I'm 6'4" and I don't touch the walls of my Altaplex, but it's close. I agree, 6'6" is probably not gonna work, but I can vouch for 6'4" on 2'" or 2.5" pad (I've used Xlite, Xtherm, Tensor and Tensor Insulated in it just fine).
Nice review. On a thru-hike, do you have enough room for all your crap? I was on the PCT with my Duplex palace and think I would miss all that room! But ya, trash liner became my foot box protector at night! Dual purpose item i guess 😊 Also just a thought for a vid, I haven't found one that shows the daily packing up and rolling out. Some days I had it down to 5 minutes and some days took an hour. I never got a good routine down. Prep the night before or??? Would love to see your morning routine for rolling out. Thanks DotT!
Hey, Darwin, I'm the guy who recommended you look into a used Altaplex. First - I'm really glad you like it. I'd feel bad if you'd gone to all that trouble and it didn't work out for you. Second, THANK YOU for taking my advice to an entirely unexpected level. The entire tall hiker community thanks you. There are so few tents out there that will fit us without weighing a metric ton. All my best to you. Stay safe!
Just got a Duplex. Love it, going on the Vermont Long Trail in 10 days, I like the ease of set up, and tons of room for me. Well made... I’ve set it up a few times so far, super easy and intuitive to do.
I finally decided to make the switch from using a sleeping bag to a quilt. I just invested in a custom Enlightened Equipment Enigma Quilt because of your recommendation. I can't wait to test that out on trail this year! Now I'm thinking about making the switch from using a freestanding tent to a trekking pole, ultralight tent. :)
I used the Altaplex on my 2015 AT thru-hike and everything after. I'm 6'5 and still have room to spare in the tent. I love it. It has a hardy bathtub floor but it's still Dyneema so if I had never used a Tyvek groundsheet under it, I doubt it would have lasted so long.
Zpacks was a bit out of my budget. I got the REI flash 2p tent, a single wall trekking pole tent. My wife and I spent about 9 days in it between bryce canyon and grand canyon south rim. We love it. The size and weight of it feel good too. Thanks for creating inspiration for the rest of us. ✌
I really like my Hexamid Solo plus, I think I’m one of the few that really likes a net floor. It’s always nice seeing Nope in your videos, he gets around.
I have one as well. I’ve only used it a couple times, but so far it does the job when I go out with my 10 year old son, and I have to carry 75% of the stuff for 2 people. I’m looking forward to trying it by myself.
Barb Shubert It’s really easy but here’s a video that will help you. Darwin was talking about Bigfoot setting up his altaplex. Here is a video of Bigfoot setting up his duplex which is basically the same as the Lanshan 2P. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-NTiFRlBjwcY.html
I have two Lanshan tents (1p and 2p) and love them! However, I may end up purchasing a sylpoly or cuben tent, because of the sylnylon sagging when it rains a lot. Most times, that's not so bad, but under really stormy conditions, it was really sagging a lot. Going out to deal with the problem was a very sad and uncomfortable option. If I have to hunker down under a big storm at altitude again, I want to feel comfy inside the tent. The 2p is so roomy for a person alone. Love it!
Have been using a new Pleximid this year. I am 5 feet tall, so it is totally awesome so far. I can get me, my pack and a 40 pound dog in it with room to spare. I was pretty surprised at how much room it has. No fear of hitting the sides/top and getting stuff wet. I could almost walk in to your Altaplex without bending over!
First off, great video. I just found out Zpacks is making my favorite go to tent again.I'v used it for everything I can think of. Bicycling, motorcycle adventures, hiking and just plain ol' camping out. Honestly, I've had this tent for quite a few years now and I still love it more than any other tent I've had or used before and for many reasons. I'm only 5'5" and it's like a 2 person tent to me. I WAS able to get a carbon fiber pole from Zpacks before that was a quad fold and exactly 58" long and fold down to 16". But was hollow so I put 2 rubber end caps (I work in a machine shop and the custom drills come in various size plastic tubes w/caps that work perfect) that keep the tube from plugging up with dirt and mud.You should try reaching out to Joe and see if he will produce the older style pole, especially for bike packing.I don't use trekking poles, ever. I watched a video on pitching the tent and never had issues setting it up. For rainy weather, set the pole back on bottom to shorten pole length so tent is lower to the ground. I'm planning a bike packing adventure as well next year. Just a short one in S. Dakota on the Mickelson trail.Yes I'll be bringing my altaplex. I use a narrow piece of Tyvek for ground cloth. Keep up the great videos. P.S. I just sub to your channel. One more note, I just went on Zpacks site and they have a carbon pole 60" for $29.00. Perfect!
