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ZPacks Duplex Flex Upgrade Review

Ample space and exceptional performance in all metrics makes this our favorite ultralight shelter
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ZPacks Duplex Flex Upgrade Review (Double doors allow for easy access and exit by each person and help one appreciate the views that one came for. All...)
Double doors allow for easy access and exit by each person and help one appreciate the views that one came for. All four flaps of the vestibules easily roll up and tuck away.
Credit: Andy Wellman
Price:  $818 List
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Manufacturer:   ZPacks
By Matt Bento ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  May 30, 2023
79
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#2 of 15
  • Livability - 30% 8.0
  • Weight - 25% 6.7
  • Weather Resistance - 25% 9.0
  • Adaptability - 10% 8.0
  • Ease of Set-Up - 10% 8.0

Our Verdict

The ZPacks Duplex Flex Upgrade crushes the competition when looking for the creature comforts of a regular tent packed into an ultralight construction. With a sewn-in bug protector and waterproof bathtub floor, this tarp tent offers the lowest possible weight for a fully enclosed tent at just 21 ounces! Its single wall and bathtub floor use Dyneema Composite Fiber (DCF), which is lightweight, tear-resistant, naturally waterproof, with easy fixing. Although the initial investment is quite steep, you won't be let down with this absolutely amazing marvel that man has created. Standing out as a stellar overall shelter suited for the simple weekend trip to hiking the longest trails in the world, it'll keep the weight off your back. To see how it stacks up versus the competition, check out our full review of the best ultralight tents.
REASONS TO BUY
Amazingly light
Four-sided weather protection
Ample space for two
Double doors
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Doesn’t include necessary stakes
Editor's Note: We retested and updated our ZPacks Duplex Flex Upgrade comparisons for the May 2023 review update.

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Single Wall Ultralight Tent
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Double Wall Ultralight Tent
Best Buy Award
Best Value for a One-Person Ultralight Tent
Best Buy Award
Best Value for a Two-Person Ultralight Tent
Top Pick Award
Most Protective Tarp
Price $818 List$519 List$240 List$197 List
$182.99 at Amazon
$369.00 at Backcountry
Compare at 2 sellers
Overall Score Sort Icon
79
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Star Rating
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Bottom Line Amazing weather and bug protection makes this one of the most popular thru-hiking options and our first choiceRemarkable two person tent that's comfortable to stay in for long treks, while also being able to survive most any weather you throw at itFantastic value for a tent that will take you happily across the countryA inexpensive tent we can not only recommend but implore you try outExcelling in adaptability and light weight, this simple square tarp is an ultralighter's dream shelter
Rating Categories ZPacks Duplex Flex... Tarptent StratoSpir... Durston X-Mid 1P Gen 2 3F UL Gear Lanshan... Hyperlite Mountain...
Livability (30%)
8.0
9.0
8.0
8.0
6.0
Weight (25%)
6.7
5.0
6.2
5.0
9.2
Weather Resistance (25%)
9.0
10.0
9.0
8.0
5.0
Adaptability (10%)
8.0
7.0
7.0
6.0
10.0
Ease of Set-Up (10%)
8.0
7.0
9.0
8.0
7.0
Specs ZPacks Duplex Flex... Tarptent StratoSpir... Durston X-Mid 1P Gen 2 3F UL Gear Lanshan... Hyperlite Mountain...
Type Single wall tent w/ sewn in bug mesh and floor Double wall tent w/ removable floor and bug netting Twin pole structure w/ removable bug netting Single wall tent w/ sewn in solid inner and floor Flat tarp
Weight With All Components 28.3 oz 39.5 oz 31.3 oz 39.2 oz 11.3 oz
Measured Weight of Included Shelter Parts Total (tarp + upgrade): 28.3 oz; Tent: 18.1 oz; Stuff sack: 0.3 oz (Flex upgrade: poles: 9.8 oz, pole bag: 0.1 oz) Total 39.5 oz; Fly: 21.2 oz; Inner mesh: 14.7 oz; Stuff sack: 0.7 oz; Tent peg sack: 0.2 oz; Stakes: 2.5 oz; Accessories: 0.2 oz Total: 31.3 oz; Fly: 17.9 oz; Inner: 10.9 oz; Stakes: 1.9 oz; Stuff sack: 0.4 oz; Stake sack: 0.2 oz Total: 39.2 oz; Fly: 34.0 oz; Stuff sack: 1.4 oz; Stake stuff sack: 0.3 oz; Stakes: 2.8 oz; Accessories: 0.7 oz Total 11.3 oz; Tarp: 9.2 oz; Stuff sack: 0.3 oz; Extra guy lines: 1.8 oz
Stakes Included? No No Yes Yes No
Trekking Poles Needed for Set-up? Yes w/o flex kit
No w/ flex kit
Yes Yes Yes Yes or Tree
Capacity 2 person 2 person 1 person 2 person 2 person
Max Floor Dimensions 45 x 90 in 89 x 52 in 87 x 28 in 91 x 51 in 103 x 103 in
Peak Height 48 in 45 in 43 in 47 in Depends on configuration
Fabric .51 oz/sqyd DCF Fabric Ultra TNT 20D Sil/PE Polyester Fly: 20D SilNylon, Floor, 20D PU Nylon, Inner: 15D Nylon DCF8 Dyneema Composite Fabrics
Packed Size 7 x 13 in 16 x 6 x 6 in 12 x 5 in 13.7 x 5.9 in 6.5 x 5.5 x 3.5 in
Floor Area 28.1 sq ft 32.1 sq ft 16.9 sq ft 32.2 sq ft Depends on configuration
Doors 2 2 2 2 0
Number of Poles 4 2 2 2 Variable

