The Ultralight Showdown: Zpacks Duplex vs. Gossamer Gear The Two

Looking for the perfect ultralight backpacking tent? We compare the popular Zpacks Duplex and Gossamer Gear The Two on weight, price, durability and more to help you decide.

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Josh Koop

I live with my wife and daughter in Katy, Texas and my local trail is the Lone Star Hiking Trail which is an amazing way to experience the Sam Houston National Park!

Showing the Zpacks Duplex and Gossamer Gear The Two against a black background with a versus sign
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Regarding the Zpacks Duplex and the Gossamer Gear The Two, the main differences lie in their weight, materials, and cost.

The Zpacks Duplex is incredibly lightweight (approximately 18.5 ounces + stakes) but expensive, while the Gossamer Gear The Two is heavier (23.5 ounces) but less costly.

Despite its lighter weight, the Zpacks Duplex retains strength and durability due to its robust Dyneema Composite Fabrics construction.

Meanwhile, GossamerGear’s version of a two-person tent features two high-tenacity ripstop silnylon fabrics with factory-taped seams for exemplary performance in wet weather.

Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference; if one’s budget allows, the Zpacks Duplex may be ideally suited for those who prioritize weight over all else.

Otherwise, Gossamer Gears The Two provides an excellent value-for-money option overall.

The Zpacks Duplex vs Gossamer Gear The Two

Are you looking for the perfect two-person ultralight tent for your next outdoor adventure? If so, you may have come across two popular options: the Zpacks Duplex and the Gossamer Gear The Two.

Both tents have a lot to offer regarding weight, structure, comfort, and durability. Let’s discuss the differences between the two tents and highlight which might be the best fit for you.

The Zpacks Duplex is known for its ultralight design and spacious interior. Weighing in at just 1 pound 2.5 ounces, it is one of the lightest two-person DCF tents available. It also offers plenty of interior space, making it an excellent choice for thru-hikers and backpackers who don’t want to sacrifice comfort for weight.

The Gossamer Gear The Two is another popular two-person tent. It is slightly heavier than the Zpacks Duplex, weighing only 1 pound 7.5 ounces, but it offers a slightly different interior layout and features. It is also made of silnylon fabric instead of DCF, making it a tad heavier.

Now that you know a bit about these two tents let’s dive into a more detailed review of each one. We’ll look at their weight, structural stability, ventilation, durability, comfortability, price and availability, and features and accessories.

By the end of this blog post, you’ll have a better idea of which tent is the best fit for your needs.

Quick Overview of the Zpacks Duplex

The Zpacks Duplex is a two-person tent weighing 18.5 ounces (525 g). It is made of durable and lightweight DCF and features a dual side-entry design that makes it easy to enter and exit.

It also has multiple stakeout points to add resilience in high winds, and Dyneema is very water-resistant. In addition, the interior space of the tent is surprisingly roomy, allowing for two hikers or one person with all of their gear.

Its incredible lightweight design makes it an excellent choice for ultralight hikers, and its price tag of $699 makes it a reasonable choice for those looking for an ultralight option.

Side view of a Zpacks Duplex DCF tent showing the high bathtub and huge doors

Zpacks Duplex

Elevate your backpacking experience with the Zpacks Duplex, a tent that stands as a beacon of innovation and reliability in the outdoor world. Here’s why choosing the Duplex is a game-changer for savvy adventurers:

  • Ultralight Marvel: Weighing in at just ounces, the Duplex is the epitome of ultralight design. Shed unnecessary weight from your backpack without compromising on durability or comfort.
  • Smart Design for Solo or Duo: The Duplex offers a spacious interior that comfortably accommodates both solo and duo adventurers. Enjoy the freedom to share the space or relish in the extra room for yourself.
  • Easy Pitch, More Play: Say goodbye to cumbersome setups. The Duplex features a quick and straightforward pitch, allowing you to spend less time fiddling with your tent and more time reveling in your outdoor surroundings.
  • Durable Dyneema Construction: Crafted with Dyneema fabric, the Duplex ensures robust durability. Dyneema, known for its strength and weather resistance, adds a layer of reliability to your camping gear .

Quick Overview of the Gossamer Gear The Two

The Gossamer Gear The Two is an ultralight, versatile Silnylon tent that provides space for two people.

It offers plenty of room for two hikers or one person with gear, and its two separate doors make it easy to get in and out without being blocked by the trekking poles.

The Two also has a mesh pocket on the interior and a side door gear pocket, providing extra storage space. It has a dual pole design, making it easy to set up, and constructed with silnylon fabric, making it lightweight and durable.

The tent also features a robust bathtub floor and many stakeout points, making it highly weather-resistant. With all these features, the Gossamer Gear The Two is a healthy option for any hiker looking for a lightweight, two-person shelter.

Gossamer Gear The Two Tent isolated against white background

Gossamer Gear The Two

Transform your backpacking experience with the Gossamer Gear “The Two,” a tent that redefines lightweight camping without sacrificing comfort or durability. Here’s why The Two is the ultimate choice for savvy adventurers:

  • Ultralight Prowess: Weighing in as a feather-light backpacking tent, The Two is a masterclass in ultralight design. Shed excess weight from your load and enjoy the freedom to explore further.
  • Spacious Comfort for Two: Despite its feather-light design, The Two offers a surprisingly spacious interior tailored for two. Revel in the roominess without compromising on the minimalist ethos of ultralight backpacking.
  • Effortless Setup: Say goodbye to complex tent setups. The Two features a user-friendly design that allows for quick and easy pitching, ensuring you spend less time wrestling with your shelter and more time enjoying the great outdoors.
  • Durable Construction: Crafted with premium materials, The Two is built to withstand the rigors of the trail. This tent ensures longevity without compromising its ultralight principles, offering a perfect blend of durability and weight savings.

