Pivot Trio Tent
Whether you're hitting the trail with your kid, your pup, or your homies, the Pivot Trio is designed to make shared backcountry moments more comfortable than ever. It’s the lightest, most spacious 3-person tent in its class — purpose-built for hikers who want room for gear and their little one, human or canine.
This full-featured shelter comfortably fits three averaged sized adults, or a couple with extra space for a child or dog, plus your pack and other essentials. The symmetrical layout and dual wide doors mean flexible sleeping orientation no matter the wind or slope, and setup is fast using just two 52" trekking poles and the included 32" end pole.
With generous headroom that lets you sit up without brushing the ceiling and a thoughtfully designed floor that accommodates a mix of sleeping pads, the Pivot Trio is ideal for families who won’t compromise on space, comfort, or weight.
When you share your adventures with someone smaller — or furrier — the Pivot Trio gives you room to do it right.
Available in two Dyneema® Composite Fabric options to match your durability and weight preferences.
- Made from waterproof, durable, PFAS free Dyneema® Composite Fabric:
- Choose "Lite" to push boundaries with our tried and tested .55 oz/sqyd DCF canopy, .75 oz/sqyd DCF floor, and 1.3mm guy lines.
- Choose “Standard” to add opacity and extra durability with a .75 oz/sqyd DCF canopy, 1 oz/sqyd DCF floor, and 2mm guy lines.
- Sets up with two 52” (132 cm) Trekking Poles (sold separately), an included 32” (81 cm) Tent Pole, and just 8 Stakes (sold separately). Alternatively a third trekking pole can be used to save weight.
- Storm doors on each side of the tent feature a convenient zipper entry, magnet toggles, and peak vents for air flow.
- Store your shoes and backpack in either vestibule space or stand your pack upright in the spacious interior.
- Fully enclosed .67 oz/sqyd ultralight insect netting keeps even the smallest insects out and adds ventilation around the perimeter.
- Wide L shaped entryways on both sides of the tent create draping screen doors that help block mosquitos. The floor is pinned down by the poles for easy one handed zipper operation.
- The bathtub floor has tall walls and is recessed from the perimeter to keep you protected from splash-up and condensation. In calm rain or under wet trees the doors can be left open for air flow without water dripping or falling into your living space.
- The offset 52" poles combined with a 32" pole at the end of the tent creates steep walls for tons of head and foot room. Three average sized hikers can sleep with their head and feet at either end depending on the slope of the ground or the wind direction. Your head or feet can be right up against the interior screen wall without brushing condensation.
- The wide 65" (165 cm) floor comfortably fits three hikers up to about 6' 5" (1.95 meters) tall. It's also great for 2 hikers, their gear, and a dog or child. For additional headroom, add a trekking pole cup and an additional 32" pole at the other end of the tent to boost the space further.
- A compact footprint for a three person tent allows the Pivot Trio to squeeze into hard to find backcountry flat spots.
- LineLoc V adjusters allow you to lock in the perfect pitch. Bright yellow Z-Line Guylines are easy to see day or night to avoid tripping.
- The durable floor material does not require a separate groundsheet. Flat Groundsheets are an optional precaution.
- Integrated mesh pockets allow you to stow small items like your headlamp, glasses, phone, or the tent stuff sack.
- Small loops at each peak allow you to hang a flashlight, run a clothesline, or attach a Gear Nest.
- All zipper sliders are field-replaceable. Repair tape and spare sliders are included. Washing Instructions.
- 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. Your choice of canopy fabric and floor material affects the weight shown.
The following items are also shipped with this tent:
- Big Stuff Sack - .35 oz (10 g)
- 54" DCF repair tape strip - .14 oz (4 g)
- Two spare zipper sliders - .16 oz (4.5 g)
- 32" (81 cm) tent pole w/ protective sling - 1 oz (28 g)
- Total additional items: 1.64 oz (46.5 g)
A typical setup requires 7 stakes, but up to 10 can be used in high wind. Stakes are not included. We have a variety of Ultralight Stakes to choose from. A third trekking pole can be substituted for the 32" tent pole.
Exterior Dimensions:
Front peak height: 52" (132 cm)
End beak height: 32" (81 cm)
Canopy pitches 4" (10 cm) off the ground with a 6" (15.25 cm) bathtub wall height.
