2 VS Zpacks Duplex



Gambit McCrae
10-24-2017, 11:32
I have carried a TT Strato2 since 2010. Have put well over 1500 miles on the strato and over 120 nights in it over the past 7 years. But it is time to either look at a replacement of a new strato or time to give the duplex a chance. Since both tents are of about the exact same design it is a pretty good apples to apples comparison IMO.

Reason for new tent: The inner mesh has started to deteriorate, and the stitching is starting to unravel on the tarp. It has not failed me yet, but I want to head off the issue before it does fail me in the field.

Where my head is at:
Duplex:
1.6 lbs. lighter Big weight savings opportunity which is hard to come by these days in my pack kit.
Something different
Easier to get in and out of then the Strato 2??

Tarptent:
Loyalty to the company
$265 less then Duplex
More durable material?
Already have 7 years experience with product/ Pitching variables
quite versatile (although as I have stated previously in posts, gear versatility is not a HUGE concern for me, but being able to take the mesh inner out has always been intriguing to me however I have never used this without the mesh.

My biggest variable is: Am I going to be just as happy with the duplex as I have been with the Strato2, while reaping the benefits of a 1.6 lb weight savings. Cost of product is low on the list of variables. I use my tent often, so I can justify the expense of either tent.

My safe side is telling me go with a new strato2
My curious, spender side tells me go with the duplex

idc1970
10-24-2017, 12:02
I too have a TT, I also have a Cubin Fibre tarp I use for a hammock set up.

The weight savings are a massive bonus, the only downside is it’s noisier in the rain.

Go on, you know what you really want, none of us are getting any younger and something new is always fun. I’d be getting the Duplex [emoji7]


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cmoulder
10-24-2017, 12:25
The only thing I'd suggest if getting the Duplex (which I recommend! :D) is to use a slightly larger stuff sack, and preferably one made of silnylon, both of which make it much easier to pack up. Especially when new, DCF Cuben resists compression, although — once you get it into the pack and put other stuff on top — the expulsion of air and settling of the crinkly material reduces the volume quite a bit.

Starvin Marvin
10-24-2017, 12:43
Well, if you are already familiar with the Strato 2, then buy the Duplex. Try it, if you don't like it, you can return it or sell it here.

It should sell quickly, people seem to like them.

There are plenty of pros and cons between the two. Make a list your priorities in order of significance, and that should help you decide.

When there are no trees, I use a SMD Cuben Haven and really like it. It is modular though, and thats one of the reasons I like about it.

JPritch
10-27-2017, 15:40
1.6# weight savings...that would seal the deal for me. I love my Duplex and plan to use it for hopefully many years to come.

Venchka
10-27-2017, 16:23
Beware of the Dark Side!
If/when insects are not a problem, leave the SS inner at home. Weight difference diminishes rapidly.
Do you really need the SS 2? My SS 1 is quite spacious with the inner. A circus tent without the inner as I used it in Wyoming recently.
I spent 6 hours in the rain in my SS 1 without ear plugs. I’ll never do that again. If Cuben is louder in the rain that is a total deal breaker.
Apparently Cuben doesn’t like hail either.
Good luck.
Wayne


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Gambit McCrae
11-03-2017, 17:03
Well I have sold some stuff and now have my Duplex money without any out of pocket expense. I think I am going to go with the Spruce Green as I have read about the extra privacy and toughness factor. Going to revisit my ULA pack next, might as well look at the arc blast 55...

Venchka
11-03-2017, 19:32
When you fall under the spell of the Dark Side you fall HARD!
Enjoy!
Wayne


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Rex Clifton
11-03-2017, 20:01
Well I have sold some stuff and now have my Duplex money without any out of pocket expense. I think I am going to go with the Spruce Green as I have read about the extra privacy and toughness factor. Going to revisit my ULA pack next, might as well look at the arc blast 55...

Unless you need right away, wait on buying the Duplex. Last year, Zpacks took 10% off during their Black Friday sale. That’s when I bought mine.


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Gambit McCrae
11-06-2017, 14:13
Unless you need right away, wait on buying the Duplex. Last year, Zpacks took 10% off during their Black Friday sale. That’s when I bought mine.