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Flex Upgrade
This season, we tested out the Duplex Flex Upgrade. The Flex gives you the option of having a free-standing version of the Duplex that is easier to set up on surfaces that are impossible to stake and allows you to set the tent up without trekking poles. It adds 11 oz to the whole package. It's a nice option if you're on a river trip or camping on soft sand or granite slabs. We feel the four flex pole set up makes this tent more adaptable, though most of our testers say they'd go with the lighter weight trekking pole set up, so our metrics reflect the Duplex without the Flex pole option.

The Duplex tent is a tarp style single-wall tent that sets up as an A-frame with two adjustable trekking poles serving as support at each end. What sets it apart from other tarps is that it includes sewn-in mesh bug netting as well as a highly durable DCF bathtub style floor. Covering the door at each end of the open A-frame is a zippered mesh door and vestibule fly, so that not only can this tent be accessed from each side, but it also has four-sided wind and rain protection, something not available on your standard tarp. In addition, its interior is incredibly spacious, easily fitting two people and their sleeping pads.

Performance Comparison


zpacks duplex flex upgrade - the duplex flex can be set up on all sorts of terrain. this tent is...
The Duplex Flex can be set up on all sorts of terrain. This tent is expensive, but the feeling of carrying next to nothing in your pack is one hundred percent worth it. This is our favorite ultralight tent for a myriad of reasons.
Credit: Matt Bento

Livability


Livability represents how comfortable a tent is to hang out in. Compared to the competition, this is one of the most livable tents we have had the pleasure of reviewing.


Interior space in this tent is one of the things we immediately noticed, especially after spending nights in much smaller models. It comfortably fits two people and is tall enough to sit up comfortably, without having a center pole that prevents one from effectively utilizing the area with the best headroom.

zpacks duplex flex upgrade - tom lying on one side of the tent while the author's sleeping bag is...
Tom lying on one side of the tent while the author's sleeping bag is on the other. Note the side-by-side space, airy and open architecture, and the amount of room at the head and feet.
Credit: Andy Wellman

The bug protection is a huge bonus, eliminating the need to purchase and add on some other sort of system, such as a detachable net or bivy sack. We also love how the design of the overhanging eaves with a horizontal bug net underneath allows proper ventilation and an optimal method for managing condensation. As the vapor builds up along the walls, it can run down and drip through the bug mesh to the outside of the tent, rather than merely running onto the floor. The combination of ventilating mesh on all sides almost makes it feel like a double-wall tent.

