Glad to help! You'll need to set it up and lay in it probably to see any pinholes. If you look at the video I took when I was in Grand Teton, (mid roll) you can see the entire tent is discoloured basically disintegrating. That is pretty much end of life and I hope you don't see anything like that in yours!
@@HowestheHikeThank you. The Duplex I have is the orange-ish dirt colored model made with the heavier DCF so I hope that make a difference, but I guess a bad supply can happen in any grade material.
They definitely did tell me that the thicker fabric has less of these issues. And if I were to get another one, which I won't at this price point paying in Canadian dollars, I would go for the orange.
I'll check my Duplex out right away. Thanks for the update. I do remember a few years ago Dixie from Homemade Wanderlust had holes in her Duplex. I think hers was covered under warranty. Maybe the same defect.
Yes she did. I remember that video as well. Same thing. I think she had bad fabric. She tried to blame herself if I recall for stuff it into her backpack without the stuff sack. I don't think it was her fault whatsoever.
I was going to buy a Duplex for and upcoming thru hike. This is multiple times I've saw an issue with Zpacks gear, and their customer services seems poor. You deserve better from a $700 investment.
I certainly agree with you. 700 US is almost $1000 up here in Canada! Think about that. $1000 for a tent that doesn't last three years. And the company gives you a $200 discount. I'd look elsewhere!
Reaffirms my contentment that I purchased a $99 tent from Amazon, instead of a tent that retails for $650! This is one of the dangers with any “niche” sport or lifestyle. Eventually, it is taken over by overpriced products. In fact, everything associated with backpacking is overpriced these days. It’s like someone decided even the most basic equipment, like bear bags, water filters, backpack rain covers, etc…things that likely cost just a couple dollars to make in sweatshop in India…should cost $50. I’m currently updating and acquiring equipment for an upcoming multi-day hike in the Wind River Range, and it’s costing me hundreds of dollars…just for the basic things listed above.
At those prices you could buy new gear every year! I haven't given up complete hope, there are still some companies out there that make a good product and try to do the right thing. But I agree that a lot of it's very very expensive for the durability and lifespan you get. Those companies probably will never have my business ever again
That's unfortunate. I used my Duplex on my AT thru back in 2016 and it is still holding up really well. I did, however have one ruined in a hail storm in Virginia. DCF is really brittle when pitched correctly and the hail punched right through it. There is no flexibility or give to it like there is for nylon. There were about 15 tents pitched and the only two tents that got damaged were mine and another guy in a Duplex. Zpacks replaced it for me because it was only a couple months old and I had only gone about 500 miles on my hike.
Hail! Wow!!! Must have been a heckuva night! Congrats on the AT. Big accomplishment. Regarding the Duplex, I'm not surprised it lasted for you and it is a great choice for the AT. Fabric degradation over time is the main concern, as they seem to hold up pretty well on the thru hikes.
I also bought a Duplex in the lighter, olive drab fabric. I found holes in it about where the horizontal line of holes are on yours. Sent it back and I think it was still under warranty, and all they did was tape the holes. I didn't get a letter or email about what the problem was though. Still, it hasn't gotten any more holes but I know to keep an eye out now.
Glad you didn't get any more holes but oh my goodness all they did was tape it? Wow. They're always very nice to deal with but when you basically get a reply that "this sometimes happens" it doesn't really help the fact that even invested all this money for a 10th that only lasted three years with very little use. I'm glad you've had better luck!
I bought a duplex (olive) 6 years ago. In 1.5 years after the purchase, there were a few pin holes. When I asked Zpacks what they would do after I ship it back, there replay was "just tape it by yourself". Meantime, the fabric of its tent sack completely disintegrated within 2 years. After sending its pictures, they sent me a new one saying that the batch of the fabric might have been bad (is it called a "deva ju" ?). After warranty expired, I started seeing fabric disintegrations in many areas (especially high tension areas). I have been taping every time I am done with each hiking. When you need to order repair tapes, you may want to order bunch of it.
Wow. That's quite a story.. A TapeTent! A trend for sure Mine is beyond tape... I do way too many long, remote trips to trust it. Hope you don';t run out of tape!
I haven’t purchased a DCF tent but I have quite a few stuff sacks and while they are light and I love them…. They are basically crap. For the price of them and the hype of how good DCF is… why then do they get holes out of know where and like you said, delaminate/disintegrate? I will probably never buy a DCF tent if even the stuff sacks aren’t up to snuff. 🤷♀️🙄
Agreed on the stuff sack as well. I have a bunch that are basically becoming gluey messes. You dodged a bullet by not buying a DCF tent. Basically $1000 Canadian down the drain with very little usage. Not impressed!
Thanks so much! You are certainly invested in the Zpacks DCF world! There are lots of happy people out there using these tents I'm sure. But it's worth keeping an eye on them - especially if you're under warranty because it can save you a lot of money. Although I'm reading comments here that say even when sent for repair they came back just taped. Interesting.
