Zpacks Offset Duo Tent Evaluation

Backside Line

For a wonderful long-distance shelter for thru-hiking, the Zpacks Offset Duo impressed us at each flip, changing into certainly one of our favourite ultralight tents that we examined. It’s troublesome to guage this tent with out evaluating it to the legendary Zpacks Duplex, which has been a staple on thru-hikes for years. The Offset Duo makes a robust case that it’s a greater shelter for extra folks than the previous traditional. And we agree.

Beginning with inside livability, the 32.6 sq. toes of ground area is extra usable than different A-frame type shelters as a result of exterior pole that lifts the massive entrance panel away from the foot space. The swap to L-shaped doorways is a welcome change from the rainbow doorways Zpacks used for years, and the addition of peak vents vastly improves breathability now that the rainfly extends nearer to the bottom.

When testing this within the native forests within the Midwest, we cherished the spacious feeling of the inside, notably not worrying a few moist footbox or having our heads brush the partitions. The Offset Duo ought to be snug for folks as much as 6 toes tall, and though we didn’t take a look at heights above that, Zpacks charges it for people as much as 6’6” tall.

The largest draw back is its expense, even for a Dyneema Composite Fiber (DCF) tent. It’s among the many costliest we examined in our lineup, but it surely’s value noting that this tent is laser-focused on long-distance thru-hikers who will use it evening after evening for months on finish. It represents a worthwhile funding for that goal or for many who prioritize efficiency over worth of their gear choice course of. Moreover, it’s not our favourite tent for windy storms attributable to its massive entrance panel, but it surely ought to deal with the most typical climate circumstances with ease.

What we’re left with is a tent that delighted us throughout testing. It’s roomy, light-weight, well-made, and could be an ideal alternative for sharing with somebody on a protracted journey.

Consolation

After years of the Zpacks Duplex being branded as a “two individual” tent however primarily utilized by one, we’re happy that the Offset Duo’s slight changes to a traditional design have resulted in important good points in consolation. This tent comfortably accommodates two folks, finish of story. There’s a cause we’re starting with a comparability to the Duplex. The Offset Duo seems like a considerate response to maybe the most well-liked ultralight tent of all time, aiming to create a tent the place “two folks can really be snug.” It updates the design selections, replaces a number of options, and finally leaves us with a successful product.

The largest change is the offset poles. In a traditional A-frame, the trekking poles are positioned in the course of the tent physique, making a symmetrical design that reduces each headroom and footroom. The Offset Duo shifts this excessive level to 1 facet, offering considerably extra headroom, and makes use of a brief exterior carbon fiber pole linked to a panel pull to extend footroom.

This adjustment vastly enhances the livability of the tent. With a ground area of 32.6 sq. toes and a peak peak of 48 inches, the ensuing inside is spacious sufficient for 2 folks.

The enhancements prolong to the door designs. The trekking poles aren’t positioned in the course of the doorway, enabling simpler entry and exit, they usually additionally accommodate massive L-shaped doorways. We love this design, because it permits for unzipping simply the underside part to shortly seize one thing within the vestibule with out letting in a ton of bugs, and we by no means have to fret about netting falling to the bottom as with top-separating rainbow door designs. The vestibules are massive and spacious, offering ample gear storage, and the waterproof #3 zippers really feel fantastic.

We managed to suit two commonplace 20-inch sleeping pads and two 3-season quilts inside with none points. When adjusting the quilt ends to a cushty distance from the outside partitions, we nonetheless had a cushty quantity of headroom for somebody round six toes tall.

Weight

Probably the most interesting factor concerning the Offset Duo is its extremely low weight of 21.1 ounces. This may be decreased by one ounce by omitting the top pole and utilizing a spare trekking pole, which we suspect most individuals can have since this can be a two-person shelter.

We acknowledge the worth of getting a devoted pole right here, and we’re glad Zpacks included it. Uncovered trekking pole handles are infamous for attracting the undesirable consideration of deer and different animals that discover the salt from our sweat within the cork or foam handles delectable. An additional ounce for that peace of thoughts in a recognized problematic space looks as if a good commerce.

