a frank,honest and informative review of 2 amazing tents, yr exactly right..these are specialist tents, for a specific task..distance hiking, too many ppl get caught in the "ultralight" spiral for no reason wotsoever as they are not doing this type of activity, yet feel they need a 4kg baseweight to overnight on a hill somewhere. I recently did the TGO with a 9kg baseweight..14kg with food etc, and my weight was the LEAST of the issues i had to deal with! love to go cuben someday, but for now my trusty hexpeak will do , and it does it wonderfully.
For sure man! The Hex is proper awesome too as you can set it up hot tent style. That's great! They guys said they met you a couple of times on the trail and you were bang on by the way: Scoltand represent! Good on you Sir! 👣👍
@@HoundsofHowgate lol..yer..bumped into bigfoot and darwin on the route, said he'd give me a shout out for saying bout the pegs..got my name wrong..lol..oh well
@@WanderingJay Haha, gettin' yer name wrong: oops! Aye, but well good shout on the pegs... Those pins just don't cut it in Scotland! Watching some of your stuff just now: I can't help but want to get into your bookshelf! What do you have in there? I'm a bit of a book nerd 👽🙂
@@HoundsofHowgate lol..on that bookcase, dartmoor books,local natural history, my growing scottish walking books (bible bothy etc), home brew. cooking ..me and the wife big book nerds..house full of bookcases..even in the kids rooms!
Thank you! 👍 Are you looking to move to a Duomid in DCF having had a Duomid in SilNylon before? The reason I ask is that the DCF one pitches differently because of the material. Like the DCF doesn't have the stretch that the Sil does so it can take a bit more noodling around to get the pitch just right. All materials have their pros and cons I guess. Just thought I'd mention it in case I hadn't in the vid. Cheers! 🐾👍
Enjoyed the video! Would you maybe consider a "how to get ultralight in Scotland" video for newer hikers starting out? Most of the resource seems to be Californians talking about long, dry, warm walks in America and would be amazing to get your perspective on "real life" since we suffer from different conditions. Cheers!
For sure Adam! Our requirements in Scotland are defo different; so that's a great idea for a vid: watch this space! Is there anything in particular that you would like to see me cover? I'll give you a shout out 👣🐾👍
@@HoundsofHowgate Brilliant! I'm totally new to the hobby and just been learning as much as possible thru YT and blogs and walk highlands etc. but even just basic stuff to help beginners like me who are worried about rain, comfort, midges, where it's legal (or secluded enough) to wild camp, 2 or 3 day trails good for beginners just starting out, and what typical "ultralight" gear should you really spend a bit more weight on in order to have a good time in Scotland (main thing that comes to mind from this vid is obv single vs double wall for summer / winter conditions). Really enjoying the channel, it's nice to have someone with the same accent doing the vids Haha P.S. my gf loves Moss the dug :)
Hiking in Scotland, I have completed WHW 3 times in last 3 years and plan on Yo-Yo- ing it next year (M-FW then walking back to my car in M) I always walk in April -early May ( no bugs) Weight saving is down to the big 3...tent, sleeping set up and rucksack. I use MLD duomid, MLD burn rucksack, Nemo tensor pad (Cut down) and Either Katabatic pallisade (expensive) or ageistmax quilt (cheap) only take what I need, not what I want. Hike your own hike, everyone is different. The more weight you carry, the more you will enjoy your camping, the less weight, the more you will enjoy your walking.
Hey dude was recommended your channel by a friend. And I am really enjoying your vids. I used to use a duplex for a few years but setting up in storms and during pretty bad weather its failed me 5 times. So I was recommended a solo mid alot less useable space but man the versatility of it is awesome and it sheds the wind like a pro! Great video keep um coming and lookforward to following your future trips.. Happy trails dude 🤜
Thanks man! 🙌👍 Aye, I'm really pleased with my choices regarding tents. My Duplex is perfect for space and airflow during the better seasons and the Duomid with the half inner is superb for the shoulder seasons and winter. Or even just if I know the weather is going to be crappy. Plus it's pretty versatile with the different arrangements you can configure it in regarding no inner or different inner choices, like you say. All the best, Cheers! 🐾👍
@@HoundsofHowgate yeah man both have there pros I retired my duplex for hikes with my woman and dog. And the solomid is my go to when there's no bugs it's great with just a ground sheet find it really limits condesation
@@Impalaontrail totally. Subscribed to your channel by the way: that vid about the reactive sunglasses was interesting. I don't use sunglasses (apart from in the snow or at higher altitudes like in Nepal) but I probably should! Nice wan 🐾👍
@@HoundsofHowgate pretty sure I have seen you rocking some pretty dope 🎸 🎸 ones!! Yeah the reactiveness is awesome when it's blowing like crazy you can still keep ya eyes open! Well worth the investment. Cheers for the sub dude. Happy trails 🤜
First time I walked the west highland way there were a group of 6 guys from Bellshill doing it at the same time, they carried a 6 man army surplus tent that must have weighed a ton between them, they had two large catering size packs of instant cup a soup that was used for the entire journey, mad bastards but they done it👍
Great review and comparison of two tents I'm seriously considering. Weight is an issue for me as I intend walking the Pacific Crest Trail in 2021. I currently use a lightweight Vaude Power Lizard but know it won't be comfortable over many days. Condensation is my big concern and you've given a lot of positive feedback and consequently I'm more inclined to go with the duplex.