Some information from a few years ago... DCF "e" mylar (in CT1E.08) shrinks more than the older "k" mylar (CT1K.08). They switched to 'E' a few years ago to reduce the microcrack/pinhole issue, but it might shrink more readily. Guess yours could be using the "K" mylar?
Wow that is quite disappointing to hear. I have pondered purchasing a Zpacks tent. But always held off due to the high price tag. The Duplex is currently $699.00 US,, which is $950 cdn. Stuart that is $300 a year to rent the tent...YIKES. I think I will stick with my Nemo and MSR tents for now.
$300 a year to rent. I never thought about it that way! I certainly would look at other options. Lots of great choices. Including DCF from Durston and Tarptent which is pre-shrunk and might offer a lot better quality control.
I'm pretty sure that Durston uses the same factory as Tarptent for the pre-shrunk DCF. I mentioned Henry from Tarptent in the video and I've also read a lot of Dan Durston's replies on a lot of the forums. Both of these guys are incredibly committed to quality and to the education of their customers. That alone gives me a lot of confidence in their products. I'm pretty sure from what I've read online is that Durston inspects their panels meticulously for fibre gaps. That's the key issue here for me. All DCF tents are going to end up looking like mine at some point - but not after three years of very little use. So I think taking care to inspect the panels before you actually make a tent out of them is pretty key! I think with a Durston, you're going to be just fine!
Ridiculous. I have other DCF tents that are older that have no pin holes whatsoever. I am not a negative guy, but the way this company handles this sort of stuff is really dismissive.
I'm not sure I'd say never again as I know other tent makers are a bit fussier with their DCF quality control... but given the feedback I'm seeing here and online, ZPacks might want to address this.
Good to know!
I just recently purchased the Zpacks Offset Solo but I’ll be for sure checking my older Duplex. Thanks for the heads up!
Glad to help! You'll need to set it up and lay in it probably to see any pinholes. If you look at the video I took when I was in Grand Teton, (mid roll) you can see the entire tent is discoloured basically disintegrating. That is pretty much end of life and I hope you don't see anything like that in yours!
@@HowestheHikeThank you. The Duplex I have is the orange-ish dirt colored model made with the heavier DCF so I hope that make a difference, but I guess a bad supply can happen in any grade material.
They definitely did tell me that the thicker fabric has less of these issues. And if I were to get another one, which I won't at this price point paying in Canadian dollars, I would go for the orange.
I'll check my Duplex out right away. Thanks for the update. I do remember a few years ago Dixie from Homemade Wanderlust had holes in her Duplex. I think hers was covered under warranty. Maybe the same defect.
Yes she did. I remember that video as well. Same thing. I think she had bad fabric. She tried to blame herself if I recall for stuff it into her backpack without the stuff sack. I don't think it was her fault whatsoever.
@@HowestheHike She was also using her unpitched Duplex as a ground cloth when cowboy camping.
That's right! I remember that!!
I was going to buy a Duplex for and upcoming thru hike. This is multiple times I've saw an issue with Zpacks gear, and their customer services seems poor. You deserve better from a $700 investment.
I certainly agree with you. 700 US is almost $1000 up here in Canada! Think about that. $1000 for a tent that doesn't last three years. And the company gives you a $200 discount. I'd look elsewhere!
Reaffirms my contentment that I purchased a $99 tent from Amazon, instead of a tent that retails for $650! This is one of the dangers with any “niche” sport or lifestyle. Eventually, it is taken over by overpriced products. In fact, everything associated with backpacking is overpriced these days. It’s like someone decided even the most basic equipment, like bear bags, water filters, backpack rain covers, etc…things that likely cost just a couple dollars to make in sweatshop in India…should cost $50. I’m currently updating and acquiring equipment for an upcoming multi-day hike in the Wind River Range, and it’s costing me hundreds of dollars…just for the basic things listed above.
At those prices you could buy new gear every year!
I haven't given up complete hope, there are still some companies out there that make a good product and try to do the right thing. But I agree that a lot of it's very very expensive for the durability and lifespan you get. Those companies probably will never have my business ever again
That's unfortunate. I used my Duplex on my AT thru back in 2016 and it is still holding up really well. I did, however have one ruined in a hail storm in Virginia. DCF is really brittle when pitched correctly and the hail punched right through it. There is no flexibility or give to it like there is for nylon. There were about 15 tents pitched and the only two tents that got damaged were mine and another guy in a Duplex. Zpacks replaced it for me because it was only a couple months old and I had only gone about 500 miles on my hike.
Hail! Wow!!! Must have been a heckuva night! Congrats on the AT. Big accomplishment. Regarding the Duplex, I'm not surprised it lasted for you and it is a great choice for the AT. Fabric degradation over time is the main concern, as they seem to hold up pretty well on the thru hikes.