I think I take it for granted at this point but thanks a lot for specifying the unit conversions in all your videos! I'd have to open a new tab each time you mention something to get an idea of what you're talking about! Thanks!
Aloha from Hawaii! I am still using my Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo. I bought it it because the price, and the weight is pretty good too. Handles very well the jungle and the exposed peaks of the Ko’olau Mountains. By the way I agree “There is no lerfect tent”:D
GREAT review.. are you comfortable explaining how zpacks differs from your ethics & passions about the community? i've had my suspicions about things but would love to hear your views thanks
Darwin, I’m getting ready to hike the Colorado Trail from Denver to Durango. I heard you mention in one of your videos that you were thinking of hiking it too. I can only imagine that you are probably a meticulous planner for your hikes. Do you by chance have a written plan/spreadsheet of your Colorado Trail hike that you could email to me? It’s my first major hike, and I just want to be sure I’m as prepared as I can be.
James Henry that’s my jam right now as well. No sag with the silpoly, and love the versatility. I have 200 nights or so on a silnylon tent (Tarptent double rainbow) and can usually work around the sag and the condensation, but I think the silpoly is a superior fabric. Did you buy your tarp or DIY?
Darwin mentioned this tent won’t fit a person 6’4” and I can confirm that is correct. I am 6’4” exactly and I purchased an Altaplex and it was too short to use in conjunction with my Thermarest XLite sleeping pad, Enlightened Equipment 20 degree quilt, and a Sea to Summit Aeros pillow. Both my head and feet touched the ends, especially towards the back part of the tent opposite the front door. I ended up getting a Tarptent Double Rainbow Li. It has ample room and could easily fit a taller person than 6’4”.
When I received my Altaplex shipment, the box was so light I thought they had sent me an empty box. A week ago today, i set it up at Bly Gap on the AT, in a very windy situation. Rocks were required to keep it on the ground until secured with stakes. Tent performed well after pitched. Love it. I use the Altaplex bag for my food/ bear bag, and just stuff the pack. Thanks for your previous video on the Altaplex which lead to me buying this tent. Art
Darwin I use Massdrop x Dan Durston X-Mid 1P Tent. I'm 6'2'' and find this tent meets my current needs. The tent does take 2 treking poles to setup but it does provide me the headroom to sit up and the length to lay out and not hit the tent sides with my foot or head. Also at $200 it fits my budget
I think that maybe I didn’t word my comment very well. I’ve been watching your RU-vid channel for years, and I have found you to be honest, concise, thoughtful, and completely lacking in extraneous chatter. I have nothing but respect for you. At 60 years old I returned to backpacking after an extended absence beginning with two years of research before my 60th. I am about to turn 65 and have been enjoying your videos ever since I got back into backpacking. Maybe your intent was for us to get out and do a little research of our own, or maybe you’ve already commented on this in the past and I missed it. I’ve seen comments about the change in their corporate structure and how it has changed the quality of the product and customer service,and about their reaction to COVID-19 and employee policy. I hope it has nothing to do with their possum down gloves. My only major Z packs product is the Arc Blast 52 that I’ve had since the beginning. Just to let you know, except for :-), I am completely illiterate when it comes to emojis. Please digress a little bit, and let us know how you feel. Your opinions on this would be greatly appreciated. Thank you Darwin for all that you have done for our community.
Condensation is the killer for me as far as one-walled tents are concerned. I don't see why zpacks couldn't make a sub 1kg double walled tent of a similar design to the Altaplex. It looks like a phenomenal design in many respects but figure out this single-walled nonsense :)
The first 30 years that I hiked I found condensation wasn’t even an issue. Once that perimeter netting became common and condensation simply dripped out on the ground it was even less than of a factor. Now that everyone complains about condensation on RU-vid I could see why everybody is paranoid about it. All waterproof fabric tents have condensation. Just purchase a tent large enough so that your sleeping bag/quilt does not touch the walls. EZ-PZ. Move on to other more crucial factors amd above all…hit the trail whenever you can.