Thanks! 👍 They are Altra Lone Peak trail runners. It depends on what I'm doing but in winter I will wear the same with waterproof socks or the RMS version on trials. In the mountains it's crampon compatible boots. 🙂🐾👍
I'm a big fan of your channel - great variety in your videos so I've viewed them multiple times each, but I've never commented before. I understand where you are coming from with your comments at the end, but I continue to be amazed at the waterproof / rainproof characteristics of the fabric - I don't care about lightweight, I just want to be dry even if I'm in a torrential downpour and I'm not aware of another fabric that does the job as well. Am I missing any obvious alternatives? Also, I'm not understanding the Duomid options - without liner ,with half liner or with full liner - I'm needing to see the different setups to understand what you're talking about. Thanks for all your material.
Thank you! 🐾👍 Yeah, DCF is a particularly awesome fabric! Nothing quite like it. Yeah, basically the Duomid is a pyramid tarp. The inner nets you hang from the inside. You get a half one, like I have, plus you get a full inner. Here is a link to MLD's website page on the inners: it might give you a better idea of how it works. 👍 mountainlaureldesigns.com/product/mld-pyramid-innernets/
Interesting: I cant see how the Plexamid can give more room though, cos it has a smaller footprint. I think they are having problems with the wee thing at the top breaking by the way. It's temporarily not for sale at the moment. I think they might be changing the design soon so if you are fancying one it might be an idea to hold off to see what gets released. If it were only me and I didn't have Moss and also didn't mind keeping my kit outside the main body of the tent (in the vestibule), then I'm probably have went for something like the Plexamid as it's lighter and has a smaller pack size. Personally I don't like keeping my kit outside the tent as I've had slug infestations and all sorts all over my gear when I have! But you could just put it in a bin liner etc. I think with all UL tents it really is a case of finding what you are happy to compromise on and working from there. 🐾👍
@@HoundsofHowgate According to the guy in this video: th-cam.com/video/0NjEVTwiekQ/w-d-xo.html There is more real estate in the duplex but there is more room in the plexamid because it's tighter, tauter, guys are located and pulling at better angles, etc. By the looks of it... Seems like he's right. Seems he has enough space to have his gear inside as well... But no... You couldn't have both the gear and Moss without essentially having no space left at all... Though it does seem very possible. Zpacks did indeed tell me they're changing the design and it'll not be available for another three weeks. That puts me in a tight spot because my plan is to trek in September so 3 weeks plus the usual 5 for shipping is too much. Not sure what to do yet. Looking to hear from them.
Thought it might interest you... I've now had several email exchanges with the owner and designer of Zpacks. I think I asked so many questions they decided he should handle my case directly! Ha ha. He told me he's checking new materials and in all likelihood will change the poles at the top of the plexamid to titanium without changing the pricing. I've also been told their shipping to the U.K will now be handled by FedEx and will take 3-6 days so no more weeks and weeks like before. Sounds good to me. Do you recommend getting the footprint? Or anything else for that matter?
Haha, strong style questioning that is! Well, I have a Zpacks ground sheet and I would recommend getting one but not so much for just a groundsheet. Of course when you are pitching on questionable ground with wee sticks etc you can use it but I find I use it for mostly other stuff. Like a rain cape, to sit on in long grass, a place to lay out my kit on wet surfaces, protection when drying kit, a cover for the dog, temporary shelter, a sun block etc. It's really versatile. Even more so might be the poncho groundsheet actually. I'm quite interested in that actually. So aye, defo worth considering for sure! As for other stuff from Zpacks I use the travel zip pouch on hikes and also on a daily basis. I keep my phone in the front half and money/cards in the back. As it's waterproof it keeps that stuff safe and I just find it so handy. Like I said, I used it so much it's basically turned into my phone holder and wallet now. Plus the fact that you cant fling it over your neck just makes it so much handier. It's stood up to daily use for about a year and a half now and I was so impressed with how it stood up it actually changed my mind on DCF. Before I would have got the Arc Haul backpack in gridstop as it's meant to be tougher but the fact that the DCF laminate used by Zpacks stood up in the travel pouch so well to me touching it all the time, picking it up, putting it down, it rubbing against my clothes, getting rained on, sweating against it, sliding it onto worktops etc for so long and so well it made me go with the Arc Zip in DCF. Great stuff! 🐾👍
It must have been Joe you were speaking to. To be honest Zpacks delivery time was already pretty good to the UK. Like it arrived here in about a week. All my orders have and then I just chased it up through customs and parcel force. Have you seem my 'Importing Zpacks to the UK' vid? FedEx is that bit quicker for sure though. My MLD shipment via (I can't remember actually, mabies DHL) did take weeks to get here.
Hello John and Moss. This is a great DCF Tent review. Watched it loads of times. Just can't make my mind up which one will be better for me. The Duomid seems to have more options. Could you leave the inner tent cliped in the Duo mid, to save taking it up and down.They don't do them in camo anymore which is a bummer. Really enjoy watching. Top video. Atb Steve 👍
Any idea where I can get one of those single mattresses :-) Brilliant review and comparison. A DCF Duomid with a single inner is going to be my retirement gift to myself. Many thanks and keep making great videos.