zpacks duplex flex upgrade - tom (5'11") is shown sitting up in the center of the tent. the...
Tom (5'11") is shown sitting up in the center of the tent. The adjustable poles are set to 122cm, the recommended height from the maker, and he has a foot of clearance above him.
Credit: Andy Wellman

Lastly, who can argue with double doors? The rainbow zipper on each door allows the whole wall to be opened up, so you don't need to crawl through a tiny opening to get in or out. With two people, each has their own door, making nighttime exits drama-free while allowing for easier gear management within each vestibule. Bonus!

zpacks duplex flex upgrade - observe the grey dcf bathtub floor and the mesh bug netting under...
Observe the grey DCF bathtub floor and the mesh bug netting under the overhanging eave of the blue DCF tarp material. Personal storage pockets are sewn on each side of the tent, and this clip-on cord helps keep the floor optimally adjusted.
Credit: Andy Wellman

Weight


This tent weighs in at 1 pound 5.2 ounces or 21.2 ounces; this includes the weight of the tent as well as the bug netting and bathtub floor, which are attached and cannot be detached, as well as the stuff sack. This weight also includes the eight guy-out lines, which come pre-cut and in place with line locks (one on each corner, one for each of the poles at the eaves of the tent, and two as extra guy-outs in the middle for bad weather). What it does not include is the six stakes that are needed to set it up on a soft surface (minimum), or eight if you also use the two extra guy out points, as well as the weight of trekking poles or optional tent poles if you choose to purchase them.


While many other tents advertise a low weight, they forget to mention that there is no floor or bug netting, or tent pegs that go with the tent. As a result, this measurement is left out in the metrics. As a result, this earns a relatively high weight score, even though there are lighter contenders with lower “advertised” weights. With these comparisons in mind, it is evident that the Duplex is extremely light considering that amount of built-in protection.

zpacks duplex flex upgrade - this tent is very light for all the included components. it also...
This tent is very light for all the included components. It also packs down into roughly the size of a football.
Credit: Andy Wellman

Weather Resistance


Weather resistance is a strong point for the Duplex, which protects from foul weather better than most other options out there. The primary protective overhead sheet of fabric is a lightweight Dyneema Composite Fiber (DCF) that does an excellent job of sheltering one from a downpour. The DCF fiber is naturally waterproof, so unlike DWR coatings or laminates, the waterproofness cannot wear off. It also does not absorb any water, so it doesn't stretch and sag when it gets wet like nylon tent flies. The shape of the tarp is a cat cut, so the tips of the poles on each end of the eaves are higher than the middle. This design makes it easier to tension the tarp so that it is tight on all sides, thereby keeping it from flapping in the wind.


The edges of the tent extend six inches out beyond the boundaries of the interior bathtub floor, giving an excellent protective eave on all sides that do well in a hard or driving downpour. We love how the bathtub floor, also made of a stronger DCF material, is included with this tarp. The sides of this floor rise eight inches above the ground — an ideal height for protecting against splashback — and also offering peace of mind as a protective layer against water or mud in heavy storms.

zpacks duplex flex upgrade - the twin vestibules do not have zippers and are instead made of...
The twin vestibules do not have zippers and are instead made of overlapping fabric that fastens in the middle with a simple button and loop enclosure. Dual vestibules offer great four sided weather protection.
Credit: Andy Wellman

Like all A-frame pitched tarps, this one has openings on either side. These vestibules are overlapping flaps of DCF that close using a unique hooking system and don't have the added weight of a zipper, or the inherent ability to wear out and get stuck. When it is nice out, these flaps easily roll back, affording excellent ventilation and views, as well as convenient in-and-out access. As long as your stakeout points are secure, this tent is stable in high winds. That said, it's still drafty inside, much like a single-wall pyramid tent where the fly doesn't reach the ground. It also has two extra guy-out points, with a cord attached, in the middle of each side of the tarp for nights with heavy weather. Overall, we found this to be one of the best ultralight tents we tested for weather protection.

zpacks duplex flex upgrade - the hooks that hold the bottom of the two vestibule flaps in place...
The hooks that hold the bottom of the two vestibule flaps in place are easy to open and close. The tautness of the vestibule is also easily adjusted with the line lock shown here.
Credit: Andy Wellman

Adaptability


Adaptability is the one metric where this tent suffers, as the design is fixed. It is non-freestanding, meaning it needs to be staked and guyed out in at least six different directions to stay standing and weatherproof. Terrain choice for setup becomes a critical component of how well this tent performs. Ground surfaces like sand, snow, hard rock, or very shallow soil each present their challenges, most of which are precluded by using large rocks (if present), or by burying deadmen, instead of stabbing stakes into the ground.


