I've done multiple long distance backpacking trips totaling approximately 15,000 miles over the last 6 years and I'm still using my 3f ul gear lanshen 1. I've never had any major problems with it. I'm getting ready for my AZT through hike and I'll be taking my lanshen 1.
Here is my rain story with the Lanshan. I took it out to Arkansas to do a loop hike in the Ouachita Mountains. During one of the nights, a lightning storm arrived and it poured rain all throughout the night. That was enough to keep me awake and await the chance that water might leak in. The downpour was heavy and the little depression I had set up my tent in began to pool water. Through all that, the tent held up. No water leaked in through the walls or the ground. The pool of water on the ground did not seep in through the floor. It felt like a waterbed. My only concern was when the rain hit the ground, a few droplets would bounce up and hit the wall netting. With enough rain, water can get in. This can be fixed by fastening the walls of the tent closer to the ground. Overall, it has held up pretty good and hopefully I can have it for a long time.
A big thank you for mentioning that. I plan to buy a tent for emergency shelter and don't need a huge one as it's just for me and one more person. I do have a healthy amount of credit card points to save more money on it so I guess I'll go with that one.
I used this lanshan tent for the entire Appalachian Trail and it was absolutely brilliant. It's 27 oz, dries faster than dyneema tents, and is warmer than dyneema tents, nice vestibule, and i got rained on like many many times and never once got wet. All that for $130.
Ive had the Lanshan 2 for over a year and have been extremely happy with it. I chose it because I was just getting into backpacking and if I didn’t like to backpack I was only out $100. Fortunately I love backpacking. I compare the 2 tents to a Ferrari and a Toyota. The Ferrari is awesome but you can buy a lot of Toyotas for the same price. Thanks for the review Dixie!
I have had my Lanshan 2 for a year as well. I bought it originally as a cheapie tent that I could fit one of my younger children in. I ended up loving it and have since onsold my 'big brand' tents in favour of it. I have also just ordered the Lanshan 1 (Flames Creed green version) which is yet to arrive. Great gear.
At 76 I'm still hauling around the same surplus tent at 6 lbs but if I were moving every day for weeks on end like you young ones. I would consider selling one of the grand kids for a lighter tent STAY SAFE OUT THERE .HAPPY TRAILS
@@johnd7564 Hello there young man as to you saying you hope your still crawling around the trails at 76 a little story . We have over the years lost many friends and to put it bluntly they eat and smoke to much no news with that statement just fact all but 2 out of11 can not handle altitude or the physical grind it takes to get to places so they have given up . Some still fish but none can hunt and when I say hunt I men hunt not sitting in a blind . it's a shame but we could see it coming years ago every one was told by there doctors to loos weight . Neither of us ever smoked and we have been eating the same foods that got my grand parents eat and in to there hundreds . Good luck stay safe out there . Happy Trails. PS every man needs a very good hearted woman to share the joys with .
@@chollomo there is one thing about this tent I used it now since 1972 every year for probably 3 to 6 weeks at a shot the only thing I've ever done to it is re wax it about every 2 to 3 years let me know how long your 's last .
For the budget minded... the Lanshan hands down. I am not wealthy. I have to live and hike within my means. I pride myself on having a sub 10 lb base weight for around $500 total... including all jackets, base layers, shoes, and big 3! Not one piece of gear in my kit cost me more than $100. You do don't have to mortgage your house to go ultralight.
Ultimate Direction fastpack 30L 18oz $70 on Massdrop about 2 years ago... Six Moons Designs Gatewood Cape 11oz $80 barely used Reddit Gear Swap... Klymit Insulated Static V 19oz $60 Amazon black friday a couple of years ago (my heaviest piece of gear, but its 23in wide instead 20in and warm and comfy - i feel like i can get away with a light top quilt with the warmer pad)... Aegis Max 45 degree down sleeping bag (i unzip it and use it like a quilt) 16oz $75 Amazon black friday. SOL escape lite bivy - as my bivy sack - 4oz $35. Used with dyi head net head 3oz. I've taken this down into the 20s with every stitch of clothing on. TOTALS: 4.25lbs... $320
Nice to see someone else using a UD pack for backpacking. I love my Fastpack 20, but it’s just a touch small for backpacking. Still my favorite pack I own though.
@@taylorbrawner2052 i actually have the 45L too. I'm super long waisted and most backs hipbelts dont fit right. Plus LOVE the Vest harness! Pa'lante Packs has the new Joey coming out with a vest harness... my dream pack... the only thing i dont like about my UD vest is that it has too many pockets for organizing... i just want 2 big water bottle pockets... the Joey is exactally that. Check it out... (at $200+ it breaks my streak though!)
I used the 3F UL Lanshan ( 1 person) last summer for a 10 day hike of the Lake Superior trail. I am over 50 and over all I am happy with it. It held up well to 3 large storms and did not leak. I do think I will seal the seams before I take it out again. It is a trick to set it up at first. I do recommend trying the set up before you get out in the woods. For a ground cloth I cut a survival blanket to the shape of the tent and use it with the reflective side up. I also use the ground cloth for cowboy camping. It is not very roomy for changing or hanging out in. It is nice on warm nights to have the bug netting and look up at the stars. With the half door it took a while to learn how to get in and out with out hitting the sides of the tent. Thank you for the review.
I think the takeaway from this video is that there are really decent options for a budget, and also some really fancy gear if you have the money. That's what's wonderful about choice. Only YOU know what your priorities are. Is your priority weight and you have money to burn? Is your priority price? Dixie has given BOTH of you great options. You get to decide what's right for YOU. Thanks, Dix!
Dyneeema has a higher tensile strength, but far less abrasion resistance than nylon. In other words, it can't rip apart as easily as nylon when pulled, but holes can occur much more easily in it from rubbing (ground, sticks, etc). I'm tired of manufacturer claims that it us the "strongest material known to man". Not true at all when it comes to abrasion resistance. Also, who needs more tensile/pull strength than nylon? In extreme winds maybe, but has anyone had a nylon tent rip due to high winds? Probably very few. "Strongest material known to man" is an advertising gimmick! However, as Dixie also mentioned, dyneema is much better than nylon as far as weight and moisture absorption goes. This is why someone would buy a dyneema tent.
Outrageous claims have always been with us. Even wax paper has one of the best properties known to man. Fight the fights you can win. Let it go. Go for a hike...
I've set my Zpacks Duplex up in some dodgy situations including an overnight trip where a nice pointy rock, that I missed during set up and didn't feel because it was under my air pad, did absolutely nothing to my Duplex. After three years and not using a footprint, my Duplex looks good as new, and it's much easier to repair if it does get a hole than nylon.
Jay S I agree with you... “strongest material” that’s not true, take for example the hilleberg tents, they are widely known for their superior quality tents... they don’t use cuben fiber, something weird on that.
One of the few things my old man managed to beat into my head was to buy the best tools you can afford. For a backpacker, a tent and a pack are their two major tools that get used constantly. A good tool brings pleasure to your life. If the best tool you can afford is the Lanshan, so be it, it sounds like it will do OK for you. If you're serious and can afford a better tent, go for it. I just spent $700 for a mixer, I never thought that would happen, but when my most recent Kitchenaid died I decided to bet the best I could find and bought an Ankersum, made in Sweden since 1939, and it is indeed a pleasure to use and I suspect someday my grandkids will be using it. Worth every penny to me.
Expensive doesnt always mean "best tool." The performance of more expensive tent in this instance is minimal in relation to the cost. The Zpacks tent is probably a $300 tent at best. Spending more on the Zpacks would be just an exercise in taking an extra $300 out of your pocket and giving it to someone else.
i own the lanshan 1. i consider myself an active weekend / section hiker spending on average 50-70 nights a year on the trail. very happy with it's performance so far. you made some valid points in this video although the 2 tents are not really comparable and the lanshan is much closer in design to some SMD offerings
I own both the Lanshan 1 and Lanshan 2 and have used both a ton. I think they are great. Seam sealed both. I'm also a huge fan of ZPacks and their products. I'm 6'2", so the sizing on the inside of the Lanshan was noticeable enough that I chose to modify both the 1 & 2. I noticed the bug net sags a little inside because each of the plastic ring attachments that hold the net to the rain fly are 1.75 inches long, which adds up. I realized that if I reduced this length by at least an 1" on all connections excluding the top, I could increase the tension of the net and make it a little roomier inside. So I carefully took out the double hook rings on all the connection points (except the top), and just used the remaining single ring. Worked great so far and increased the tension on the inside which has indeed made it roomier. If you guys want to know how I did it, I could explain in more detail.
Two or 3 years ago I bought my first piece of 3F UL Gear, a silnylon oversized poncho/shelter for $15. It has turned out to be great. Just as good as my Golight poncho/shelter that cost a lot more. Now, I have several items of 3F UL Gear and am happy to be a customer of theirs. We live in the _now,_ not the 1950s when only _Made in USA_ or European made items were high quality.
I recently bought the Z-Packs Altaplex with the plan to hike the AT in 2029 when I will be 62yrs old knowing it will last that long and serve me well. I’m hiking the Ouachita trail in Arkansas in January 2021 and will be giving it a good workout! Great review! To me the cost is worth the quality and low weight!
Great video Dixie. I am 60 years old, and prone to portliness. I have a titanium hip (ultralight!, lol) that is a year old, and a few years ago started backpacking again, to have a healthy hobby again, and one that would get me back outdoors. You touched on this in your video, and I would like to just relate how lightening my backpack has given me new found freedom. I went from a fine Kelty backpack that served me well for years, but weighed 6 pounds, my old NorthFace Manatee 5 degree sleeping bag that weighed 6.5 pounds (and was huge-making the large pack necessary), and my North Face Bullfrog 3-man tent weighed 5.5 pounds. 18 pounds for the Big Three. I wondered if I could really go any distance with a 30-40 pound pack. It was not easy. Miles were short, and pain was long. Now my ZPacks ArcBlast (25oz as I have it configued) my Enlightened Equipment 10 degree quilt at 26oz (40 degree quilt at 15oz for nicer weather trips) and my Duplex at about 24oz with stakes brought my Big Three down to under 6 pounds, a saving of 12+ pounds. Other Dyneema and titanium gear, (and less fears) have gotten my total base-weight down to 11 pounds for a weekend trip in nice temps for a weekend/4 day trip. I can keep the whole thing below 20 pounds with food and water on many trips. I just returned from a 4 day trip to the Red River Gorge and had a blast. The loss of weight on my back has allowed me to take up a hobby I thought I had lost the ability to do. Whats that worth? $400 bucks is cheap over the life of a tent, or any piece of quality gear you ever purchase that you will use and depend on. My Grandpa said, "Buy quality, you'll only cry once." And he was right. Love your videos. Take some shorter trips and bring us along with your camera. I'd love to run into you on the trail in the Red River Gorge like I have a couple other UA-cam hiking folks.
I used the lanshan 2 last year and will again this year. I'm 6'1" and had plenty of room. One night it rained and the guys I was with had bad condensation problems. I had no condensation problems whatsoever with the lanshan. As far as the zpacks being a bit lighter, an extra pound of weight on my frame is no problem.
Dix, all I got to say is; “next witness” please. Great debate, argument and/or simple presentation of fact! Good objective facts presented here. This is from someone that has been hiking and climbing for too long.
For years I used an REI Expedition two walled tent (still have it and am planning on doing a review). Had a lot of great miles on it. It sagged when wet, soaked up a bunch of water, the bottom got holes in it, and it weighed 8 lbs. Ripstop nylon. Do I regret a second of it? No. Am I supremely happy with my Zpacks Triplex as the new go to tent. Yes. Dixie as usual your reviews are the best. These are two very different pieces of kit with wildly different costs. You, as always, lay it all out clearly. Get the best you can afford and just get out and enjoy it.
I used my Lanshan 2 on JMT & many other trails for over a year. Love it. Did 2 reviews on my channel. Actually bought a second one. I'm a Zpacks fan & own a Archaul & live by the factory. Due to price I am going to stick with Lanshan 2 but the weight of plexamid is tempting. Thanks Dixie.
Great analysis. I have the Lanshan 1 and Lanshan 2 and like them both a lot. But I've never thought the Zpacks tents are over-priced by comparison: the more I study the differences, the more I think I'll get something like a Duplex eventually. The differences all add up: the much lighter materials, simpler set up, lack of water absorption, increased room etc easily justify the price in my mind, but then I hate carrying weight and I like the idea that I can be comfortable if I decide to stay in a tent all day when it rains. Much as I appreciate my Lanshan 1 for overnighters, I'd hate to spend a rainy day in it. You make it look a decent size when you are in it, but with me it's more like I'm wearing it as a mosquito head net:) Well okay, it's more like a luxury bivy bag, but for me it's definitely no more than a means to sleep while keeping the elements off.
Great commentary and comparison Dixie! Clear, balanced, informative, and entertaining as always. You are indeed a trail treasure! I'm on the wrong side of 65 closing in on 70 and bought a Z-Packs Duplex tent 2 years back. (Bigger, but the same dyneema fabric.) The weight and durability made all the difference in my section hikes of the AT (900 miles and counting). A pound does not sound like much, but each ounce makes a difference and reducing my weight by 1 whole pound? Priceless. Match that with a Z-Pack pack that saved me over 2 lbs. and my knees are thanking me daily. And my duplex so far has only gotten rain in it once, and I blame that on my setting it up poorly on a flood plain and then having the skies open up! But you are right to point out the price differential in the tents and give people a clear choice of pluses and minuses. You are great for that and we all appreciate it. (See above comment on trail treasure!) Hike on and keep the videos coming. Cheers, Tortoise
I have a 3F Lanshan 2 and it’s great. There are guys who have used them on the PCT all the way through. There are guys using the 3F packs on the PCT and AT too. Don’t knock this gear, it’s not bad for what you’re paying.
I would try one out on a short hike just because of the price if I could afford the extra weight. When I was young we backpacked with 45-50 pounds but I'm 65 now and a cancer survivor. If Dixie said she can feel a single bottle of water just think what an extra pound does to us old farts.
@@hikerJohn To be fair that's on a 11.7lb baseweight, you'd notice a lot less difference if it's a pound off of a 25lb load. If you haven't got a light pad, pack, quilt and clothing already then there are many more efficient, in $/oz, ways to shed weight before you spend $436+ more to lose 13.9 oz ($31.37/oz difference) on a tent alone. That said, once you've got the rest nailed down and can't trim more than a few oz's with all your other gear (most of which can be bought for less than the Solplex alone), 13.9oz is still a very good amount to lose off your pack, it just wouldn't necessarily be my recommendation to someone doing their first few hikes/first section/thru-attempt.