I also bought a Duplex in the lighter, olive drab fabric. I found holes in it about where the horizontal line of holes are on yours. Sent it back and I think it was still under warranty, and all they did was tape the holes. I didn't get a letter or email about what the problem was though. Still, it hasn't gotten any more holes but I know to keep an eye out now.
Glad you didn't get any more holes but oh my goodness all they did was tape it? Wow. They're always very nice to deal with but when you basically get a reply that "this sometimes happens" it doesn't really help the fact that even invested all this money for a 10th that only lasted three years with very little use. I'm glad you've had better luck!
I bought a duplex (olive) 6 years ago. In 1.5 years after the purchase, there were a few pin holes. When I asked Zpacks what they would do after I ship it back, there replay was "just tape it by yourself". Meantime, the fabric of its tent sack completely disintegrated within 2 years. After sending its pictures, they sent me a new one saying that the batch of the fabric might have been bad (is it called a "deva ju" ?). After warranty expired, I started seeing fabric disintegrations in many areas (especially high tension areas). I have been taping every time I am done with each hiking. When you need to order repair tapes, you may want to order bunch of it.
Wow. That's quite a story.. A TapeTent! A trend for sure Mine is beyond tape... I do way too many long, remote trips to trust it. Hope you don';t run out of tape!
I haven’t purchased a DCF tent but I have quite a few stuff sacks and while they are light and I love them…. They are basically crap. For the price of them and the hype of how good DCF is… why then do they get holes out of know where and like you said, delaminate/disintegrate?
I will probably never buy a DCF tent if even the stuff sacks aren’t up to snuff. 🤷♀️🙄
Agreed on the stuff sack as well. I have a bunch that are basically becoming gluey messes. You dodged a bullet by not buying a DCF tent. Basically $1000 Canadian down the drain with very little usage. Not impressed!
I very much appreciate your video, as I have a DuplexL, Aeon Li, Hexamid, Plex Solo, Altaplex…oh boy.
Thanks so much! You are certainly invested in the Zpacks DCF world! There are lots of happy people out there using these tents I'm sure. But it's worth keeping an eye on them - especially if you're under warranty because it can save you a lot of money. Although I'm reading comments here that say even when sent for repair they came back just taped. Interesting.
Some information from a few years ago... DCF "e" mylar (in CT1E.08) shrinks more than the older "k" mylar (CT1K.08). They switched to 'E' a few years ago to reduce the microcrack/pinhole issue, but it might shrink more readily. Guess yours could be using the "K" mylar?
That's good intel. Thank you! Hard to say at this point, this was an August 2020 purchase. But they obviously know they have an issue...
Wow that is quite disappointing to hear. I have pondered purchasing a Zpacks tent. But always held off due to the high price tag. The Duplex is currently $699.00 US,, which is $950 cdn. Stuart that is $300 a year to rent the tent...YIKES. I think I will stick with my Nemo and MSR tents for now.
$300 a year to rent. I never thought about it that way! I certainly would look at other options. Lots of great choices. Including DCF from Durston and Tarptent which is pre-shrunk and might offer a lot better quality control.
Hoping the pre-shrunk dcf used by durston avoids or delays this issue.
I'm pretty sure that Durston uses the same factory as Tarptent for the pre-shrunk DCF. I mentioned Henry from Tarptent in the video and I've also read a lot of Dan Durston's replies on a lot of the forums. Both of these guys are incredibly committed to quality and to the education of their customers. That alone gives me a lot of confidence in their products.
I'm pretty sure from what I've read online is that Durston inspects their panels meticulously for fibre gaps. That's the key issue here for me. All DCF tents are going to end up looking like mine at some point - but not after three years of very little use. So I think taking care to inspect the panels before you actually make a tent out of them is pretty key!
I think with a Durston, you're going to be just fine!
Yep same here, exactly the same thing. Also made a video, where I read the letter from zpacks
I'm gonna check out your video to see if the email you received is pretty much the same one I received!
ua-cam.com/video/Ye5ZNFPV_5A/v-deo.htmlsi=MPBeWYGB2W21-nq0
Thank you! I can't believe they told you that at three years you should expect your tent to fall apart. Not good
20 plus pinholes in my duplex and counting - comment from Zpacks was "our tents have a limited life, here's some repair tape"
Ridiculous. I have other DCF tents that are older that have no pin holes whatsoever. I am not a negative guy, but the way this company handles this sort of stuff is really dismissive.
just another reason why i won't buy a DCF tent..... why am i going to spend 2x the amount of money on DCF compared to sil.... WHY??
I'm not sure I'd say never again as I know other tent makers are a bit fussier with their DCF quality control... but given the feedback I'm seeing here and online, ZPacks might want to address this.
@@HowestheHike quality control is everything....
Yep!
Sounds like you got a lemon
Yep. The point of the video wasn't to be negative to the company, just to let folks know to keep an eye on their tents.
Heck, just get a tarp and a bug net and you're set.
It may come to that! Bryan Delay it made that look pretty simple. Although I don't think he uses a bug net much!