Width including vestibules: 113" (287 cm)
Vestibule Depths from floor: 24" (61 cm) - 8 sqft.
Length: 98" (249 cm)
Interior Dimensions:
Peak heights: 52" (132 cm)
End beak height: 32: (81 cm)
Floor width: 65" (165 cm)
Floor length: 84" (214 cm)
Floor Area: about 38.4 square feet (3.6 square meters)
Zipper entry height: 40" (102 cm)
Packed Size:
Rolled Tight: 6" diameter by 12" tall (15.25 cm x 30.5 cm), 340 cubic inches (5.6L).
Stuff Sack Size: 8" diameter by 13" tall (20.3 cm x 33 cm) "Big" stuff sack.
Tents will be about an inch (2.5 cm) larger in diameter and length when rolled casually. The included stuff sack is intentionally large so that you don't have to fight with your tent in the morning. Additional items like tent poles or a groundsheet can fit in the stuff sack with the tent.
Tents made with the heavier floor and canopy options will roll up a little larger.
- Made with Bio-Based Dyneema® Fiber sourced from renewable feedstock.
- High strength to weight ratio – Dyneema® can handle high wind force and does not tear easily.
- Chemical Free – No PFCs, PFAS, DWR or flame retardants.
- Inherently Waterproof – No coatings that could wear out. Does not absorb water weight.
- Stretch Free – Dyneema® stays taut all night. Other materials can stretch and sag, especially when wet.
- Taped seams – No seam sealing necessary! Any damage can easily be fixed in the field with included repair tape.
- Semi-transparent - Immerse with your surroundings. Thicker fabric weights offer more opacity.
- Long Lasting - 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
Pivot Trio 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 48 inches (183cm) & (2x) Cut 52 inches (132cm)
The 48" cords are tied to the D ring at the bottom of the peak vent, then run through a circular ring before running up and through the LineLoc V adjusters at the peak.
On the 52" cords, tie a stake loop at 18 inches (45.75 cm) from one end. The long end is tied to the circular ring and the short end attaches to the LineLoc V adjuster on the smaller storm door.
Peak End, Wall Tie Outs (cut 3x) - 48 inches (122 cm)
Corners, Bottom Hem Tie Out (cut 6x) - 24 inches (61 cm)
Setup Instructions:
The Pivot Trio tent should be pitched with the small doors upwind so that the larger doors can be left open, downwind if desired. The upwind end of the tent is marked with a Zpacks labels at the center. You can sleep with your head and feet in either direction.
Splash-up can occur when camped on hard packed surfaces during heavy rain. Our tall bathtub floor and generous 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.
- Adjust two trekking poles to around 52 inches (132 cm). Use the included 32 (81 cm) tent pole, or a third trekking pole.
- Lay the tent out flat and stake out the corners. The guy-lines should be at a 45 degree angle, roughly straight off the corner points with some slack for adjustment.
- Insert the first 52" trekking pole outside of the screen with the handle at the peak. Insert the tip through the button hole on the flap on the floor to pin the floor down. If using a 52" tent pole, place the pole directly onto the flap. The flap keeps the floor pinned down and makes one-handed zipping easier. Stake the front line and adjust it as necessary.
- If the peak is too high, tighten the corner lines. If it is too low, loosen them.
- The corners of the tent should be about 4 inches (10 cm) or so off the ground.
- Insert the other 52" trekking pole into the other peak and repeat the process.
- Lift up the 32" (81 cm) peak end of tent and insert the trekking or tent pole outside the screen with the handle at the peak. Find the flap on the end of the floor, pull it out tight to make the floor flush, and pin it down with your pole tip. The two guy-lines at the 32" peak, and at the bottom center of the wall share a single stake.
- Stake out the remaining wall guy-lines and bottom hem guy lines if desired. You can stake out all three independently, or run all three to a single stake.
- If the walls of the tent aren't smooth, you may need to reposition the corner stakes or adjust the lines tighter.
Storm Doors:
The larger doors can be zipped shut, or rolled up and secured open with the integrated magnet toggles. Leave the downwind doors open for air flow when possible to minimize condensation.
Seam Sealing:
All Zpacks shelters have taped seams and bonded tie outs! No seam sealing necessary.
