| ZPacks™ Hexamid Twin Tent
or Tarp |
Description:
The Hexamid Twin is a six sided pyramid style tent for two hikers.
It is made from the lightest materials available; .51 oz/sqyd cuben
fiber, and optionally .7 oz/sqyd ultralight insect netting.
This tent is very similar to the solo version except that it
requires two trekking poles instead of one.
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Set up requires two adjustable trekking poles and a minimum of
six stakes. Eight stakes are recommended. The main trekking pole
or stick should be set to around 48 inches (122 cm), the back pole to about 33 inches (84 cm).
Either pole can fluctuate a couple inches.
Tent poles are
available if you don't use trekking poles.
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Text setup instructions are available online for the
tent or
tarp.
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Fixed length guy lines using no-stretch spectra cord make setup easy. No line adjusters or knot tying
necessary. There are six main guy lines at the corners, plus two
additional guy lines at the sides for more wind resistance. The
side guy lines can also be propped up with a second set of
trekking poles (if you are hiking with a partner) for extra head
room, though it is not necessary.
- Ample space for two people plus gear, or a palace for one. The tent is long enough
for most people to fully stretch out their arms and legs, and tall enough
for two people to sit
upright.
- Great ventilation, and a great view through the large screen entryway.
6" (15cm) of screen around the perimeter allows air flow.
- The screen entryway opens with a single rainbow shaped zipper at the
top. A
single zipper reduces the likelihood of zipper failure, and keeps
zipper weight at a minimum. (The pictures need to be updated to
the new rainbow zipper).
- Cuben fiber is made from spectra threads which do not stretch.
The tent stays taught all night. (Sil-nylon by comparison can stretch and sag,
especially if it gets wet).
- Specially designed seams hold strong and prevent any
separation of the thin material. The peak and all tie outs are reinforced with 1.46 oz/sqyd cuben
material. A
free tube of Sil Net seam sealer is
included for you to seal the seams.
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Click for full size images
Photos of Gray Kinnier's Twin Tarp on the John Muir Trail:
Photos of the new Optional Extended Beak:
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This tent is unique in that it has a fully
enclosed .7 oz/sqyd screen floor. Why a screen floor?
- It keeps 100% of insects, spiders, ticks, etc out!
- The screen floor is lighter than a sewn in floor would be. Use a small,
lightweight ground sheet on the inside on top of the screen,
just like sleeping under a tarp.
Tyvek, or
Cuben Fiber,
ground sheets work great.
- Your separate ground sheet can also be used for sleeping under the stars or in shelters.
- Rain spray or condensation runs right out through the
screen floor. The ground sheet must be on top of the screen to
prevent any water from running onto it.
- You can adjust the position of your ground sheet, or
fold up the edges to block spray if the wind changes to the wrong direction.
- The inside of each corner has a loop for clipping a
Cuben Groundsheet in place.
The peak also has a loop on the inside for hanging a flashlight or
stuff sack.
- 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. The shelter can also be easily repaired in the field since
duct tape sticks well to the fabric.
- All ZPacks gear has a one year warranty against defects in
materials or workmanship. Returns or exchanges are welcome.
Dimensions (approximate):
- Peak Height: 47 inches (119 cm)
- Rear Height: 30 inches (76 cm)
- Length: 9 feet (2.75 meters)
- Width at center: 62 inches (158 cm)
- Width at ends: 42 inches (107 cm)
- Entryway Height: 29 inches (74 cm)
Weight (updated):
- The tent itself weighs about 9.7 oz (275 grams). The tarp by itself
weighs 3.7 oz (111 grams).
- The included 30 feet of bright yellow
Z-Line spectra guy
line adds .3 oz (8.5
grams).
- The included cuben fiber
medium
size stuff sack adds .2 oz (6 grams). Tarps include a .1 oz
small size stuff
sack.
- Total weight is just 10.2 ounces (289 grams) including the
tent, guy lines, and a stuff sack.
- The optional extended beak adds .9 ounces (26 grams) bringing
the total w/ beak to 11.1 ounces (315 grams).
- A tube of Sil Net is included for you to brush on to the
outside of the seams. It will add another .5 oz or so to the
weight.
- A ground sheet and 8 stakes are
sold separately, and are not included in the
price or weight.
Optional Extended Beak:
By popular
demand an extended beak is now available. The extended beak rolls down
to block rain spray, deflect wind, and provide some privacy. The beak
has elastic an elastic cord which clips to the tent's front guy line. To
open the beak just un-clip it and roll it up. The beak adds about 1 foot
of vestibule space for shoes, etc.
When hiking solo the extended beak may not be necessary since you can
usually slide your ground sheet towards the back of the tent to avoid
any rain spray. If you are sharing the tent with a second person or if
you want to play it safe add the beak.
Ordering:
There is a waiting list for this item, see the notice at
the top of the page.
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Joe's Solo Hexamid Review, and questions answered:
In 2009 I tested a Cuben Fiber Hexamid Solo (not the Twin) on a full Continental Divide Trail
thru-hike. The twin tent has the same construction and a similar design to
the solo tent I used so the information here is mostly relevant.
The trip took 154 days traveling roughly 2,651 miles through the rocky
mountains. Over the course of the trip the tent went through just about
every type of weather, from gusting wind, to rain storms, snow storms, sub
freezing temperatures, etc. I hiked the first half of the trip solo, the
second half with my wife Sheryl. We used the same
solo tent for the whole trip. (Gear list)
(Photos)
Won't I get wet if rain is blowing towards the screen door?
Probably not. Ideally the tent should be pitched with the back or sides into
the wind. If rain does start blowing towards the door it is easy enough to
just slide your groundsheet to the back. You can use your shoes and water
bottles to prop up the edges of your ground sheet to give you even more
protection, or tie the corners up to the corners of the tent. If you want to play it safe you can add the optional extended
beak. On my trip I carried a detachable doorway
(which has now been replaced by the extended beak) but never needed to put it up while hiking solo.
It was needed a couple times after Sheryl joined me.
How durable is the material?
The tent held up really well over my five month trip. I didn't get any
punctures or tears, and didn't have to do any repairs. The cuben material
feels paper thin and I was careful with it, but I think it is just as
durable as silicone nylon would be. Cuben has the advantage that duct tape
sticks really well to it so repairs in the field are a breeze if
needed. (Duct tape will not stick to sil-nylon). I would be comfortable
using the same tent on a second thru-hike.
Won't the screen floor wear out quickly?
Surprisingly no! I was careful about picking up sticks and rocks and never
got any holes in the floor. Sharp things like needles and thorns that
can normally cause holes go right through the screen without doing any damage.
If it did ever get a hole, it would likely be under your ground sheet
anyways.
How does the tent do in strong wind?
Reasonably well, about the same as a typical tarp. Whenever possible choose
a sheltered location such as under tree cover. If forced to camp in the open
position the back or side into the wind and make sure it is staked out well.
The cuben material is designed for making sails and can handle the stress of
high winds.
Not convinced? Here is a very informative outside review of a Hexamid
Twin:
4.5 out of 5 - Highly Recommended -
http://www.mountainultralight.com/2011/01/product-review-zpacks-hexamid-twin-tent.html
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Shipping is just $3.95 in the U.S., $9.95 Internationally and up.
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