@@DarwinOnthetrail Ok. I take it you don't wish to elaborate in public here, no worries. It was the most standout & surprising comment in your video. We are just interested.
Looks like an awesome choice. Thanks for the details. If I had all the money on earth I would buy one to put it in the quiver for UL. Living in Florida, I don't like Single Wall all that much. Just too much humidity usually down here. But looks better than some of the old SW tents I have owned where it seemed like it is raining inside at times, LOL. Cool tent for the weight. . . If only it was cheaper. As the old adage goes: Weight, Cost, Performance/Durability, Choose 2. . . Always a tradeoff.
Hey Darwin i use a topeak bikamper for my cycling trips. It uses the bike and the front wheel to support the tent. Not suitable for very tall guys but it just fits snugly for me. And i am about 6 foot. But i love it that i don't need any extra poles when cycling. Only downside is that on a rainy evening i have to stay in the tent laying down if i want to keep dry.
Lol . It would seem so ! I think Darwin isn’t getting his way with ZPacks so he has nothing, but to sound a little bratty. Suck it up Darwin ! It’s not your company so accept what is 🤙🏽
My go to solo tent is the Six Moons Designs Lunar Solo. I love that damn thing. It weighs 26 ounces and only cost me $210 total with the $30 factory seam seal option.
Everyone has their favorite. ..PACK. ..tent....shoes..whatever. ...Let's hit the trails an do some HIKING! !! OH ya GREAT VIDS DARWIN ....TREK ON SAFE BROTHER
I’m happy your brought up the beliefs of an outdoor company. We must know where our products are coming from and what those companies stand for! Because our tent stand for them and what they stand for!
Julia or anyone reading, any chance you could point me to the specifics of what's up with zpacks? I'd love to learn about this but there's no clarity in Darwin's video or the comments.
Darwin, you definitely should have an eye on the new 800g TT Double Rainbow Li ... it is my absolute favourite tent after a long journey of trial & error. I am on a bike-packing trip and it helds up any promises.
I've tried a few small tents and the NorthFace Storm 1 (I believe it is called) is a very solid light enough tent. Maybe missing a second door, but very reliable. I do mainly bike packing.
Thanks for the video Darwin. My go-to tent is Exogen 1 by Wechsel. Lightweight, durable, spacious, and GREEN! If you check my latest video you will see me using it
Great vid. I’ve been using the Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL3 as it was my first tent.(great deal) but I am ready for a 1-2 person as I solo sleep and don’t plan to change that. Lanshan 2 has my interest peaked as a upgrade.
Dan Durston X-mid 1P. Because it is a double walled tent, has two doors and two vestibules, packs down super small, and has a small footprint but still plenty of room. Sil-Poly does not soak up the rain like the Sil-Nylon as well. Very simple to get the perfect pitch.
I agree - there doesn't seem to be "the perfect" anything but you can come close. My budget prohibits the purchase of tent after tent after tent, but I invested in the Zpacks Duplex for the sake of an ultralight tent with enough space for me and my gear and I think it's just about perfect for me. Sure, the condensation can be annoying but I can handle it. What I absolutely LOVE is that a single wall tent can be put up in the rain while keeping the inside pretty much dry and relatively quick too.
I want to weigh in with some information about possums. As an ecologist working in NZ I’ve seen first hand the damage that possums have inflicted on our fragile unique ecosystems. They cause large forest compositional changes in our Northland forests, they predate extensively on our native fauna, especially chicks and eggs. They destroy our agricultural economy as they are vectors of bovine tuberculosis. Any industry that supports the removal of these pests are wonderful initiatives in reducing their numbers as unfortunately ecology is still driven by a bottom dollar. In terms of ethics supporting possum fur trade is ethical.
@@DarwinOnthetrail Apologies Darwin, everyone was debating about the ZPacks ethics (2 things come to mind, their Covid 'essential business' and Possums), and I saw some comments with misinformation about the impact of ZPack possumdown from vocal people talking about the 'cruelty' of it. I felt compelled to speak out about it, I hope you don't mind.
I messaged routa locura, and he made me a set of carbon fiber poles for my tent. They measure 53 inches. No you cannot use them for hiking, but I am sure he would make you a sweet pole to stash about your pack. There's my contribution yall.