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Thanks! Will do for sure

saltysack
11-08-2017, 11:02
Thanks! Will do for sure

They advertised a small discount yesterday but it wasn’t much....https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171108/eab8fa501100cbbca0bfa954cce46bb5.jpg


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Gambit McCrae
11-08-2017, 11:27
That 100 buck off will come in handy for me, my order is $1016

JC13
11-09-2017, 14:27
Just something I found interesting last night. Dixie(YouTube) did a review on her Duplex and mentioned that Zpacks stated that the expected life of one of their tents was 2500 trail miles.

Making my wheels churn on whether or not a want to pick up a Triplex in 2019.

Gambit McCrae
11-10-2017, 09:29
WHELP....I purchased my zpacks stuff...After the rebate the total was $911. Got the Arc Blast and Duplex spruce green.

JC13
11-10-2017, 14:41
Congrats! Waiting a bit to order my Arc Blast, the coupon doesn't help... Plan on getting the Triplex in spruce next year.

Gambit McCrae
11-10-2017, 14:46
I am patiently, unexcitingly awaiting. The Tarptent, nor the ULA have let me down. So I am abandoning them 75% for the sheer weight savings, and 25% because my Tarptent is very close to needing replaced due to being worn out. If the gear works the same as the ULA/ Tarptent I will keep it. If I feel I am sacrificing in any way, I will sell/ return the items, continue to use the ULA, and buy another stratospire 2.

Rex Clifton
11-10-2017, 15:43
WHELP....I purchased my zpacks stuff...After the rebate the total was $911. Got the Arc Blast and Duplex spruce green.
I would have gotten the Arc Haul. I have the standard weight Duplex and it is bulky, takes up alot of room in my ULA Circuit. I would imagine the heavier fabric Duplex is even worse.

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khysanth
11-10-2017, 19:13
The biggest difference, other than the weight and price, will be the space. The SS2 is much bigger on the inside, and the vestibules are gargantuan.

Gambit McCrae
11-13-2017, 16:05
The biggest difference, other than the weight and price, will be the space. The SS2 is much bigger on the inside, and the vestibules are gargantuan.

I am excited to do a followup video review once the duplex is in. Both tents setup side by side - with printout of specs for both tents to try and give folks a good side by side comparison.

Maineiac64
11-13-2017, 17:00
I would have gotten the Arc Haul. I have the standard weight Duplex and it is bulky, takes up alot of room in my ULA Circuit. I would imagine the heavier fabric Duplex is even worse.

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Agree on arc haul.

Gambit McCrae
11-17-2017, 14:54
Duplex and arc blast on front porch waiting on me to get home!

JC13
11-17-2017, 14:57
Quick turnaround!

Gambit McCrae
11-17-2017, 16:07
ordered last Friday (10th), not bad at all...

DuneElliot
11-17-2017, 16:57
While they say a Duplex should last "1 thru-hike" or around 150 nights there are people who have used theirs on 3 thru-hikes doing the triple crown...that's over 400 nights...and still going strong.

I love my Duplex for tent camping and also have the Spruce color...I also went with it because of the durability of a slightly heavier fabric, same with why I chose the Arc Haul over the Blast. The Arc frame does take some time to get dialed in right for you but once it is I think you will love it...I much preferred it over the Circuit (which I really didn't care for). I actually use a the sil-nylon sack that came with my EE quilt for my tent...perfect size and much easier to get it in.

DownEaster
11-17-2017, 17:37
While they say a Duplex should last "1 thru-hike" or around 150 nights there are people who have used theirs on 3 thru-hikes doing the triple crown...that's over 400 nights...and still going strong.
Might be there's a correlation with the thickness of the tent material. Dixie's tent had lots of pinholes in it by the time she got 3/4 of the way through the PCT, and she finished the trek with a Nemo Hornet because the Duplex wasn't proof against the Washington weather.

JC13
11-17-2017, 21:47
Might be there's a correlation with the thickness of the tent material. Dixie's tent had lots of pinholes in it by the time she got 3/4 of the way through the PCT, and she finished the trek with a Nemo Hornet because the Duplex wasn't proof against the Washington weather.I'd suspect the fact she used is as a groundsheet to cowboy camp several times personally. Personally, I wouldn't lay on anything but the floor of the tent after dropping $6-700.

saltysack
11-17-2017, 23:57
Might be there's a correlation with the thickness of the tent material. Dixie's tent had lots of pinholes in it by the time she got 3/4 of the way through the PCT, and she finished the trek with a Nemo Hornet because the Duplex wasn't proof against the Washington weather.

