Zpacks continues to innovate with new, lighter variations of their Plex tents. This yr, they’ve managed to shave a number of ounces off of their already sub-one-pound shelters. The Plex Solo Lite has been introduced all the way down to 11.8 ounces, and the Altaplex Lite is simply behind it at 13.2 ounces.
I carried the usual 16.5-ounce Altaplex on my Calendar Yr Triple Crown hike only a few years in the past, so in fact I used to be stoked at an opportunity to check out the brand new and sleeker mannequin. I lived in Millinocket, Maine for the summer time and obtained to check the Zpacks Altaplex Lite within the well-known Hundred Mile Wilderness. Right here’s the way it holds up.
Zpacks Altaplex Lite At-a-Look
MSRP: $679
Weight: 13.2 oz
Peak Lodging: As much as 6’6”
Setup: Single Trekking Pole (not freestanding)
Stakes Required: 6-10
It helps maximize area to make use of all 10 stakes (or not less than 9 and a close-by tree).
Circumstance of Evaluate
I took this tent out for a few spins within the Hundred Mile Wilderness in the summertime of 2024. The nights I camped have been humid, and one had a bit of rain. Temperatures have been heat however snug (excessive 50s/low 60s at evening). I’ve solely taken this one out on a number of journeys up to now, however its huge brother, the common Altaplex, was my tent for everything of my Calendar Yr Triple Crown in 2022.
The tautness of the bath flooring might be simply adjusted all the way in which across the tent.
Zpacks Altaplex Lite Options
Light-weight bathtub: Tent flooring materials is 25 % lighter than the usual Altaplex
Seamless 40″ x 90″ bathtub flooring: Spacious for one individual, and lack of seams means one much less potential failure level the place water may get in
Rainbow zipper door: Distinctive, spacious door design makes for simple entry
Overlapping storm doorways: Present rainproof venting and loads of vestibule area for a pack and sneakers
Versatile setup: Storm doorways shut/open independently and the tent is symmetrical, so the person can lay with their head at both finish for simple versatility in setup.
1.3mm man traces are lighter than customary 2mm
Easy pitch: Units up with single 56” – 58” pole
The storm doorways shut with a easy fixture, preserving rain out whereas nonetheless permitting air flow.
Altaplex Lite vs. Customary Altaplex
Clearly, the entire level of this tent is to shave off these treasured ounces. 3.3 ounces isn’t a ton of weight, however so long as you’re principally getting the identical tent and may afford it, why not? Listed here are the issues that modified from the unique, and the way I discovered them to affect the performance of the tent.
Thinner Ground
The DCF used within the flooring of this tent is 25 % lighter than the usual model. Even so, Zpacks says you don’t want a further floor tarp/sheet with the Altaplex Lite. The ground is barely much less abrasion resistant, however not sufficient to necessitate any additional gear to make up for it.
So far as I may inform in my use up to now, I discover this to be true. The ground remains to be thicker than the notoriously skinny partitions and feels sturdy sufficient to slip round on when in it. There might be points with a shorter life on this than the usual model, however up to now, it appears stable to me.
Smaller Man Strains
The traces used for this tent are down from 2mm to 1.3mm. It’s delicate, however I positively seen the distinction. They nonetheless work, however I did discover them a bit of bit extra finicky than the common ones. It didn’t make an enormous efficiency distinction, but it surely can also’t be a big weight distinction. Thankfully, that is one a part of the tent that, if you happen to don’t prefer it, you could possibly merely swap out for the usual thickness.
No Extra Pocket
That’s proper, to make the tent as completely mild and easy as potential, the internal pocket on the backside of the door was eliminated. Personally, I don’t discover this to make a lot of a distinction. I’d sometimes solely use a pocket to retailer one, possibly two issues, and it was a straightforward sufficient organizational change for me that I discovered I didn’t actually miss it. And, just like the guylines, that is one thing you could possibly change if you happen to wished, as Zpacks sells a stick-on mesh pouch.
All man traces are straightforward to regulate on the attachment factors.
Utilizing the Tent
I discovered that the weight-saving adjustments made to the tent didn’t affect its performance past what I already talked about. It really works simply the identical because the common Altaplex did for me. You’ll be able to learn the complete authentic evaluation right here.
Mainly, it may take some finesse to actually nail down the setup (I like to recommend utilizing all 10 stakes each time), but it surely finally ends up being a extremely stable shelter. I’ve waited out some heavy rain in it and been completely dry, although with the mesh layer that connects the tent wall to the lavatory flooring, it’s essential to verify there isn’t any flooring jutting out past the partitions, or else the tent can shortly fill with water.
The setup is absolutely essential, as I discovered that even at simply 6 toes tall, I typically felt fairly near the max top restrict when sleeping on a typical 2.5-inch inflatable pad. I’d want an ideal setup to make sure a full evening of sleep with out both my head or toes touching the partitions of the tent.
The rainbow door makes for an enormous entry/exit level.
Zpacks Altaplex Lite Execs
Insanely mild: 13.2 ounces for a totally enclosed tent is undoubtedly NUTS.
Spacious: I do know I discussed a bit of gripe with the tent’s dimensions, however man, as a 6’ tall hiker, that is as roomy because it will get for a tent anyplace close to this mild.
Easy: No pocket, no bizarre compartment, no unusually angulated door, no frills. As soon as this factor is staked out correctly, it’s a glossy, straightforward tent to climb out and in of each day.
Zpacks Altaplex Lite Cons
Costly: $679 … Yeahhh, that’s a giant price ticket. A tent like it is a severe funding. To get the lightest tent, you’ve gotta be keen to pay essentially the most.
Sturdiness Compromise: Whereas I haven’t had any sturdiness points in my time testing the Altaplex Lite, inevitably I imagine thinner supplies will result in a shorter lifespan. I by no means noticed any sturdiness points with my customary Altaplex after a yr of sleeping in it, however objectively talking, I’d count on thinner materials to imply shorter life.
Last Ideas
Zpacks had an enormous yr of enhancements and upgrades on their iconic tent line. Shaving 3.3 ounces off a tent they’d already gotten all the way down to a pound is extraordinarily spectacular. I’m happy to have gotten to check it, and it’s nonetheless a extremely stable tent, thinner materials or not. For these keen and in a position to spring for the lightest, this tent won’t disappoint.
Store the Zpacks Altaplex Lite Tent
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The Zpacks Altaplex Lite was donated for function of evaluation
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