Nice review, I was almost sold, but not quite. The one thing that keeps me with my Lightheart Gear Solong 6 is my nice vestibule design. If I could get that design in a Cuben fiber tent, I would probably fork out the bucks for it. It's very versatile. :)
6' 5" Altaplex owner here. On a CCF its plenty tall to not touch on either side, but on a NeoAir Xtherm and a 20 degree bag I have maybe an inch or two between my bag and the walls and my head and the walls. Having a solid pitch is an absolute necessity to not getting that condensation.
It's most likely the Covid thing. Plus, the pushed out the founders of the company and a bunch of other good people. Basically, they've become a corporation. Shame.
The lanshan 1 tent is what I'm trying for this year doesn't look to bad, other than on your last video have you had mich more experience with it? Good or bad? Thg thanks for the update Darwin
I’ve been using the Hilleberg AKTO and the Snugpak Ionosphere. I’m looking for a 2 wall free standing tent under 1kg and I may have found it in the Big Agnes Fly creek HV UL1. Nice review !
Mount laurel designs do a 59 inch for there duo xl. Dont know if that helps. Love you channel and content. If I find a 58 inch one will let you know. Alpkit carbonlong goes to 59 inches. Thanks for all the great content. Giving so good karma back ❤. The tent pole was if you where on a bicycle trek
Life is a compromise, as is everything in it, if it wasn’t there’d be no great designers striving to improve their products and/or new designers trying to solve existing ‘problems’. I’d like to go bikepacking with my Brompton and store it folded inside the tent (in its own cover) so I’m researching whether a SMD Lunar Solo would work here in the UK, or should I go for a Lanshan 1 or 2 (inner & outer design, not the Pro as it’s single-wall), or a Trekker Drift 2 Custom tent with a semi-solid & mesh interior with inverted T-zips. My thoughts are if it’s made from SilPoly then a single-wall is better, however if it’s made from SilNylon then a double-wall may be better. The Lanshan looks like it was ‘inspired’ by Z-packs/SMD et al, but some UK-orientated YTers think it might be better than the ‘original’ designs. I actually own a Terra Nova Ultra Quasar 2, but at 3.8kgs it’s way too heavy. I’ve also short-listed the Hilleberg Enan (1.2kgs) as it appears to be an improved version of its sister tent the Akto (1.8kgs). Though with the Hillebergs the Brompton can be stored without a cover in the porch/vestibule (see Susanna Thornton’s videos). Choices, choices…
Hallo Darwin, greetings from Germany, I watched your videos and liked them all. Thank you. I plan to do the CT with MTB and have one question. I am looking also for a light tent and found the "Nordisk Lofoten One Man Tent". What is your opinion about that. Another Question. I considered also to buy the ZPacks Altaplex. but I cannot find any facts about the objetive waterresistence (in Germany we have the "Water Column" in mm) You know what I mean ? Perhaps you have an answer for me, it would be great ! Greeting and best regards from me !! Bye
I watched a much older review of the SMD Skyscape but never saw anything to follow up after your use, and clearly you've moved to different tents. Any comments on the Skyscape? I like the idea of being able to pack smaller in my pack, so DCM isn't perfect for that, but the lack of water absorption and lower weight are big plusses. The three tents I'm considering are the Skyscape Trekker, the Lunar Solo, and the Zplex Solo. Thoughts?
Has a bigger vestibule than the hexmid tent/hexamid tarps and pleximid. Door is taller too at 36” so your not crawling into it like other zpacks models. Yet weighs the same. Taller and slighty wider. 35$ more than pleximid. 85$ more than hexamid with their bathtub. I was gonna get the hexamid tarp for 300 at 6oz with a smd net tent 11oz (17 total). Total price would be 435$. For me the 585 is worth it for taller entry doors and wider space for gear and larger vestibule (20” vs 12 on the other zpacks models). And i like the walls being further away from me when wet. Plus 2oz lighter. I looked at tarp tent and smd brands (deschutes zg) but bc they use a thicker dcf they are more expensive and the same size. I didnt want to be a zpacks guy, i feel its trendy lol but the altaplex is a goldilocks compared to other single pole tents out there.
