This fall, I had the enjoyment of testing out the Zpacks Hexamid Pocket Tarp. The shelter is nearly as ultralight as you will get with out merely cowboy tenting — it’s a single-person tarp requiring just one trekking pole to pitch.
Whereas I’m very accustomed to each cowboy and tent tenting, I had by no means earlier than examined out a tarp and located myself oddly intimidated by the thought. Nevertheless, the formed tarp design made the leap from tent to tarp really feel a bit of simpler, because the setup and form mimic a regular trekking pole tent, simply with out the bug web and ground.
The tarp in all her ultralight glory!
Zpacks Hexamid Pocket Tarp At a Look
MSRP: $379
Weight: 5.5 oz.
Size: 100″ (about 8’4″)
Variety of Wanted Stakes: 6-10, relying on the kind of pitch
Sizing: One Particular person
Store the Hexamid Pocket Tarp
Supposed Use
The Zpacks web site sums it up properly, describing the Hexamid Pocket Tarp as “for all you gram weenies reducing tags and planning FKT’s.” Weighing simply 5.5 ounces, it’s designed for ultralight fanatics who prioritize minimalism and pace over options like full climate safety or comfort.
It does nonetheless have the little toggles to can help you open one or each doorways.
This tarp is finest suited to fast-and-light journeys the place each ounce counts reasonably than for these instances once you need a snug and comfy home-away-from-home with all of the bells and whistles of a regular tent.
Circumstances of Evaluation
I examined the Zpacks Hexamid Pocket Tarp on an in a single day autumn backpacking journey in Colorado, the place I skilled delicate climate with no vital rain or wind. The journey supplied a superb alternative to judge the tarp’s setup course of, weight, packability, and general efficiency in typical backpacking situations.
Zpacks Hexamid Pocket Tarp Options
Overlapping, Zipperless Doorways: The design of the Hexamid Pocket Tarp permits each doorways to open independently of one another and makes use of a neat metallic hook attachment as a substitute of a zipper. Eradicating zippers eliminates a standard level of failure in shelters and makes this tarp rather more sturdy — to say nothing of the burden financial savings.
Non-compulsory Bathtub Groundsheet: For these not fully keen to go away behind a few of the comforts of a tent, Zpacks sells an elective bathtub groundsheet ($129 | 3.2 oz) as an add-on to your order. The waterproof materials and raised edges provide safety from rain spray and groundwater.
The bath ground connects to the nook of the tarps with the included tub ground attachment system.
Stuff Sack Hanging Loop: Yet one more characteristic that makes this tarp really feel a bit of extra snug! There’s a little loop close to the height of the tent that means that you can grasp a flashlight or stuff sack from it. I discovered this to be an effective way to maintain a few of my gear off the bottom, and it scratched the organizational itch {that a} vestibule in a regular tent normally satisfies.
Single Trekking Pole Setup: I had by no means understood the joy surrounding single trekking pole setups. In any case, I all the time hike with two. Nevertheless, after a rock slide within the Wind River Vary shattered one in all my trekking poles on the CDT, I started really appreciating the failsafe that may be a single trekking pole setup. And, in case you don’t need to carry a trekking pole, Zpacks presents a tent pole that can serve the identical operate.
Utilization
Options are nice to nitpick, however let’s discuss how the shelter really performs as a spot to sleep and dwell whereas within the backcountry.
Liveability
The Hexamid Pocket Tarp strikes a steadiness between ultralight design and performance, but it surely’s not for everybody. Its minimalist development prioritizes weight financial savings over consolation, which means you gained’t discover facilities like full protection or a built-in bug web. That stated, for ultralight fanatics, the trade-offs may be price it.
One notable adjustment for tarp newcomers is the openness of the setup. And not using a ground or full enclosure, you’re feeling extra uncovered to your environment, which may be both liberating or unsettling, relying in your preferences. Whereas the elective bathtub groundsheet will help create a cozier, extra tent-like expertise, these in search of the safety of a standard tent could discover the tarp a bit of spooky.
