Zpacks, a famend identify within the backpacking group identified for his or her modern and light-weight pack and shelter designs, has solidified its place as one of many premier manufacturers in outside gear.
The model’s Duplex tent lineup, beloved by thru-hikers and weekend warriors alike, has now expanded to incorporate three variations: the Duplex Basic, Duplex Zip, and the latest addition, the Duplex Lite (be aware: the DupleXL, a bigger model of the Duplex Basic, has been discontinued).
Somewhat than rehash the numerous effective opinions of Duplex tents accessible on this web site, I’ll as a substitute give attention to the core options of the Lite model and the way it differs from the others.
Briefly, the Duplex Lite is designed with the ultralight backpacker in thoughts, and it makes a number of sacrifices as a way to obtain an industry-leading weight of 14.9 oz.
Although not acceptable for all conditions and circumstances, the Duplex Lite presents a powerful mixture of weight, performance, and utility for a lot of three-season journeys.
Variations Between the Duplex Basic, Duplex Zip, and Duplex Lite

Three Duplex variations. Display screen seize by way of Zpacks.com.
When evaluating the three variations of the Duplex, you’ll discover quite a lot of similarities. All of them share the identical A-frame form, are constructed with Dyneema Composite Cloth (DCF), and make the most of a dual-trekking pole help system (the Duplex Lite does NOT work with Zpacks’ Flex Pole system).
Nonetheless, there are some variations between them, primarily within the weight of the DCF materials used and a few minor function variations. Right here’s a breakdown:
Duplex Basic: This model has a big footprint and options overlapping doorways with toggle closure, sustaining the design that hikers know and love.
Duplex Zip: Related in measurement to the Basic, however with waterproof zippered storm doorways, peak vents, and magnetic door toggles. It weighs 1.7 ozmore than the Basic and comes with a $30 greater price ticket.
Duplex Lite: Whereas sustaining the Basic’s design, the Lite model’s flooring is 5 inches narrower. It makes use of lighter-weight 0.55 ozsqyd DCF for the cover (accessible in some colours with the Basic as effectively) and a 0.75 ozsqyd DCF flooring materials (in comparison with the Basic’s 1 ozsqyd flooring). Moreover, it options 1.3mm guylines as a substitute of the usual 2mm sizing, and the bath flooring rises solely 6.75 inches as a substitute of 8 inches because it does on the opposite fashions. These variations end in a 25 % weight financial savings.
Zpacks Duplex Lite At-a-Look

DCF is a bit crinkly out-of-the-box, however the Duplex Lite pitches rapidly and simply.
MSRP: $669
Weight: 14.9 ounces | 423 grams (stakes required, not included in weight)
Supplies: 0.55 ozsqyd DCF cover, 0.75 ozsqyd DCF flooring, 0.67 ozsqyd Ultralight Nano-Noseeum Insect Netting
Ground Dimensions: 40″ x 90″
Peak Peak: 48″
Ground Space: 25 sq. toes (2.3 sq. meters)
Circumstances of Use
I’ve had the possibility to place this shelter by means of its paces in a wide range of circumstances, from near-freezing temperatures to wind, rain, and even sunshine (welcome to springtime in Maine!). This thorough testing allowed me to guage its efficiency in numerous climate circumstances and decide its reliability and luxury in real-world backpacking conditions.
Zpacks Duplex Lite Options
Ultralight Building: Weighing just below 15 oz, the Duplex Lite is the lightest absolutely enclosed shelter available on the market. Constructed from Dyneema Composite Cloth (DCF), the Duplex Lite is extremely robust and fairly sturdy, regardless of its feather-like weight.
Spacious Inside (for a single occupant): The tent presents ample house for a single occupant (it’s tight for 2, however it will probably work). It has a flooring space of 25 sq. toes (2.3 sq. meters) and a peak top of 48 inches (122 cm).
Two-Door, Two-Vestibule Design: The Duplex Lite options two doorways, permitting for straightforward entry and exit on both facet. Having a lined vestibule on both sides as effectively means numerous cupboard space for gear, holding the inside of the tent clutter-free.
Nice Air flow: The tent options mesh panels on all 4 sides and two peak vents, offering wonderful airflow to reduce condensation.
Simple Setup: The double-pole design and brightly-colored guylines make setup fast and straightforward, even in difficult circumstances. Merely stake the corners, insert poles, and tighten the guylines.
Made within the USA: Zpacks tents are handmade within the USA, guaranteeing high-quality craftsmanship, supplies, and a focus to element.
Zpacks Duplex Lite Execs
Weight: The Duplex Lite is the lightest 2-person, absolutely enclosed shelter at the moment available on the market. Regardless of its lighter supplies, this shelter remains to be a useful, snug, and hassle-free possibility for these trying to shave as many ounces as potential from their backpacking equipment.
Versatile, intuitive design: The Duplex Lite could lack fancy options, however it greater than makes up for it with its useful simplicity.
Take the 4 overlapping storm doorways, for instance. They are often opened or closed independently, providing loads of choices for views, air flow, and climate safety. The door closures make the most of toggles, eliminating the necessity for zippers that would doubtlessly fail or leak over time.
Simple setup: Zpacks’ easy, A-frame design maximizes usability and makes setup a breeze with just a bit follow. Merely lay out the shelter in a rectangle, stake out the corners, insert the help poles, and modify the guylines — that’s it.
Whereas I’ve spent hours watching YouTube movies to determine arrange difficult shelters previously, the Duplex Lite is as intuitive because it will get. Critically, it took me longer to regulate my trekking poles to the suitable top than it did to stake out and arise the shelter.
Zpacks Duplex Lite Cons