I've just discovered you! I've been trying to decide whether or not to get the Zpacks Duplex, and this was a very helpful review. Thank you! Scotland is my favorite place to hike overseas, although I am cheating on her this summer and doing Wainwrights coast to coast. A long distance hike in Scotland is on my wish list for 2021. Suggestions?
Thanks! 🐾👍 I would say you have to hike the West Highland Way as it's a classic. Of you want to keep going you can either hike up the Great Glen Way or even the Cape Wrath Trail. The WHW ends in Fort William and both those trails start in Fort William so it's handy that way. I suppose it depends what sort of hike you are looking for as we are spoiled for choice here in Scotland! A great resource is www.walkhighlands.com it's jam packed with routes, pictures, maps etc. If you are hiking in Scotland I don't think you can beat that site! 🐾👍
@@HoundsofHowgate Thank you for responding! I adore www.walkhighlands.com. I hiked with them last May for a week in the Assynt area. I based the choice of companies on the date for their trip, because I had tickets to see a Skipinnish show in Edinburgh. I'm so glad I chose them. Great service and a wonderful guide. I was lucky in that there were only 4 of us on the trip. Suliven was my favorite day, but all the walks were wonderful. And only ONE day of rain - a miracle in the Highlands, don't you think? My list of walks in Scotland grows. Thank you again and happy hiking. Claire PS. I prepped for the trip to Assynt by reading At the Loch of the Green Corrie as well as poetry by Norman MacCaig. Are my Scottish roots showing? Ha!
@@HoundsofHowgate Oy. Confused (see my original response). I referenced Walking Highlands, and I booked through Wilderness Scotland. Walking Highland was my "go to" for info on the climbs we did, though!
Thanks for the amazing advice John west highland way in two weeks time. You think the midges will be very bad I hope for wind wildcamping all the way will try record on my phone . Good man thanks for the gee up.
Thanks man! 👣🐾👍 Oh yeah, the bitey midge lassies will probably be truly out by then. It's not a problem when you are hiking: only when stopping to fill up with water or putting up camp. Just keep covered up and bring a head net and you'll be prepared. 👍
@@nilesdelta8636 defo. You can fashion one out by cutting a strip off a credit card, cutting a wee narrow V in the bottom and then bending that part at a right angle. Had to do that one time for Moss. Everyone has personal preferences but I like these ones: amzn.to/31dr2so
Just watched this video again. Based on your recommendation/idea I'm considering the Duomid. I actually see a lot of pluses to it over the Duplex. With regards to the bug-resistance - what you said about the Duplex all in one set up is obviously true but if you want to cook inside the tent and use the vestibule I'm not sure you can do it without sitting inside the tent, opening the mesh and cooking in the vestibule (am I wrong?) where as in that respect in the Duomid you can close the half inner behind you and you still have a lot of space to sit there and cook without your inner getting filled with midges. Just a thought I had while watching. My main concern with the Duomid is that it is heavier and if you want to buy the inner and groundsheet from the official website (and fly in camo) it ends up at almost a thousand dollars. That's actually quite a bit more money. Not sure yet... still weighing in my options. This is cracking video by the way... in case I haven't said so before. Your content is superb all around.
Thank! 🐾👍 Aye, you can't cook in the vestibule of the Duplex without sitting in the tent with the mesh undone. One thing I notice though, is that even when it fills up with midges and you Zip it up, all of them, apart from a few, tend to migrate to one of the corners almost as if trying to get out. Like loads of them. That's where they stay and eventually die off. The thing being though is that they seem to loose interest in biting you and instead all sit in the corner bizarrely. The few that still fly about the air I just ly on my pad and clap my hands on them for a few minutes and that kills them off. You do eventually end up with a dusting of midge on the floor right enough. I'm used to them so it doesn't bother me. I even eat them when they fly into my food or water etc. It's kinda hard to avoid them. Another thing to note is the Duomid, when pitched in cuben, has quite a big gap from the ground at the front porch. Even if you lower it to the ground at the corners it's still there. It's the cut of it to allow good airflow. The SilNylon one (as it has stretch) can be pitched lower to the ground. Just something to also take into consideration. I always try to avoid cooking in the tent due to the condensation you get and in decent enough weather sit outside on my cuben groundsheet and cook with the tent dubbed up behind me. If it's raining then I sit in the tent and cook in the vestibule of the Duplex with one door open. Midges generally aren't out in the rain so they don't flood the tent. In winter I cook in the Duomid with one door open if it's raining or not as I try and get into my sleeping bag as soon as possible. If you check out my hiking the length of Scotland vids you'll see footage of me in the Duomid doing that so it should give you an idea about the amount of space you have. Plenty to get changed in, store your gear etc. On the Skye Trail vids you'll see my groundsheet outside cooking set up more.