As a infamous cowboy tenting lover, I discovered myself very snug within the spacious shelter.
Setup
The tarp is fast to pitch, however there’s a studying curve in case you’re new to tarps or formed shelters. The six-stake minimal setup is easy, however including further stakes can enhance stability and develop usable inside area. Adjusting pressure with the guylines is straightforward, making it doable to refine your pitch as situations change.
The setup felt similar to a trekking pole tent, simply with out the ground.
Mainly, in case you’ve ever arrange a trekking pole tent, you’ll be capable of pitch this tarp as properly. No complaints from me!
Inside House
Whereas the Pocket Tarp is compact, its design maximizes obtainable area. The 100-inch size accommodates taller hikers, and the form presents sufficient clearance to take a seat up in the course of the tarp. That stated, area is tight, particularly when in comparison with totally enclosed tents.
Once I first pitched the tent, I used to be blown away by the quantity of inside area — however then realized how a lot of that area was devoured up by my gear. In contrast to in a tent, there aren’t any vestibules and restricted storage choices, so my pack, sneakers, and the rest I needed dry needed to match inside with me. Nevertheless, the hanging loop made a distinction and allowed me to hold my ditty bag of toiletries and camp requirements separate from my different gear.
Climate Resistance
This tarp is designed for fair-weather journeys and excels in delicate situations. On my check journey, it shed dew and lightweight condensation simply, due to its non-absorbent materials. Nevertheless, and not using a built-in bug web or ground, it’s much less geared up to deal with environments with persistent rain, biting bugs, or muddy terrain. Whereas the elective bathtub groundsheet can enhance climate resistance, it provides weight and value, doubtlessly decreasing the tarp’s ultralight attraction.
Arrange with the tub floor sheet.
I received this tarp with the hopes of bringing it on an Appalachian Path thru-hike, and whereas I completely cherished it, I’m undecided it’s the shelter for prolonged mountaineering out east. That stated, it could be completely excellent for a stint on the CDT, PCT, AZT, or any barely drier path.
Tarps vs. Tents: A Temporary Overview
Whereas a tent capabilities as a house — a bed room within the center, one vestibule as a kitchen, and the opposite as a toilet (I’m kidding!) — a tarp serves as extra of a bare-bones method to shelter. The partitions shield you from rain and a few wind, and that’s nearly it.
Nevertheless, once you sacrifice bug safety and a bit of heat, you additionally acquire some fairly clear advantages. Tarps are — typically — far lighter than tents and don’t endure from the identical condensation points that plague many trekking pole tents. Tarps even have a greater space-to-weight ratio since there is no such thing as a bug web dividing up the usable area of the inside.
The tarp with each doorways closed.
Tarps merely aren’t for everybody. If you understand you’ll get a greater night time’s sleep with a bug web separating you from the weather, tarps is probably not your jam. Personally, I cherished the Hexamid Pocket Tarp, however I’d hate to persuade somebody to strive the shelter solely to understand that they’re far happier in a tent. I did discover this pyramid-shaped tarp to really feel like a midway leap between a tent and a flat tarp, however be sure to perceive the variations between a tent and a tarp earlier than taking the plunge into this shelter.
Zpacks Hexamid Pocket Tarp Execs
Ultralight: Shelters don’t actually get lighter than this. For trails the place you propose to largely cowboy however need a backup in case of rain, or trails the place each ounce actually issues, I can’t suggest this tarp sufficient.
Packable: The tarp’s minimalist design and lack of bells and whistles make it extremely packable. It compresses all the way down to the dimensions of a Nalgene bottle, liberating up treasured area in your pack for different necessities.
This tarp packs all the way down to nearly an absurdly small measurement.
Spacious: Regardless of its compact weight and measurement, the Hexamid Pocket Tarp supplies ample inside area. The 100-inch size accommodates taller hikers comfortably, and the formed design optimizes headroom, permitting you to take a seat up with out feeling cramped.
Waterproof Materials: Constructed from high-quality Dyneema Composite Cloth (DCF), the tarp is totally waterproof and sheds water successfully in gentle to average rain. DCF additionally resists sagging when moist, holding your pitch taut in damp situations.
