The BEST TENT EVER? Zpacks Altaplex Full Review

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[@MichaelHutchinsonPmsrefugee]

i get significantly more room at my head and feet if I take a 2 foot stick and angle up the end tie outs. stand the stick up and the tie out goes up over the stick and then down to the ground. It really pulls the walls out.

[@LWilli5]

Good info for anyone tent shopping. Getting multiple opinions is always good.

[@redwhiteblue7831]

Solid review. I'm more worried about spending that much money on a tent like this and it not holding up. Your vestibule stitching shredding like that would make me 😡🤬 Thank you for sharing. Take care

[@juketreks2192]

Love my Altaplex and I’m 6’3” and had it in 29 deg F weather with 45 mph winds and rain and it’s awesome. I pack it down folded and it can go inside or outside. Depending on how wet it is it usually rides inside. However if Zpack comes out with a Duplex XL, then I’m in. Still keeping my Altaplex but would love a Duplex XL. Besides my Oztent will not fit in my pack.

[@benhikingoutdoors1632]

Ive sworn off single wall tents. Here in NC the humidity is no joke. About a week ago, it rained through the night and humidity that day was about 83%. With condensation and force of the rain hitting the tent.... it was like it was raining in the tent. Everything was wet--- it was hard enough not touching the walls getting stuff wet.

[@lakorai2]

This is exactly why I bought a Durston x-mid 2p over any of the DCF tents. Single wall = condensation city

[@jackcrackerman]

@@lakorai2 there are ways to manage. I spent last summer backpacking in pisgah national forest with a single walled tent, no problems at all.

[@josephjankowski1153]

I've used both single wall and double wall tents extensively in the Pacific Northwest, where it is very humid, and I think the condensation problems with single wall tents are greatly over-exaggerated. The mesh layer in a double wall tent does nothing to stop condensation from occurring. It just provides a thin barrier between you and the wet inner tent surface. When condensation is bad, I prefer to have a single wall so that I can simply wipe away the condensation with a towel. The only other benefit to the mesh is that it can sometimes prevent drips from falling directly on you, but I don't think it makes a big difference. If the tent inner is so wet that it is dripping, you are going to get splashed either way. When it's that bad, you need to ventilate. The tent with the better ventilation will always win against condensation, regardless of whether it's single or double wall.

[@benhikingoutdoors1632]

@@josephjankowski1153 I can tell you from personal experience I am not exaggerating what happen. Though it was a perfect storm for a condensation, there have been issues in the past with other single wall tents I have owned. There are ways to manage the condensation (ways I did that night was site selection and having a shammy to wipe the walls with). But I was fighting a lossing battle. My friend who was also camping about 5 feet from me in his Xmid2 had no issues. Yes he had condensation on the inner fly, but the inner bug netting allowed none of the drips to come through. For reference, I was using the TarpTent Rainbow.

[@gravy9587]

I am 5'6" tall and have both the Plexamid and Altaplex tents. I do prefer the Altapex for the additional space and I do keep everything inside without an issue. With the Plexamid I usually keep my pack in the vestibule. The Altaplex is also easier to set up.

[@WALKITOFFDavidSmith]

When you mentioned that you thought this may have been a re-release of this tent, you may have been thinking of the Hexamid. Zpacks sold that for a while then discontinued it but brought it back. That's the one I own. Thanks for another great video. Love your content.

[@marqueshill5213]

This was the case with Altaplex it was discontinued but Darwin actually reached out to Zpacks and got them to re release this beauty

[@inkblots-life1111]

Where do you typically put your pack when using this if its raining?

[@alexwbanks70]

I got just got the Duplex and took it for my first hike down on the Scenic River, Green Forest, North Country, North Country Connector to Archers. Love the tent! But a FYI there are not a lot of tents sites or even spots to pitch a tent on that lower area below Archers.

[@PMarsh14]

Doesn't look like it would handle the winds we get in the UK? I might be wrong but I worry that Z Packs don't use zips on the flysheet door. Also don't you find with the rainbow zip that it could get damaged when you get in and out with it lying on the floor?