@@BravingTheOutDoors yeah, you can shorten it. To pitch it as low as you can you pull the corner guys as tight as they go and pin them down. Then you get inside and erect the pole to get tension on the tent. Then you find the gap still opens up at the front. If you lower the pole the tarp loses tension on the sides and deforms. The front is cut in a crescent shape you see. One thing you could do is contact MLD and ask them to cut it straight. I hear they are good with custom requests.
Hi John and Moss, another cracking gear review. Very positive and informative throughout. Unfortunately you still haven't convinced me enough to rush out and buy one. Think I will stick with lightwave tent. Can you tell me where you filmed the video looks a cracking place. Cheers for the advice on water filter to use. I had the Versaflow with the Cnoc bags on the Cateran trail and used them throughout the walk along purification tabs. As the walk takes you through mostly farm land thought it best to use. Filling the pouches was a pain but once used to them then became easy. Will carry this with me whenever on a big walk. So I'm due you a beer or two. All the best keep up the good work thanks for sharing
Thanks man! 👍 It was Kilchurn Castle. I have a video up where I explore the castle: quite a cool wan! Aye, the Cnoc bladders are a godsend compared to trying to fill up through the wee hole in the Sawyer bags. I was so over that. Plus I really like how the Versaflow has screw threads either end. Defo my favourite setup for sure. 👍
Hey J & M, Another great vid! I have the Duplex. It is an AWESOME tent.... But, you forgot to add the import tax on the Zpacks!!! ouch! Great location and you ticked every info box anyone would need.. Give yourself a gold star!!! haha... I'm actually thinking of getting a Lanshan 3F UL for a weekend throw about tent.... Looks ok for the money??? Happy trails. M
@@HoundsofHowgate Not seen that one.. Will take a peek.. I got stung £140.00 import tax for my zpacks order! OOOUUUCH! Worth it though.. Took Duplex to Dartmoor, Brecons, South Down and WHW in April this year.. It's such a great spacious tent...
@@HoundsofHowgate Hi, I could???? Been thinking about doing something on YT, I'm a bit of a gear junkie! Plus not enough Brits on here doing what you do.. Our American cousins seem to have it all sewn up and although they are very good ( plus Dixie's HOT! haha ) The UK has very different climate and conditions and trails I think.... And I'm already changing some gear out to work better in this country.. But, not the Duplex.. That rocks! Really like your stuff! Hoping to get back to Scotland in Oct 19.. Not sure which trail to do? The GGW would be cool to continue the WHW but, "mmmm" Bumped into a guy from Fort Willaim last weekend on an over-nighter on South Downs Way ( my local haunt) he didn't rate it much? Any thoughts? Cheers.. M
Haha, cheers! One of the best comments I've had on YT was from a guy in the comments section of this video. He said, 'even Jackie Chan speaks better than this guy.' Hahaha! 😂👏😂👏😂 SO funny! 😂🐾👍
Great review!!! I like the bit of people going camping with mattress most of all. I was laughing to tears. It reminded me Steffy's Trail mix video which I watched a year ago, where she has a plastic chair tied to her backpack. th-cam.com/video/B3BlWO4QI5k/w-d-xo.html The matress and the chair - sooo funny!
Hi John, Good idea to shoot enough content for 4 vids in one trip. Good planning. I see you are close to 1000 subs and you must already be over 2500 hrs in a year. Are you going to monetise? It would give you a little extra help for kit, trips, and Moss treats.....
Well, lots of people like your content and style, John. Plenty of appreciative comments. I think most people don't mind ads, especially if it helps their favourite (small) TH-camrs make new content. Might be worth a look. . . . in Studio>Channel>Status & Features>Monetisation... Of course, what counts is what you want from YT. Do what makes you happy. 🐾👍
I like Tarptent but still saving for it. :) Maybe D. Trump will make a deal with UK and we wont have to pay duty when buying in US. :D For now my 2 summer tents are from Six Sigma Design and in winter I use Terannova Southern Cross 2. Cheers, Seb
Another stomping vid mate...Great info as usual.
Your vids keep popping up. Each one just what I'm in tooooooo.
Cheers mate.
Thanks man, glad you found it informative! 🙂🐾👍
Excellent review/comparison of both tents. I own each of them. I love the Duplex when it's buggy. I love the Duomid when it's cold. Thanks.
Thanks man! 🙂🐾👍
a frank,honest and informative review of 2 amazing tents, yr exactly right..these are specialist tents, for a specific task..distance hiking, too many ppl get caught in the "ultralight" spiral for no reason wotsoever as they are not doing this type of activity, yet feel they need a 4kg baseweight to overnight on a hill somewhere. I recently did the TGO with a 9kg baseweight..14kg with food etc, and my weight was the LEAST of the issues i had to deal with! love to go cuben someday, but for now my trusty hexpeak will do , and it does it wonderfully.
For sure man!
The Hex is proper awesome too as you can set it up hot tent style. That's great!
They guys said they met you a couple of times on the trail and you were bang on by the way: Scoltand represent! Good on you Sir! 👣👍
Looking forward to your footage of your hike by the way. 🤞👣👍
@@HoundsofHowgate lol..yer..bumped into bigfoot and darwin on the route, said he'd give me a shout out for saying bout the pegs..got my name wrong..lol..oh well
@@WanderingJay Haha, gettin' yer name wrong: oops!
