Zpacks hexamid twin thoughts

[andrewa]

Just acquired my Hexamid twin today.

First impression is that it is extremely well made. Guy ropes came as a continuum, so you have to cut them to length, and tie loops in them, which was a bit irritating, but not too bad.

In my enthusiasm to set it up, I put the bottom of my tracking pole through the mesh, but my fault, and easily remedied. There is a well designed "slot" for the bottom of the pole, if you have a good look before setting it up!

Once set up ( on front grass), it was easy to get a very taught pitch. Looks very wind and rain resistant.

Tent is reasonably low, and whilst offering enough room for sleeping, it looked a bit (like very) tight for sitting around in during a rainy day. Maybe I need to fiddle with the pitch a bit....

I didn't get the extendable beak. The basic tent does have an overhang on the front, which should provide shelter if in the lee, but not otherwise. I'm going to make a more voluminous vestibule for mine, which was my original plan, as I am happy sewing.

Do note that it doesn't come with any tent pegs, so you'll need to get your own. Thy are cheaper to get from Zpacks than elsewhere, so ensure you order them with your tent

Also, consider the pole options. I don't normally use trecking poles, but I packraft, and have 4 piece paddles. These work, but if having a "base camp" you need your padde, or trecking pole, and your tent falls down if the pole isn't there.

I've collected various spare tent poles from Kathmandu over the years. I'd plan to take these for the tent, rather than using my paddle etc. The carbon fiber ones they offer are lighter.

So, at the end of the day, you really end up with a very light tent, but add in the weight of tent pegs, and whatever poles you wish to use. The useful weight is not 300ish grams, but still v light If you're buying tent, poles, pegs and groundsheet, it is quite expensive .

At the end of this, I think it's a great bit of gear. I'm fortunate to be less bothered about finances regarding add ons.

The ideal Z packs tent in my mind would be one you slept along rather than across. Double the size, and the weight, and I'd love it.

A

[Mountain Rocket]

Any reason why you opted for the twin and not the solo or solo-plus?

The solo-plus with beak is still towards the top of my want list. Tempted to get it in the .74oz cuben, but it is probably overkill in such a design.

[andrewa]

Got the twin coz I don't tend to go away by myself!

The 0.5 oz Cuban looks fine

A

[Mountain Rocket]

Got the twin coz I don't tend to go away by myself!

Duh. Sorry for the dud question. In my defence I have seen people buy the twin for themselves.

Yeah there are a lot of Hexamids out there with .51oz cuben and they all receive good reports. The only reason I am considering .74 is I know that is what HMG and MLD use and I trust those guys to make quality shelters... probably more than Zpacks I am afraid. I would need to work out what the volume and weight hit might be. It might not be worth it.

[madmacca]

Robert H,

Joe currently has a Hexamid Twin made from .74 cuben in his bargain bin at a small discount. Weight is quoted at 8.9 oz, compared with 6.8 for equivalent Twin from .51 oz cuben.