We tested the flex pole version of the duplex and found set up just easy, but feel the tent is less bomber in high winds when not tensioned against the two trekking poles. The freestanding flex upgrade is excellent for river trips where you're not likely to bring trekking poles and may often be camping in the sand. Additionally, this tarp can only set up one way, and so is not as adaptable as a standard tarp, which can pitch in a myriad of different patterns.

zpacks duplex flex upgrade - sand can present a problem if the tension or wind rips the stakes...
Sand can present a problem if the tension or wind rips the stakes out, although adding rocks over the stakes can help.
Credit: Andy Wellman

Another component of this tent is that it requires two adjustable trekking poles for setup. To combat this limitation, Zpacks sells tent poles that perfectly fit the Duplex, at an additional cost and an extra five ounces of weight combined.

The attachment points utilize a cross-pole design on the exterior...
The attachment points utilize a cross-pole design on the exterior side of the tent.
Unlike other tent designs tested, these connect using unique parts...
Unlike other tent designs tested, these connect using unique parts, that when used all together, offer excellent structural stability.

Ease of Set-up


Setting up the Duplex is not as intuitive or as easily managed by one person as a freestanding tent that includes poles. However, with a little practice, and given that there isn't a howling wind, this tent can quickly pitch alone. The crux comes in correctly locating the stake placements, which takes a few setups to get the hang of. It can also be frustrating to keep one trekking pole standing upright in place without letting it fall over as you run around and stake out the corners on the opposite side. We found that we often needed to adjust a stake or two after the tent was standing to ensure tautness all around.


For the flex upgrade, the set-up process is similar, except you install the poles and adjust them until they're in the proper symmetrical configuration before staking the tent down. We found the flex version a little easier to set up. In short, setting up this tent takes a bit of practice, and one should read the instructions provided by Zpacks and conduct a few trial runs at home before staring down an impending thunderstorm out in the wild.

zpacks duplex flex upgrade - setting this tent up alone takes a bit of practice as the stake...
Setting this tent up alone takes a bit of practice as the stake locations are not intuitive. With practice it can easily be done alone quite quickly. We find that we often need to fiddle with stake locations or tensions after setup to dial it in each night.
Credit: Andy Wellman

Should you buy the ZPacks Duplex Flex Upgrade?


The Duplex will cost you a pretty penny plus a little extra if you prefer the flex upgrade, making it a super expensive shelter — not to mention the cost of stakes, which are not included but are all but necessary. Despite the high price, it's one of our favorite ultralight tents. Anybody considering a super bomber 2-person shelter should consider throwing down on the investment. It is ideal for wet and dry climates, with or without bugs. A perfect option if you need a little extra space when sharing it with another or an impressive one-personal palace.

The Zpacks Duplex offers low weight, excellent weather protection, a comfortable living space, and included bug protection. The materials are quality and the made-to-order craftsmanship is worth the expense. This tent is a fantastic option for long thru-hikes or short overnight backpacking trips. With lots of significant advantages and only minimal drawbacks, this tent quickly endeared itself to all who used it.

zpacks duplex flex upgrade - testing our editors' choice award winning zpacks duplex in the lower...
Testing our Editors' Choice Award winning Zpacks Duplex in the lower reaches of the Dark Canyon in Bears Ears National Monument, Utah.

What Other Ultralight Tents Should You Consider?


If you're flying solo, seriously consider the Tarptent Aeon Li, another DCF trekking pole tent. It has excellent performance and comes in even lighter. The Gossamer Gear The Two also has enough for two people without being too cramped. You'll find it at a great price because of its nylon construction.

Matt Bento