Here is a side by side look at the Tarptent Protrail LI vs the new Zpacks Plex Solo. Both are great tents and they are very much a like while being completely different.
I have the Pro Trail Li and have been very happy with it for fastpacking and UL solo missions. Agreed you probably don’t get quite as much living space as with the Plex, Aeon Li or similar side entry tents but the long, skinny footprint makes it easier to find tent sites in proper off track areas here in Tasmania - where clear, mostly level space is at an absolute premium - and the low overall roofline makes it easy to hide behind or within vegetation for protection from wind and weather. One advantage of a front entry tent is that you get the most headroom where you sleep, giving a less claustrophobic feel and better dissipation/release of warm air to better manage condensation. I really notice this in our Double Rainbow Li which has a similar shape to the Plex. The four-peg simplicity of the Pro Trail can’t be overlooked too. With a bit of practice it can be pitched to taught within a minute or so.
Hey, got a question for ya Ben. I have hiked all the long trails in the US, and just finished hiking across Ireland, Scotland, and Spain. Tasmania and New Zealand are my next trip. You talked about small spaces in Tasmania, I agree that small footprints often make for an easier time picking a spot to sleep. What I'm wondering is how is the soil? In Ireland and Scotland I really would have liked a free standing tent as most of the ground was hard and rocky, a lot of time almost impossible to get a stake in. I've been rocking the Gossamer Gear DCF The One for the CDT and that last trip across Scotland/Ireland/Spain, and it's been fantastic other than the hard soil set ups. Any tips about Tasmania are also welcome. Thanks
@@toocleanpappas5397 really depends where you’re talking about camping, but generally speaking the SW and alpine areas tend to have soft, damp, peaty soils. I did a fastpack of the Penguin-Cradle Trail and Overland Track last week and was glad I’d upgraded the standard 6” Eastons the Tarptent came with to 8” ones… the ProTrail Li does require a fair of tension to pitch tightly and smaller pegs are prone to pulling out. I didn’t take a ground cloth for this trip to save weight/bulk, but it’s definitely preferable in many/most cases. There are of course places where it’s the exact opposite - ground is hard as a rock. Some places (Shelf Camp on the Mt Anne Circuit) you’ll be camping on solid rock and obviously need gear and a strategy for those scenarios.
@@toocleanpappas5397 other tips? Public transport is minimal outside of major town centres, so plan accordingly. Gear Hire companies often have sister transport services but don’t expect these to be cheap. We don’t have a strong culture of hitch hiking so many people rent cars but that’s expensive and often difficult to do during the summer months due to high demand, so make sure you plan your moves well in advance. Many of our popular walking trails have either a paid or free voluntary booking system, again, plan things well in advance. Mosquitos and March flies are common throughout the warmer months, so make sure you’ve got repellent and fly netting. Generally speaking our water doesn’t require filtering but there are some places (downstream of major camp centres, farmland, some mining areas etc) where you will want to be careful. Animals/birds in popular areas have no problems getting into your pack/tent after food, keep such things in huts where possible.
@@headwerkn awesome! Thanks for the tips. I was looking at the new Tarptent li. But damn, another expensive piece of gear... I already have 4 tents, and a bivy set up. Haha damn it's rough to be hiker trash! :)
Just found and watched your video...thank you. I have owned the non-DCF Protrail for several years. I've found getting into and out of the tent is an issue for me as it disturbs my quilt and pad. That, along with the majority of headspace at the front of the tent makes movement inside the tent with your sleeping gear deployed cumbersome. Still, nothing wrong with the tent and have camped with my Labrador Retriever inside the tent with me and on his own pad.
Thank you for the excellent review. They both have a lot of positives and a few negatives. I'm still trying to decide on a tent for an AT thru hike. In thinking about having to set up a tent 100 plus times in 5 months, I really like the simple setup of the Protrail. Also, as on the Plex having all of those tieouts sticking out all around the tent really bugs me on other tents when walking around the campsite trying not to trip over them. If I chose the Protrail I'd have to use it with a trekking pole for a much better pitch than with the fixed pole and not having to move the pole back and forth when getting in and out. Just no perfect tent imo.
Sorry, but the footprints are waaaaaay different. You have to consider the room required for the guy lines when you consider the footprint. This is especially true of the width you used to compare. And the minimum six stakes for the Zpacks tent does not give a good taut pitch, whereas the four minimum of the Protrail are very adequate. In the end, these are very different tents designed for different circumstances. A better comparison would be with the Tarp Tent Aeon Li rather than the Protrail Li.
I really really really wanted to like the Protrail Li. But after being in there in the first rainstorm, I couldn't avoid touching the sides with my sleeping bag, and it was hard to keep dry - and just too confining. Tempted by the Plex Solo.