Yep...MLD spells it out clearly on their site I’ve seen several videos where the thinner Zpacks cuben tents got holes from hail etc...The reason I opted for the heavier on my duomidhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171118/af3aacc7c849ceb0641f76506f2db623.jpg


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Rex Clifton
11-18-2017, 11:32
Might be there's a correlation with the thickness of the tent material. Dixie's tent had lots of pinholes in it by the time she got 3/4 of the way through the PCT, and she finished the trek with a Nemo Hornet because the Duplex wasn't proof against the Washington weather.Dixie Shmixie! Don't put too much faith in one thru hiker who happens to be a shameless self promoter. The fact is, pinhole leaks are common with cuben fiber, and the fix is easy. Just carry some cuben fiber tape that Zpacks provides with the tent. BTW, unlike nylon, a tape repair on cuben fiber is permanent. Remember, the entire tent is taped together!

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DownEaster
11-18-2017, 13:36
The fact is, pinhole leaks are common with cuben fiber, and the fix is easy.
Some folks (myself included) would rather buy a tent that doesn't commonly develop leaks.

Gambit McCrae
11-18-2017, 15:13
I got my order and first impression is I love it! Packed the blast up and the duplex does fill my mesh up so i may try and work on transferring that down to the bottom horizontal tie downs. The pack fit like a glove with no adjustments. The duplex was a tad smaller than the strato2, but still ample for 1 person, which is all that will ever be in the tent. Very happy (prehike) with my purchases and really looking forward to testing it out dec 9th weekend.

The weight drop in my full kit is very noticeable but i feel like i have sacrificed zero comfortability. Very excited

JC13
11-18-2017, 16:40
I got my order and first impression is I love it! Packed the blast up and the duplex does fill my mesh up so i may try and work on transferring that down to the bottom horizontal tie downs. The pack fit like a glove with no adjustments. The duplex was a tad smaller than the strato2, but still ample for 1 person, which is all that will ever be in the tent. Very happy (prehike) with my purchases and really looking forward to testing it out dec 9th weekend.

The weight drop in my full kit is very noticeable but i feel like i have sacrificed zero comfortability. Very excitedMaking sure I understand how you packed it. Outside front mesh pocket?

Gambit McCrae
11-18-2017, 17:59
Making sure I understand how you packed it. Outside front mesh pocket?

Correct. As the best equivelent to my ULA Circuit/ Tarptent setup, stuff it in front mesh veryically with opening facing down. The duplex is shorter and more square then the long skinny tarptent(along with most rolled up tents.

Rex Clifton
11-18-2017, 19:43
Correct. As the best equivelent to my ULA Circuit/ Tarptent setup, stuff it in front mesh veryically with opening facing down. The duplex is shorter and more square then the long skinny tarptent(along with most rolled up tents.To get my Duplex in the front mesh pocket of my ULA Circuit, I fold it flat and pack in a Zpacks food storage bag. I carry my cuben fiber hammock gear tarp the same way, works really well.

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DuneElliot
11-18-2017, 22:08
Unless I am carrying an Ursack and 7 days of food I find it much easier to pack my Duplex in the top of my pack vs in thr mesh. However, when I have an Ursack and 7 days of food I do as you do and put it in the mesh pocket.

JC13
11-18-2017, 22:55
Interesting! I generally only use the mesh for rain jacket and kilt.

blw2
11-19-2017, 08:27
I am excited to do a followup video review once the duplex is in. Both tents setup side by side - with printout of specs for both tents to try and give folks a good side by side comparison.

I will we find the review?
I'm still trying to decide on a tent to replace my heavy REI halfdome. I still have some variables to figure out but have been leaning to a duplex (or triplex) for a some time. Tilting in some other directions just now, but still very interested in your comparison.

blw2
01-03-2018, 08:31
@gambit mcrae, curious if you've done that video or have anything to share yet comparing those two tents?

I really am liking some of what the stratospire has to offer. Price of course, but I love the idea of the versatility offered with the removable inner, the sidecars, etc....
but the weight savings with that z-packs must be worth a lot.

