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-September 2010-
We just started taking orders again for backpacks, shelters, etc. There is currently a waiting list of about 4-6 weeks. Backpack and tent orders are custom built one at a time, but not necessarily in the order received. If you need your gear by a certain date for a trip just let us know and we will make sure it arrives on time.

Materials and accessory items are in stock and are shipping in a day or two as usual.  Thanks!  Joe & Sheryl
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; .6 oz/sqyd cuben fiber, and optionally .7 oz/sqyd nanoseeum screen.
 
This tent is very similar to the solo version except that it requires two trekking poles instead of one.

  • 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 about 49 inches, the back pole to about 32 or 33 inches.
     

  • Text setup instructions are available online for the tent or tarp.
     

  • 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 nanoseeum screen entryway. 6" of screen around the perimeter allows air flow.
     
  • The screen entryway opens with a single long zipper at the top. This reduces the likelihood of zipper failure, and keeps zipper weight at a minimum.
     
  • 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 1.5 oz/sqyd cuben material. A free tube of Sil Net seam sealer is included for you to seal the seams.

View all pictures
  • This tent is unique in that it has a fully enclosed .7 oz/sqyd nanoseeum 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 twin tent has loops on the inside at each corner that can be used to tie a cuben ground sheet in place with the edges folded up. Or you can leave your ground sheet loose so that you can adjust your position easier.
     
  • All ZPacks gear has a one year warranty against defects in materials or workmanship. Returns or exchanges are welcome.
     
  • 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.

Dimensions (approximate): 

  • Peak Height: 47 inches (119 cm)
  • Rear Height: 30 inches (76 cm)
  • Length: 9 feet (2.75 meters)
  • Width at center: 5.5 feet (168 cm)
  • Width at ends: 42 inches (107 cm)
  • Entryway Height: 29 inches (74 cm)

Weight:

  • The tent itself weighs about 9.4 oz (266 grams). The tarp by itself weighs 3.9 oz (111 grams).
  • The included 35 feet of bright yellow Z-Line spectra guy line adds .4 oz (11 grams).
  • The included cuben fiber "tent" size stuff sack adds .2 oz (6 grams). Tarps include a .12 oz small size stuff sack.
  • The included Sil Net seam sealer when applied adds about .5 oz (11 grams). You will have extra left over for other projects.
  • Total weight is just 10.5 ounces (298 grams) including the tent, seam sealing, guy lines, and a stuff sack.
     
  • A ground sheet and 8 stakes are sold separately, and are not included in the price or weight.
  • Tent poles are now available if you don't use trekking poles.

Optional Doorway:
The optional triangular doorway clips to the tent or tarp at the peak and front corners to block rain spray or give you privacy. To get in or out just unclip the top clip and the door drops to the floor. Three .1 oz mini-d carabiners are included. If you are hiking solo the doorway is probably not necessary because you will have plenty of room to avoid rain spray. With a partner you might want it.

Some advantages/features of the doorway:

  • You can leave it at home if you decide you don't need it or if the forecast is nice.
  • You can leave it in its stuff sack out of the way 95% of the time when the weather is decent.
  • The tent is pretty quiet with no extra material flapping in the wind.
  • The cuben door clips on inside the tent between your trekking pole and the screen door. It does not interfere with the screen zippers and it does not eat up any of your interior space.
  • There is a gap between the door and the top of the tent to allow air flow.
  • The same doorway fits both the solo and twin Hexamids.
Hexamid Twin Tent w/ Screen
10.5 oz / $345
Color:
Hexamid Twin Tarp (no screen)
4.9 oz / $195
Color:
Optional Cuben Doorway w/ carabiners
1.6 oz / $59
Color:
Joe's Solo Hexamid Review, and questions answered:
In 2009 I tested a Cuben Fiber Hexamid Solo 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. If you want to play it safe you can add the optional doorway.

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, I would just replace the seam tape since it is getting crispy after five months of sun, etc. Update- the seams are now sewn better, and sealed by you with included Sil Net to avoid this problem.

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?
The solo tent does 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.

How about Condensation?
The Hexamid has a large screen entryway, as well as screen all around the perimeter which gives it lots of air flow. Under the right conditions however ALL single wall tarps and tents can get condensation, even if no one is in them. Here are some tips to avoid condensation in any shelter. 1) Cold moist air tends to settle in low areas, especially near lakes and streams. Instead, choose higher ground, under tree cover if possible. 2) Keep off the grass. Grassy areas look inviting, but there is a reason the grass is green. Camp on grass and you may wake up covered in dew. Choose a dry spot under a tree instead.

If your tent does get wet it is no big deal, just shake it out, pack it up, and let it dry when you set it up the next night. Don't store a tent wet for long periods of time or it may get mildewed, but a day of hiking wont hurt it.

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