I hope that Durston makes the X-mid Pro1 with more interior space, because I hate the center pole and vestibule door set-up on the Plex solo, but at least it isn't as claustrophobic as the X-mid 1.
i just like the simplicity of the tarp tent, the zpacks just has to much going on. It has lines everywhere and needs 9 or 10 stakes to fully set up? I like how the tarptent has only 4 seems very straight forward and minimal. I started with a front entry tent and i hike with two poles. I am a hammucker but if i had to go to the ground tarptent would be my choice. Thank you for the awespme compairison on these two very interesting tents!
I really like the Tarptent as well. It served we well as my ground shelter. The extra stakes and lines are not as bad as they seem once you start using them.
Do not know whether you covered it or not did not see it in video, maybe I missed it .. Tarp Tent is $70 less than Z packs.. I have the pro trail LI, the quality build is something to Marvel over
The Plex Solo looks nice but that $600 price tag may be a dealbreaker for some. I suggest looking into the Six Moon Lunar Solo. Same form factor and construction as the Plex Solo at less than half the cost. It weighs 1lb 10oz as it is made from sil-polyester. I used mine for 800 miles on the AT in 2020 and it’s still kicking.
The Lunar Solo is suppose to be a good tent but it is more than twice the weight. The Lunar Solo also has to be seam sealed and it will retain water making it even heavier. The price you pay for the Plex Solo can be worth it if you are trying to save over a pound off your base weight.
I’m late to this, and you’re absolutely correct in that the lunar solo is almost double the weight, and that’s not only because of the fact that DCF on the Zpacks tent is a lighter material, but also because the lunar solo has almost double the room on the inside. Seam sealing is pretty easy to do yourself, or have them do it, so that’s not really a con for me. Also, it’s not silnylon, but silpoly, so it retains much less water than silnylon. It’s supposed to be a pretty significant difference, though I couldn’t find statistics on how much.
Like the video, but you don’t need to move the pole back to center with the Protrail. I always put mine way over to the right and extend it at an angle so it’s nice and taut.
I was cycling on the outer banks inNC years ago and someone two down had a pyramid tent like the z-packs. I don’t know what brand, but I know it was dyneema. In only about 35 mile an hour gusts, behind a small sand dune, his tent was blown down, and though not destroyed, there was a tear line in the fabric near the bottom guy out. I’ve been a bit suspect of pyramid tents since, seeing how tall they are and how much sail they present. That said, your review has likely changed my mid about the tarp tent. I was set to order the same one, but the ergonomics would drive me nuts - so i’m going to investigate the z-packs and other such. I hate that glow in the moonlight silver color, and on the AT is hope the winds won’t be the same problems where I plan to go. Thanks.
@@arkansasoutdoorschannel1867 ya, sign up for the reminder. When they email you availability, jump on it. They sell out in about 4-6 hours. Btw, outdoor vitals just started selling them too. I grabbed a couple for friends.
Thanks for watching and I just learned by taking my time and gettting it squared away the first time. If its raining or really windy my tents get stuffed not packed LOL
That was a great comparison. The zpacks seems to be the better choice. Both tents seem too short for a 6’4” person. By the way, how tall are you? Bah, only kidding 😂. That’s why I read the comments before I ask. Thanks again.
The angle on the head and foot wall pull outs would need to be but I think the bath tub floor lines can be shortened if needed. I usually just have them set at about 1/2 their length to give me room to play with them if needed.
on the Protrail, can you use a stick in lieu of the rear pole, and then put both poles in front, each angled out toward the sides (to keep the full opening available and to have additional stability.)??
I'm DONE ✅ with front entryway ,, cave style,,, tents !! Just done !! Sorry Tarptent !! (. I own the Tarptent SS 1p ). So OF THE 2 !! I'D have to go with the zpack !! The Z " looks " like the tub is a 'smidge' taller. If ur having ugly weather at least ya can have company for games n visiting. But, did you cover the Z vestabule ???? Without playing the thing over again I'm drawing a blank on that part.
@@arkansasoutdoorschannel1867 I just gotta figure out what guyline and stakes I want to use on it before I hit the purchase button. I want to keep it closer to an even 13oz if possible.
I think it would have been helpful to comment on your height and the total height of your sleep system with regards to the space inside each tent. I’ve heard others who have reviewed the Plex solo that it basically would not work for anyone over 6’ with a 3”+ pad. That the big advantage for tents styles like the tarptent. They give you lots of length. Also the sides (head & foot) of the zpacks are angled much more than Protrail which are basically straight. I have a Yama Mountain Gear Cirriform which is very similar in concept to the Protrail but it has a ‘side entrance’ instead of a doghouse style entrance which basically addresses the only real down side to these styles.
if you use a trekking pole you don't have to move the pole, move it to the right adjust the pole and you're done. Protrail has cross ventilation, Protrail has vertical end walls which accommodates a taller hiker better. TT has better customer service. hate the rainbow door on the zpacks which always collects dirt from being on the floor. workmanship is superior on TT. Protrails lower profile handles wind better.
I own a few Zpacks products and they are of exceptional quality, but their business model nickel-and-dimes you to death. Having to purchase the stakes separately is a deal-breaker for me, as a matter of principle. For $599 USD stakes should be included. Admittedly, it is tough to please everyone.