The Offset Duo makes use of Dyneema Composite Fiber (DCF) material all through its development to realize an extremely low weight. The usual configuration options 0.55oz/sqyd DCF for the fly and 1.0oz/sqyd for the ground; nonetheless, you possibly can order it with a thicker 0.75oz/sqyd DCF for the fly to supply additional peace of thoughts.

Nonetheless, we imagine that an improve is pointless for many customers. The usual weights have been utilized in Zpacks tents for years with out subject and have endured many thru-hikes.

Whereas DCF is light-weight, it’s sadly a reasonably cumbersome materials, and Zpacks charges the packed measurement at 6×13 inches when rolled casually. That is bigger than competing silnylon or silpoly shelters, however contemplating the opposite advantages of DCF, we imagine it’s a minor subject that most individuals received’t thoughts.

Ease of Use

Regardless of the deviations from the traditional A-frame design, we discovered the Offset Duo equally straightforward to make use of. Setup was simple, utilizing 4 nook stakes to safe the doorways and two trekking poles on the peaks. Each the vent and door hook up with the identical stake with a guyline, which generally is a bit fiddly at instances, however that’s a minor nitpick that ought to turn out to be second nature over time.

The offset trekking poles additionally make getting out and in of the tent a breeze, due to the massive rainfly and internet doorways. Talking of these doorways, the magnetic closure mechanism is superb right here too, snapping along with a satisfying click on. 

If you’re transitioning from a standard pole tent to a trekking pole type like this one, it is going to take a while to regulate to how these kind of shelters pitch. We suggest working towards earlier than taking a tent like this on an journey, however when you grasp the basics, we discover it simply as quick (if not sooner) than a standard pole tent.

Climate Resistance

DCF is likely one of the strongest materials out there, making this tent for weathering storms. It doesn’t stretch or sag within the presence of water, making certain a safe pitch that ought to final so long as your stakes maintain agency. The one draw back is the massive uncovered panel on the entrance. Though the geometry is healthier damaged up by the foot pole than if it weren’t there, it’s nonetheless a considerable part of cloth that can catch the wind. This isn’t sufficient to discourage us from taking the Offset Duo on a protracted path, but it surely wouldn’t be our first alternative for a path recognized for being very windy.

We want Zpacks had included some attachment factors on the peaks for man traces. Throughout harsh climate, these can considerably improve tent stability. Sadly, the simple setup we talked about earlier doesn’t apply when getting ready the tent for a storm. In case you anticipate inclement climate, a trekking pole tent like this may require extra time to arrange correctly, because it lacks the constant inner construction of a standard pole tent.

You’ll spend extra time checking the stress of the material panels and adjusting stakes to make sure that all components of the tent are adequately tensioned. The excellent news is that after all the pieces is pitched effectively, trekking pole tents can stand up to some fairly extreme gusts; they simply require a bit extra effort to achieve that time. Since this tent primarily targets long-distance path hikers reasonably than being particularly designed for harsh climate, we imagine the extent of climate resistance is suitable.

The vestibules pitch decrease to the bottom than different Zpacks tents, which ought to assist considerably with splashback in rain. Splashback happens when rain falling on the bottom subsequent to the tent splashes underneath the rain fly and onto the tent. It will possibly additionally splash tiny flecks of mud onto gear, which might add as much as a dirty backpack and footwear over the course of the evening.

Whereas they nonetheless don’t go as little as we’d desire for optimum safety, they’re positively higher than what we’ve seen with different tents. These decrease vestibule heights do sacrifice some airflow, however fortuitously, the Offset Duo has vent design that we imagine greater than compensates for this. The 2 vents are massive, and though they’re not notably deep, they’re held open by a guyline, which we discover to be a intelligent function.

Sturdiness

The usage of DCF development with time-tested thicknesses for the rainfly and ground means that the Offset Duo ought to have an honest lifespan. Though we haven’t taken it on a full thru-hike to check its sturdiness firsthand, a number of elements instill confidence that it ought to final for a major interval.

The kind of DCF used is similar as that on the ZPacks Duplex and different Zpacks tents, that are recognized to endure a minimum of a strong thru-hike of a 2,000-mile path. This longevity will differ primarily based on how tough you’re on gear, campsite choice, and whether or not you cowboy camp on high of your tent (please keep away from this if you wish to stop pinhole punctures).

Moreover, the general match and end of the tent is superb. Zpacks has improved their high quality in recent times, addressing their previous repute for high quality management points, and we like to see it right here. 