Two full-width sleeping pads max out the width of the Duplex Lite.
Excessive Worth: Like all variations of the Duplex, the Lite comes with a hefty price ticket (on this case, $669), though it’s $30 lower than the Basic and $60 lower than the Zip. Whereas Zpacks’ pricing isn’t considerably greater than that of different high-quality producers, it’s nonetheless a substantial funding.
Nonetheless, having not too long ago hung out abroad paying excessive costs for accommodations, I really feel higher about investing in a high-quality shelter that, with care, will final for a lot of hundreds of miles and tons of of nights of use.
Restricted Storage: Not like most tents available on the market, the Duplex Lite doesn’t provide any inside group reminiscent of pockets or a strand of guyline to hold moist socks or clothes. On account of its stripped-down design, there are not any such facilities.
Whereas this isn’t a dealbreaker for me, I do admire having a particular place to maintain my telephone, headlamp, and different nighttime necessities inside attain and off the ground in case of water seepage or condensation.
Delicate and Small(er): Whereas the load of the Duplex Lite is spectacular, it does come at the price of measurement and sturdiness. The lighter-weight DCF used on each the cover and flooring, together with the slimmer guylines, make it extra vulnerable to put on and fewer sturdy in harsh circumstances.
Due to this, it’s important to pick out acceptable use circumstances to maximise its usability and longevity. For example, it’s greatest to keep away from robust winds, extraordinarily rocky or abrasive floor, or prickly terrain.
Options like utilizing a groundsheet and beefier guylines can assist mitigate these points however will add weight. Moreover, with the inside width being 5 inches slimmer than different Duplex fashions, it may be a good squeeze for 2 full-sized sleeping pads.
Whereas the vestibules present some lined storage, there’s minimal additional house throughout the enclosure for packs or gear.
Closing Ideas
The Duplex Lite impresses me with its mixture of minimal weight, spacious inside (for one, as talked about), and dependable, easy design. Setting itself other than the opposite Duplex variations, the Lite presents the lightest complete weight whereas retaining lots of the core options which have made the Duplex lineup so standard amongst thru-hikers and outside fans alike.
Whereas its low weight does come on the expense of some house and sturdiness, making it much less appropriate for all circumstances, the Duplex Lite fills a distinct segment for weight-conscious hikers who primarily camp in three-season circumstances and prioritize simplicity and ease of use over fancy, difficult, weight-adding options.
I totally loved utilizing this shelter and am wanting ahead to deploying it on many upcoming adventures this summer time!
Store the Zpacks Duplex Lite
Comparable Tents
HMG Unbound 2p
MSRP: $699
Weight: 22.5oz
Materials: DCF
Learn our evaluate of the HMG Unbound 2p right here.
Gossamer Gear The Two
MSRP: $320
Weight: 23.5oz
Materials: SIL/PU Nylon Ripstop
Learn our evaluate of the Gossamer Gear The Two right here.
Durston X-Mid Professional 2
MSRP: $679
Weight: 19.6oz
Materials: DCF
The Zpacks Duplex Lite was donated for the aim of evaluate.
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