I have it and love it I pass on anything zpacks....they rip ppl off and claim to be a small cottage company just like enlightened equipment and the fact is they are major companies ripping u off now
OrangeCrusader With camera equipment my base weight was more than that 😜 I agree that when upgrading a nice spreadsheet showing more cost effective ways to reduce weight is a great idea. Excel doesn’t lie!
Just finished my AT thru hike 2 weeks ago and carried the Lanshan 2 the entire 2200 miles. Used it maybe 15 times the entire trek as I was a shelter rat. Just couldn't beat the convenience of staying dry every night without having to spend the time and effort to setup the tent every night. Never regretted carrying the extra 18 ounces vs. a duplex and I could spend the $500 savings elsewhere on better gear or in towns. Just my $0.02, but 1 pound off my back isn't worth $500 less in the wallet especially considering I haven't made a dime since I quit my job to hike the AT 6 months ago. I put it through the wringer in all types of weather and never once punctured the bottom and I didn't carry the footprint, you just have to be careful with it as you would with any other tent. 10/10 would carry this on the PCT.
I really like the way you do your comparisons. You don't show bias. You state the pros and cons and didn't forget that each hikers have different resources and preferences. You recognized that it's still our decision which to choose. That 'mature' analogy is pretty spot on. About 5 years ago, I had to shift to carbon fiber bicycle just to shave off almost 10lbs on the bike. And the shift wasn't about trying new trend or technology but because my 45yo knees couldn't enjoy doing those long rides on my 7yo 32lbs bike anymore. I loved that you mentioned the Chinese may not understand English instructions of 'western' products. I often hear a lot of non-Chinese complaining that Chinese products came with Chinese instructions (or none) and to be honest, they just sound entitled. I mean what are they expecting, they're buying products intended for the Chinese. A lot of folks go cheap & want caviar & champagne. You, on the other hand, you got the proper perspective.
I have the Lanshan 1 and used it 150 miles on Colorado trail. It has worked well. I just ordered the Zpack tent after saving up for it the past year. The Lanshan has served me well I just decided to try the Zpack to to lighten my load since doing over 300 miles this year on the Colorado trail. I am looking forward to see how they compare for myself. Thanks for doing this video.
Thanks Dixie and commentors too! I have the lashan 2 but haven't used it yet...I now feel confident to use it now and will be shaving 2.5 lbs off my weight on my next weekend warrior hike!
Zpacks quality is sub par compared to HMG & Tarptent. If i'm gonna spend $600 on a tent i'd rather spend the extra $100 and get a better quality tent. The 2 zpacks Duplex's I've seen leave a lot to be desired in workmanship IMO
"Mature" love it, thank you for being nice... for me once I was diagnosed with Addison's Disease and told I could no longer do the things I love. I found ways to make it easier on my body. Everything adds up, especially since now I have to carry medical items I did not before, emergency injection kit, etc. I totally enjoy my backpacking trips more now carrying less weight. This means longer and harder trips for me. Now I am the one feeling great at the end of the day while others are exhausted. Thank you for great video's.
I own a 3F Lanshan tent and I love it. I do use a ground cloth and I think that is a must with this tent as the floor is thin. Other than that, I'm very happy with it and I appreciate the cost savings.
We have 3 kids so this gives us an affordable option with three Lanshan 2 tents!!! We hope to give it a good effort for our adventure to try overnight hiking. I am so glad someone made a lighter double walled tent! Somuch lighter than my trusty 3 person Eureka. I tested itat the local state park in a very strong rain and those two tie out points hadthevery smallest trickle as it wicked thru the stitches. I will seal those and look forward to get a chance to try it out again!
Great points! You can’t go wrong either way. I’m older now and have invested in a quite a few shelters over the years. The three things I love most about the Duplex is the tight pitch, weight savings, and the fact that it doesn’t hold water like silnylon.
I agree but this gives a good idea.... personally I don't see a 440 dollar difference...I think the comments on the leaking are inaccurate...I'm sure u cod find comments just like that about zpacks...I believe the lanshan bc being double walled is better in the rain ..other then that she assessed them correctly..I have a lanshan and spend my extra 400 bucks on other things haha
I just did a comparison to the duplex with a cheap tent. Gotta mix it up 😉 I honestly feel like I could have literally said the same things about the duplex vs the Lanshan 2 as I did in this video, though.
I enjoyed your review of these weight vs. cost issues. I just bought a ZPack ARC Pack & Duplex Tent for the very reason you point out. I am 67 and have been section hiking the AT a week each year since the ‘90’s. The 4 lbs. this new gear shaves off of my load has become the difference between me being able to finish the last 200 miles of the AT with or without tearing myself up. I have tarped, solo tented (Mtn Hardware) and, for the past many years, hammocked (Hennessy) ... and I am really looking forward to luxury of a two person tent at half the weight. One thing I would also note is the value of the reliability of, and confidence in, ones gear. With the obvious quality of both materials and construction of the ZPack, this is a huge factor for me.
You don’t have to pay retail for dyneema gear. I got a Zpacks Solplex and Arc Blast in great condition from online gear swaps and eBay. I paid about half price for gear that has a lot of life left. So, check eBay, Craigslist, and online forums for used gear! Dixie, I really noticed an upgrade in video quality and editing on this one. Good job!
Thanks for the comparison video! I am a newbie, just gearing up to do some hiking, so $500 - $600 for a tent is just not practical at this stage. I would have to live in it because my wife would kick me out of the house. After considerable comparison research for a tent that's lighter than my 5lb Eureka, I just purchased the Lanshan 2 with the brand name MIER on it from Amazon for $129. Could get it for less from AliExpress but shipping time would be much longer. Got the MIER in 2 days with Prime. It's the Lanshan 2 though, it even says MIER / Lanshan 2 on the stuff sack. I haven't taken it on a hike yet but I set it up right away to check it out and I am very impressed with the quality and detail. If the Chinese start working with Dyneema in the near future, Zpacks and Hyperlite will have some serious competition. I also plan to hammock camp whenever possible so the tent is more of an alternative when there's no practical way to hang a hammock, which is common in AZ where I live. Great video as always! It seemed a bit biased toward the Zpacks but that's understandable since it's been a tried an true tent for you for multiple through hikes. If/when I get to that level of hiking I could maybe justify the cost. I'm sorry though, I think Zpacks and others are capitalizing on the exclusivity of the Dyneema material and being a bit greedy. When the material becomes more common, the prices will come down. Thanks, hope you do a review on the Lanshan 2 soon!
I did the exact same thing with Naturehike vs Big Agnus. I spent around $100 instead of $300-$400 (CDN $). I shared the same mindset with you, if I didn’t continue hiking then I was only out $100. I ended up buying a second Naturehike to fit a second person when needed. So far no complaints! I’ve been through thunderstorms and used the larger one in snow for winter camping. Everything was hunky dory. 👍
Your comments regarding importance of weight for older backpackers is spot on I dealt with a fairly heavy pack until I was in my 60s and then started trimming weight.
I used the landshan 1 pro on my Florida trail hike...it held up great. I didn't have snow (no brainer) but I did have heavy frost where the temperature dropped below 28 degrees fahrenheit. I actually liked it and am thinking about doing a section of the AT with it this coming May. My original thoughts were...if it holds up at least 2 months and I have to replace it a couple of times...it is still cheaper than a Zp. I did set it up, brushed sealant on the seams, and let it sit for a couple of days in my yard before I took it anywhere, (a 2 day test) and it rained heavily on night 2 but it held up well. The first leg of the Florida trail going from north to south is a stretch starting in Pensacola beach.. really windy. I was worried about it tearing and worried about the stitching but it held up fine. The Crestview/Eglin AFB stretch was just rain nearly every evening..I did have to hang my tent to dry once on this trip..not from leaks but condensation..it was a very bad night the night before..rainy, and so humid you could see your breath fog coming out of your mouth and it was really warm..60 or better..with all of that the moisture built up. I didn't have a puddle in the tent but over time moisture just hung and coated the inside of the tent..it cleared up and became sunny the next day so even without puddles, I decided to hang it and let it dry. I used this tent hard for the Florida trail..the only fault that I really have is the floor being a little too thin for the open sawgrass areas around Ocala. Never developed a hole or punch thru but definitely get something as a footprint for underneath..I used tyvek but I really would have felt more comfortable with something a little thicker. I kept expecting a punch thru the floor and so I was extremely careful during that stretch... anyway, long story shorter..I was happy with it for what I paid.. and will use it again... maybe the AT as I'm a combat injured vet who's always hiking on a budget. My joy isn't in the equipment but the journey so I do my own thing..Hope this helps
I'm starting into backpacking myself just now having watched your channel as well as a few other for some time now in learning from all of your experiences. As I will be more like that weekend hiker/camper person I will be going with the 3FL Lanshan 2 and figure I can put the savings into lightening up some other gear and make a more personalized gear mix for my situation. The breakdown you gave for your preference is a great starting point for people to consider when trying to determine the value of their purchase. Thanks for sharing!
I took the Lanshan on the UK Coast to Coast last year over two weeks. Didn't camp every night but for the 5 or 6 I did I had zero problems. It's a bit cramped - you wouldn't want to 'camp' in it, but for a quick put up, food, sleep, breakfast & move on it's pretty solid.
I'm not a camper or overnight hiker, but I love Dixie's videos. I'm avid mountain biker. A group of my friends talk about "value" all the time when it comes to the price of Mountain bikes. My current Ibis Mojo HD3 cost me close to $6K (3 years ago) where as my 20 year Ford Expedition with 160K miles (new tires and brakes) would sell for less than $2K.
I have the 3F Lanshan 2 and I really like it, especially when it's nice out at night and I can leave the fly off of it. I did seam seal mine immediately when I got it just in case. The only issue I have had is the 1st time i put it up, i put the trekking poles through the loops on the ground that is attached at the bottom, which then made the floor flat on the ground rather than it being higher up as a bathtub floor is. It's not a big deal at all, well......until you go to bed with it raining and it got to raining hard. Well i woke up and reached for something and got soaked. Water was covering 75% of the floor and got everything soaked. But that's user error. Now I unscrew the baskets and slide the stretch black loop at the base on the pole then screw the basket back on which then causes the baskets to hold up the bottom of the tent like a bathtub floor does. It's a great tent for someone on a budget or a beginner for sure! It won't compare to Dyneema at all but it's still a great tent.
I have the Lanshan 2 Person tent and love it. It is just for me. I only use two person tents so I can have room for my bag and get to stretch out. I could not bring myself to pay 500+ for a zpack. Mine was right at $100 when I bought it a year ago. The first time I used it was during a really bad thunderstorm and it did great. I did have to find a video online to figure out how to set it up and there is a bit of a learning curve. I use a piece of Tyvek for a ground cloth. All in all a great buy, in my opinion.
Hi Dixie, I just watched this video again after a year. You got it right with us older folks. My wife and I are in our 60s and on our last hike our joints let us know. I have a Zpacks Free Duo on the way. By switching out our two solo tents for the Duo, we'll drop 4lbs.
Talk about a timely video, Dixie. I have been studying my next tent purchase(s) obsessively for weeks. I have lost track of how many tent reviews I have watched. Tents I have considered: 1. Zpacks Duplex...$599 2. 3F UL Lanshan 2...$87 + $69 for winter inner, at AliExpress 3. Tarptent Double Rainbow...$299 4. Six Moons Design Lunar Duo Explorer...$325 The SMD LDE has the largest, longest floor, but the bathtub wall is extremely low, leading to rain splash, I have heard. And it is a single-wall, meaning condensation will be an issue, without the run-off design of the Zpacks tents. The Tarptent DR has a long floor, too. Again, it is single-wall, though you can buy a ceiling liner by which to catch falling condensation. It can be rigged for freestanding by installing a trekking pole at each width end, which is handy for the White Mountains, where you find tent platforms. I like this tent, it and the SMD LDE weigh basically the same as the Lanshan 2. But though it is labeled a 3+ season tent, it will not do as much as the Lanshan to block cold winter winds. The Zpacks is soooo light, but I have heard people say that they do have condensation issues in warm, heavy rain. So bad that they got soaked, just as would happen with silnylon single-wall tents. Also, at that price, with all the gear I have already been upgrading lately, I would have to wait longer to get it. (Happily married - and I intend to stay that way.) I dred buying Chinese anything, but I have yet to find an American tent that offers the features and weight of the Lanshan, at any price. I winter hike. I can get the Zpacks for three seasons, then a Nemo Tensi for winter camping, at $699. That is $1298 for two superb tents. *gulp* Or I can get the Lanshan, with the winter inner, for $156 total, and enjoy the advantages of a double-wall tent. The only drawback, besides not being MIA? It has a slightly smaller floor than any of the other tents, which at 6', 220 lbs, concerns me. My wife is tiny, but it will still be a tight sqeeze together at 110 cm width. We'd probably get stuck using our Nemo Losi 3, which was nice when it was introduced, but is an anvil by today's UL standards, at about 5.5 pounds. Mostly, I will be going solo. Also, the Lanshan winter inner weighs less than the summer inner, so the Lanshan in winter mode would weigh almost half as much as the Nemo Tensi, though that Nemo should be built for the worst that New England winters can throw at a hiker. Are there any six-footers out there that have the Lanshan 2? Do you fit it? Does it last? Would you get it again? Do you have the winter inner? If so, how do you like that? Thanks. Another fine video, Dixie.
Chris Eidam I’m 6’0 and fit just fine. I’ve had the tent for over a year and it’s in great shape. In fact I plan on doing a 1 year video on it this week
I used canvas, when I was a boy. It soaked up rain like a cotton towel. We tried the oil/wax...heavy, like rain. Nylon was a wonderful new invention until silnylon came along. Both still soak up the rain. There are sprays to make them soak up less water. Then comes cuben fiber/dyneema, strong, doesn’t soak up water...expensive. Over the years I’ve paid the price. If I’m out for just a few days, I go truck camping, with a cot, a cheap tarp, and a table and a chainsaw. If I’m out for a while and have to carry it all on my back, I go light, as light as I can afford. Thanks for your nice discussion, Dixie. Texas
If you are wondering or reason why CDF is so expensive it was made specifically and design for boat sails The problem is the materials so abundant that people are not willing to trade off the price difference when you googled it for $35 a yard it was technically $4.50 a yard through the sailboat manufacturing for the regatta and other
I'm looking at full rolls of it for 16.00 per 1/2 yard for 0.5 oz. what's the weight used for tents? Contender Sailcloth sells it but does not show the price but I think it's a heavier material.
Thank your for your video. Being one of the more "mature" generation of adventurers with multiple vertabrae damage plus wear and tear and arthritis in many of my joints, even for mostly overnight/short term expeditions weight is a premium consideration. If I want to star gaze I usually just sleep on a ground cloth unless I'm really "bugged". Oh, I use either a duplex or a tarp as a shelter for backpacking. Sometimes comfort is king.
I appreciated the mention of the "mature" hiker needs. I am at the point (73) where joints and muscle just are not what they were once upon a time. My normal pack (Gregory) checked in at 6 pounds plus a 4-5 pound one person tent. Recently I have lusted after the ultra light products and the Z stuff is well represented. The Solplex cost about one months social security check! To have the opportunity to hit the trail again overnight or thru hike is a wonderful option.
Thanks, Dixie! I am thru hiking the AT next year & I'm section hiking this year to train. I've ordered the Lanshan 2 (not yet received) for my training this year and then I will decide whether to step up to Dyneema for the thru or keep using the Lanshan. I enjoyed hearing your perspective on the two. Thanks for the great video 😊
I would love to hear how the 3F works for you on the AT!!! I think that I would get the zpacks for an AT through hike especially for the waterproofness and consider the Lanshan 2 best for section hikes.
@@janetstarr9554 I do see your point there. I have 8 section hikes of 4-6 days each on my calendar from now til December. I live in GA, my family is in MD and my hikes are points in between (and possibly one way north if I can swing it). I think by then I'll have a more than fair idea of how the Lanshan is gonna perform....especially in the GA & NC rain 😂 My thru hike is a flip flop starting in Harper's Ferry in April 2020...so if I have to buy a new tent after sectioning, I'll still have 4 months to try it out as well. I actually could have afforded the Z-packs (been saving every penny of my money for the hike lol) but I was very curious about the Lanshan. I'll be glad to let you know! Just realized I wrote an essay...oops 😂 sorry, I'm excited.
I am just a weekend warrior. I have used the 3F and its fine. I would definitely seam seal it. I can't speak to through hiking with it as I prefer 3 to 4 nights at a time. Love the videos ✌❤
I personally am not a hiker but I trike pack... however I am an outdoorsman and long term camper... I suggest seam seal all tents and keep up the waterproofing care of your tents as well as all proper maintenance of all straps, buckles, tabs, and strings and replace and repair anything when it shows signs of excessive wear to avoid failures in critical moments... like that storm that comes out of nowhere... I understand weight but sometimes you may have to add weight during a repair and maintenance of your tents...
Another argument in favor of Zpacks is 'insurance'. Given, say, 150 - 200 days use, I would anticipate a few days with high very winds. A reliable and impartial endorsement of Dyneema's ruggedness is its use in high end sail manufacture. There's peace-of-mind in reducing the risk of material failure by using Dyneema. Additionally, if a repair is needed, Dyneema's non porous surface provides better adhesion for a patch. Even without adverse winds, the floor on the Lanshan will wear faster. As you suggested, it likely needs the added weight/bulk of a ground tarp. If I were to spend as much time and go as long a distance as you have on your extensive through hikes, a few hundred dollars 'insurance' is worth it. Shredding a rain fly, and/or searching for, purchasing and then arranging for the delivery of a replacement tent is just not worth the aggravation.
The key difference is that the majority of backpackers have entire trips which are 20 - 30 miles. Where many thru hikers are hiking 20 - 30 per day. In addition the average backpacker is only taking 3 - 4 trips year. With this reality it is very hard to justify Z-Packs gear for most backpacker. I personally use a Geertop treking pole tent and I have had it really bad weather with no issues. In addition I really enjoy making changes to Chinese gear to personalize it.
Did the SWCP 630 (UK) with the Lanshan 1... absolutely loved it, no leaks, no tears, withstood 25mph wind although it was shaking as its a trekking pole tent... also have the same problem as you with the front Guyline... done over 1000 miles with her now and still dont have a clue lol
Thanks for the review. I have a Duplex w/flexpoles and went backpacking with a friend with a new 2-person Lanshan. You didn't mention it, but the Lanshan has reflective bands in the tie-outs and all the cordage has reflective striping. The tent really lit up at night in our headlamps. As you noted, the Lanshan seems to have a more fragile floor and for peace of mind one needs to bring a footprint with its extra weight. My friend's Lanshan had a nice entertainment system, too. The overhead flat screen TV was a wonderful diversion at night. I want to mention that Zpacks has stood behind their products for me. They replaced my Duplex without charge no questions asked after about 18 months of ownership, so that brings the average price to $300 per Duplex for me. :)
Ive used my lanshan2 all last year. From pouring two hour thunderstorms in the three sisters wilderness to monsoons on the oregon coast. Dry, snug as a bug. I put my dough $$ into a HMG SW 4400. Priorities.
Im a 120pound guy, and the lighter my pack is, the more often i will go camping. Im a "minimalist" when it comes to camping, and only bring the essentials - and some 99gram "video glasses" so i can watch "Married with Children" in the hammock at night. That stuff really helps with my addiction for entertainment, and is the ULTIMATE comfort item i can bring for a camping trip. I got mine for just $200 on ebay, and they got 3D screens. Battery life is really bad, but at least it charges fast, and has enough battery capacity to watch maybe 3 episodes of some 20minute series, like "South Park" or "Invader Zim" or "Married with Children" or "Friends" or "Seinfeld"... The possibilities are endless, LOL! Probably the best "happiness to weight" ratio you can find :)
I am one of those more mature hikers and I look at the ZPack Duplex tent that I use allowing me to hike longer and farther and it fulfills my need the best one need being space for gear. I also use a ZPack backpack. I have amaze some other not so young backpackers even though they are younger than myself, with my over all weight of my backpack. I can be close to 30lb for the long food supply routes and close to the 20lb weight for those short days. The older backpackers remember when 40+lbs were the norm for them so the weight, quality, and performance are key to me for having an enjoyable time on the trail. Just for your info your videos got me out of my cubicle onto the trail.
Thx for adding the review on dog son in tent. I dont go anywhere without my dog partner(SD) and knowing how comfortable the tents are with a dog along can be a deciding factor for me.
I have both a ZPacks tent and two of the Lanshan 2 for when I go out with my family. Both work great. I did a setup and overview video a while back of the Lanshan 2 and the interest in that tent is huge! For the price, it’s hard to beat and mine have been flawless so far. Looks like you might have a couple of the guylines not quite the way they intended but getting those sorted isn’t too hard and wil make it even easier to setup. Thanks for sharing your perspective!
Yep, I have both the Lanshan 1 and Zpacks Plexamid[curiosity got the best of me] actually I ordered both the Lanshan 1 & Lanshan 2 thru DHGate they sent me 2 Lanshan 1s. They were send me refund for one of them, that never happened[buyer beware]. I made mods to the Lanshan 1 to pull the sagging screen away from the inside of the tent. I did seem seal the the guide attachment points because I saw a pin hole in one of them. I have only used this tent on a few overnighters and it works great. I'm am doing a 2020 flipflop of the AT and will be using the Plexamid. I have used it on several multi day trips and love it plenty of room for me and my gear. Had a couple nights of rain no problem. I guess it's a peace of mind kinda thing between the 2 tents. Silnylon just doesn't have the durability of Dyneema, that with being made in China. I spent the extra coin for the peace of mind.
Don't have either tent, but when you're out in rain for multiple days the difference between silnylon and DCF is real. So much of this topic depends on whether or not you can afford to spend the extra money and how much you plan to use it. Quality lighter weight materials typically cost more. The 14 oz difference in the tent material isn't a lot, but with similar differences from quality light weight material in backpacks, sleeping systems, clothes, cookware, etc. all of a sudden your pack is 5, 10, or 15 pounds lighter. As another midlife hiker, that's one of the things that keeps me on the trail.
4 years later, do you still believe that? What do you mean "the difference is real"? How so? Because I've been using the LanShan 1 for the whole of winter 2022-2023, one of my trips was a 10-day trip with rain every day, 3 days with heavy rain and moderate wind, the tent performed very well in these conditions, no issues whatsoever... And 6 months later, it still looks brand new. The only "bad" thing I have to mention about it is that the ground floor/sheet is too thin. Rocks, branches, and needles can damage it easily. But I pack a 100L kitchen trash bag in my backpack and I use that as protection. Cost me $2 for a roll of 6, is super lightweight, and it works, nothing goes through it. So it's a non-issue, really. I'm about to go on the TMB for 11 days with it. I personally have no reason to go for the $500+ tents, when this true ultralight $150 tent from 3F UL Gear performs this well in harsh conditions. Why would anyone... Idk
They definitely both have their place for different people. I'll probably be in the market for a Z-Packs tent when my current one gets too ratty but I wish the Lanshan had been around when I was first starting out. $114 for a sub 2lb tent that isn't crap (and is probably pretty good) is a pretty affordable entry point into UL gear. The first "backpacking" tent I bought weighed 5lbs+ and cost ~$150. Cutting 3.5 lbs from that single piece of gear would've definitely made those trips much more enjoyable.
I have a 3FUL that I really like. The big difference is how often are you cowboy camping? Personally, I have cowboy camped way, way, more on the PCT. 90 % of the time I sleep in it is because of mutant PCT mosquitoes. The At, well that is because of weather I spend so much more time in my tent. I have not done the CDT yet so my comparison is PCT to AT. Because of weather, with the exception of the JMT section, your base weight is much lighter on the PCT and you use your tent much less. The weather on the AT requires much more nights in your tent. Also, usually, your base weight is higher. Z packs for AT. What is a few more ounces on the PCT when your are saving 440 on a very serviceable shelter you don't use nearly as much.
I love my 3f UL Lanshan 2 tent. Got a .7ml painters tarp for $2 for a ground cloth as well. It folds to the size of a wallet. Set up is so ez and there are several hacks for it that can make it even easier for set up. I also got the UL 3F Flames Creed backpack for $50 from Ali Express. It's another fantastic product that doesn't break the bank and is super durable and comparable to all of the cottage industry UL backpacks.
We went on a 10 day hike in northern Sweden (high winds, heavy rain every day, no tree cover etc.). We had three tents with us: the Duplex, the Lanshan 2 and the SMD Haven. All three held up fine, were usable but a little crowded for 2 ppl each. The Lanshan worked great, we had no issues with it at all. Ill go with the Duplex any day of the week but for those from our group who dont do several longer hikes per year, the 3F UL made more sense. I'd be comfortable taking the Lanshan on thru hikes, as long as I know I can get to a town relatively quickly or at least there are other people on the trail.
Very useful stuff Jessica, thanks. I have the even lighter 3F UL solo tent ( looks like the Big Sky Wisp ) at 680 grams and it's excellent. From tomorrow I 'll be using the HMG Dirigo 2 which i hope will become my go too option for solo and and two up backpacking most of the year, will post a video soon to follow up on my vids on the 3F UL. Atb and happy camping. Andrew
To me the Biggest differences are: 1) Single Wall versus Double Wall with Double Wall giving you the ability to Star Gaze. 2) Weight CF is half the weight. 3) Rain - CF does not sag when wet and does not absorb water whereas Sylnylon will stretch when wet AND will gain wet when wet! 4) Cost - CF is SIX times the cost of the double wall Lanshan (2 person tent comparison). Now, if you are looking at the Lanshan then you should also be looking at other tents with similar weights (Nemo Hornet 2 is lower weight as is the Big Agnes Fly Creek) and the Big Agnes Copper Spur is a just a bit heavier. But the Copper Spur is FULLY free standing while the other two are close to free standing. However, in all cases you'll still need to stake out the Vestibules.
Nailed it Dixie! I just left this question on your Homemade Wanderlust Facebook Page and I feel like you're answering my question directly. Although, I would have preferred the video on the 2 person tent. Coming from tarp sleeping to a tent is going to be an amazing luxurious upgrade. I look forward to the stargazing option and I typically sleep cooler. Thanks for all of your time and help! Have your friend make more knives. A lot of us would like to have them! I found a comprable 1. Have him add a bottle opener and a can opener, that would be amazing. Cheers!
Weekender, week trips, newbs, tight budget get the Lanshan 1 or 2. If I were starting out, I would not pay over $500 for one piece of gear for a hobby that I had yet to try. Running about 2 to 3 lbs respectively, they are a respectable light option, but not uber UL. As a week/weekender, I use the Lanshan 2, and it beats the hell out of my old Eureka, which I loved and worked great, but was over 5 lbs. If I was still in my 20's and in peak physical shape, then the Lanshan would be a no brainer, even for a thru hike. If I were some kind of seasoned thru hiker or filthy rich, I would consider the Zpacks.
As family hiker/backpackers, we always have to consider price first. We tend to rock the Ozark trail brand for everything. One day we may individually upgrade. But until then, I appreciate you reviewing some cheaper options for those of us who just can't invest as much into better products. All that said, I'd always rather have American made if I could afford to choose. I think it's important to support 'locally' whenever possible, whatever country (and even town) you're from. Thanks Dixie for a great review 👍
I just got my Lanshan 2 ($140 on amazon) recently and have camped in it twice, was bunking with my hiking partner in her tent prior too..have been practicing putting it up and taking down..it's quite easy to do now..getting ready for my section hike .. found this tent to be pretty reliable so far, but haven't been in the rain yet still waiting for that to happen :P..thank you Dixie for your informative blog have enjoyed following you and the information that you have provided for this old gal getting back into camping and hiking..
I use the Lanshan 2 on week-long section hikes. I’ve had it for a year, and it’s been just fine. I seam-sealed, and it’s been through a few serious storms and stayed bone dry. I do use a ground cloth. I’m glad I went the cheaper route as a beginner and a late-in-lifer because my body hasn’t quite kept up with my ambition. This is plenty of tent for where I’m at.
With apologies, no desire to monopolise the comments section! But you are so right - about the wear and tear to the body thing. I am only 64, and have been backpacking all my life. I have extensive osteo arthritis (yes, the one aka as 'wear and tear' arthritis) after spending, at a rough estimate, over 3 years' worth of nights in a tent, and that is almost certainly on the low side. In my 30s I remember one pack weighing in at 48lbs at the start of a two week challenge walk in Scotland (and you really do need to be prepared up here!). No way I even COULD lift that now, never mind actually carry it anywhere! My max. weight these days would be 30lbs, and that with 5 days of food on board. Base pack weight therefore is 20lbs or less in summer (not much summer backpacking here, the midges are intolerable! If you doubt that, come over some time and find out! Happy to advise there, and even offer accommodation and transport for you and your partner should you ever fancy giving Scotland a try out. But April and May are our Goldilocks months in the NW of the country). I walked out from a trip a couple of years ago with a pack weighing less than 14lbs, and that was a full tent, cushty sleep mat, old Golite pack, proper stove etc, even a good old-fashioned paperback book to read, and a pint or so of water. Without today's superlight gear, I, as you suggest in this video, would no longer being heading out there, and that is unthinkable! (Last word, honest - durability is so important, as it also means outright strength. Along with excellent design (and there are so many points to make about that, but), methods of construction, and proper reinforcements where appropriate, that is my most stressed point, to make an unintentional pun... After 5 months in a shelter, I expect it to last the same again, and again. The Duplex, but in Hilleberg's 30D triple coated nylon (with 30lb tear strength, which is pretty massive) should last for years and years. If getting through 5 or 6 tents in 5 or 6 years is your thing, then fine, but wasteful to say the least. But it costs as much in the end. And you will trust a tent made by a top design team, in top-spec materials, for a decade or more, QED.
The zpacks tent requires ~1500 calories less over the course of the AT. So you figure you can save about $30 in mountain house meals over the course of the trail. It's like a 5% discount! Lol (Carrying 1 pound per hour is about 2 calories at 3mph. So 2190 miles/3mph = 730 hours. 730 hours * 2 calories per hour= 3 mountain house meals.)
Mountain house meals are insanely priced per calorie intake. Sure, they flood popular youtubers with the stuff for free in exchange for videos and such. But no one who is actually paying their own hike will use Mountain House for long, when most alternatives are 1/10th the price per calorie.
For comparison: One packet of Mountain House Spaghetti w/ meat sauce (4.51oz for $8.95/ 2.5 servings) = $3.58 per serving, 230 calories, 12g protein. If you were to buy the big can of MHS and break it down it is $3.59 per serving ($35.95 per can) 230 calories, and 12g protein. Emergency Essentials sells a similar product in a lg. can with pork sausage in place of "meat sauce". It breaks down to $1.31 per serving, 180 calories, and 7g protein. Then there is Augason Farms. Their big can of similar is $1.74 per serving, 280 calories, and 11g protein. These are just three options, but clearly the lesser known brands offer comparable bang for far less per serving. For myself, I certainly eat more than one "serving" after a day of vigorous hiking, so I often buy the big cans and break them down from this site: www.beprepared.com - No, I've no affiliation with them. I just live in Utah, and food storage is a big thing here. Two servings of AF ($3.48) beats the $8.95 price tag of MH.
been using the lanshan 1 for about 6 months now in the deserts of Arizona and its perfect for the nights cause of the ventilation and option to remove and possibly use the rainfly seperately or with the tent. in my experiances its perfectly made for these dry climates. granted its slightly heavier then some of the tents out there but its also well insulated durring the cool of the night , or can be used easily as a quick tarp set up to get away from the sun in mid day if you keep the vestibules tied up. especially helpful when its over 90' and heat stroke is slowly creeping up
I use a cheap 'space blanket', weighs nothing and cost me $2 incl shipping. Although thin metallic material, I get about 30-40 nights out of one before I need to think about replacing it.
My good fortune is that at 70 plus I have the funds to buy the "best" ultralight gear. I buy it for two reasons. It is reliable and I am more comfortable while backpacking. Yes, it is expensive. Dixie is right in many ways but her point about seniors or those with less than an athletic body, I am able to enjoy the great outdoors, comfortably, overnight and with solitude (in most cases). Thanks Dixie!
I’ve used the lanshan 2 ( I seam sealed it) in hard rainstorms and for weeks and it was great . I think it would hold up on a thru hike . Also for perspective hiking gear even 10 years ago was pounds heavier than today . I went from a 4 lb tent 🏕 to the lanshan 2 and it was a great 👍🏽 savings on weight I could tell instantly, that being said I’m sure the z packs would feel lighter still . But that $400 difference is almost a month of on trail funding . I guess at the end of the day I’m more interested in people who get maybe not the best gear or the lightest and still make it work because they just want the experience of being outside and hiking because I don’t have thousands of dollars just for gear I’d rather spend my thousands of dollars on the experience. On the other hand good gear can change the experience I know that first hand from kayaking. I guess do what you want in the end I look at money as hours of my life I’m trading for something so you could trade those hours for things or experiences
I was an avid cyclist before getting hit by a drunk. My knees got a bit trashed. Before that, I had bought one of the first Cannondale racing bikes ever made, and I lightened it to 19.5 lbs with upgrades. (Not the bike in the crash.) I took it out for spin today for the first time in a few years and it feels great. I have taken test rides on 16-lb bikes when I worked in shops. Yes, they were smoother, because the early Cannondales were massively overbuilt and stiff. But the old Cannondale is fine for me. It is still light - plenty light - just not the very lightest out there. At the end of the day, the rider matters most. My creaky, battered knees do not deserve the lightest and best. I am never again going to be a speedy biker nor a speedy hiker. So a 2.6-lb tent should be good enough for me, too. Yeah, 21 onces for a Duplex is attractive. But I might never thru-hike with these knees, so is it really worth it?
@@joshneff8532 , You do not need to see an entire video to learn. After watching dozens of reviews on the Lanshan 2 (get that one, not this Lanshan 1), the only place that it needs extra seem-sealing is on the stitching on the anchors for the two guy-outs for the head and foot of the tent, because the manufacture stiched the anchors after seam-sealing. There are no other places the Lanshan leaks, as it comes seam-sealed. Add this seam-sealer while the tent is set up and those guy-outs are under tension. Use a lint-free cloth to wipe/rub the seamsealer into the stitching to assure it penetrates the holes that would leak and to wipe away any excess. Leave the tent set up for at least 24 hours. Of course, do this in clear weather with little or no wind. If you choose to seam-seal the rest of the tent, be mindful that in the spring plant pollen will stick to everywhere you spply seam-sealer. Order it at AliExpress for about $87, and you can also order a winter inner for just $69. Do not order it at Amazon or Ebay because you will pay too much. Also, another UA-camr found he could create a lot more headroom by using a cheap, light, telescopic fishing pole holder to put upward tension on those aformentioned head and foot guy-outs. He posted in the comments section here about how well the Lanshan 2 performed on his JMT thru-hike. Here is his gear video including his tips on the Lanshan 2 about halfway through: ua-cam.com/video/VQdBs0HwEh4/v-deo.html As far as a ground sheet, Tim Watson recommends using Tyvek that you wash in the gentle cycle several times with no detergent. It will arrest the krinkle noise. Once you're good at setting the Lanshan 2 with proper tension, you can glue tabs with grommets at the corners that help you line up the corner stakes in the perfect spot each time. Good luck.
I am that older person she is referring to. I am well into my 60s with a knee and back issues. I believe it's all about the trail and living the trail dream. Having a super light pack makes it all possible. It was less than 25 years ago my pack weight was over 40 pounds. My tent weight was about nine pounds and my pack empty was about eight pounds. Now my pack is about 22 oz. and my tent about the same. Yes it cost me a lot of money but it's the cost to stay on the trail and not think about my pack at all. I can go for days in the White Mountains of NH and never think about my pack. Money well spent. You are right it's all about the trail and the experience. Take care
I've had a serious knee injury, so lighter isn't an option, it's the only choice. As for Titanium, it's become very reasonable in price (Re: No you's comment) , so having to choose between a titanium cook pot or a lighter tent is comparing apples with air; One is nice to have, and not overly expensive, but the other is a must have in terms of survival. I'll go with lighter and durable every time.
Looks like I'm a little late to this vid. We have had the Z-Packs Duplex with freestanding tension poles since 2018. We've used it on many types of travels with continued good results. It's interesting though to find out how others perceive it. Among gear savvy bikepackers and backpackers it's well recognized as an item of premium gear. However, one of our first uses of the tent was to attend a trail running festival that is a weekend of various trail runs that begin/end at an RV & tent campground. Since it was an event that attracted enthusiasts of running in the woods it had never occurred to us that our tent would be the subject of concern and ridicule. People who did not know what dynema composite is thought that this was some ridiculous dollar store tent that wouldn't last the night. One guy asked my wife if it was a duct tape project. When I became aware that people were actually snickering about our tiny single use disposable tent I looked around at the sea of Coleman and Ozark Trail cabin tents and saw the irony that I had actually pitched the most expensive tent in the campground! Over the past 4 years this tent has sheltered us from Canada to Mexico on the Great Divide Mtn Bike Route, along 520 miles of AT section hikes, and numerous short trip uses. Whether traveling by bicycle or on foot the light weight and compact size is immensely appreciated. During our most recent use while riding the Katy Trail across MO I was unable to detect any signs of stress or wear. A couple tie outs have stains that have resisted cleaning and last year I cleaned and lubed the zippers to resolve stickiness. As DIxie said, Z-Packs states that a ground cloth or footprint is unnecessary. Well, with my OCD tendencies no ground cloth would disrupt my night of sleep worse than a pinecone under my deflated pad. So, I cut out a sheet of Tyvek for use as ground cloth. Not only does it provide piece of mind against ground wear but since I carefully set and knotted the stake out strings on the Tyvek it speeds my tent set up. Basically all of my tent tie out adjustments are very predictable small pulls from storage position because the cords of the Tyvek consistently set the four corners of the tent. The Tyvek also wraps around the tent before going in the Z-Packs bag and dropped into the backpack or bike bag. At this point we're somewhere around $4.50 per use without any maintenance other than zipper stickiness and post trip damp cloth wipping and thorough drying. It will likely out live our remaining years of doing human powered traveled.
Would you consider a video setting up your zpacks tent and a nylon tent during a rain storm and use a luggage scale hook the following day to see just how much additional water weight each takes on? Might make an interesting comparison video 🤷♀️. Love watching your channel!!
Just for information, there is now a Lanshan 2 Pro, which is basically a Zpacks Duplex clone, 1.5 wall tent. It have a slightly more robust true Silnylon rainfly than the old Lanshan and sewn in bath tub floor and mosquito netting in the exact same style as the Duplex. It weigh in about 30% less than the old Lanshan, about 950 grams or about 33-34 oz. It will need seam sealing, it's not seam taped. There is also a 1p version. Much more place in it than the old Lanshan, but it is single wall, with the pros and cons following. I'm not affiliated with any tent company, I just think it is good to have an affordable alternative for those who doesn't get out as often or simply can't afford a Zpacks tent.
I have the Lanshan 1 and it is a great tent for the money. It does take a little time to learn how to set up, but after a few set ups you get the hang of it. It is of surprisingly good quality for the price (I paid $95 with shipping). The stuff sack it comes with is too small to easily repack, so I saved the sack for something else and used a slightly larger sack. I ditched the tent stakes it came with (too heavy) and use titantium shepherd hook stakes instead. It is comfortable for one person, has excellent ventilation, and an ample vestible. Great review and comparison though!
Just made it from Campo to Tehachapi with the Lanshan 1 and I am very happy, after 1 or 2 weeks I could set it very well. I’m glad I saved 450$, I got it for 75$ and had to seam seal it myself (probably 10$, look for tutorials on youtube). I could actually get all my things in my tent at night but that left me just enough space. I believe yours was already seam sealed if you got it for 114$. I saved weight elsewhere where things were not hundreds of euros difference. For people considering a thru-hike going cheap it’s probably one of the best options. I would say it’s reliable but if you have a problem with it you’ll probably be on your own... But I mean you could have to buy two of those and still be saving 350$ lol.
Brand new here. Appreciate ALL your videos Dixie. Thanks for taking the time to do them. They are great for newbs like me and all the comments/ discussions over what to use is helpful too. Keep doing what you do.
My big three are all Zpacks, but had I known about 3F UL Gear's gear when I decided to go UL, I might have given them a go. Cost wasn't really an object for me, but hey, If I can save $600-$700, well... I don't really have any regrets about my purchase, as I'm going on three years with no issues, and I've put some good miles and a lot of days/nights on my Zpacks gear. Still, if I cost were a consideration, I would definitely consider purchasing the 3F UL Gear stuffs and I'm really interested in their new 1p pro tent, as I currently have the Duplex but I'm looking for something smaller for short trips.
Good discussion of differences. You are going to take some swipes from both camps as there a few true believers on both. If I was a thru-hiker, I would so be all about Zpacks or Hyperlite gear. If I was just a 10-14 bag night a year hiker Lanshan might look great. Right now I am in that Big Agnes and Tarp Tent middle ground. When I go fast-n-light, three season in the Central Rockies, I go with my bivy sacks, now a OR Highlander, and a micro tarp (6x8). I am definitely looking at a Dyneema tarp that is 8x10 for my weather concerns. Having a tarp to cook under, change out, stir around under on bad days or just get out of the sun when cycling....my other passion is priceless. My winter tent (WY-MT) is a Black Diamond Firstlight with vestibule add-on, about the same price retail as a Duplex. Great points about age and UL gear. I am 66 and no way could I manage a day on the trail today with the great gear state of the art I had 40 years ago. I am averaging 35-45 bag nights a year for the last 10 years.
I've done multiple long distance backpacking trips totaling approximately 15,000 miles over the last 6 years and I'm still using my 3f ul gear lanshen 1. I've never had any major problems with it. I'm getting ready for my AZT through hike and I'll be taking my lanshen 1.
Here is my rain story with the Lanshan. I took it out to Arkansas to do a loop hike in the Ouachita Mountains. During one of the nights, a lightning storm arrived and it poured rain all throughout the night. That was enough to keep me awake and await the chance that water might leak in. The downpour was heavy and the little depression I had set up my tent in began to pool water. Through all that, the tent held up. No water leaked in through the walls or the ground. The pool of water on the ground did not seep in through the floor. It felt like a waterbed. My only concern was when the rain hit the ground, a few droplets would bounce up and hit the wall netting. With enough rain, water can get in. This can be fixed by fastening the walls of the tent closer to the ground. Overall, it has held up pretty good and hopefully I can have it for a long time.
A big thank you for mentioning that. I plan to buy a tent for emergency shelter and don't need a huge one as it's just for me and one more person. I do have a healthy amount of credit card points to save more money on it so I guess I'll go with that one.
Great story. Applicable
I used this lanshan tent for the entire Appalachian Trail and it was absolutely brilliant. It's 27 oz, dries faster than dyneema tents, and is warmer than dyneema tents, nice vestibule, and i got rained on like many many times and never once got wet. All that for $130.
Thank you so much for this ...You talked me out of trying to take my Big Agnes Rattlesnake SL2 ....it would only be 2 extra pounds.....
Ive had the Lanshan 2 for over a year and have been extremely happy with it. I chose it because I was just getting into backpacking and if I didn’t like to backpack I was only out $100. Fortunately I love backpacking. I compare the 2 tents to a Ferrari and a Toyota. The Ferrari is awesome but you can buy a lot of Toyotas for the same price. Thanks for the review Dixie!
Hiking the 2nd 1/2 of life, I was hoping that you would reply to this. 😎
Bruce Fluth I’m going to do a 1 year video this week
@@Alanguz1 Well said.
I have had my Lanshan 2 for a year as well. I bought it originally as a cheapie tent that I could fit one of my younger children in. I ended up loving it and have since onsold my 'big brand' tents in favour of it. I have also just ordered the Lanshan 1 (Flames Creed green version) which is yet to arrive. Great gear.
Hiking the 2nd 1/2 of life, looking forward to it! We 50+’rs need to stick together!! 😉
At 76 I'm still hauling around the same surplus tent at 6 lbs but if I were moving every day for weeks on end like you young ones. I would consider selling one of the grand kids for a lighter tent STAY SAFE OUT THERE .HAPPY TRAILS
I hear you can just rent them out to fast food outlets these days too. They come back a bit greasy, but still serviceable.
I'm 59 and I hope I'm still out there tearing up the trails like you at 76. :)
@@johnd7564 Hello there young man as to you saying you hope your still crawling around the trails at 76 a little story . We have over the years lost many friends and to put it bluntly they eat and smoke to much no news with that statement just fact all but 2 out of11 can not handle altitude or the physical grind it takes to get to places so they have given up . Some still fish but none can hunt and when I say hunt I men hunt not sitting in a blind . it's a shame but we could see it coming years ago every one was told by there doctors to loos weight . Neither of us ever smoked and we have been eating the same foods that got my grand parents eat and in to there hundreds . Good luck stay safe out there . Happy Trails.
PS every man needs a very good hearted woman to share the joys with .
dude, 6 lbs? that's a third of my pack weight? you can get some awesome tents for very little that are half that weight
@@chollomo there is one thing about this tent I used it now since 1972 every year for probably 3 to 6 weeks at a shot the only thing I've ever done to it is re wax it about every 2 to 3 years let me know how long your 's last .
For the budget minded... the Lanshan hands down. I am not wealthy. I have to live and hike within my means. I pride myself on having a sub 10 lb base weight for around $500 total... including all jackets, base layers, shoes, and big 3! Not one piece of gear in my kit cost me more than $100. You do don't have to mortgage your house to go ultralight.
What are the big 3 you’re using? if you don’t mind me asking!
Ultimate Direction fastpack 30L 18oz $70 on Massdrop about 2 years ago... Six Moons Designs Gatewood Cape 11oz $80 barely used Reddit Gear Swap... Klymit Insulated Static V 19oz $60 Amazon black friday a couple of years ago (my heaviest piece of gear, but its 23in wide instead 20in and warm and comfy - i feel like i can get away with a light top quilt with the warmer pad)... Aegis Max 45 degree down sleeping bag (i unzip it and use it like a quilt) 16oz $75 Amazon black friday. SOL escape lite bivy - as my bivy sack - 4oz $35. Used with dyi head net head 3oz. I've taken this down into the 20s with every stitch of clothing on.
TOTALS: 4.25lbs... $320
Nice to see someone else using a UD pack for backpacking. I love my Fastpack 20, but it’s just a touch small for backpacking. Still my favorite pack I own though.
@@taylorbrawner2052 i actually have the 45L too. I'm super long waisted and most backs hipbelts dont fit right. Plus LOVE the Vest harness! Pa'lante Packs has the new Joey coming out with a vest harness... my dream pack... the only thing i dont like about my UD vest is that it has too many pockets for organizing... i just want 2 big water bottle pockets... the Joey is exactally that. Check it out... (at $200+ it breaks my streak though!)
I could afford a duplex or soloplex, but I am wise enough to know that it is a poor place to put my money.
I used the 3F UL Lanshan ( 1 person) last summer for a 10 day hike of the Lake Superior trail. I am over 50 and over all I am happy with it. It held up well to 3 large storms and did not leak. I do think I will seal the seams before I take it out again. It is a trick to set it up at first. I do recommend trying the set up before you get out in the woods. For a ground cloth I cut a survival blanket to the shape of the tent and use it with the reflective side up. I also use the ground cloth for cowboy camping. It is not very roomy for changing or hanging out in. It is nice on warm nights to have the bug netting and look up at the stars. With the half door it took a while to learn how to get in and out with out hitting the sides of the tent. Thank you for the review.
Lanshan means "blue mountain" in Mandarin.
Whooped means "conquered" in Alabama
Funny that we call some oranges ‘mandarines’.
I think the takeaway from this video is that there are really decent options for a budget, and also some really fancy gear if you have the money. That's what's wonderful about choice. Only YOU know what your priorities are. Is your priority weight and you have money to burn? Is your priority price? Dixie has given BOTH of you great options. You get to decide what's right for YOU. Thanks, Dix!
Dyneeema has a higher tensile strength, but far less abrasion resistance than nylon. In other words, it can't rip apart as easily as nylon when pulled, but holes can occur much more easily in it from rubbing (ground, sticks, etc). I'm tired of manufacturer claims that it us the "strongest material known to man". Not true at all when it comes to abrasion resistance.
Also, who needs more tensile/pull strength than nylon? In extreme winds maybe, but has anyone had a nylon tent rip due to high winds? Probably very few.
"Strongest material known to man" is an advertising gimmick!
However, as Dixie also mentioned, dyneema is much better than nylon as far as weight and moisture absorption goes. This is why someone would buy a dyneema tent.
Outrageous claims have always been with us. Even wax paper has one of the best properties known to man. Fight the fights you can win. Let it go. Go for a hike...
I've set my Zpacks Duplex up in some dodgy situations including an overnight trip where a nice pointy rock, that I missed during set up and didn't feel because it was under my air pad, did absolutely nothing to my Duplex. After three years and not using a footprint, my Duplex looks good as new, and it's much easier to repair if it does get a hole than nylon.
If you want a tent with no moisture absorption problems then get silpoly tent it doesn’t absorb water and sag like silnylon
Jay S I agree with you... “strongest material” that’s not true, take for example the hilleberg tents, they are widely known for their superior quality tents... they don’t use cuben fiber, something weird on that.
my hilleberg tent ripped, they aren't that strong ..i guess it's all relative.
One of the few things my old man managed to beat into my head was to buy the best tools you can afford. For a backpacker, a tent and a pack are their two major tools that get used constantly. A good tool brings pleasure to your life. If the best tool you can afford is the Lanshan, so be it, it sounds like it will do OK for you. If you're serious and can afford a better tent, go for it. I just spent $700 for a mixer, I never thought that would happen, but when my most recent Kitchenaid died I decided to bet the best I could find and bought an Ankersum, made in Sweden since 1939, and it is indeed a pleasure to use and I suspect someday my grandkids will be using it. Worth every penny to me.
Expensive doesnt always mean "best tool." The performance of more expensive tent in this instance is minimal in relation to the cost. The Zpacks tent is probably a $300 tent at best. Spending more on the Zpacks would be just an exercise in taking an extra $300 out of your pocket and giving it to someone else.
i own the lanshan 1. i consider myself an active weekend / section hiker spending on average 50-70 nights a year on the trail. very happy with it's performance so far. you made some valid points in this video although the 2 tents are not really comparable and the lanshan is much closer in design to some SMD offerings
I own both the Lanshan 1 and Lanshan 2 and have used both a ton. I think they are great. Seam sealed both. I'm also a huge fan of ZPacks and their products. I'm 6'2", so the sizing on the inside of the Lanshan was noticeable enough that I chose to modify both the 1 & 2. I noticed the bug net sags a little inside because each of the plastic ring attachments that hold the net to the rain fly are 1.75 inches long, which adds up. I realized that if I reduced this length by at least an 1" on all connections excluding the top, I could increase the tension of the net and make it a little roomier inside. So I carefully took out the double hook rings on all the connection points (except the top), and just used the remaining single ring. Worked great so far and increased the tension on the inside which has indeed made it roomier. If you guys want to know how I did it, I could explain in more detail.
Two or 3 years ago I bought my first piece of 3F UL Gear, a silnylon oversized poncho/shelter for $15. It has turned out to be great. Just as good as my Golight poncho/shelter that cost a lot more.
Now, I have several items of 3F UL Gear and am happy to be a customer of theirs.
We live in the _now,_ not the 1950s when only _Made in USA_ or European made items were high quality.
I recently bought the Z-Packs Altaplex with the plan to hike the AT in 2029 when I will be 62yrs old knowing it will last that long and serve me well. I’m hiking the Ouachita trail in Arkansas in January 2021 and will be giving it a good workout! Great review! To me the cost is worth the quality and low weight!
Great video Dixie. I am 60 years old, and prone to portliness. I have a titanium hip (ultralight!, lol) that is a year old, and a few years ago started backpacking again, to have a healthy hobby again, and one that would get me back outdoors. You touched on this in your video, and I would like to just relate how lightening my backpack has given me new found freedom. I went from a fine Kelty backpack that served me well for years, but weighed 6 pounds, my old NorthFace Manatee 5 degree sleeping bag that weighed 6.5 pounds (and was huge-making the large pack necessary), and my North Face Bullfrog 3-man tent weighed 5.5 pounds. 18 pounds for the Big Three. I wondered if I could really go any distance with a 30-40 pound pack. It was not easy. Miles were short, and pain was long.
Now my ZPacks ArcBlast (25oz as I have it configued) my Enlightened Equipment 10 degree quilt at 26oz (40 degree quilt at 15oz for nicer weather trips) and my Duplex at about 24oz with stakes brought my Big Three down to under 6 pounds, a saving of 12+ pounds. Other Dyneema and titanium gear, (and less fears) have gotten my total base-weight down to 11 pounds for a weekend trip in nice temps for a weekend/4 day trip. I can keep the whole thing below 20 pounds with food and water on many trips.
I just returned from a 4 day trip to the Red River Gorge and had a blast. The loss of weight on my back has allowed me to take up a hobby I thought I had lost the ability to do. Whats that worth? $400 bucks is cheap over the life of a tent, or any piece of quality gear you ever purchase that you will use and depend on. My Grandpa said, "Buy quality, you'll only cry once." And he was right.
Love your videos. Take some shorter trips and bring us along with your camera. I'd love to run into you on the trail in the Red River Gorge like I have a couple other UA-cam hiking folks.
I used the lanshan 2 last year and will again this year. I'm 6'1" and had plenty of room. One night it rained and the guys I was with had bad condensation problems. I had no condensation problems whatsoever with the lanshan. As far as the zpacks being a bit lighter, an extra pound of weight on my frame is no problem.
Dix, all I got to say is; “next witness” please. Great debate, argument and/or simple presentation of fact! Good objective facts presented here. This is from someone that has been hiking and climbing for too long.
Timothy Mason Thank you!
For years I used an REI Expedition two walled tent (still have it and am planning on doing a review). Had a lot of great miles on it. It sagged when wet, soaked up a bunch of water, the bottom got holes in it, and it weighed 8 lbs. Ripstop nylon. Do I regret a second of it? No. Am I supremely happy with my Zpacks Triplex as the new go to tent. Yes.
Dixie as usual your reviews are the best. These are two very different pieces of kit with wildly different costs. You, as always, lay it all out clearly.
Get the best you can afford and just get out and enjoy it.
I used my Lanshan 2 on JMT & many other trails for over a year. Love it. Did 2 reviews on my channel. Actually bought a second one. I'm a Zpacks fan & own a Archaul & live by the factory. Due to price I am going to stick with Lanshan 2 but the weight of plexamid is tempting. Thanks Dixie.
Great analysis. I have the Lanshan 1 and Lanshan 2 and like them both a lot. But I've never thought the Zpacks tents are over-priced by comparison: the more I study the differences, the more I think I'll get something like a Duplex eventually. The differences all add up: the much lighter materials, simpler set up, lack of water absorption, increased room etc easily justify the price in my mind, but then I hate carrying weight and I like the idea that I can be comfortable if I decide to stay in a tent all day when it rains.
Much as I appreciate my Lanshan 1 for overnighters, I'd hate to spend a rainy day in it. You make it look a decent size when you are in it, but with me it's more like I'm wearing it as a mosquito head net:) Well okay, it's more like a luxury bivy bag, but for me it's definitely no more than a means to sleep while keeping the elements off.
Great commentary and comparison Dixie! Clear, balanced, informative, and entertaining as always. You are indeed a trail treasure! I'm on the wrong side of 65 closing in on 70 and bought a Z-Packs Duplex tent 2 years back. (Bigger, but the same dyneema fabric.) The weight and durability made all the difference in my section hikes of the AT (900 miles and counting). A pound does not sound like much, but each ounce makes a difference and reducing my weight by 1 whole pound? Priceless. Match that with a Z-Pack pack that saved me over 2 lbs. and my knees are thanking me daily. And my duplex so far has only gotten rain in it once, and I blame that on my setting it up poorly on a flood plain and then having the skies open up! But you are right to point out the price differential in the tents and give people a clear choice of pluses and minuses. You are great for that and we all appreciate it. (See above comment on trail treasure!) Hike on and keep the videos coming. Cheers, Tortoise
I have a 3F Lanshan 2 and it’s great. There are guys who have used them on the PCT all the way through. There are guys using the 3F packs on the PCT and AT too. Don’t knock this gear, it’s not bad for what you’re paying.
Agreed!
I would try one out on a short hike just because of the price if I could afford the extra weight. When I was young we backpacked with 45-50 pounds but I'm 65 now and a cancer survivor. If Dixie said she can feel a single bottle of water just think what an extra pound does to us old farts.
@@hikerJohn To be fair that's on a 11.7lb baseweight, you'd notice a lot less difference if it's a pound off of a 25lb load. If you haven't got a light pad, pack, quilt and clothing already then there are many more efficient, in $/oz, ways to shed weight before you spend $436+ more to lose 13.9 oz ($31.37/oz difference) on a tent alone. That said, once you've got the rest nailed down and can't trim more than a few oz's with all your other gear (most of which can be bought for less than the Solplex alone), 13.9oz is still a very good amount to lose off your pack, it just wouldn't necessarily be my recommendation to someone doing their first few hikes/first section/thru-attempt.
I have it and love it I pass on anything zpacks....they rip ppl off and claim to be a small cottage company just like enlightened equipment and the fact is they are major companies ripping u off now
OrangeCrusader With camera equipment my base weight was more than that 😜 I agree that when upgrading a nice spreadsheet showing more cost effective ways to reduce weight is a great idea. Excel doesn’t lie!
Just finished my AT thru hike 2 weeks ago and carried the Lanshan 2 the entire 2200 miles. Used it maybe 15 times the entire trek as I was a shelter rat. Just couldn't beat the convenience of staying dry every night without having to spend the time and effort to setup the tent every night. Never regretted carrying the extra 18 ounces vs. a duplex and I could spend the $500 savings elsewhere on better gear or in towns. Just my $0.02, but 1 pound off my back isn't worth $500 less in the wallet especially considering I haven't made a dime since I quit my job to hike the AT 6 months ago. I put it through the wringer in all types of weather and never once punctured the bottom and I didn't carry the footprint, you just have to be careful with it as you would with any other tent. 10/10 would carry this on the PCT.
I really like the way you do your comparisons. You don't show bias. You state the pros and cons and didn't forget that each hikers have different resources and preferences. You recognized that it's still our decision which to choose.
That 'mature' analogy is pretty spot on. About 5 years ago, I had to shift to carbon fiber bicycle just to shave off almost 10lbs on the bike. And the shift wasn't about trying new trend or technology but because my 45yo knees couldn't enjoy doing those long rides on my 7yo 32lbs bike anymore.
I loved that you mentioned the Chinese may not understand English instructions of 'western' products. I often hear a lot of non-Chinese complaining that Chinese products came with Chinese instructions (or none) and to be honest, they just sound entitled. I mean what are they expecting, they're buying products intended for the Chinese. A lot of folks go cheap & want caviar & champagne. You, on the other hand, you got the proper perspective.
I have the Lanshan 1 and used it 150 miles on Colorado trail. It has worked well. I just ordered the Zpack tent after saving up for it the past year. The Lanshan has served me well I just decided to try the Zpack to to lighten my load since doing over 300 miles this year on the Colorado trail. I am looking forward to see how they compare for myself. Thanks for doing this video.
Dixie, i love your critical analyses and deeply appreciate your thorough attention to detail, as you did here. Such a gift! Thank you!
Thanks Dixie and commentors too! I have the lashan 2 but haven't used it yet...I now feel confident to use it now and will be shaving 2.5 lbs off my weight on my next weekend warrior hike!
Zpacks quality is sub par compared to HMG & Tarptent. If i'm gonna spend $600 on a tent i'd rather spend the extra $100 and get a better quality tent. The 2 zpacks Duplex's I've seen leave a lot to be desired in workmanship IMO
Lanshan...Zpacks. Zpacks...Lanshan?? These choices are making me cwazy! -I'm already too tents.
"Mature" love it, thank you for being nice... for me once I was diagnosed with Addison's Disease and told I could no longer do the things I love. I found ways to make it easier on my body. Everything adds up, especially since now I have to carry medical items I did not before, emergency injection kit, etc. I totally enjoy my backpacking trips more now carrying less weight. This means longer and harder trips for me. Now I am the one feeling great at the end of the day while others are exhausted. Thank you for great video's.
I own a 3F Lanshan tent and I love it. I do use a ground cloth and I think that is a must with this tent as the floor is thin. Other than that, I'm very happy with it and I appreciate the cost savings.
We have 3 kids so this gives us an affordable option with three Lanshan 2 tents!!! We hope to give it a good effort for our adventure to try overnight hiking. I am so glad someone made a lighter double walled tent! Somuch lighter than my trusty 3 person Eureka. I tested itat the local state park in a very strong rain and those two tie out points hadthevery smallest trickle as it wicked thru the stitches. I will seal those and look forward to get a chance to try it out again!
Great points! You can’t go wrong either way. I’m older now and have invested in a quite a few shelters over the years. The three things I love most about the Duplex is the tight pitch, weight savings, and the fact that it doesn’t hold water like silnylon.
Review the Lanshan 2 VS the Zpacks Duplex!!! That's the review the people are really looking for!
YES!!
I agree but this gives a good idea.... personally I don't see a 440 dollar difference...I think the comments on the leaking are inaccurate...I'm sure u cod find comments just like that about zpacks...I believe the lanshan bc being double walled is better in the rain ..other then that she assessed them correctly..I have a lanshan and spend my extra 400 bucks on other things haha
True!
+1
I just did a comparison to the duplex with a cheap tent. Gotta mix it up 😉 I honestly feel like I could have literally said the same things about the duplex vs the Lanshan 2 as I did in this video, though.
I enjoyed your review of these weight vs. cost issues. I just bought a ZPack ARC Pack & Duplex Tent for the very reason you point out. I am 67 and have been section hiking the AT a week each year since the ‘90’s. The 4 lbs. this new gear shaves off of my load has become the difference between me being able to finish the last 200 miles of the AT with or without tearing myself up. I have tarped, solo tented (Mtn Hardware) and, for the past many years, hammocked (Hennessy) ... and I am really looking forward to luxury of a two person tent at half the weight. One thing I would also note is the value of the reliability of, and confidence in, ones gear. With the obvious quality of both materials and construction of the ZPack, this is a huge factor for me.
Thank you from where it rains on 193 days a year, or 53% of the year, Manchester, UK.
You don’t have to pay retail for dyneema gear. I got a Zpacks Solplex and Arc Blast in great condition from online gear swaps and eBay. I paid about half price for gear that has a lot of life left. So, check eBay, Craigslist, and online forums for used gear!
Dixie, I really noticed an upgrade in video quality and editing on this one. Good job!
Thanks for the comparison video! I am a newbie, just gearing up to do some hiking, so $500 - $600 for a tent is just not practical at this stage. I would have to live in it because my wife would kick me out of the house. After considerable comparison research for a tent that's lighter than my 5lb Eureka, I just purchased the Lanshan 2 with the brand name MIER on it from Amazon for $129. Could get it for less from AliExpress but shipping time would be much longer. Got the MIER in 2 days with Prime. It's the Lanshan 2 though, it even says MIER / Lanshan 2 on the stuff sack. I haven't taken it on a hike yet but I set it up right away to check it out and I am very impressed with the quality and detail. If the Chinese start working with Dyneema in the near future, Zpacks and Hyperlite will have some serious competition. I also plan to hammock camp whenever possible so the tent is more of an alternative when there's no practical way to hang a hammock, which is common in AZ where I live. Great video as always! It seemed a bit biased toward the Zpacks but that's understandable since it's been a tried an true tent for you for multiple through hikes. If/when I get to that level of hiking I could maybe justify the cost. I'm sorry though, I think Zpacks and others are capitalizing on the exclusivity of the Dyneema material and being a bit greedy. When the material becomes more common, the prices will come down. Thanks, hope you do a review on the Lanshan 2 soon!
I did the exact same thing with Naturehike vs Big Agnus. I spent around $100 instead of $300-$400 (CDN $). I shared the same mindset with you, if I didn’t continue hiking then I was only out $100. I ended up buying a second Naturehike to fit a second person when needed. So far no complaints! I’ve been through thunderstorms and used the larger one in snow for winter camping. Everything was hunky dory. 👍
Your comments regarding importance of weight for older backpackers is spot on I dealt with a fairly heavy pack until I was in my 60s and then started trimming weight.
I used the landshan 1 pro on my Florida trail hike...it held up great. I didn't have snow (no brainer) but I did have heavy frost where the temperature dropped below 28 degrees fahrenheit. I actually liked it and am thinking about doing a section of the AT with it this coming May.
My original thoughts were...if it holds up at least 2 months and I have to replace it a couple of times...it is still cheaper than a Zp. I did set it up, brushed sealant on the seams, and let it sit for a couple of days in my yard before I took it anywhere, (a 2 day test) and it rained heavily on night 2 but it held up well. The first leg of the Florida trail going from north to south is a stretch starting in Pensacola beach.. really windy. I was worried about it tearing and worried about the stitching but it held up fine. The Crestview/Eglin AFB stretch was just rain nearly every evening..I did have to hang my tent to dry once on this trip..not from leaks but condensation..it was a very bad night the night before..rainy, and so humid you could see your breath fog coming out of your mouth and it was really warm..60 or better..with all of that the moisture built up. I didn't have a puddle in the tent but over time moisture just hung and coated the inside of the tent..it cleared up and became sunny the next day so even without puddles, I decided to hang it and let it dry. I used this tent hard for the Florida trail..the only fault that I really have is the floor being a little too thin for the open sawgrass areas around Ocala. Never developed a hole or punch thru but definitely get something as a footprint for underneath..I used tyvek but I really would have felt more comfortable with something a little thicker. I kept expecting a punch thru the floor and so I was extremely careful during that stretch... anyway, long story shorter..I was happy with it for what I paid.. and will use it again... maybe the AT as I'm a combat injured vet who's always hiking on a budget. My joy isn't in the equipment but the journey so I do my own thing..Hope this helps
I'm starting into backpacking myself just now having watched your channel as well as a few other for some time now in learning from all of your experiences. As I will be more like that weekend hiker/camper person I will be going with the 3FL Lanshan 2 and figure I can put the savings into lightening up some other gear and make a more personalized gear mix for my situation. The breakdown you gave for your preference is a great starting point for people to consider when trying to determine the value of their purchase. Thanks for sharing!
I took the Lanshan on the UK Coast to Coast last year over two weeks. Didn't camp every night but for the 5 or 6 I did I had zero problems. It's a bit cramped - you wouldn't want to 'camp' in it, but for a quick put up, food, sleep, breakfast & move on it's pretty solid.
I'm not a camper or overnight hiker, but I love Dixie's videos. I'm avid mountain biker. A group of my friends talk about "value" all the time when it comes to the price of Mountain bikes. My current Ibis Mojo HD3 cost me close to $6K (3 years ago) where as my 20 year Ford Expedition with 160K miles (new tires and brakes) would sell for less than $2K.
I have the 3F Lanshan 2 and I really like it, especially when it's nice out at night and I can leave the fly off of it. I did seam seal mine immediately when I got it just in case. The only issue I have had is the 1st time i put it up, i put the trekking poles through the loops on the ground that is attached at the bottom, which then made the floor flat on the ground rather than it being higher up as a bathtub floor is. It's not a big deal at all, well......until you go to bed with it raining and it got to raining hard. Well i woke up and reached for something and got soaked. Water was covering 75% of the floor and got everything soaked. But that's user error. Now I unscrew the baskets and slide the stretch black loop at the base on the pole then screw the basket back on which then causes the baskets to hold up the bottom of the tent like a bathtub floor does. It's a great tent for someone on a budget or a beginner for sure! It won't compare to Dyneema at all but it's still a great tent.
I have the Lanshan 2 Person tent and love it. It is just for me. I only use two person tents so I can have room for my bag and get to stretch out. I could not bring myself to pay 500+ for a zpack. Mine was right at $100 when I bought it a year ago. The first time I used it was during a really bad thunderstorm and it did great. I did have to find a video online to figure out how to set it up and there is a bit of a learning curve. I use a piece of Tyvek for a ground cloth. All in all a great buy, in my opinion.
Hi Dixie, I just watched this video again after a year. You got it right with us older folks. My wife and I are in our 60s and on our last hike our joints let us know. I have a Zpacks Free Duo on the way. By switching out our two solo tents for the Duo, we'll drop 4lbs.
Talk about a timely video, Dixie. I have been studying my next tent purchase(s) obsessively for weeks. I have lost track of how many tent reviews I have watched.
Tents I have considered:
1. Zpacks Duplex...$599
2. 3F UL Lanshan 2...$87 + $69 for winter inner, at AliExpress
3. Tarptent Double Rainbow...$299
4. Six Moons Design Lunar Duo Explorer...$325
The SMD LDE has the largest, longest floor, but the bathtub wall is extremely low, leading to rain splash, I have heard. And it is a single-wall, meaning condensation will be an issue, without the run-off design of the Zpacks tents.
The Tarptent DR has a long floor, too. Again, it is single-wall, though you can buy a ceiling liner by which to catch falling condensation. It can be rigged for freestanding by installing a trekking pole at each width end, which is handy for the White Mountains, where you find tent platforms. I like this tent, it and the SMD LDE weigh basically the same as the Lanshan 2. But though it is labeled a 3+ season tent, it will not do as much as the Lanshan to block cold winter winds.
The Zpacks is soooo light, but I have heard people say that they do have condensation issues in warm, heavy rain. So bad that they got soaked, just as would happen with silnylon single-wall tents. Also, at that price, with all the gear I have already been upgrading lately, I would have to wait longer to get it. (Happily married - and I intend to stay that way.)
I dred buying Chinese anything, but I have yet to find an American tent that offers the features and weight of the Lanshan, at any price.
I winter hike. I can get the Zpacks for three seasons, then a Nemo Tensi for winter camping, at $699. That is $1298 for two superb tents. *gulp*
Or I can get the Lanshan, with the winter inner, for $156 total, and enjoy the advantages of a double-wall tent.
The only drawback, besides not being MIA? It has a slightly smaller floor than any of the other tents, which at 6', 220 lbs, concerns me. My wife is tiny, but it will still be a tight sqeeze together at 110 cm width. We'd probably get stuck using our Nemo Losi 3, which was nice when it was introduced, but is an anvil by today's UL standards, at about 5.5 pounds. Mostly, I will be going solo.
Also, the Lanshan winter inner weighs less than the summer inner, so the Lanshan in winter mode would weigh almost half as much as the Nemo Tensi, though that Nemo should be built for the worst that New England winters can throw at a hiker.
Are there any six-footers out there that have the Lanshan 2? Do you fit it? Does it last? Would you get it again? Do you have the winter inner? If so, how do you like that?
Thanks.
Another fine video, Dixie.
Chris Eidam I’m 6’0 and fit just fine. I’ve had the tent for over a year and it’s in great shape. In fact I plan on doing a 1 year video on it this week
@@Alanguz1 ,
Thanks for the answers.
I used canvas, when I was a boy. It soaked up rain like a cotton towel. We tried the oil/wax...heavy, like rain. Nylon was a wonderful new invention until silnylon came along. Both still soak up the rain. There are sprays to make them soak up less water. Then comes cuben fiber/dyneema, strong, doesn’t soak up water...expensive. Over the years I’ve paid the price. If I’m out for just a few days, I go truck camping, with a cot, a cheap tarp, and a table and a chainsaw. If I’m out for a while and have to carry it all on my back, I go light, as light as I can afford. Thanks for your nice discussion, Dixie. Texas
If you are wondering or reason why CDF is so expensive it was made specifically and design for boat sails
The problem is the materials so abundant that people are not willing to trade off the price difference when you googled it for $35 a yard it was technically $4.50 a yard through the sailboat manufacturing for the regatta and other
I'm looking at full rolls of it for 16.00 per 1/2 yard for 0.5 oz. what's the weight used for tents? Contender Sailcloth sells it but does not show the price but I think it's a heavier material.
@@hikerJohn ,
Z-packs has three weights, from .51 to .74
@@hikerJohn ripstopbytheroll has all the weights. Same price roughly.
Thank your for your video. Being one of the more "mature" generation of adventurers with multiple vertabrae damage plus wear and tear and arthritis in many of my joints, even for mostly overnight/short term expeditions weight is a premium consideration. If I want to star gaze I usually just sleep on a ground cloth unless I'm really "bugged". Oh, I use either a duplex or a tarp as a shelter for backpacking. Sometimes comfort is king.
I appreciated the mention of the "mature" hiker needs. I am at the point (73) where joints and muscle just are not what they were once upon a time. My normal pack (Gregory) checked in at 6 pounds plus a 4-5 pound one person tent. Recently I have lusted after the ultra light products and the Z stuff is well represented. The Solplex cost about one months social security check! To have the opportunity to hit the trail again overnight or thru hike is a wonderful option.
Thanks, Dixie! I am thru hiking the AT next year & I'm section hiking this year to train. I've ordered the Lanshan 2 (not yet received) for my training this year and then I will decide whether to step up to Dyneema for the thru or keep using the Lanshan. I enjoyed hearing your perspective on the two. Thanks for the great video 😊
I would love to hear how the 3F works for you on the AT!!! I think that I would get the zpacks for an AT through hike especially for the waterproofness and consider the Lanshan 2 best for section hikes.
@@janetstarr9554 I do see your point there. I have 8 section hikes of 4-6 days each on my calendar from now til December. I live in GA, my family is in MD and my hikes are points in between (and possibly one way north if I can swing it). I think by then I'll have a more than fair idea of how the Lanshan is gonna perform....especially in the GA & NC rain 😂 My thru hike is a flip flop starting in Harper's Ferry in April 2020...so if I have to buy a new tent after sectioning, I'll still have 4 months to try it out as well. I actually could have afforded the Z-packs (been saving every penny of my money for the hike lol) but I was very curious about the Lanshan. I'll be glad to let you know! Just realized I wrote an essay...oops 😂 sorry, I'm excited.
@@normarinker3245 yay! So glad for your hikes! Will love to hear how it goes!
Thanks for the comparisons and insights. Another very interesting video. Good Luck, Rick
I am just a weekend warrior. I have used the 3F and its fine. I would definitely seam seal it. I can't speak to through hiking with it as I prefer 3 to 4 nights at a time.
Love the videos ✌❤
I personally am not a hiker but I trike pack... however I am an outdoorsman and long term camper... I suggest seam seal all tents and keep up the waterproofing care of your tents as well as all proper maintenance of all straps, buckles, tabs, and strings and replace and repair anything when it shows signs of excessive wear to avoid failures in critical moments... like that storm that comes out of nowhere... I understand weight but sometimes you may have to add weight during a repair and maintenance of your tents...
Another argument in favor of Zpacks is 'insurance'. Given, say, 150 - 200 days use, I would anticipate a few days with high very winds. A reliable and impartial endorsement of Dyneema's ruggedness is its use in high end sail manufacture. There's peace-of-mind in reducing the risk of material failure by using Dyneema. Additionally, if a repair is needed, Dyneema's non porous surface provides better adhesion for a patch. Even without adverse winds, the floor on the Lanshan will wear faster. As you suggested, it likely needs the added weight/bulk of a ground tarp.
If I were to spend as much time and go as long a distance as you have on your extensive through hikes, a few hundred dollars 'insurance' is worth it. Shredding a rain fly, and/or searching for, purchasing and then arranging for the delivery of a replacement tent is just not worth the aggravation.
The key difference is that the majority of backpackers have entire trips which are 20 - 30 miles. Where many thru hikers are hiking 20 - 30 per day. In addition the average backpacker is only taking 3 - 4 trips year. With this reality it is very hard to justify Z-Packs gear for most backpacker.
I personally use a Geertop treking pole tent and I have had it really bad weather with no issues. In addition I really enjoy making changes to Chinese gear to personalize it.
Did the SWCP 630 (UK) with the Lanshan 1... absolutely loved it, no leaks, no tears, withstood 25mph wind although it was shaking as its a trekking pole tent... also have the same problem as you with the front Guyline... done over 1000 miles with her now and still dont have a clue lol
Thanks for the review. I have a Duplex w/flexpoles and went backpacking with a friend with a new 2-person Lanshan. You didn't mention it, but the Lanshan has reflective bands in the tie-outs and all the cordage has reflective striping. The tent really lit up at night in our headlamps. As you noted, the Lanshan seems to have a more fragile floor and for peace of mind one needs to bring a footprint with its extra weight. My friend's Lanshan had a nice entertainment system, too. The overhead flat screen TV was a wonderful diversion at night. I want to mention that Zpacks has stood behind their products for me. They replaced my Duplex without charge no questions asked after about 18 months of ownership, so that brings the average price to $300 per Duplex for me. :)
Ive used my lanshan2 all last year. From pouring two hour thunderstorms in the three sisters wilderness to monsoons on the oregon coast. Dry, snug as a bug. I put my dough $$ into a HMG SW 4400. Priorities.
Im a 120pound guy, and the lighter my pack is, the more often i will go camping. Im a "minimalist" when it comes to camping, and only bring the essentials - and some 99gram "video glasses" so i can watch "Married with Children" in the hammock at night. That stuff really helps with my addiction for entertainment, and is the ULTIMATE comfort item i can bring for a camping trip. I got mine for just $200 on ebay, and they got 3D screens. Battery life is really bad, but at least it charges fast, and has enough battery capacity to watch maybe 3 episodes of some 20minute series, like "South Park" or "Invader Zim" or "Married with Children" or "Friends" or "Seinfeld"... The possibilities are endless, LOL! Probably the best "happiness to weight" ratio you can find :)
I am one of those more mature hikers and I look at the ZPack Duplex tent that I use allowing me to hike longer and farther and it fulfills my need the best one need being space for gear. I also use a ZPack backpack. I have amaze some other not so young backpackers even though they are younger than myself, with my over all weight of my backpack. I can be close to 30lb for the long food supply routes and close to the 20lb weight for those short days. The older backpackers remember when 40+lbs were the norm for them so the weight, quality, and performance are key to me for having an enjoyable time on the trail.
Just for your info your videos got me out of my cubicle onto the trail.
Thx for adding the review on dog son in tent. I dont go anywhere without my dog partner(SD) and knowing how comfortable the tents are with a dog along can be a deciding factor for me.
I have both a ZPacks tent and two of the Lanshan 2 for when I go out with my family. Both work great. I did a setup and overview video a while back of the Lanshan 2 and the interest in that tent is huge! For the price, it’s hard to beat and mine have been flawless so far. Looks like you might have a couple of the guylines not quite the way they intended but getting those sorted isn’t too hard and wil make it even easier to setup. Thanks for sharing your perspective!
Yep, I have both the Lanshan 1 and Zpacks Plexamid[curiosity got the best of me] actually I ordered both the Lanshan 1 & Lanshan 2 thru DHGate they sent me 2 Lanshan 1s. They were send me refund for one of them, that never happened[buyer beware]. I made mods to the Lanshan 1 to pull the sagging screen away from the inside of the tent. I did seem seal the the guide attachment points because I saw a pin hole in one of them. I have only used this tent on a few overnighters and it works great. I'm am doing a 2020 flipflop of the AT and will be using the Plexamid. I have used it on several multi day trips and love it plenty of room for me and my gear. Had a couple nights of rain no problem. I guess it's a peace of mind kinda thing between the 2 tents. Silnylon just doesn't have the durability of Dyneema, that with being made in China. I spent the extra coin for the peace of mind.
Don't have either tent, but when you're out in rain for multiple days the difference between silnylon and DCF is real. So much of this topic depends on whether or not you can afford to spend the extra money and how much you plan to use it. Quality lighter weight materials typically cost more. The 14 oz difference in the tent material isn't a lot, but with similar differences from quality light weight material in backpacks, sleeping systems, clothes, cookware, etc. all of a sudden your pack is 5, 10, or 15 pounds lighter. As another midlife hiker, that's one of the things that keeps me on the trail.
4 years later, do you still believe that? What do you mean "the difference is real"? How so? Because I've been using the LanShan 1 for the whole of winter 2022-2023, one of my trips was a 10-day trip with rain every day, 3 days with heavy rain and moderate wind, the tent performed very well in these conditions, no issues whatsoever... And 6 months later, it still looks brand new. The only "bad" thing I have to mention about it is that the ground floor/sheet is too thin. Rocks, branches, and needles can damage it easily. But I pack a 100L kitchen trash bag in my backpack and I use that as protection. Cost me $2 for a roll of 6, is super lightweight, and it works, nothing goes through it. So it's a non-issue, really. I'm about to go on the TMB for 11 days with it. I personally have no reason to go for the $500+ tents, when this true ultralight $150 tent from 3F UL Gear performs this well in harsh conditions. Why would anyone... Idk
They definitely both have their place for different people. I'll probably be in the market for a Z-Packs tent when my current one gets too ratty but I wish the Lanshan had been around when I was first starting out. $114 for a sub 2lb tent that isn't crap (and is probably pretty good) is a pretty affordable entry point into UL gear. The first "backpacking" tent I bought weighed 5lbs+ and cost ~$150. Cutting 3.5 lbs from that single piece of gear would've definitely made those trips much more enjoyable.
I have a 3FUL that I really like. The big difference is how often are you cowboy camping? Personally, I have cowboy camped way, way, more on the PCT. 90 % of the time I sleep in it is because of mutant PCT mosquitoes. The At, well that is because of weather I spend so much more time in my tent. I have not done the CDT yet so my comparison is PCT to AT. Because of weather, with the exception of the JMT section, your base weight is much lighter on the PCT and you use your tent much less. The weather on the AT requires much more nights in your tent. Also, usually, your base weight is higher. Z packs for AT. What is a few more ounces on the PCT when your are saving 440 on a very serviceable shelter you don't use nearly as much.
I love my 3f UL Lanshan 2 tent. Got a .7ml painters tarp for $2 for a ground cloth as well. It folds to the size of a wallet. Set up is so ez and there are several hacks for it that can make it even easier for set up. I also got the UL 3F Flames Creed backpack for $50 from Ali Express. It's another fantastic product that doesn't break the bank and is super durable and comparable to all of the cottage industry UL backpacks.
We went on a 10 day hike in northern Sweden (high winds, heavy rain every day, no tree cover etc.). We had three tents with us: the Duplex, the Lanshan 2 and the SMD Haven.
All three held up fine, were usable but a little crowded for 2 ppl each.
The Lanshan worked great, we had no issues with it at all. Ill go with the Duplex any day of the week but for those from our group who dont do several longer hikes per year, the 3F UL made more sense.
I'd be comfortable taking the Lanshan on thru hikes, as long as I know I can get to a town relatively quickly or at least there are other people on the trail.
Almost 200k subscribers? Dang I remember when you had less than 1k! Way to go!!
Very useful stuff Jessica, thanks. I have the even lighter 3F UL solo tent ( looks like the Big Sky Wisp ) at 680 grams and it's excellent. From tomorrow I 'll be using the HMG Dirigo 2 which i hope will become my go too option for solo and and two up backpacking most of the year, will post a video soon to follow up on my vids on the 3F UL. Atb and happy camping. Andrew
To me the Biggest differences are:
1) Single Wall versus Double Wall with Double Wall giving you the ability to Star Gaze.
2) Weight CF is half the weight.
3) Rain - CF does not sag when wet and does not absorb water whereas Sylnylon will stretch when wet AND will gain wet when wet!
4) Cost - CF is SIX times the cost of the double wall Lanshan (2 person tent comparison).
Now, if you are looking at the Lanshan then you should also be looking at other tents with similar weights (Nemo Hornet 2 is lower weight as is the Big Agnes Fly Creek) and the Big Agnes Copper Spur is a just a bit heavier. But the Copper Spur is FULLY free standing while the other two are close to free standing. However, in all cases you'll still need to stake out the Vestibules.
5) doors - zpacks forces you to sit on the flimsy netted door, 3F does not. Lol
Nailed it Dixie! I just left this question on your Homemade Wanderlust Facebook Page and I feel like you're answering my question directly. Although, I would have preferred the video on the 2 person tent. Coming from tarp sleeping to a tent is going to be an amazing luxurious upgrade. I look forward to the stargazing option and I typically sleep cooler. Thanks for all of your time and help! Have your friend make more knives. A lot of us would like to have them! I found a comprable 1. Have him add a bottle opener and a can opener, that would be amazing. Cheers!
Weekender, week trips, newbs, tight budget get the Lanshan 1 or 2. If I were starting out, I would not pay over $500 for one piece of gear for a hobby that I had yet to try. Running about 2 to 3 lbs respectively, they are a respectable light option, but not uber UL. As a week/weekender, I use the Lanshan 2, and it beats the hell out of my old Eureka, which I loved and worked great, but was over 5 lbs. If I was still in my 20's and in peak physical shape, then the Lanshan would be a no brainer, even for a thru hike.
If I were some kind of seasoned thru hiker or filthy rich, I would consider the Zpacks.
Yes, my old Eureka is my absolute favorite until I considered overnight hiking. It is my car camping tent... nest! Love that thing!
@@janetstarr9554 Yep, the Eurekas are like a little domed nylon castle. Solid as a rock. Mine has also been demoted to car camping duty.
Agreed!
Or if you could rely on all of your UA-cam residuals to finance your backpacking, you also could consider Zpacks over priced, crinkly, dyneema gear.
As family hiker/backpackers, we always have to consider price first. We tend to rock the Ozark trail brand for everything. One day we may individually upgrade. But until then, I appreciate you reviewing some cheaper options for those of us who just can't invest as much into better products. All that said, I'd always rather have American made if I could afford to choose. I think it's important to support 'locally' whenever possible, whatever country (and even town) you're from. Thanks Dixie for a great review 👍
I just got my Lanshan 2 ($140 on amazon) recently and have camped in it twice, was bunking with my hiking partner in her tent prior too..have been practicing putting it up and taking down..it's quite easy to do now..getting ready for my section hike .. found this tent to be pretty reliable so far, but haven't been in the rain yet still waiting for that to happen :P..thank you Dixie for your informative blog have enjoyed following you and the information that you have provided for this old gal getting back into camping and hiking..
I use the Lanshan 2 on week-long section hikes. I’ve had it for a year, and it’s been just fine. I seam-sealed, and it’s been through a few serious storms and stayed bone dry. I do use a ground cloth. I’m glad I went the cheaper route as a beginner and a late-in-lifer because my body hasn’t quite kept up with my ambition. This is plenty of tent for where I’m at.
With apologies, no desire to monopolise the comments section! But you are so right - about the wear and tear to the body thing. I am only 64, and have been backpacking all my life. I have extensive osteo arthritis (yes, the one aka as 'wear and tear' arthritis) after spending, at a rough estimate, over 3 years' worth of nights in a tent, and that is almost certainly on the low side. In my 30s I remember one pack weighing in at 48lbs at the start of a two week challenge walk in Scotland (and you really do need to be prepared up here!). No way I even COULD lift that now, never mind actually carry it anywhere! My max. weight these days would be 30lbs, and that with 5 days of food on board. Base pack weight therefore is 20lbs or less in summer (not much summer backpacking here, the midges are intolerable! If you doubt that, come over some time and find out! Happy to advise there, and even offer accommodation and transport for you and your partner should you ever fancy giving Scotland a try out. But April and May are our Goldilocks months in the NW of the country). I walked out from a trip a couple of years ago with a pack weighing less than 14lbs, and that was a full tent, cushty sleep mat, old Golite pack, proper stove etc, even a good old-fashioned paperback book to read, and a pint or so of water. Without today's superlight gear, I, as you suggest in this video, would no longer being heading out there, and that is unthinkable! (Last word, honest - durability is so important, as it also means outright strength. Along with excellent design (and there are so many points to make about that, but), methods of construction, and proper reinforcements where appropriate, that is my most stressed point, to make an unintentional pun... After 5 months in a shelter, I expect it to last the same again, and again. The Duplex, but in Hilleberg's 30D triple coated nylon (with 30lb tear strength, which is pretty massive) should last for years and years. If getting through 5 or 6 tents in 5 or 6 years is your thing, then fine, but wasteful to say the least. But it costs as much in the end. And you will trust a tent made by a top design team, in top-spec materials, for a decade or more, QED.
The zpacks tent requires ~1500 calories less over the course of the AT. So you figure you can save about $30 in mountain house meals over the course of the trail. It's like a 5% discount! Lol
(Carrying 1 pound per hour is about 2 calories at 3mph. So 2190 miles/3mph = 730 hours. 730 hours * 2 calories per hour= 3 mountain house meals.)
This math doesn't seem like it includes the vertical gain/loss though
herranton1979 interesting perspective never thought of that.
So what you're saying is if I'm looking to loose weight off my waist then to carry the Lanshan. Thanks
Mountain house meals are insanely priced per calorie intake. Sure, they flood popular youtubers with the stuff for free in exchange for videos and such. But no one who is actually paying their own hike will use Mountain House for long, when most alternatives are 1/10th the price per calorie.
For comparison: One packet of Mountain House Spaghetti w/ meat sauce (4.51oz for $8.95/ 2.5 servings) = $3.58 per serving, 230 calories, 12g protein. If you were to buy the big can of MHS and break it down it is $3.59 per serving ($35.95 per can) 230 calories, and 12g protein. Emergency Essentials sells a similar product in a lg. can with pork sausage in place of "meat sauce". It breaks down to $1.31 per serving, 180 calories, and 7g protein. Then there is Augason Farms. Their big can of similar is $1.74 per serving, 280 calories, and 11g protein. These are just three options, but clearly the lesser known brands offer comparable bang for far less per serving. For myself, I certainly eat more than one "serving" after a day of vigorous hiking, so I often buy the big cans and break them down from this site: www.beprepared.com - No, I've no affiliation with them. I just live in Utah, and food storage is a big thing here. Two servings of AF ($3.48) beats the $8.95 price tag of MH.
been using the lanshan 1 for about 6 months now in the deserts of Arizona and its perfect for the nights cause of the ventilation and option to remove and possibly use the rainfly seperately or with the tent. in my experiances its perfectly made for these dry climates. granted its slightly heavier then some of the tents out there but its also well insulated durring the cool of the night , or can be used easily as a quick tarp set up to get away from the sun in mid day if you keep the vestibules tied up. especially helpful when its over 90' and heat stroke is slowly creeping up
I have the lanshan 2 and am happy with it. Quality tent especially for the price. Definitely use a footprint.
Shawn Sprecksell lanshan well a ground sheet for about $17 from AliExpress
Thanks for the review!
I use a cheap 'space blanket', weighs nothing and cost me $2 incl shipping. Although thin metallic material, I get about 30-40 nights out of one before I need to think about replacing it.
My good fortune is that at 70 plus I have the funds to buy the "best" ultralight gear. I buy it for two reasons. It is reliable and I am more comfortable while backpacking. Yes, it is expensive. Dixie is right in many ways but her point about seniors or those with less than an athletic body, I am able to enjoy the great outdoors, comfortably, overnight and with solitude (in most cases).
Thanks Dixie!
man... this video is freaking in tents.
I’ve used the lanshan 2 ( I seam sealed it) in hard rainstorms and for weeks and it was great . I think it would hold up on a thru hike . Also for perspective hiking gear even 10 years ago was pounds heavier than today . I went from a 4 lb tent 🏕 to the lanshan 2 and it was a great 👍🏽 savings on weight I could tell instantly, that being said I’m sure the z packs would feel lighter still . But that $400 difference is almost a month of on trail funding . I guess at the end of the day I’m more interested in people who get maybe not the best gear or the lightest and still make it work because they just want the experience of being outside and hiking because I don’t have thousands of dollars just for gear I’d rather spend my thousands of dollars on the experience. On the other hand good gear can change the experience I know that first hand from kayaking. I guess do what you want in the end I look at money as hours of my life I’m trading for something so you could trade those hours for things or experiences
I was an avid cyclist before getting hit by a drunk. My knees got a bit trashed. Before that, I had bought one of the first Cannondale racing bikes ever made, and I lightened it to 19.5 lbs with upgrades. (Not the bike in the crash.) I took it out for spin today for the first time in a few years and it feels great. I have taken test rides on 16-lb bikes when I worked in shops. Yes, they were smoother, because the early Cannondales were massively overbuilt and stiff. But the old Cannondale is fine for me. It is still light - plenty light - just not the very lightest out there. At the end of the day, the rider matters most.
My creaky, battered knees do not deserve the lightest and best. I am never again going to be a speedy biker nor a speedy hiker. So a 2.6-lb tent should be good enough for me, too. Yeah, 21 onces for a Duplex is attractive. But I might never thru-hike with these knees, so is it really worth it?
Can u share a video of how to seam seal. Ty!
@@joshneff8532 ,
You do not need to see an entire video to learn. After watching dozens of reviews on the Lanshan 2 (get that one, not this Lanshan 1), the only place that it needs extra seem-sealing is on the stitching on the anchors for the two guy-outs for the head and foot of the tent, because the manufacture stiched the anchors after seam-sealing. There are no other places the Lanshan leaks, as it comes seam-sealed. Add this seam-sealer while the tent is set up and those guy-outs are under tension. Use a lint-free cloth to wipe/rub the seamsealer into the stitching to assure it penetrates the holes that would leak and to wipe away any excess. Leave the tent set up for at least 24 hours. Of course, do this in clear weather with little or no wind.
If you choose to seam-seal the rest of the tent, be mindful that in the spring plant pollen will stick to everywhere you spply seam-sealer.
Order it at AliExpress for about $87, and you can also order a winter inner for just $69. Do not order it at Amazon or Ebay because you will pay too much.
Also, another UA-camr found he could create a lot more headroom by using a cheap, light, telescopic fishing pole holder to put upward tension on those aformentioned head and foot guy-outs.
He posted in the comments section here about how well the Lanshan 2 performed on his JMT thru-hike. Here is his gear video including his tips on the Lanshan 2 about halfway through: ua-cam.com/video/VQdBs0HwEh4/v-deo.html
As far as a ground sheet, Tim Watson recommends using Tyvek that you wash in the gentle cycle several times with no detergent. It will arrest the krinkle noise. Once you're good at setting the Lanshan 2 with proper tension, you can glue tabs with grommets at the corners that help you line up the corner stakes in the perfect spot each time.
Good luck.
I am that older person she is referring to. I am well into my 60s with a knee and back issues. I believe it's all about the trail and living the trail dream. Having a super light pack makes it all possible. It was less than 25 years ago my pack weight was over 40 pounds. My tent weight was about nine pounds and my pack empty was about eight pounds. Now my pack is about 22 oz. and my tent about the same. Yes it cost me a lot of money but it's the cost to stay on the trail and not think about my pack at all. I can go for days in the White Mountains of NH and never think about my pack. Money well spent. You are right it's all about the trail and the experience. Take care
As an individual who is creeping up towards 70, paying more $ for the lighter tent is a no brainer for me.
I'm one of those people as well :o)
This was a great video . . .
I've had a serious knee injury, so lighter isn't an option, it's the only choice. As for Titanium, it's become very reasonable in price (Re: No you's comment) , so having to choose between a titanium cook pot or a lighter tent is comparing apples with air; One is nice to have, and not overly expensive, but the other is a must have in terms of survival. I'll go with lighter and durable every time.
Looks like I'm a little late to this vid. We have had the Z-Packs Duplex with freestanding tension poles since 2018. We've used it on many types of travels with continued good results. It's interesting though to find out how others perceive it. Among gear savvy bikepackers and backpackers it's well recognized as an item of premium gear. However, one of our first uses of the tent was to attend a trail running festival that is a weekend of various trail runs that begin/end at an RV & tent campground. Since it was an event that attracted enthusiasts of running in the woods it had never occurred to us that our tent would be the subject of concern and ridicule. People who did not know what dynema composite is thought that this was some ridiculous dollar store tent that wouldn't last the night. One guy asked my wife if it was a duct tape project. When I became aware that people were actually snickering about our tiny single use disposable tent I looked around at the sea of Coleman and Ozark Trail cabin tents and saw the irony that I had actually pitched the most expensive tent in the campground!
Over the past 4 years this tent has sheltered us from Canada to Mexico on the Great Divide Mtn Bike Route, along 520 miles of AT section hikes, and numerous short trip uses. Whether traveling by bicycle or on foot the light weight and compact size is immensely appreciated. During our most recent use while riding the Katy Trail across MO I was unable to detect any signs of stress or wear. A couple tie outs have stains that have resisted cleaning and last year I cleaned and lubed the zippers to resolve stickiness.
As DIxie said, Z-Packs states that a ground cloth or footprint is unnecessary. Well, with my OCD tendencies no ground cloth would disrupt my night of sleep worse than a pinecone under my deflated pad. So, I cut out a sheet of Tyvek for use as ground cloth. Not only does it provide piece of mind against ground wear but since I carefully set and knotted the stake out strings on the Tyvek it speeds my tent set up. Basically all of my tent tie out adjustments are very predictable small pulls from storage position because the cords of the Tyvek consistently set the four corners of the tent. The Tyvek also wraps around the tent before going in the Z-Packs bag and dropped into the backpack or bike bag.
At this point we're somewhere around $4.50 per use without any maintenance other than zipper stickiness and post trip damp cloth wipping and thorough drying. It will likely out live our remaining years of doing human powered traveled.
"Intents and Purposes" 👏 you rock, Dixie! 😎
That's actually how the colloquialism is said, contrary to the people who say "intensive purposes" or "intense and purposes"..
Would you consider a video setting up your zpacks tent and a nylon tent during a rain storm and use a luggage scale hook the following day to see just how much additional water weight each takes on? Might make an interesting comparison video 🤷♀️. Love watching your channel!!
Just for information, there is now a Lanshan 2 Pro, which is basically a Zpacks Duplex clone, 1.5 wall tent.
It have a slightly more robust true Silnylon rainfly than the old Lanshan and sewn in bath tub floor and mosquito netting in the exact same style as the Duplex.
It weigh in about 30% less than the old Lanshan, about 950 grams or about 33-34 oz.
It will need seam sealing, it's not seam taped.
There is also a 1p version.
Much more place in it than the old Lanshan, but it is single wall, with the pros and cons following.
I'm not affiliated with any tent company, I just think it is good to have an affordable alternative for those who doesn't get out as often or simply can't afford a Zpacks tent.
The Lanshan 2 has been incredible on the Florida Trail. I plan to take it thru on the AT in 2020.
I have the Lanshan 1 and it is a great tent for the money. It does take a little time to learn how to set up, but after a few set ups you get the hang of it. It is of surprisingly good quality for the price (I paid $95 with shipping). The stuff sack it comes with is too small to easily repack, so I saved the sack for something else and used a slightly larger sack. I ditched the tent stakes it came with (too heavy) and use titantium shepherd hook stakes instead. It is comfortable for one person, has excellent ventilation, and an ample vestible. Great review and comparison though!
Just made it from Campo to Tehachapi with the Lanshan 1 and I am very happy, after 1 or 2 weeks I could set it very well. I’m glad I saved 450$, I got it for 75$ and had to seam seal it myself (probably 10$, look for tutorials on youtube). I could actually get all my things in my tent at night but that left me just enough space. I believe yours was already seam sealed if you got it for 114$. I saved weight elsewhere where things were not hundreds of euros difference. For people considering a thru-hike going cheap it’s probably one of the best options. I would say it’s reliable but if you have a problem with it you’ll probably be on your own... But I mean you could have to buy two of those and still be saving 350$ lol.
A company that sells $600 tents and no customer service phone number? Yeah right....
I have all ways sealed the seams on my tents once a year since I was in scouts as general maintenance, I’m 47 now.
Brand new here. Appreciate ALL your videos Dixie. Thanks for taking the time to do them. They are great for newbs like me and all the comments/ discussions over what to use is helpful too. Keep doing what you do.
My big three are all Zpacks, but had I known about 3F UL Gear's gear when I decided to go UL, I might have given them a go. Cost wasn't really an object for me, but hey, If I can save $600-$700, well... I don't really have any regrets about my purchase, as I'm going on three years with no issues, and I've put some good miles and a lot of days/nights on my Zpacks gear.
Still, if I cost were a consideration, I would definitely consider purchasing the 3F UL Gear stuffs and I'm really interested in their new 1p pro tent, as I currently have the Duplex but I'm looking for something smaller for short trips.
“All in-tents and purposes” hahahahaha, I was dying
Good discussion of differences. You are going to take some swipes from both camps as there a few true believers on both. If I was a thru-hiker, I would so be all about Zpacks or Hyperlite gear. If I was just a 10-14 bag night a year hiker Lanshan might look great. Right now I am in that Big Agnes and Tarp Tent middle ground. When I go fast-n-light, three season in the Central Rockies, I go with my bivy sacks, now a OR Highlander, and a micro tarp (6x8). I am definitely looking at a Dyneema tarp that is 8x10 for my weather concerns. Having a tarp to cook under, change out, stir around under on bad days or just get out of the sun when cycling....my other passion is priceless. My winter tent (WY-MT) is a Black Diamond Firstlight with vestibule add-on, about the same price retail as a Duplex. Great points about age and UL gear. I am 66 and no way could I manage a day on the trail today with the great gear state of the art I had 40 years ago. I am averaging 35-45 bag nights a year for the last 10 years.