Zpacks Tent Modifiers Explained: XL, Zip, Offset, & Free
“Offset” Overview
Offset meaning: Two Zpacks Tents, the Offset Duo and Offset Trio currently comprise the Offset series. The word Offset signifies that the apex ridgeline is bumped closer to the head-end to creating an asymmetrical pitch with additional ceiling space directly above where users spend the most time sitting up. This decreases ceiling height above the foot-end. Compared to baseline series (Duplex/Triplex) Offset series is also 4″ longer and 6″ wider at the head end, tapering to equal width with at the foot-end. It has a higher interior volume, but smaller vestibules. It It also implies the addition of one or more 32″ end struts (mini-poles or use 3rd/4th trekking pole), to create convexity at the foot and/or head end, which further increases usable headroom and interior volume. This package also includes magnetic storm door roll-ups, magnetic bug mesh door roll-ups, peak vents, zippered storm doors, and trekking pole-to-bathtub-floor-connection flaps.
Our thoughts on the Offset features: The Offset package is the best upgrade in the Zpacks line. It has all of the zip features, with more interior area and larger end struts than the XL series. It is the biggest and best of all worlds, the most livable. It has the best headroom, thanks to the offset ridgeline. Only downside is the decreased vestibule space, and that it’s the most expensive of them all, adding +$100 on top of the baseline Duplex or Triplex, which are already pricey.
“XL” Overview
XL meaning: Two Zpacks tents end in “XL,” the DupleXL, and the DupleXL Zip. The XL signifies three changes from the base model. First is the elongated tent body, that bumps up from 7.5′ to 8′. The second addition is the end struts. These are one foot tall rods attached to guyout lines at the center of the foot and head end. When tensioned, they pull the tent fabric up and away from draping onto your head or the top of your sleeping bag’s footbox. Third and finally, the DupleXL and DupleXL Zip are one inch narrower in interior width than the base Duplex. The addition of six inches of length minus 1 inch of width nets a total of 1.2 extra square feet.
Our thoughts on XL features: We love the addition of the XL features. The extra six inches of length allow you to store your backpack at your feet (rather than vestibule) and extra gear at the head end, like water, fleece, headlamp, etc. This is the a huge benefit and incredible livability boost.
The ends struts are an excellent add-on, as they reduce the amount of contact between sleeping bag foot box and tent wall, which in turn reduces the amount of dampness that always seems to invade the footbox. They also reduce the likelihood of wind blowing the tent wall into your head during a storm. Despite the fact that they weigh virtually nothing, the struts do add a bit of annoying bulk and make packing up slightly more challenging, as you have to make sure they are situated parallel to how you are rolling up the tent. The loss of one inch of width is odd, we wish they had just kept it the same. However, losing a half inch of width per camper is marginal at worst, compared to all of the benefits of extra length.
“Zip” Overview
“Zip” meaning: Three Zpacks tents come with the “Zip” suffix – the Duplex Zip, the DupleXL Zip, and the Triplex Zip. Like the XL modifier, the Zip implies three distinct changes from the base model. First and foremost is the inclusion of a waterproof zipper closure system on the storm doors instead of a toggle closure. Second, and perhaps even more important than the zipper is the addition of the storm door vents, which help reduce condensation build up by dumping a bit of warm air that has risen to the top. Third and finally, is how magnets replace toggles for the storm door roll-up system.
Our thoughts on “Zip” features: The zipper comes with pros and cons, but once the dust settles, we could take it or leave it, to be honest. Obviously it’s faster and easier to use, especially when opening/closing from the inside. The zipper also creates a flush closure that prevents the wind from blowing into/flapping the gap in between the toggled-closure storm doors. The downside, of course, is that zippers are usually the first thing to fail on any given piece of gear, so we view the addition of the zipper as a small but notable hit to the overall lifespan of the product. Zippers can be especially difficult in sandy environments as they get clogged and damaged more easily.
But we love, love, love the addition of the vents. All single-wall shelters have condensation issues, and the vents help reduce that. They’re also great on warm nights. We hope that all of the Zpacks tents get storm door vents going forward, not only those with zipper closures. That being said, as single-wall shelters go, we’ve always found that Zpacks tents are breezy and well-ventilated with just the doors and the gap around the base/under the vestibule. Lastly, the magnetic storm door closure roll-ups are nice to haves, marginal but strict improvement. They hold surprisingly well and are much easier to un-do than the toggles, especially from the inside.
“Free” Overview
“Free” meaning: Two Zpacks Tents are modified with “free”, the 2P Free Duo and 3P Free Trio, though they are not included in this how to choose article. Free implies that the tent is freestanding, rather than trekking pole supported, thanks to the addition of H-shaped carbon tent poles that affix to the exterior of the fly. This allows the tent to be set up on surfaces that cannot be staked, like rock or loose beach sand. The tent poles add about 10 oz of additional weight and $150-200 of additional cost.
Our thoughts on “Free” features: First off, we’ll admit that we don’t have personal experience with the freestanding Zpacks Tents, including the Free Duo or Free Trio, or the Duplex Freestanding Flex Kit. That said, as freestanding tents go, these compare favorably on spec to competitors. The 2P Free Duo weighs just 30.1 oz, 13 oz less than the Big Agnes Tiger Wall HV UL2, arguably the most popular 2P freestanding tent design on the market. That alone is a huge win for Zpacks. User reviews for the Free Duo are also very positive, averaging 4.7 out of 5 stars on 33 reviews at time of writing. That said, the additional weight and cost is a big ask for ultralight backpackers (the free tents are light-not-ultarlight) and we’ve managed just fine without freestanding setup for hundreds if not thousands of nights in the backcountry, all around the world and never has it caused a major issue.
Therefor, we view this as a fairly niche product that adds extra cost and weight with limited benefit. It’s likely that you already have a freestanding tent somewhere in your closet that would hold you over in the rare case you are camping on a surface without the ability to use stakes. If you’re building out a quiver of ultralight tents, we might recommend these as your fourth purchase, after you have acquired a 1P, a 2P, and 3P trekking pole supported option.