I keep flipping around stuck in analysis paralysis. For some reason I keep coming back to these same four....
SS1, solplex, duplex, SS2

Gambit McCrae
01-03-2018, 09:20
@gambit mcrae, curious if you've done that video or have anything to share yet comparing those two tents?

I really am liking some of what the stratospire has to offer. Price of course, but I love the idea of the versatility offered with the removable inner, the sidecars, etc....
but the weight savings with that z-packs must be worth a lot.

I keep flipping around stuck in analysis paralysis. For some reason I keep coming back to these same four....
SS1, solplex, duplex, SS2


I think I am going to hold off on a review until I have spent some time in the duplex. If you are wanting to jump on a tent as of right now I would say the following:

Scratch the SS1 and Solplex off the list for starts...My buddy has the SS1 and wishes all the time he had gotten the SS2 like mine, now that I have the duplex he wants that instead lol

I used the SS2 for a couple thousand miles, and never used its versatility once. The side cars are a gimmick in my book and although you can take the mesh out of the SS2, I don't. If I want to tarp I bring my tarp. If I want to tent, I bring my SS2. I would say that if you have the cash to buy a duplex go that route, so many successful thru hikes using one they kind of speak for themselves. I will be doing my review sometime this spring.

JC13
11-16-2018, 11:01
I know this is old and Gambit hasn't reviewed yet. With the TT SS2 Li now being available, I wonder if this would be a contender? Looks like the fly is .51 cuben though and not the .74. ~5oz heavier but DW and fly first setup or no fly for bug protection on those clear nights. Price is slightly higher as well.

Gambit McCrae
11-16-2018, 11:23
I know this is old and Gambit hasn't reviewed yet. With the TT SS2 Li now being available, I wonder if this would be a contender? Looks like the fly is .51 cuben though and not the .74. ~5oz heavier but DW and fly first setup or no fly for bug protection on those clear nights. Price is slightly higher as well.

If the Li was available when I needed to purchase then I would more then likely have the Li. I have found that the duplex is not quite long enough for my height/ sleep system. I am 6'2"ish and use a long wide exped synmat. either my head or foot box is toughing the top of the duplex if I do not use sticks/ umbrella vertically under guy lines as seen below.

I miss my TT. I enjoy the weight savings of the duplex. I would be extremely happy with the duplex if it were 6" longer

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JC13
11-16-2018, 11:27
Good to know!

Venchka
11-16-2018, 11:44
Everyone talks about using the TarpTent inners alone.
In my limited experience, I much prefer the fly alone. Cowboy camping when possible. Leaving the inner in the car. The TT SS 1 fly is in the low 20 ounces as I recall. And huge with the vestibules staked out.
Wayne

DuneElliot
11-16-2018, 12:14
I know this is old and Gambit hasn't reviewed yet. With the TT SS2 Li now being available, I wonder if this would be a contender? Looks like the fly is .51 cuben though and not the .74. ~5oz heavier but DW and fly first setup or no fly for bug protection on those clear nights. Price is slightly higher as well.
I've only had mine up once but I really like it so far...love the true double wall of the SS Li. I sold my Duplex to buy the Li as I had been dreaming of a true double wall DCF tent for years.

If the Li was available when I needed to purchase then I would more then likely have the Li. I have found that the duplex is not quite long enough for my height/ sleep system. I am 6'2"ish and use a long wide exped synmat. either my head or foot box is toughing the top of the duplex if I do not use sticks/ umbrella vertically under guy lines as seen below.

I miss my TT. I enjoy the weight savings of the duplex. I would be extremely happy with the duplex if it were 6" longer


The SS Li is 4" shorter than the Duplex which is fine for people like me who don't need the extra length but obviously might be an issue for taller people. So I'm guessing you would have still ended up with the Duplex

Gambit McCrae
11-16-2018, 12:20
I've only had mine up once but I really like it so far...love the true double wall of the SS Li. I sold my Duplex to buy the Li as I had been dreaming of a true double wall DCF tent for years.

The SS Li is 4" shorter than the Duplex which is fine for people like me who don't need the extra length but obviously might be an issue for taller people. So I'm guessing you would have still ended up with the Duplex

With the end guy lines pitched with vertical poles as I pictured earlier, I think I can live with the duplex. Just wish it was a little longer so that that wasn't a requirement for me. We all know sometimes the tent gets put up quickly to beat the rain and having to do that vertical stick job takes just as long as setting up the actual tent.