...Everything included with comfort!
f ull-provision a daptive s uperlight t rekking
1. ZPacks Nero Ultralight Backpack Review
2. Tarptent Aeon Li Dyneema (pre-2020) Verses ZPacks Plexamid Tent
Review
3. ZPacks Offset Duo Tent Review
vs.
Durston X-Mid Pro Plus Review
4. Wide Sleeping Pad Comparison (tested): Klymit Static V2 vs. Therm-a-
Rest Xlite HL MW vs. Exped Ultra 1R MW Sleeping Pads (Below)
5. Zpacks Duplex Lite Tent
Pros: Super-light in weight yet high quality, can snugly fit 2 persons if on standard pads, dual side-entries with 4 independent
vestibule doors, near-7”-high bathtub floor, 8 stakes maximum, good ceiling space, Dyneema floor/wall/canopy material, smaller
packing, inside pocket(s) can be added at .14 ounces each.
Cons: Realistically, cramped for 2 persons and unaccommodating of wider pads, cost, no inside pockets or top vents, brushing
inevitable at tent end if storing packs inside at opposite end, good but thinner Dyneema flooring compared to Zpacks' other tents
(groundsheet not required, but advised over time or circumstance), vestibule flaps fiddly to manage from inside the shelter.
Summary: This is a fantastic 1-plus-person shelter for those desiring more inside room than a solo version, and basically at the
same weight! For two, it’s good in a pinch, or in good weather when storing packs outside the tent’s interior is practical, and you
don’t mind narrower sleeping. For longer treks with 2 persons, go 4 ounces heavier (still very light) with Zpacks’ Offset Duo Tent,
and enjoy zippered vestibules (keep clean), wider width for 2 pads (designed for wide/tapered variety), longer length for storing
packs, offset wall for added head room, inside pockets, more upper-tent volume, 2 apex vents, and thicker Dyneema floor material
(saves 2 ounces of groundsheet). Remember, 4 extra ounces divided by 2 persons is only 2 extra ounces apiece, plus saved
groundsheet weight. And that’s well worth a comfy night sleep and tentsual activity, if applicable!
6. Zpacks Altaplex Lite Tent
Pros: Super-light in weight, yet high quality/reasonably durable. Can snugly fit 2 persons, especially if on standard pads. Great
apex height, near-7”-high bathtub floor. Dyneema floor/wall/canopy material, smaller packing, and inside pocket(s) can be added at .
14 ounces each, as can non-slip loops for a pad. Uses 1 trekking pole or orderable one.
Cons: Cost. Stake count. No factory inside pocket(s) or top vent. Wall angles make for bumping when not laying down, except
toward apex of tent. Groundsheet not required, but advised over time and circumstance. Vestibule flaps fiddly to manage from
inside the shelter.
Summary: This is a great 1-plus-person shelter for those wanting more inside room, at a super-lightweight! For 1 person there's a
lot of floor room, but you will brush the walls if not maneuvering in the tent's apex's portion if much upright movement. Still, not bad.
You could potentially fit 2 inside, but the back-wall person will be in constant contact with walls, and the bathtub floor will be
compromised by about half its height (if using wide 25" pads: 20” pads and you’re fine). Add an inside pocket or two as I did--it's
worth the minuscule weight and convenience. The tent is a bit finicky to pitch even/taut all the way around. My ownership with this
shelter has been a love/dislike relationship...but aren't all shelters that way? The weight/size makes it worth the ownership. I secured
industrial strength (Amazon) 2"x 2" Velcro squares to the bottom and middle points on the vestibule doors with one door secured taut
when pitched. That way I can close/open the second door quickly to the first from inside the tent by simply pushing the Velcro
squares from the loose door to the staked-down door. Alternatively, you can pinch the two pieces together on the bottom attachment
point if desired--easy. Works great and fast. Else, from the factory, you have to loosen the vestibule's bottom cord to unhook the T
connector that fuses them together, connect, then re-tighten the cord again to pull the doors taut (something Zpacks should show on
their product video). It's a bit of a hassle, especially if the ground is soaked and raining. Call me a wimp. The footprint is reasonable.
Don't wonder about condensation: do your management with a bandana if muggy--it's a single-wall shelter. Saying it's good or bad
with condensation is like saying the stock market tomorrow will be good or bad. Depends on many factors. Keep toward the entrance
for maximum space between your bag and the ceiling if condensation. Speaking of which, nice that its floor is 90" long in that regard
with a bit steeper wall angles to a tall apex height. 40" floor width is luxurious too. In all, I'd summarize by saying that there are some
hassles with this unique tent you must negotiate (like any romantic relationship), but at 15 oz. including stake weight, you choose.
Interesting that on my last trip in 2024, a young bear endlessly stared at my Altaplex Lite, frozen. I was 10 feet away when I first saw
it: Hey Mr. Bear, what about me? Is that good; what a tent. How did he even get there? Then he jumped around toward me like a
playful pup, then played with an adjacent tree, hoisting itself around it a couple of laps...what? No death threat there...thank god
there was no mama in the confined site or you wouldn't be reading this. Enjoy the Altaplex Lite.