Comparison of Weight, Structure, and Ventilation

When looking at the weight, structural stability, and ventilation of the Zpacks Duplex vs Gossamer Gear The Two, it is clear that both tents are incredibly lightweight.

The Zpacks Duplex weighs in at 18.5 oz or 525 grams and the Gossamer Gear The Two weighs in at 23.5 oz or 667 grams, making them both incredibly lightweight options for two-person camping.

Regarding structural stability, both tents have robust and secure stakeout points and excellent weather resistance.

The Zpacks Duplex is made with Dyneema fabric, while the Gossamer Gear The Two is made with silnylon. Both tents are designed to be wind resistant and stand up to storms.

When it comes to ventilation, both tents offer plenty of ventilation options. The Zpacks Duplex has ventilation based on leaving the doors open or raising your poles high enough to get airflow underneath the walls.

The Gossamer Gear The Two tent has similar venting using the trekking pole height to lift walls and allow drafts in or open one or both doors to add more ventilation.

Comparison of Durability and Livability

Regarding durability and comfortability, the Zpacks Duplex and Gossamer Gear The Two provide great value.

The Zpacks Duplex is made of DCF, which is waterproof, making it resistant to the elements and providing solid shelter. The Gossamer Gear The Two is made of silnylon, making it a little heavier than the Duplex but also slightly more durable.

However, since the Gossamer Gear The Two is made from silnylon, it does have a waterproof coating that provides additional protection from the weather that the fabric requires.

In terms of comfortability, both tents provide a good amount of space for two people, although the Zpacks Duplex does provide a bit more headroom than the Gossamer Gear The Two.

The Gossamer Gear The Two also has a slightly narrower design than the Duplex, making it slightly less comfortable for two people.

Overall, both tents are very durable and provide a good amount of comfort, but the Zpacks Duplex is slightly more durable and provides more space.

Comparison of Cost and Accessibility

When looking at the price of the Zpacks Duplex and Gossamer Gear The Two, it’s clear that the Duplex is the more expensive option. The Duplex costs $699, while The Two comes at almost half the cost at $375.

However, there is a significant difference between the availability of the two tents in some circumstances. The Zpacks Duplex is only available directly from Zpacks, but there have been issues with DCF shortages during the pandemic.

Meanwhile, The Two is made from silnylon, which is widely available and hasn’t had anywhere near the shortage around the world.

This makes The Two much more accessible, especially if you are looking for a lightweight two-person tent on a budget.

Comparison of Features and Add-Ons

Regarding features and accessories, the Zpacks Duplex and Gossamer Gear The Two are both lightweight, two-person tents that offer plenty of space for two people.

However, the two tents have some key differences:

The Zpacks Duplex features two large vestibules, one on each side to match the doorways, that can store gear and provide a sheltered entrance but this space is directly in front of the door on either side, making it harder to get in and out.

The Gossamer Gear The Two also has two large vestibules that can be used to store gear, but due to a nice door set up, this space is away from the main doorway, making entry and exit easier.

Both are single-wall tents without an outer rainfly which means they have equal issues with condensation but DCF won’t sag when moisture builds up.

Silnylon tends to absorb some water leading to relaxing and increased weight carry until dry.

Recommended Situations for Zpacks Duplex

The Zpacks Duplex is an excellent choice for hikers seeking an ultralight shelter that is still spacious enough for two people or a palace for a single hiker.

It offers plenty of room for two people, so sharing with a spouse or other person is perfect while being light enough to carry over long distances.

Its weather-resistant Dyneema construction and secure stakeout points make it an excellent choice for backpacking, thru-hiking, and other outdoor activities.

Recommended Situations for Gossamer Gear The Two

The Gossamer Gear The Two is an excellent choice for those looking for an ultralight two-person shelter with plenty of space, comfort, and good pricing.

It is best suited for three-season hiking and provides decent ventilation, so it’s ideal for backpacking trips in the spring and fall.

Additionally, its lightweight design makes it perfect for long-distance hikers who need to save on weight.

The Gossamer Gear The Two is an excellent choice for a lightweight, two-person shelter that won’t break the bank.

Conclusion: Which One Should You Choose?

Now that we have compared the Zpacks Duplex and the Gossamer Gear The Two in terms of weight, structural stability, ventilation, durability, comfortability, price, availability, and features, you may be wondering which one is the better choice for your outdoor needs.

Both tents are designed to be ultralight and are suitable for two people, so it ultimately depends on your requirements and preferences.

The Zpacks Duplex is an excellent ultralight shelter that offers great weather resistance and plenty of space. In contrast, the Gossamer Gear The Two is also an excellent choice for its lightweight and versatile design and cost.

It all comes down to which of these features you value more and loads on your budget for a tent , and we discuss how much good tent costs here.

If you are looking for a lightweight tent with plenty of space and excellent weather resistance, then the Zpacks Duplex is perfect.

On the other hand, the Gossamer Gear The Two is the better option if you are looking for a lightweight tent with a unique and versatile design that can also be used as a solo shelter.

Regardless of your choice, both tents are excellent ultralight shelters with great features and are designed to last.

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