new ZPacks Altaplex tent

[photohiker]

This is looking like a brilliant lightweight 2-3 season tent. 479g single skin cuben including bug netting:





http://www.zpacks.com/shelter/altaplex.shtml

Colin Ibbotson has designed a quite similar tent but with an inner instead of single skin. Difference is it's fly reaches closer to the ground (and it is like hens teeth as he is making them to order personally) There is a photo of it on twitter: https://twitter.com/Tramplite/status/534420750485450752

[icefest]

Fixed the link:
http://www.zpacks.com/shelter/altaplex.shtml

An interesting change. And it's made for tall people!

[andrewa]

Hmmm. Not looking that much different to my Hexamid twin, which I have a love/hate relationship with.

I'm planning on modding my twin soon to include a vestibule, and some peg down flaps on the back to increase waterproofing, and to replace the bug net floor with the cuban tub floor. For my needs I really need more weather proofing, and the bug net floor is really of no use to me for anything. I'd happily go "more condensation" for a more waterproof shelter.

Also note that on recent trip to NZ in March, the bug net ripped near the zipper, so it would be wise to be careful with using the zipper, coz it was a real pain in the *&%$#! having random access of sandflies until I managed to sew it up.

A

[photohiker]

andrewa, the Altaplex has an integral bathtub floor and a vestibule, so it looks like you and Joe are moving in the same direction. The twin seems to have the pole inside the bugnetting at the front whereas this tent has it outside.

Be interesting to see how it travels after it has had some use. The interior height looks good!

[Mark F]

It is a Soloplex with an additional 15cm width (from ZPacks web site) and some extra height from the looks.

[photohiker]

It is a Soloplex with an additional 15cm width (from ZPacks web site) and some extra height from the looks.

Definitely in the same family, but the Solplex uses 2 trecking poles while the Altaplex uses just one:

Solplex:


Altaplex:

[Mark F]

Well spotted. I am just in the process of swapping my old Hexamid Solo Plus fly (no net floor) for a Soloplex and had forgotten about the second pole on the Soloplex. I was actually contemplating adding a bathtub floor and netting to my Hexamid at one time but decided I wanted better front coverage than the old Hexamid extended beak.

[Eljimberino]

There is a dome tent on the way too.

Will the altaplex make any other models obsolete?



Zpacks customer service is sensational. The gear isnt bad either.


Ride On

[icefest]

There is a dome tent on the way too.

I'm interested!

[Eljimberino]

Here's a bit of info on the dome Icefest:

http://www.trailgroove.com/showthread.p ... rom-Zpacks

[Bubbalouie]

Here's a bit of info on the dome Icefest:

http://www.trailgroove.com/showthread.p ... rom-Zpacks

The most recent info I could find was 2012, is it still under development?

[Eljimberino]

As far as I know, yes.


Ride On

[icefest]

Thanks Eljimberino

[Bubbalouie]

As far as I know, yes.


Ride On

I'm curious to see what it weighs when it comes to market, from the pictures it looks a lot like it's a typical zpacks "just the basics" design:

http://jolly-green-giant.blogspot.com.a ... t.html?m=1

At about 700g (according to the JGG) I'm sure such a product would sell very well.

It'll be interesting to see how it plays out, hopefully Joe finds a way to do a poles on the outside style of design to make pitching in the rain easier.

[Eljimberino]

What would be the advantages of this over a Duplex? Snow use? Seems much narrower.

[photohiker]

What would be the advantages of this over a Duplex? Snow use? Seems much narrower.

Well, it is a one person tent, of course it would be narrower than a duplex, but in reality it is 36 inches vs 45 inches width and the same length...

Advantages: Only fits one person; Weighs less; uses one pole instead of two; quicker and simpler pitch; slightly cheaper

http://www.zpacks.com/shelter/tent_comparison.shtml

[Eljimberino]

Sorry I'm off topic and this dome/duplex comparison probably needs its own thread. Not talking about the altaplex.

The prototype dome tent is 700g, uses a maximum of four poles. Price unknown. I'd say the Duplex and the dome will be similar in price.

Pitch time would be about the same I imagine.

For three season use hard to look past the duplex at 610grams, two poles. Although the new dome is unknown.