Aye, but well good shout on the pegs... Those pins just don't cut it in Scotland!
Watching some of your stuff just now: I can't help but want to get into your bookshelf! What do you have in there? I'm a bit of a book nerd 👽🙂
@@HoundsofHowgate lol..on that bookcase, dartmoor books,local natural history, my growing scottish walking books (bible bothy etc), home brew. cooking ..me and the wife big book nerds..house full of bookcases..even in the kids rooms!
Possibly the best video ever. It's if Carlsberg did reviews. Thank you.
😂👍
Cheers man 🙂🐾👍
Great job comparing the two! I've owned the Duomid previously and I am thinking of updating to the Cuben Camo version. Thanks for the video.
Thank you! 👍
Are you looking to move to a Duomid in DCF having had a Duomid in SilNylon before? The reason I ask is that the DCF one pitches differently because of the material. Like the DCF doesn't have the stretch that the Sil does so it can take a bit more noodling around to get the pitch just right. All materials have their pros and cons I guess. Just thought I'd mention it in case I hadn't in the vid.
Cheers! 🐾👍
Enjoyed the video! Would you maybe consider a "how to get ultralight in Scotland" video for newer hikers starting out? Most of the resource seems to be Californians talking about long, dry, warm walks in America and would be amazing to get your perspective on "real life" since we suffer from different conditions. Cheers!
For sure Adam!
Our requirements in Scotland are defo different; so that's a great idea for a vid: watch this space!
Is there anything in particular that you would like to see me cover?
I'll give you a shout out 👣🐾👍
@@HoundsofHowgate Brilliant! I'm totally new to the hobby and just been learning as much as possible thru YT and blogs and walk highlands etc. but even just basic stuff to help beginners like me who are worried about rain, comfort, midges, where it's legal (or secluded enough) to wild camp, 2 or 3 day trails good for beginners just starting out, and what typical "ultralight" gear should you really spend a bit more weight on in order to have a good time in Scotland (main thing that comes to mind from this vid is obv single vs double wall for summer / winter conditions).
Really enjoying the channel, it's nice to have someone with the same accent doing the vids Haha
P.S. my gf loves Moss the dug :)
Hiking in Scotland, I have completed WHW 3 times in last 3 years and plan on Yo-Yo- ing it next year (M-FW then walking back to my car in M) I always walk in April -early May ( no bugs) Weight saving is down to the big 3...tent, sleeping set up and rucksack. I use MLD duomid, MLD burn rucksack, Nemo tensor pad (Cut down) and Either Katabatic pallisade (expensive) or ageistmax quilt (cheap) only take what I need, not what I want. Hike your own hike, everyone is different. The more weight you carry, the more you will enjoy your camping, the less weight, the more you will enjoy your walking.
@@waxman4207 that last sentence sums it up perfectly. 👣🐾👍
Hey dude was recommended your channel by a friend. And I am really enjoying your vids. I used to use a duplex for a few years but setting up in storms and during pretty bad weather its failed me 5 times. So I was recommended a solo mid alot less useable space but man the versatility of it is awesome and it sheds the wind like a pro! Great video keep um coming and lookforward to following your future trips.. Happy trails dude 🤜
Thanks man! 🙌👍
Aye, I'm really pleased with my choices regarding tents. My Duplex is perfect for space and airflow during the better seasons and the Duomid with the half inner is superb for the shoulder seasons and winter. Or even just if I know the weather is going to be crappy. Plus it's pretty versatile with the different arrangements you can configure it in regarding no inner or different inner choices, like you say.
All the best,
Cheers! 🐾👍
@@HoundsofHowgate yeah man both have there pros I retired my duplex for hikes with my woman and dog. And the solomid is my go to when there's no bugs it's great with just a ground sheet find it really limits condesation
@@Impalaontrail totally.
Subscribed to your channel by the way: that vid about the reactive sunglasses was interesting. I don't use sunglasses (apart from in the snow or at higher altitudes like in Nepal) but I probably should! Nice wan 🐾👍
@@HoundsofHowgate pretty sure I have seen you rocking some pretty dope 🎸 🎸 ones!! Yeah the reactiveness is awesome when it's blowing like crazy you can still keep ya eyes open! Well worth the investment. Cheers for the sub dude.
Happy trails 🤜
Haha, oh yeah: forgot about those! 😂🐾👍
First time I walked the west highland way there were a group of 6 guys from Bellshill doing it at the same time, they carried a 6 man army surplus tent that must have weighed a ton between them, they had two large catering size packs of instant cup a soup that was used for the entire journey, mad bastards but they done it👍
Gotta love the madness!
Great review and comparison of two tents I'm seriously considering. Weight is an issue for me as I intend walking the Pacific Crest Trail in 2021. I currently use a lightweight Vaude Power Lizard but know it won't be comfortable over many days. Condensation is my big concern and you've given a lot of positive feedback and consequently I'm more inclined to go with the duplex.
Seriously man, I love the Duplex!
If you work with it, it will treat you right.
👣🐾👍
Brilliant objective review of these two amazingly light tents.
Great job 👍
Thank you! 🙂🐾👍
Good honest review, keep thinking about getting the duplex and probably will but in the end it will probably be more want than need.