Pro-Tip. To solve the condensation problem, I carry the Lasko Portable Electric 42" Oscillating Tower Fan with Fresh Air Ionizer, Timer and Remote Control T42950. The fan provides just the right amount of airflow to dry the air in the harshes of condition. I want you all to know, I received no promotional compensation for this endorsement and paid full price for the fan. Well, what do you all think of my fan solution? Let me know in the comments and hit that like button.
A little off topic, but I have a curiosity. I have yet to do a through hike, but I always hear about the PCT, The AT, CDT and others. I never hear about anyone hiking the Great Northern trail. Is it because of the distance, or is it not challenging? It seems like it would be a nice trail to throughhike beauty wise, and plenty of water. Genuinely curious. Enjoy your channel and thankyou.
@@samscott3151 I purchased a Durston X-Mid 2P. Nice tent, but not DCF at a good price. Tub is 92"x50" which is plenty large enough. The only drawback is its large footprint because of its unique shape. It's double-walled but still comes in about 2.5lbs.
I bought one and just received it the other day (it took forever to get to me) - at 6’5” I can tell it’s not going to be long enough, really the only solution I have found is sleeping diagonal in a 2 -3 person tent.. but I haven’t tried it out yet, so maybe it will be ok.. (but I doubt it). Not only am I tall, I like to sleep with gear at my head to help with my pillow.. so...... oh well. PS I believe the3 CNOC poles are long enough
Hey Darwin, I bought one of these after watching your first “perfect tent” review of it. It is a nice tent. I had one problem and ask if you’ve seen the same issue. When it rains, water migrates from the outer wall of the tent onto the inner surface of the mosquito netting around the perimeter between the tent and they bathtub floor. Once the water is on the upper surface of the netting, it does not just flow through. It sits there. It can easily find its way into the bathtub if you move around and depress the bathtub wall. It happens in my sleep and sometime accidentally when I’m moving around inside. I can’t figure out if its coming in through the stitching or just migrating. At this point I’m going to have to attach a Dyneema strip around the perimeter to ensure the water drips off to the ground. So that’s my only bitch. On the perfect tent question, I’ve also got the updated Notch LI, and absolutely love it. It has more head and foot room than the Altaplex and it has two vestibules. It does use two poles but so do I so that’s OK, and the pole required is a more standard 103cm. Double wall, a few ounces heavier. It’s my perfect tent.
@bendrix Bailey. Just checked out the Notch LI and looking at the specs, it says the floor fits large pad 25x76 and shows it VERY snug in the picture on the site and touching the edges of the bathtub. Do you agree this is true? Because the Therma-a-rest Neoair xlite is 25x77 for the LG.
I'm curious why you choose that color. Doesn't the "grey sky" tend to get depressing? It's why I prefer green, not to mention green seems to fit into the surroundings better.
Prepping for a second summer in my Gatewood Cape. It's a good fit for me at 6'3", sheds rain like a dream, ventilates well enough to control excessive condensation, and is rock solid in wind--these pyramid-style shelters are really good in wind.
@@MoeBergOSS There's nothing in the product data I saw that limited use to people under 6 feet, so I just use the 105" of span to stretch in. My pack slips under my feet and extra gear slides in the triangular back. If you use the Serenity NetTent, then the length is only 84", but that's with an 8" bathtub height that should be plenty, I may get one of these someday. Also, I've been minimalist backpacking since 1965, I'm used lightweight plastic tarps in the rain and snow, so the Gatewood Cape is a palace in my book.
@@memathews Hhmm Upon further inspection of the Six Moons Designs GateWood Cape, you are correct. I’ll be researching the differences between the cape and this product now. I’m not a minimalist, but I am a fan of ultralight gear so I can go comfortable at around a 35lb pack including food and water. I know I know….. going ultralight with gear only to go at it with average weight, but that’s what makes me happy. That’s now really light for me seeing as how I thru-hiked the AT with a pack around 55-60lbs daily.
I bought an REI Flash Air 2 this spring. It's kind of a poor-er man's Duplex. It's around twice the weight of the Duplex, but it still helped me lower my base weight. I've only used it once so far, but it seems to be a pretty decent lightweight backpacking tent. I'm still going to use my hammock set up for camping when I feel like it, but I have gone back to the tent in part due to the simplicity.