Intentional Design for Sturdiness: Options like zipperless doorways cut back failure factors, and the only trekking pole setup enhances simplicity and reliability. Whereas I’d by no means use this shelter as a groundsheet whereas cowboying, I don’t anticipate it ripping or failing on me any time quickly.
The doorways hook to this metallic piece as a substitute of counting on a zipper.
Formed Tarp Results in Simpler Pitch: The formed tarp design bridges the hole between flat tarps and conventional tents, making it a superb entry level for these transitioning to tarping. Its setup feels acquainted to anybody who has pitched a trekking pole tent, whereas providing the minimalist advantages of a tarp.
Zpacks Hexamid Pocket Tarp Cons
Missing Options: The Hexamid Pocket Tarp is stripped all the way down to the necessities. Whereas this minimalist method appeals to ultralight hikers, it lacks options many contemplate customary, like a built-in ground or bug web. For these used to the consolation and comfort of conventional tents, the absence of those parts may really feel limiting.
Setup Complexity: Whereas the formed tarp design makes setup simpler than a flat tarp, it nonetheless requires extra effort and precision in comparison with a freestanding tent. Reaching a taut pitch calls for correct staking and adjustment of guylines, which may be tough on uneven or rocky terrain. For brand new tarp customers, the educational curve can really feel steep.
Additionally, the six wanted stakes really feel like rather a lot, as I’m used to a tent that solely requires 4 stakes. Maybe I’ve simply been spoiled by that, but it surely was considerably annoying to should pack the additional stakes.
A lot of guylines means a lot of stakes!
Rain Spray Potential: The shortage of a ground leaves you extra uncovered to water pooling or spray throughout heavy rain, particularly in case you’re camped on uneven floor. Whereas the elective bathtub groundsheet mitigates this concern, it’s an additional value and provides weight — detracting from the tarp’s ultralight attraction.
No Bug Safety: With out an built-in bug web, this tarp presents no barrier towards bugs. This is usually a vital downside in areas with excessive bug exercise or throughout heat, humid seasons. Whilst you can pair the tarp with a separate bivy or netting, doing so will increase value and pack weight, which could defeat the aim of going this ultralight together with your shelter selection.
Worth
At simply shy of $400, this tarp just isn’t an insignificant buy by any stretch. Nevertheless, for a well-constructed, spacious, sturdy, and extremelylight-weight shelter, $400 actually doesn’t sound ridiculous. I’ve actually spent greater than that on heavier tents. Nevertheless, you’re actually paying for the partitions and never a lot else. This isn’t a shelter with actually any bells and whistles.
Would I Suggest This Shelter?
It actually boils all the way down to this: When you like tarps, this can be a fairly freaking unimaginable possibility. When you hate the thought of a tarp, this doubtless won’t change your thoughts.
There’s a area between the material and the bottom, similar to with a tent. Nevertheless, not like a tent, there is no such thing as a bug netting holding out the weather and creepy crawlies.
The pyramid form of the tarp does mimic a tent greater than a typical, flat tarp, making this a extremely nice possibility for many who have beforehand gravitated to tent tenting however want to dip their toes on the planet of tarps.
Whereas I’d genuinely suggest the shelter, I believe the tub ground groundsheet is a cross for me, regardless of being the characteristic initially drawing me to this shelter. In any climate the place I’d really feel the necessity to use a bath groundsheet over my regular Tyvek, I most likely would like to simply be in an enclosed tent. It was a ache to connect to the tarp throughout setup, weighs nearly as a lot because the tarp itself, and, for my part, didn’t add a lot worth.
Store the Hexamid Pocket Tarp
Comparable Shelters
Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 1
- MSRP: $479
- Weight: 8.8 oz
Six Moon Designs Deschutes Ultralight Backpacking Tarp
Gossamer Gear The DCF Whisper
- MSRP: $499
- Weight: 9.8 oz
The Zpacks Hexamid Pocket Tarp was donated for function of assessment
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