Zpacks Altaplex vs Plexamid

HOW TO PACK YOUR TENT: • My trail tent packing ...
PLEXAMID: zpacks.com/products/plexamid-...
ALTAPLEX: zpacks.com/products/altaplex-...
TREKKING POLE JACK: zpacks.com/products/trekking-...
POLE STRAPS: www.hyperlitemountaingear.com...
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[@onionhead5780]

Just an FYI. You can but a 6 pack of NATO watch bands for $15.00 on Amazon to put poles together also. Dual purpose. Watch bands and pole connectors. 👍

[@dansklrvids7303]

Excellent as always!

[@jasondeen]

Thanks! Very helpful!

[@BlueBoyBackpacking]

The Plexamid came in as a replacement for the Hexamid - (which has now returned in just the solo size in a 10.4 oz(294 g) super ultralight form ) - but with a sewn in DCF bathtub floor instead of a sewn in mesh floor which required a ground sheet on top of it. The Popularity of the plexamid partly due to the 3oz weight savings over the previous 2017 Altaplex model caused low demand for the Altaplex and Zpacks dropped it. However in 2019 Darwin on the trail was looking for a tent for taller people which would avoid wetting out quilt and sleeping bag foot boxes and convinced Zpacks to bring back the Altaplex. I think it has found new life with the updates Zpacks incorporated into the 2020 Altaplex model as people value the extra room that a taller peak height delivers. More head room, more foot box room, more floor area.

[@arwedigi2250]

indeed and especially the nice cat cuts on the back seams as well as the construction of more panels make it more wind shedding than the plexamid or what do you think Blue Boy? You also have both as well as the old Altaplex..

[@BlueBoyBackpacking]

@@arwedigi2250 I should do a detailed head to head comparison of both Altaplex models - old vs new. 2017 vs 2020 models. What you say is prob right the 2020 version has catenary cut rear panels which will shed wind better however it comes at the cost of internal volume which is noticeable. Funnily enough I think I prefer the 2017 model. I now prefer things like regular line loc 3 instead of the slightly lighter lineloc V adjustors because line loc 3 just work better with less jamming the way linloc V adjustors always do. I also prefer the larger internal volume of the old model and the beefier reinforcements. I am leaning more towards the hyperlite mindset of make it functional and tough then make it light as you can after that.

[@arwedigi2250]

​@@BlueBoyBackpacking ah interesting, i have a similar opinion about durability (regarding hyperlite mindset). already added one additional guy line point on the rear side of the peak (posted it on my insta cannel argi_hikes a while ago) and made three more for the rear seams. Also reinforced critical points on the doors with some dcf tape (where the door meets the main part of the shelter in the centre ) which are prone to fail. I also prefer the normal line loc 3. the new v locs are in my opinion to small for the supplied lines. i am mostly hiking in northern europe (scotland, norway, sweden) were the weather can be releatively inclement and you are often above tree line thats why a love the cat cuts of the new version but the volume loss is a trait of i have to accept. Might should make a video of the mods i made to the Altaplex and YES please make a direct comparison. I really like your videos Blue Boy :-)

[@j3hikes444]

had the same thoughts on the plexamid. had the carbon rods break while on the AT and thanks to Zpacks great customer service was able to upgrade to the duplex with only having to pay for return shipping of the plexamid. so much happier with the duplex.

[@suprbikfixr]

Still in love with my Hexamid Twin! lighter than both of these, no extra parts, poles, or struts! roomy for one and cozy for two, wish they still made this amazing tent!

[@nameth7201]

Quite timely, just received my Altaplex today. FWIW, the Plex is only 38" in the center, it taper's to 28" on either end. While the Alta is a full 36" from end to end. Another reason it doesn't seem as claustrophobic as the Plex, it does make a difference. Thanks for the vids!

[@BlueBoyBackpacking]

Yep I noted that too. The Plexamid bathtub floor tapers from 38 in middle to 28” at ends so the full rectangular 36” wide bathtub floor of the Altaplex has more area, and does feel more roomy. Strengthening the case for choosing the Altaplex.

[@janefreeman4121]

Hi. I have the 2020 altaplex and i love it. A claim is that it can accomodate taller hikers. Im just 5'6"and a great choice regardless.... I can do certain stretches inside with my feet up. I love the overhead space and as i understand it can help with less condensation. My quilt doesnt touch the ends and i can sit straight up also without touching the sides. Also even tho lean and fairly flexible, Im 61 and it's just easier to get in and out of. 😊

[@xbigearsx6047]

100% agree! Packing up the plexamid especially woken it’s wet is such a pain in the ass. Altaplex all day!!

[@BlueBoyBackpacking]

Nice one Bungzy. At time code 4:35 I think you meant to say/text on screen that the Altaplex is heavier by 0.9oz if you factor in the pole straps or pole jack. Not the Plexamid. Doughhh! I think we knew what you meant. Altaplex, Plexamid. The names all roll into the same thing at times.