Thanks Jonathan! 🐾👍
Haha, good old 'gear lust'! 😱
Fantastic, honest and engaging review. Really good stuff!
Thanks Liam! 🐾👍
Nicely shot and informative video, only one question though - " box spring or memory foam?".
Thanks! 🐾👍
Gel memory foam all the way.
Nice video with some good advise, honest feedback and discussion. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Adam! 🐾👍
Great video. What shoes are you wearing? And do wear them in winter.
Thanks! 👍
They are Altra Lone Peak trail runners. It depends on what I'm doing but in winter I will wear the same with waterproof socks or the RMS version on trials. In the mountains it's crampon compatible boots. 🙂🐾👍
I'm a big fan of your channel - great variety in your videos so I've viewed them multiple times each, but I've never commented before. I understand where you are coming from with your comments at the end, but I continue to be amazed at the waterproof / rainproof characteristics of the fabric - I don't care about lightweight, I just want to be dry even if I'm in a torrential downpour and I'm not aware of another fabric that does the job as well. Am I missing any obvious alternatives? Also, I'm not understanding the Duomid options - without liner ,with half liner or with full liner - I'm needing to see the different setups to understand what you're talking about.
Thanks for all your material.
Thank you! 🐾👍
Yeah, DCF is a particularly awesome fabric! Nothing quite like it.
Yeah, basically the Duomid is a pyramid tarp. The inner nets you hang from the inside. You get a half one, like I have, plus you get a full inner.
Here is a link to MLD's website page on the inners: it might give you a better idea of how it works. 👍
mountainlaureldesigns.com/product/mld-pyramid-innernets/
Hi mate I'm looking for fellow hikers to go about Scotland with. Do you take on scragglers
I can't decide between the plexamid and duplex. I've seen a few people saying the plexamid is a lot tighter and actually provides more room.
Interesting: I cant see how the Plexamid can give more room though, cos it has a smaller footprint. I think they are having problems with the wee thing at the top breaking by the way. It's temporarily not for sale at the moment. I think they might be changing the design soon so if you are fancying one it might be an idea to hold off to see what gets released.
If it were only me and I didn't have Moss and also didn't mind keeping my kit outside the main body of the tent (in the vestibule), then I'm probably have went for something like the Plexamid as it's lighter and has a smaller pack size. Personally I don't like keeping my kit outside the tent as I've had slug infestations and all sorts all over my gear when I have! But you could just put it in a bin liner etc.
I think with all UL tents it really is a case of finding what you are happy to compromise on and working from there. 🐾👍
@@HoundsofHowgate According to the guy in this video:
th-cam.com/video/0NjEVTwiekQ/w-d-xo.html
There is more real estate in the duplex but there is more room in the plexamid because it's tighter, tauter, guys are located and pulling at better angles, etc.
By the looks of it... Seems like he's right.
Seems he has enough space to have his gear inside as well... But no... You couldn't have both the gear and Moss without essentially having no space left at all... Though it does seem very possible.
Zpacks did indeed tell me they're changing the design and it'll not be available for another three weeks. That puts me in a tight spot because my plan is to trek in September so 3 weeks plus the usual 5 for shipping is too much. Not sure what to do yet. Looking to hear from them.
Thought it might interest you... I've now had several email exchanges with the owner and designer of Zpacks. I think I asked so many questions they decided he should handle my case directly! Ha ha.
He told me he's checking new materials and in all likelihood will change the poles at the top of the plexamid to titanium without changing the pricing.
I've also been told their shipping to the U.K will now be handled by FedEx and will take 3-6 days so no more weeks and weeks like before.
Sounds good to me.
Do you recommend getting the footprint?
Or anything else for that matter?
Haha, strong style questioning that is!
Well, I have a Zpacks ground sheet and I would recommend getting one but not so much for just a groundsheet.
Of course when you are pitching on questionable ground with wee sticks etc you can use it but I find I use it for mostly other stuff. Like a rain cape, to sit on in long grass, a place to lay out my kit on wet surfaces, protection when drying kit, a cover for the dog, temporary shelter, a sun block etc. It's really versatile. Even more so might be the poncho groundsheet actually. I'm quite interested in that actually. So aye, defo worth considering for sure!
As for other stuff from Zpacks I use the travel zip pouch on hikes and also on a daily basis. I keep my phone in the front half and money/cards in the back. As it's waterproof it keeps that stuff safe and I just find it so handy. Like I said, I used it so much it's basically turned into my phone holder and wallet now. Plus the fact that you cant fling it over your neck just makes it so much handier. It's stood up to daily use for about a year and a half now and I was so impressed with how it stood up it actually changed my mind on DCF. Before I would have got the Arc Haul backpack in gridstop as it's meant to be tougher but the fact that the DCF laminate used by Zpacks stood up in the travel pouch so well to me touching it all the time, picking it up, putting it down, it rubbing against my clothes, getting rained on, sweating against it, sliding it onto worktops etc for so long and so well it made me go with the Arc Zip in DCF. Great stuff! 🐾👍
It must have been Joe you were speaking to.
To be honest Zpacks delivery time was already pretty good to the UK. Like it arrived here in about a week. All my orders have and then I just chased it up through customs and parcel force. Have you seem my 'Importing Zpacks to the UK' vid?
