Zpacks Duplex Lite Tent Review

Many hikers become obsessed with saving weight when deciding on gear for thru-hikes. Cut a few ounces here, save a few grams there — it all adds up. Gradually, we dial in our weight item by item, realizing we didn’t need a second pair of shorts or a fourth pair of socks.

A few items, however, are a necessity to keep us safe from the unpredictable conditions — like a tent. Fortunately, ultralight shelters have changed drastically since Grandma Gatewood used a shower curtain as a shelter on the Appalachian Trail. Riding the coattails of one of the most popular ultralight tents out there, the new Zpacks Duplex Lite ($669) refines a classic and even trims a few ounces along the way.

Now fashioned as a shelter for a single hiker (or two in a pinch), the Duplex Lite keys in on the ultralight hikers who sleep solo more often than not, but still appreciate some internal space to ride out an all-night storm. At 15 ounces, it’s 3 ounces lighter than the original, and after a few months of using it across the West, I’ve seen both the good and the bad in this UL shelter.

In short: The Zpacks Duplex Lite ultralight tent improves on the classic Duplex in most metrics — if you mostly hike alone and aren’t very tall. For the ultralight hiker looking to trim the fat from all corners of their load-out, it can be an excellent option.

To learn more about the current options when it comes to thru-hiker-approved ultralight shelters, check out GearJunkie’s Best Ultralight Tents Buyer’s Guide.

Zpacks Duplex Lite Tent: Review

I spent a handful of nights in the Duplex Lite on trips in Utah’s backcountry to get a feel for the tent this year. This trip included the alpine in Utah’s Tushar Mountains and out to the harsh summer desert on Lake Powell, as well as an early-season hike in Roan Highlands, N.C.

At 6’2″ tall, I find this tent to be a bit too small for me. Either my feet or my head touched the walls enough for condensation to wet my quilt or head at night, and even when I was sleeping diagonally, it was still small.

Zpacks says this is a one-person plus gear tent that has the capacity for two people. I’m actually inclined to agree with them, depending on the size of the hiker(s) in it, but I think it’s probably a stretch to call this a true two-person shelter for a pair of thru-hikers spending months in it. That being said, I learned a good bit more about this shelter while using it, and for the right hiker, it’s a highly refined choice.

The Nitty Gritty: Ultralight, Compact, and Minimalist

The Duplex Lite is made from Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF), a waterproof, laminate fabric with high tensile strength. Due to its lighter material and smaller size, the Duplex Lite drops 3 ounces off the Duplex Classic while virtually remaining the same tent.

The Duplex Lite is made from a 0.55-ounce/square yard DCF canopy combined with a 0.75-ounce/square yard floor. The lighter floor helps make it a fair bit lighter than the Classic, but it’s mainly a smaller tent. Keeping the same length, the Lite narrows the width by 5 inches and exterior dimensions up to 7 inches.

Besides using thinner 1.3mm guylines, most of the trustworthy and minimalist features are the same. There is lightweight mosquito netting and dual storm doors on both sides. The inside zipper is really nice, and the netting falls inward when opened, which is a great touch. 

The exterior storm doors are zipperless and can all be used independently. I love this feature, and it was my favorite feature of my Zpacks tarp back in the day as well. One less part of the tent to break on a dusty trail or when I’m exhausted and trying to get to sleep quickly. 

A mesh screen separates the bathtub floor of the Duplex Lite from the canopy to prevent condensation from dripping in. A pull cord adjusts the screen to let condensation drip through and outside the tent. A similar feature is included in many other single-walled shelters, and I like the adjustability in the Duplex Lite. 

Packed up, the tent gets pretty small, fitting into a roughly 3.5L DCF stuff sack. If packed tightly, it would have enough room to fit minimalist tent stakes inside as well.

Other Ultralight Considerations

There are a few other things to consider about the Duplex Lite. This non-freestanding tent requires two trekking poles to set up, or you’ll need to purchase Zpacks carbon tent poles from its store (sold separately.) Zpacks makes a freestanding pole kit for the Duplex Classic and Duplex Zip tents but currently does not have this same option for the Lite. 

Zpacks equipment is expensive, which can be a big turn-off for prospective users, but the brand’s tents are good quality, usually have a short lead time, and are incredibly light for their size. Coming in hot at $669 (the cost of 66.9 shower curtains at $10 a curtain), the Lite doesn’t have a penny-pinching price point.

You’re certainly paying for a quality product. Can you buy a more durable tent for this much money? Totally, but at the cost of a heavier tent. There are no extra bells and whistles in the Duplex Lite, but some accessories like storage pockets can be purchased on the Zpacks website.

Height and Sizing Limitations

As far as the Duplex Lite goes, I’ve already mentioned the height thing enough. That being said, at 40 inches wide, the floor of the Lite is just wide enough to accommodate two 20-inch-wide sleeping pads.

For hiking couples (or those simply too trail-tired to care), it’s manageable for an evening or two. Additionally, Zpacks sells accessory Trekking Pole Cups that help increase headroom by lifting the outer wall guyline angles away. 

It’s important to mention that Zpacks does make shelters for taller hikers, and both the Offset Solo and Offset Duo are designed for tall hikers and couples looking for ultralight shelters that actually fit them. The Offset Solo has a price point similar to the Duplex Lite and weighs 17.5 ounces (almost the same as the Duplex Classic). All of Zpacks’ ultralight shelters can be found on their website. 

Conclusion: Who Is the Zpacks Duplex Lite For?

The Zpacks Duplex Lite is probably not the right shelter for first-time tent users or for whimsical gear thrashers. A hiker who stands 6’6” and finds themself sleeping in one will likely be unhappy about their purchase, regardless of the weight savings. Sorry, it’s just not made for your height.

However, those under 6 feet tall may certainly find the shelter roomier and more comfortable to spend a rainy night nestled next to their hiking partner. This is a truly ultralight shelter and used the way that most thru-hikers use two-person shelters — that is, as a single-occupant shelter with room to spread out — it excels.

Solo UL hikers looking for a fully insert-protected, rainproof tent will find it easy enough to set up alone and fit into those smaller tent spots at camp in the evening, and it has enough space for friends (or partners) to join you. For those looking to spend a ton of time in their tent on the regular, tall people, or hikers sharing the tent every night for months on end, consider sizing up to make room for each other or for yourself.