[@arwedigi2250]

thought the same but anyway nice short comparison and i totaly agree to bungzys opinion

[@chuckoffcampus9738]

Good video! I am still trying to figure out of the Altaplex will work for someone who is 6'4" or taller, or whether the Duplex might be a better tent for someone very tall. Also, I have seen in other videos a very short piece of PVC pipe can be used to jack the trekking pole up an inch or two. Some of the longer trekking poles on the market (like 54" ones) can be opened past their stop line to get 56" to pitch the tent.

[@pgreenx]

Excellent review....How do these compare to your Tarptent Notch Li?

[@Nicholasskram]

As an alternative you can use two short pieces of rope and a constrictor knot to replace the straps.

[@getlost3094]

I’m staring to go comfort over weight. I switched to a duo pad and duplex.

[@zacchariaturnbull5322]

Thanks Bungsy. From the threads on BPL a couple of years ago I gathered one concern about old Altaplex was its stability in wind. Any thoughts on the new model's wind handling?

[@dcaudwell]

The product pages you linked for the tents state 15.3oz for the Plexamid (or 15.2oz with their lightest spec) and 15.4oz for the Altaplex (no figure given for the lightest spec). As you say - near enough a wash...

[@einarhels687]

Excellent info, the practical approach is just what I need. Thanks. So, the thinnest Zpacks .55 DCF is good enough, but didn’t you have issues with the Notch DCF at .51? I would have thought the difference was negligible but at some point, thin/light is too thin/light. Comments?

[@devacore477]

.51 is way too see-thru. Prefer the thicker DCF too.

[@alexonthemountain8343]

Excellent review/comparison. Out of curiosity, would you say that the Plexamid handles strong winds better than the Altaplex, being that it’s lower and walls aren’t as steep? Cheers

[@RegisStrap]

Hey Bungzy, I’m very disappointed from my carbon pole jack. I really like the idea of your straps. Do you think these would works with BD distance carbon poles? I exchanged the tip with flex tech tip to allow better snow baskets. Thx for your advices and for sharing as always 👍👍👍🤟

[@RegisStrap]

Many thx for your feedback 🤗 I gonna try these 👍 For the record, I broke a tech tip because it bend in the pole jack due to snow storm in French alps. Looking forward to try these straps in same conditions 🤟 Youhou 🤟

[@drytool]

CNOC makes great poles that are long enough for the Altaplex.

[@wanttogo1958]

Bungzy, if the ground level measured length of the Altaplex is about 89", what is the length measured at the 14" height point inward from the longest point? I estimate 14" should provide clearance for your head and footbox when sleeping without touching the sidewalls. I'm 6'3" tall so that measurement is the truth teller for me as far as this shelter working for taller people.

[@andyclement40]

Darwin had a hand in getting the altaplex back

[@rkatrails]

Yes, it was mainly Darwin that persuaded Zpacks to bring back the Altaplex. He posted and asked other taller hikers to provide feedback in support of bringing back the Altaplex and he gathered enough to then present to Zpacks. I can't remember his height, it's 6' + something inches, but his head and foot box were hitting the ends of the tent and the condensation on the walls was getting his sleeping bag wet. Even though the Plexamid and Altaplex are the same length at 7.5 feet, the Altaplex has steeper walls and therefore provides the clearance he and other taller hikers need to keep from rubbing up against the end walls. Also, as was mentioned in this video, Darwin didn't like the metal bars in the peak of the Plexamid because it caused a packability problem. Even though the Altaplex doesn't pack down enough to suit Darwin, he said it's better than the Plexamid in that regard. But bottom line, Darwin says the Altaplex is a near perfect tent for him. I plan to purchase one before summer.

[@andyclement40]

@@rkatrails let's all say a collective thank you to Darwin... it's a great tent!

[@rkatrails]

@@andyclement40 Agree. His information was very helpful on this tent, and most everything else he posts on.

[@rkatrails]

@@Bungzy I liked your video too, it was very well done. It's just that Andy's comment about Darwin caught my eye so I just wanted to confirm what he said. This is the first video of yours that I've watched and it was good, so now I'll browse your other vids to see what else piques my interests.🙂

[@andyclement40]

@@Bungzy 😂 thanks Bungzy..

[@TooCuteForUs]

Hey Bungzy--I can't find "BUNGZY HATES STUFF SACKS" video. Still available?

[@rybiii]

hey, what about altaplex vs plex solo? I feel like if I put support under the head and toe ropes, I could get away with solo plex being 5,9 - considering the actual length of the tent is the same for both. In fact, I dont know why everybody doesnt do it, it has to add more space and also relievs you of the need to carry an ectra attachment for your short trekking pole. Also I wonder what would happen if I had poles that are say 130cm using Altaplex - it has to stand still, no? Again, if you support the head and toe area because you are looking for length. What do you think? On the other hand, I sleep really tall and I worry about condensation especially here in the central europian mountains. pfff so difficult. I am tempted to cut 20 cm off of my feet at this point.

[@drummerboy7201]

velcro..(O: