Duplex Lite Tent

$669.00 USD Weight 14.9 oz / 423.0 g
Lead Time Ships in 1-3 Days

The Duplex Lite is engineered for the ultralight enthusiast wishing to cut every ounce from their pack weight. At under 15 ounces, the Duplex Lite is hands down the lightest fully enclosed two person tent in the world.

This version of our our award winning Duplex tent has a slimmed down footprint with a 40" (102 cm) wide floor. It is spacious for one person with gear, with the versatility to fit two standard width sleeping pads side by side when camping with a partner.

The Duplex Lite utilizes our proven .55 oz/sqyd Dyneema Composite Fabric canopy combined with a .75 oz/sqyd DCF floor material which is 25% lighter and packs down smaller relative to our standard tent floors. It comes preconfigured with bright yellow 1.3 mm Z-Line guy-lines which save weight compared to the 2 mm guy lines on our standard tents.

When it comes to long-distance backpacking, every gram counts, and the Duplex Lite allows weight conscious hikers the freedom to go further, and faster, with a shelter that is roomy, well ventilated, packs down small, and has the features a thru-hiker needs.

Compare with our Duplex Classic for a little bit more room and durability or our Duplex Zip which also includes zippered storm doors, peak vents, and magnetic door toggles. Those versions are compatible with our Duplex Flex Kit to make the tent semi-freestanding.

*THE DUPLEX LITE DOES NOT SUPPORT OUR DUPLEX FLEX KIT.*

  • Sets up with two trekking poles adjusted to around 48" (122 cm). Slightly taller or shorter fixed length poles will also work. If you do not use trekking poles, we have straight tent poles available for purchase. Trekking poles are not included but we have multiple Trekking Pole options to choose from.

  • Six stakes are required for this tent with eight stakes recommended for a taught pitch in windy conditions. Stakes are not included but we have a variety of Ultralight Stakes to choose from.

  • The Duplex Lite includes bright yellow 1.3mm Z-Line guy lines which save weight compared to the 2mm guy lines found on our standard shelters. The guy lines can be swapped out on any of our shelters if desired.

  • A slimmer 46” x 100” (117 x 254 cm) corner to corner footprint allows you to squeeze into those hard to find backcountry flat spots, providing a decisive advantage over other designs with larger footprints that require much more space to set up.

  • Symmetrical design allows two adults to lay side by side in either direction, creating a superior sleeping experience for couples. The symmetrical pole design also avoids the steep wall angles found in other tents, creating more practical usable space. Two people can sit upright side by side facing out either door while removing shoes or while reaching out to cook or access gear just outside the tent.

  • The symmetrical design also allows any of the four storm doors to be opened or closed independently, providing best in class views and ventilation. Leave all four open on nice weather nights for a breeze and great views. Close the upwind doors to block cold wind, or close all four for 360° rain protection. The overlapping doors are closed with custom made metal hooks, with a toggle at the center to keep them pinned. Check out the Duplex Zip for a slightly wider version with zippered storm doors, peak vents, and magnetic door toggles.

  • Overlapping storm doors allow for a small amount of airflow without the need for additional venting. There are no zippers on the doors that could potentially fail over time.

  • Each screen door has a rainbow zipper which allows easy entry regardless of which storm doors are closed, and they give you access to every vestibule area. Each screen door conveniently drops inwards rather than hanging in your way. No need to roll it up or secure it.

  • The tent canopy overhangs the bathtub floor by 3-5 inches (8-13 cm). In calm rain or under wet trees one or two doors can be left open for air flow without water dripping on the floor space. In almost all conditions at least one downwind door can be left open for air.

  • For even better rain protection with a door open, use the cords at the head and foot end of the tent to pull the screen door back away from the rain spray as seen in the photo gallery.

  • This tent has a seamless, sewn in 6.75 inch (17 cm) tall bathtub floor. The bathtub floor is a rectangle 40" wide by 90" long (102cm x 2.3m). Just enough space for two 20" sleeping pads with room to stretch out plus space for gear at the ends of the floor.

  • Our "Lite" tent floor is made from .75 oz/sqyd Dyneema Composite fabric. It weighs 25% less than our standard floor material and packs up smaller, with the trade off of slightly less abrasion and puncture resistance. Choose spots on dry leaves or soft pine needles when possible to minimize ground splash-up and condensation, and be sure to move any pointy twigs, rocks or thorns from your spot. As with all DCF material, it is very easy to patch on-trail with the included seam tape.

  • If you are particularly tall, you might try propping up the side guy-lines with Trekking Pole Cups, or check out the Offset Duo. Some couples may prefer the additional width of the Triplex Classic, or Offset Trio tents.