FedEx is that bit quicker for sure though.
My MLD shipment via (I can't remember actually, mabies DHL) did take weeks to get here.
Enlightened Equipment use FedEx by the way. That's how I know, what with my recent quilt order from them.
My name Jickells is said to be gypsy for dog. I prefer the Zpacks.
Hello John and Moss. This is a great DCF Tent review. Watched it loads of times. Just can't make my mind up which one will be better for me. The Duomid seems to have more options. Could you leave the inner tent cliped in the Duo mid, to save taking it up and down.They don't do them in camo anymore which is a bummer. Really enjoy watching. Top video. Atb Steve 👍
Any idea where I can get one of those single mattresses :-) Brilliant review and comparison. A DCF Duomid with a single inner is going to be my retirement gift to myself. Many thanks and keep making great videos.
Haha, probably doon the dump judging by the big yella stain in the middle! 😂
Cheers! 🙂🐾👍
I've just discovered you! I've been trying to decide whether or not to get the Zpacks Duplex, and this was a very helpful review. Thank you! Scotland is my favorite place to hike overseas, although I am cheating on her this summer and doing Wainwrights coast to coast. A long distance hike in Scotland is on my wish list for 2021. Suggestions?
Thanks! 🐾👍
I would say you have to hike the West Highland Way as it's a classic. Of you want to keep going you can either hike up the Great Glen Way or even the Cape Wrath Trail. The WHW ends in Fort William and both those trails start in Fort William so it's handy that way. I suppose it depends what sort of hike you are looking for as we are spoiled for choice here in Scotland!
A great resource is www.walkhighlands.com it's jam packed with routes, pictures, maps etc. If you are hiking in Scotland I don't think you can beat that site! 🐾👍
@@HoundsofHowgate Thank you for responding! I adore www.walkhighlands.com. I hiked with them last May for a week in the Assynt area. I based the choice of companies on the date for their trip, because I had tickets to see a Skipinnish show in Edinburgh. I'm so glad I chose them. Great service and a wonderful guide. I was lucky in that there were only 4 of us on the trip.
Suliven was my favorite day, but all the walks were wonderful. And only ONE day of rain - a miracle in the Highlands, don't you think? My list of walks in Scotland grows.
Thank you again and happy hiking. Claire
PS. I prepped for the trip to Assynt by reading At the Loch of the Green Corrie as well as poetry by Norman MacCaig. Are my Scottish roots showing? Ha!
@@HoundsofHowgate Oy. Confused (see my original response). I referenced Walking Highlands, and I booked through Wilderness Scotland. Walking Highland was my "go to" for info on the climbs we did, though!
@@CDanielsonGA yeah, walkhighlands is great!
@@CDanielsonGA who was your guide from Wilderness Scotland? Was it a lassie called Kirsty?
"If it's not Scottish it's CRAP!" 😅 Great comparison and video, very informative.
Haha, aye!
Thanks! 🙂🐾👍
Great informative review John
Thanks Martin! 🐾👍
Thanks for the amazing advice John west highland way in two weeks time. You think the midges will be very bad I hope for wind wildcamping all the way will try record on my phone . Good man thanks for the gee up.
Thanks man! 👣🐾👍
Oh yeah, the bitey midge lassies will probably be truly out by then. It's not a problem when you are hiking: only when stopping to fill up with water or putting up camp. Just keep covered up and bring a head net and you'll be prepared. 👍
Be more careful of your tick protection: they are bad this year!
Hounds of Howgate I heard that need to get a tick remover good call
Thanks btw I’m thinking about the new go pro! And phone . Should be fine ! Thanks again 🏴👍❤️
@@nilesdelta8636 defo. You can fashion one out by cutting a strip off a credit card, cutting a wee narrow V in the bottom and then bending that part at a right angle. Had to do that one time for Moss.
Everyone has personal preferences but I like these ones:
amzn.to/31dr2so
Fantastic - just what I needed. Cheers.
No worries! 🙂🐾👍
Awesome video man!
Thanks! 🙂🐾👍
Just watched this video again.
Based on your recommendation/idea I'm considering the Duomid.
I actually see a lot of pluses to it over the Duplex.
With regards to the bug-resistance - what you said about the Duplex all in one set up is obviously true but if you want to cook inside the tent and use the vestibule I'm not sure you can do it without sitting inside the tent, opening the mesh and cooking in the vestibule (am I wrong?) where as in that respect in the Duomid you can close the half inner behind you and you still have a lot of space to sit there and cook without your inner getting filled with midges.
Just a thought I had while watching.
My main concern with the Duomid is that it is heavier and if you want to buy the inner and groundsheet from the official website (and fly in camo) it ends up at almost a thousand dollars. That's actually quite a bit more money.
Not sure yet... still weighing in my options.
This is cracking video by the way... in case I haven't said so before. Your content is superb all around.