Talking of high quality management, we are able to’t give full marks but as a result of we encountered a small tear within the fly of the DCF throughout our first setup of the tent. We’re assured it didn’t happen when opening the transport field, as we’re at all times cautious with any gear field.

Moreover, the included stuff sack would have proven a tear if the knife had pierced the field, but it surely was in excellent situation. The tear was solely 1 / 4 inch and will be simply patched with some DCF tape, making this a minor subject. Nonetheless, it prevents us from giving higher marks, and it highlights the significance of carrying patch kits on the path. Fortunately, Zpacks consists of DCF tape within the field, so you have to be ready for any small points which will come up.

Ought to You Purchase the Zpacks Offset Duo?

Though we need to contemplate this tent by itself, it’s troublesome to not evaluate it to the favored Zpacks Duplex, because it appears to enhance upon that tent in almost each approach. For that cause, the first group of individuals we suggest the Offset Duo to are potential Duplex consumers. Except you’re counting grams or love another facet of the Duplex, we boldly declare that the Offset Duo is a greater tent for most individuals.

That’s, after all, if worth isn’t a difficulty. The Offset Duo is likely one of the costliest tents in our lineup and even prices a premium over the already dear Duplex. For these sharing the tent on a thru-hike that lasts months, we imagine investing in a cushty sleeping expertise is a smart use of your assets.

In case you’re not centered on the lightest weights or are simply looking for a tent for informal backpacking, we wouldn’t suggest this tent both. Not as a result of it isn’t nice for weekend excursions, however just because it’s extreme.

Now we have different glorious tents higher suited to informal use that we’d recommend, and the Offset Duo is priced for these investing in a long-distance path. Nonetheless, in case you are in search of your subsequent long-distance tent and love the design of the Offset Duo, we may give it a robust endorsement.

What Different Ultralight Tents Ought to You Take into account?

If the Zpacks Offset Duo Tent isn’t the right match, our finest ultralight tents information has many different choices.

Durston X-Mid Professional 2+ Evaluation: The Offset Duo and X-Mid Professional 2+ are remarkably comparable of their targets, aiming to create a very livable and well-designed ultralight tent for everybody. They each obtain this in numerous methods, and in our opinion, they each succeed fantastically. Nonetheless, when it comes all the way down to it, we loved the X-Mid only a bit extra for our type of backpacking. This doesn’t make the Offset Duo a nasty tent; it merely solves sure issues in numerous methods, and we occur to barely desire a unique answer. Each tents ought to supply glorious consolation, climate resistance, and ease of use. Nonetheless, the X-Mid’s barely extra spacious inside, higher wind resistance, simpler setup, and lower cost imply that we imagine it’s the general more sensible choice for most individuals. Which one is best for you will rely by yourself preferences, so in the event you really feel extra inclined towards one, go for it. Each are glorious.

3FUL Lanshan 2 Professional Evaluation: If the Offset Duo is expensive sufficient to make you assume ultralight gear isn’t for you, the Lanshan 2 Professional gives a compelling counterargument. Whereas it is probably not as featherlight attributable to its full silnylon design, it’s greater than ample when shared between two folks and comes at a worth considerably decrease than the Offset Duo. What you obtain for that worth isn’t a subpar expertise both; it’s a strong tent. We respect the snug inside, ample vestibules, and easy setup. The material is probably not as sturdy, the vents will be considerably cumbersome, and we discovered the door closure a bit complicated initially, however total, for a funds tent, we are able to’t consider a greater choice.

Zpacks Pivot Solo Evaluation: In case you appreciated the general really feel of the Offset Duo however don’t require the additional area for a second individual, they really supply an Offset Solo. Nonetheless, for our choice, we favor the design of the Pivot Solo a bit extra because it incorporates most of the qualities that make the Offset Duo / Solo glorious, however in a a lot lighter bundle with some enhancements. It makes use of two trekking poles internally to create area as an alternative of counting on an exterior pole, options one L-shaped door to avoid wasting weight, and is each lighter and extra inexpensive. Whereas it isn’t our favourite one-person shelter total, it’s so shut that for anybody who really enjoys what Zpacks is doing with the Offset Duo, we imagine the Pivot Solo will delight them.