  • In order to keep the weight as low as possible, this tent does not have any built in internal pockets. Save weight by using your backpack's pockets for nighttime storage, or add a Stick-On Mesh Tent Pocket or our popular Gear Nest.

  • A separate groundsheet is NOT required for this shelter. The floor material is reasonably durable, and all Dyneema® Composite Fabric gear can be easily patched in the field with repair tape. If you do prefer to use a groundsheet as a precaution, Flat Groundsheets are available.

  • There is screen between the bathtub floor and the walls at the ends of the tarp. A cord keeps the bathtub elevated ensuring the screen slopes downwards away from the bathtub. Any condensation, which single wall shelters may experience, will run down the walls and out through the downward sloping screen, rather than onto the floor. Click here for tips to avoid condensation.

  • All of our tents do pretty well in the wind. The material can handle high wind loads. As long as your stakes stay in the ground (use rocks if available) your tent will stay standing. Dyneema® Composite Fabric is not a particularly noisy fabric; however, almost any tent will make a little noise in the wind. Earplugs are not a bad idea for windy nights.

  • Dyneema Composite Fabric is naturally waterproof and is not treated with any potentially harmful chemicals such as flame retardants or water repellents. Our shelters are all PFC/PFAs free.

  • All Zpacks gear has a two year limited warranty against defects in materials or workmanship. Please see our return / warranty policy.

  • Made in the USA.

Weight:

The total weight displayed near the 'add to cart' button shows the weight of the tent including guy lines, sewn in linelocs, and taped seams.

The following items are also shipped with this tent:

  • Medium DCF Stuff Sack - .28 oz (8 g)

  • 54" DCF repair tape strip - .14 oz (4 g)

  • Two spare zipper sliders - .16 oz (4.5 g)

  • Total additional items: .58 oz (16.5 g)

*8x Stakes are required but are not included. We have a variety of Ultralight Stakes to choose from.

Exterior Dimensions:

Peak height: 48" (122 cm)

Ridgeline width: 46" (117 cm)

Width including vestibules: 88" (224 cm)

Vestibule Depth from floor: 24" (61 cm) each side

Length: 100" (254 cm)

Interior Dimensions:

Peak height: 48" (122 cm)

Floor width: 40" (102 cm)

Floor length: 90" (2.3 meters)

Floor Area: 25 square feet (2.3 square meters)

Zipper entry height: 36" (91 cm)

Packed Dimensions:

Packed Size: 5" diameter by 11" tall (12.7 x 28 cm) / 216 cubic inches (3.5L)

Stuff Sack Size: 6" diameter by 12" tall (15 cm x 30 cm) size Medium. The intentionally loose stuff sack makes packing easy and it will squish down in your backpack.


  • Our tents are made from Dyneema® Composite Fabric. Dyneema® Composite Fabric has several advantages over other materials:

     

    • High strength to weight ratio – the material can handle high wind force and does not tear easily.

    • Chemical free, PFC free

    • Waterproof – there is no DWR or coating to worry about wearing out. The material will not absorb significant water that will add water weight to your pack

    • Stretch-free – the tent will stay taut all night. Nylon material by comparison can stretch and sag, especially if it gets wet.

    • Taped seams – our seams are sewn for strength then taped water tight. The tie outs have bonded reinforcements for high strength. No seam sealing will be necessary!

    • Easily repairable – Any damage can easily be fixed in the field with our Dyneema® Composite Fabric Repair Tape.

  • This tent is semi-transparent. In bright sunlight, a fuzzy silhouette of a person sitting inside the tent would be visible, but you cannot see any details. It has a suitable amount of privacy for changing clothes.

    In lower light (such as in the evening or at night), you cannot see through at all.  One nice thing about this material is that you can see the outlines of trees and your surroundings for a more immersed outdoor experience.



    The Duplex Classic or Duplex Zip are available in thicker, darker material that adds more privacy.


  • This tent has fully enclosed .67 oz/sqyd (22.7 g/m²) insect screen. The holes in this screen are super tiny, so even the smallest insects cannot get through. Our tent screen is about 30% lighter than comparable Noseeum screen with no noticeable decrease in durability.
  • The "Lite" bathtub floor is made from .75 oz/sqyd Dyneema® Composite Fabric which is lighter and packs smaller than our standard 1 oz/sqyd DCF floor material. As with all DCF material it is easy to patch in the field with the included repair tape.
  • Lineloc V adjusters are sewn to all tie outs. Bright yellow 1.3mm Dyneema® Z-Line cord is cut and attached for you. The yellow lines are very easy to see night or day, and Dyneema® has very low stretch.
  • The expected life span of this shelter is at least one full 2500+ mile thru hike, or many years of casual use with some care.

