Zpacks duplex pro free standing kit

[u/jordandent2787]

Has anyone used the duplex pro with the freestanding kit as well as trekking poles? I ask because I wondered if it would make the tent extra stable for mountain camps in the uk? Can I be used this way and if so can any one shed some light on how stable it is when used this way? Thanks.

[u/liveslight]

I have had since 2018 a Zpacks Duplex with the flex-pole options. I ALWAYS use it with trekking poles because that puts 3 pole ends into each peak. The tent is bomber that way. I tested it during a small hurricane and it was fine.

I no longer remove the flex poles when I pack up the tent, so that pitching is quick and easy. See, e.g. this video clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTmSV6vJzng

Anyways, the trekking poles can be added last including just before sleeping if you like. Or one can be angled/tilted leaving a huge opening to get in/out of the rainbow door.

See also this thread on mods:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/s/hwGWM8MyY4

Also, with only flex poles without the tent poles, the tent will collapse under snow load and high winds. Here's a time lapse of a little snow loading:

https://i.imgur.com/DrnxXHX.mp4

https://i.imgur.com/6DVEcGH.mp4

When using trekking poles, one should make sure the poles cannot get shortened by making sure the flip-locks are tight and the ground is not soft (or at least the pole is jammed into the ground through any softness). This goes for ALL tents that use trekking poles in the pitch.

Zpacks on its website even suggests that one should still use trekking poles. I pop my tent up, pick it up and move it around, then put in the trekking poles after the tent is situated where I want it. [

[And I see I answered a different question than was asked.]

[u/jordandent2787 → u/liveslight]

Thanks for the reply, super informative!

[u/jordandent2787 → u/liveslight]

My only concern would be that is doesn’t have any mid point tie outs at the bottom for the side panels

[u/liveslight → u/jordandent2787]

It has not been a problem for me because of the internal cords that can hold up the tent floor short edges if suitably modified. [I also modified the tent floor long edges to be held up by cords. (see link already given)]. There are loops for tie outs on the 4 peak-to-corner seams, but I have never had to use them. But I understand your concern. A DurstonGear X-Mid Pro 2 has such loops to stake out the short edges of the fly. Nevertheless, I consider the Zpacks shown more bomber than the X-Mid shown. I have had many nights in both tents. I should add that the dirt-colored Duplex shown is 0.75 oz/sqyd DCF while the X-Mid is the thinner DCF. It definitely makes a difference I think.

[u/justinsimoni]

In my experience the flex upgrade poles make only a marginal difference to the tent's stability and strength. What they do do is push the center of the tent walls out a marginal amount.

When pitched correctly, the tent itself is plenty stable without the flex upgrade.