7. Zpacks Pivot Solo Tent
Pros: Super-light in weight, yet high quality/reasonably durable. Can verrrry tightly fit 2 persons on standard pads. Good apex
height, big upper-tent volume, 6”-high bathtub floor, low-to-medium stake count, Dyneema floor/wall/canopy material, large top vent,
zipped entrance/vestibule, 2nd-pole apex with large netting for airflow, smaller packing, inside pocket, non-slip loops for a pad can
be added.
Cons: Cost. Groundsheet not required, but advised over time and circumstance, finicky for optimal pitch, inside pocket too open.
Summary: This is an amazing 1-plus-person shelter for those desiring great inside room and upper-tent room, at a super-
lightweight! For one person there's a lot of floor and upper-tent space. You could potentially fit 2 inside, but it's extremely tight and
probably sleep in opposing directions on standard pads--advised for a 1-night trip or emergency. The shelter is feature rich with all
the conveniences you'd desire. The tent is a bit finicky to pitch and takes two laps or more for optimal tautness. The upper vent
helps a bit with condensation, but importantly, the 2nd-pole shelter's end has netting, so it allows for good airflow for that tent wall.
This makes it somewhat of a hybrid-wall shelter. The footprint is good. You can sleep with the head/foot end on either end of the
shelter and have large space above you--2nd pole does wonders. The wider 42"-inch floor center leaves good room for a pack, pet,
child, etc. At 15 oz. including stake weight of 6-8 stakes, this is my #1 pick for a solo+ shelter. Enjoy the Pivot.
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Ultralight Backpacking
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Article Guide (Beyond the first four on this page select here)
f ull-provision a daptive s uperlight t rekking
...Everything included with comfort!
Klymit Static V2
Measured inflated: 22” x 71½” x 2”. 16 oz. The width maintains 22” down to 6” from the bottom. Its 70D nylon is very durable.
Nice surface friction…about 2x that of Xlite, though a bag will still turn
Outside baffles nudge you a bit if getting toward the edge, but not much because each pad chamber is independent of other. With the Xlite pad below, for example, this does not happen at all due to its horizontal baffle design and no edge elevation.
The Klymit's inter-baffle design seems to be more independent, meaning each chamber supports you in and of itself. this results in a less integrated support system against your body.
With a partially deflated pad, you may bottom out a little at the hips due to the pad's 2” height. Deflation also causes the outmost baffles to not nudge you much at all since they independently too have less pressure.
The air separation between the V chambers makes the pad less luxurious feeling against the body, but the gap seems to perhaps allow for better overall circulation since body surfaces are not totally being pressed against. It’s a trade off between perhaps a therapeutic feel verses a luxurious feel against the body as with Xlite below.
There is low noise when moving around the pad. It's R value is 1.3 (low) so use inside of a tent and with EVA foam (Mountain Laurel Designs) if cold.
The rectangular shape on its lower half makes one less likely to roll off since low legs sliding off of a tapered pad can be a contributor to the body following suit.
Cost: Only $65.
Overall:
For a very low price, this 'measurements fudged in all three dimensions,' very durable, comfortable, supportive pad won’t let you slip off easily. It is a bit narrow in the shoulders compared to wide pads, though advantageously roomier along the leg area compared to a tapered cut. You'll be pushing its lower height, notably when partially deflated for a bit more comfort.
Therm a rest NeoAir Xlite RW
Measured inflated: 25” W x 72” L x 3" H—about 24 ½” at shoulders, 23½” mid-pad, 17 ¼ “ at 8 inches from the bottom, and 16 ¾” at 6 inches from the bottom.
This pad has minimum surface friction and horizontal baffles so a bag will tend to roll around you and slide with movement. EVA foam (Mountain Laurel Designs) is recommended to help with this. Its internally integrated air pressure keeps the baffle feel smooth and comfortable, though there's no edge warning/nudging so you can slide off as such. The pad does taper at its foot end so feet may slide off during sleep.
The pad is somewhat noisy when moving atop. It's high R value of 4.2 is great for cold temperatures.
Note: the UberLite is an impressively lighter version (11 oz.) of Xlite, but quite prone to puncture due to its 15D nylon.
Cost: $205
Overall:
For a high price, you get a very lightweight, wide, but tapered pad that is more durable (30D) than comparable offerings that use 15-20D nylon. It is supportive, shy of three inches high, narrower along the lower leg area though not bad, and lulls (not sings) “Crackling Rosie” if moving.
Exped Ultra 1R MW
Measured inflated: 25.5” W x 72” L x 3" H. 16 oz.
This pad has minimum surface friction, but the pad's outer vertical baffles nudge you back onto the pad if close to the edges. It's wide rectangular shape also helps to comfortably keep you on the pad from head to toe. It's baffles are less numerous than Xlite so it provides about 75% of Xlite's comfort. Its internally integrated air pressure keeps you supported throughout the pad.
It's R value is 1.3 (low) so use inside of a tent and with EVA foam (Mountain Laurel Designs) if cold.
It has an awesome 2 valve system for easy inflation, fast deflation, and gradual control for letting out small amounts of air on the fly.
Cost: $130
Overall:
For a good price for what you get, you'll experience a very lightweight, truly wide pad that is somewhat durable, supportive, great height, and truly rectangular. Its dual valve system is state of the art. This is my pad of choice.