Made with Bio-Based Dyneema® Fiber

Reduce your carbon footprint with bio-based Dyneema® fiber technology. Sourced from renewable, bio-based feedstock, it is the first ever bio-based ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (HMPE) fiber. Commit to sustainability and help reduce our reliance on fossil fuel resources and rely on the trusted performance of the world’s strongest fiber™. Click here to learn more about Bio-Based Dyneema® Fiber.

Made in the USA.



.55 oz/sqyd Standard Dyneema® Composite Fabric

Available in Blue, Olive Drab, and White

The default canopy material choice on this tent is .55 oz/sqyd Dyneema® Composite Fabric. It has high tensile strength and can handle strong winds, storms, and all the typical conditions a tent will be in. All Dyneema® Composite Fabric material can easily be repaired in the field with the included repair tape if it were to get a puncture.

The material is semi-transparent, allowing you to see the silhouette of trees when looking out. In bright sunlight, you can see the fuzzy silhouette of a person when looking in, but it is opaque in low evening light.

Tensile Strength: 63 lb/in (552 N/5cm)

Puncture Strength: 
1.8 lb (8 N)

Water Resistance:
 15,000 mmH₂O

Made in the USA.




.75 oz/sqyd (25.4 gsm) Dyneema® Composite Fabric

Our "Lite" tent floor material weighs less and packs down smaller than our standard 1 oz/sqyd floor material. It has plenty of tear resistance, but offers slightly less abrasion and puncture resistance than our standard floors. 

Some care should be exercised to move pointy twigs, rocks, and thorns from your tent spot. Choose spots on dry leaves and soft needles when possible to prevent rain splash-up. Tape is included with the tent in case you get a puncture.


Tensile Strength:
 104 lb/in (911 N/5cm)

Puncture Strength: 3.1 lb (14 N)

Water Resistance: 20,000 mmH₂O

Made in the USA.



.67 oz/sqyd Ultralight Nano-Noseeum Insect Netting

Regular "No-see-um" bug netting weighs about 1 oz/sqyd. This ultralight version weighs roughly a third less without a noticeable difference in performance. It has extremely small holes which block even the smallest of insects including mosquitoes, noseeums, etc. Nothing gets through this screen.

Duplex Lite Instructions

Click here for a printable version.

Cutting Guylines:

Guylines are pre-cut and attached for you. Linelocs are sewn in place for adjusting the lines. If you choose to switch out your lines for a different cord these are the default lengths:

Peaks (2x) - Cut 80 inches (203 cm) and tie a stake loop at 18 inches (46 cm). The long end attaches to the tent and the short end attaches to the door hooks.

Side Walls (cut 2x) - 48 inches (122 cm)

Corners (cut 4x) - 24 inches (61 cm).

Setup Instructions:

In windy conditions orient the end of your tent with the overlapping storm doors upwind. The Zpacks label along the hem indicates the upwind end of the tent

Splash-up can occur when camped on hard packed surfaces during heavy rain. Our tall bathtub floor and overhanging canopy helps to keep mud and water from splashing up into your tent, but for best results please choose camp spots on leaves or pine needles when possible. Remove any pointy twigs and sharp objects to protect your tent floor but leave as much rain-dampening cushioning as possible to minimize the potential of splash-up.

  1. Adjust your two trekking poles to around 48 inches (122 cm). It is expected that your pole tips will sink into the ground an inch or so. On hard packed surfaces you may get a better pitch by reducing your trekking pole height a little bit or angling your tent poles.

  2. Give your corner guylines some slack. Stake out all four corner guylines at a 45 degree angle, roughly straight off the corner points.

  3. Insert the front trekking pole outside the screen with the handle at the peak and the tip in the ground. Stake the front line.

    • If the peak is too high, tighten the front corner lines. If it is too low, loosen them.

    • The corners of the tent should be about 6 inches (15 cm) off the ground.

  4. Insert the back trekking pole the same way and stake it out.

    • If the walls of the tent aren't smooth, you may need to reposition the corner stakes or adjust the lines tighter.

  5. Stake out the two wall tie outs.

Storm Doors:

Any of the four doors can be clipped down, or rolled up independently. The storm doors can be clipped down to the front center guylines, or rolled up depending on the weather.  Leave at least one down-wind door open for air flow unless the weather is very bad. 

Seam Sealing:

All Zpacks shelters have taped seams and bonded tie outs! No seam sealing necessary.

Click here for full instructions on how to wash our Dyneema® Composite Fabric tents and tarps.

For information on how to replace your zipper sliders, check out our instructional videos.