[@SalmondOutdoors]

I love my altaplex!

[@BackcountryExposure]

My Tarptent Double Rainbow Li is my new favorite tent. Massively roomy for one person and can pitch anywhere.

[@jacobpoucher]

3:26 that's exactly what I say to break the ice to chicks on a first date !

[@GoneFeralWithSquidly]

That’s what she said

[@scottdmartin]

LOL!!!

[@peteberkery9652]

Hello, enjoying the video. Lend a thought pls/ thx.- 6’3” 265 lbs. like the pack inside? Yes, I understand vestibule area. Thx

[@drytool]

The new CNOC poles are perfect for the Altaplex.

[@Reeses0810]

Nice presentation low door height alone is a deal breaker just finished PCT using Nemo 1 person fits my pack and me just fine I’m 6’6 putting pack out side can be dicey with critters wittiness day many hikers with holes eaten through stick with duplex on through hikes.

[@michaelbrohl1625]

Funny that you love the rainbow doors. I absolutely hate them. They fall to the ground where they can get wet, dirty, stepped on, or pick up ticks or bugs. Disappointed in that seem rip as well.

[@Suncity4]

You are spot about those doors. I was always stepping on or getting tangled up in my Duplex doors. Another change I liked moving to Tarptents.

[@fredellis8179]

I have a Duplex and have ordered the Altaplex with its promise of being better for taller people. 6'2 here. Is the Altaplex only taller or is it also longer? In the video I see feet hitting the wall and that is what happens to me currently with my duplex.

[@CrazyMan085]

6'2" as well. I inquired about this with ZPacks, here is the customer service rep's response: "Thank you for reaching out to us regarding our shelter options. The Plexamid, and Altaplex have some minor differences. The length is the same at 7.5 feet, however like you mentioned the Altaplex is 6" taller. The width, and floor shape is slightly different as well. The Altaplex is 36" wide from foot to head. The Plex Solo is 38" wide at the center, and tapers down to 28" at the foot and head ends. For you I feel the Altaplex would be a better fit. You are probably at the limit for the Plex Solo height wise, and I feel the Altaplex will give you more wiggle room at the head and foot ends."

[@jackcrackerman]

Check out the Tarptent Aeon Li, I'm 6'1" and fits me great and comes in at 17oz.

[@oldtobyii7740]

Those look really cool! I've heard the struts limit the packing dimensions, but it also looks like they add a lot of stability and ventilation.

[@jackcrackerman]

@@oldtobyii7740 the struts do limit packability. It won't fit laying down in a pack. However I personally like packing things vertically anyways. The struts provide so much structure that you can completely open up the front rolling back both vestibules and you don't need a guyline in the front either. I bought mine secondhand on ulgeartrade and I'm sold on Tarptent. At this point on on the wait list for their double rainbow li so I can have a dcf 2 person tent for when my wife wants to join me. Not to mention it's semi free standing and can become completely free standing with some trekking poles.

[@oldtobyii7740]

@@jackcrackerman Thanks for your detailed input! I've been a zpacks guy for years, but tarptent sure makes a sexy product. Happy trails!

[@MikeDQB]

@@oldtobyii7740 you can pull the struts out and pack them separately and then you can pack the Aeon Li however you want.

[@oldtobyii7740]

@@MikeDQB Yeah, I have heard of that but I have also heard that it is can be a pain in the butt having to do that every day on a thru hike

[@BenMcmillen]

Just wish you didn't need a longer trekking pole. I like my crappy short poles. Looks like a sweet tent

[@hope2someday691]

I just ordered an Altaplex tent pole as I do not always use tracking poles. The Zpacks tent pole is 60” tall. It is also a fixed length pole. It’ll be interesting to see if the head and foot room increase or decrease.

[@juketreks2192]

Increase. I have several options, extender, Zpacks pole, Rudy pole (adjustable), and CNOC trekking poles. The Zpacks pole is lightweight and thin. I imagine it will flex a lot in high winds. I had my extender on Ti Leki trekking pole in 45 mph winds and it was flexing so much I had to hold it straight for hours. Bought the Rudy pole the next day. The Zpacks pole will be absolutely fine below tree line.

[@hope2someday691]

Jeff, I am unable to find a Rudy Pole I’ve checked Amazon, EBay and Google and get no hits on a Rudy Pole. Am I missing something?

[@juketreks2192]

@@hope2someday691 Same folks that make the poles for Zpacks and Hyperlite

[@johannasolesbee5647]

Hi handsome 😍 thanks for all the info i love y'all content.

[@Suncity4]

How about a weight with the 8-10 stakes you’re shacking for that thing. I’ve ditched my Zpack tents for DCF Tarptents. Their weights include the total package and I’ve got to say the quality difference is noticeable. I’ve had two Zpack tents and their stitching was horrendous, although neither leaked. Tarptent designs are not for everyone cause of pack fitting but their quality and customer service blew me away after dealing with Zpacks. That said, Zpack tents do the job and made it through torrents. Glad your happy with it and glad we have choices. Also, when I moved back out west I quickly remembered fewer stakes make life much easier due to the harder ground or when pitching on rock. Like your videos, just sharing a different opinion.

[@Mtlk77]

Yea my snugpak ionosphere is a coffin, but I got it for $115 new

[@charless.barcus8346]

I’m 6’3. #Zpacks please make a 8ft or 8.5ft long so my feet don’t touch and I can sleep not worrying about my feet touching and getting my quilt wet.

[@peteberkery9652]

Would I fit ?

[@lakorai2]

Altiplex..... Or the Durston X-Mid 2p?

[@Upaasak108]

How about for someone who is 6'8"?

[@walk-tall-hikes]

It would probably be a bit tight, your head and feet would hit. I'm 6'5 and I have an altaplex. I use a couple short poles on either end of the tie outs to pull it out even more. And I just barely fit. I'm thinking about going to their triplex and sleeping corner to corner and having more room for my gear.

[@Upaasak108]

@@walk-tall-hikes I'm leaning towards triplex or so long 6 by lightheart gear

[@BacktotheOutdoors]

I have a Triplex on the way and I’ll be using it solo ~50% of the time.

[@redwhiteblue7831]

Circus tent 🎪

[@ssam143]

Cant do the single wall here in the southeast. Xmid 2p is the sweet spot.

[@keithlong6253]

Ordered my xmid 2P Wednesday, so stoked to try it out.

[@pauletteskalko5909]

I’m an older female hiker, I chose the duplex bc of roomy interior, the lower weight and the ease of setting it up. I guess being barely 5’, the advantage of the altaplex would be lost for me.

[@BB-rc9sk]

That thing looks like a coffin inside. Would much rather carry a few more ounces and pack a two person tent.

[@xbpbat21x]

He got a $600 tent for free...do you really think he's going to give a bad review? Never bite the hand that feeds you.

[@inkblots-life1111]

I have the Plexamid. Bought it and love it

[@nuggethikes]

Altaplex owner here, and I do not like this tent. Zpacks customer service and 25% restocking fee is ridiculous. The ventilation is not good. So if you backpack somewhere hot, humid, or wet, then you will be sweating all night long. The Stitching is not high quality, and it is not roomy at all inside. At least on the duplex you can sleep sideways with good ventilation.I’m 5’10” and it’s not big enough for me, not sure how you’ve figured it out. Actually your feet were hitting, and no air mattress or quilt. Hum. I smell a rat. Sorry people.

[@inkblots-life1111]

Im 6’ tall and dont hit the side on my plexamid on top of a 3” nemo tensor insulated wide pad.

[@matthewdavidson4423]

You take the time to do this review and don't properly set it up??

[@flatheadfletch]

Sorry dude. I can’t stand to just watch someone talk