Thank! 🐾👍
Aye, you can't cook in the vestibule of the Duplex without sitting in the tent with the mesh undone. One thing I notice though, is that even when it fills up with midges and you Zip it up, all of them, apart from a few, tend to migrate to one of the corners almost as if trying to get out. Like loads of them. That's where they stay and eventually die off. The thing being though is that they seem to loose interest in biting you and instead all sit in the corner bizarrely. The few that still fly about the air I just ly on my pad and clap my hands on them for a few minutes and that kills them off. You do eventually end up with a dusting of midge on the floor right enough. I'm used to them so it doesn't bother me. I even eat them when they fly into my food or water etc. It's kinda hard to avoid them.
Another thing to note is the Duomid, when pitched in cuben, has quite a big gap from the ground at the front porch. Even if you lower it to the ground at the corners it's still there. It's the cut of it to allow good airflow. The SilNylon one (as it has stretch) can be pitched lower to the ground. Just something to also take into consideration.
I always try to avoid cooking in the tent due to the condensation you get and in decent enough weather sit outside on my cuben groundsheet and cook with the tent dubbed up behind me. If it's raining then I sit in the tent and cook in the vestibule of the Duplex with one door open. Midges generally aren't out in the rain so they don't flood the tent. In winter I cook in the Duomid with one door open if it's raining or not as I try and get into my sleeping bag as soon as possible. If you check out my hiking the length of Scotland vids you'll see footage of me in the Duomid doing that so it should give you an idea about the amount of space you have. Plenty to get changed in, store your gear etc. On the Skye Trail vids you'll see my groundsheet outside cooking set up more.
@@HoundsofHowgate Can't you shorten the trekking pole to 140cm or less?
@@BravingTheOutDoors yeah, you can shorten it. To pitch it as low as you can you pull the corner guys as tight as they go and pin them down. Then you get inside and erect the pole to get tension on the tent. Then you find the gap still opens up at the front. If you lower the pole the tarp loses tension on the sides and deforms. The front is cut in a crescent shape you see. One thing you could do is contact MLD and ask them to cut it straight. I hear they are good with custom requests.
Hi John and Moss, another cracking gear review. Very positive and informative throughout. Unfortunately you still haven't convinced me enough to rush out and buy one. Think I will stick with lightwave tent. Can you tell me where you filmed the video looks a cracking place.
Cheers for the advice on water filter to use. I had the Versaflow with the Cnoc bags on the Cateran trail and used them throughout the walk along purification tabs. As the walk takes you through mostly farm land thought it best to use. Filling the pouches was a pain but once used to them then became easy. Will carry this with me whenever on a big walk. So I'm due you a beer or two. All the best keep up the good work thanks for sharing
Thanks man! 👍
It was Kilchurn Castle. I have a video up where I explore the castle: quite a cool wan!
Aye, the Cnoc bladders are a godsend compared to trying to fill up through the wee hole in the Sawyer bags. I was so over that. Plus I really like how the Versaflow has screw threads either end. Defo my favourite setup for sure. 👍
Class vid mate, I'm a hillie man but found this very interesting....
ATB Steve
Thanks Steve! 🐾👍
I better get savings! Good advice too..
Thanks Andrew! 🐾👍
Hey J & M, Another great vid! I have the Duplex. It is an AWESOME tent.... But, you forgot to add the import tax on the Zpacks!!! ouch! Great location and you ticked every info box anyone would need.. Give yourself a gold star!!! haha... I'm actually thinking of getting a Lanshan 3F UL for a weekend throw about tent.... Looks ok for the money??? Happy trails. M
Thanks! 👣🐾👍
Yeah, I should of linked up my importing vid, should I!
Cheers! 👽🐺👍
Yeah, for sure: sometime a bummer tent is the way to go for crushin'.
Would you do a review on it if you get it? I'd be interested to see that!
@@HoundsofHowgate Not seen that one.. Will take a peek.. I got stung £140.00 import tax for my zpacks order! OOOUUUCH! Worth it though.. Took Duplex to Dartmoor, Brecons, South Down and WHW in April this year.. It's such a great spacious tent...
@@HoundsofHowgate Hi, I could???? Been thinking about doing something on YT, I'm a bit of a gear junkie! Plus not enough Brits on here doing what you do.. Our American cousins seem to have it all sewn up and although they are very good ( plus Dixie's HOT! haha ) The UK has very different climate and conditions and trails I think.... And I'm already changing some gear out to work better in this country.. But, not the Duplex.. That rocks! Really like your stuff! Hoping to get back to Scotland in Oct 19.. Not sure which trail to do? The GGW would be cool to continue the WHW but, "mmmm" Bumped into a guy from Fort Willaim last weekend on an over-nighter on South Downs Way ( my local haunt) he didn't rate it much? Any thoughts? Cheers.. M
@@HoundsofHowgate Check FB.. catch up there. Martin
That one guy with the mattress was really thinking there is no compromise for comfort!
Hahaha, totally! 😂🐾👍
really useful. thanks
No worries! 🙂👍
Excellent !
Thank you! 🙂🐾👍
Just watched your video here great introduction But in the back of my head i was thinking Can they fit a single mattress in them :) lol
Hahaha! Always a must have in UL tent selection for sure! 😂🐾👍
Great video. I subscribed ✌️
Thank you! 🐾👍
P.S. loved the guy we the mattress
Hahaha! Pure hilarious! 😂👍
Holy crickey, you really are Scottish in your way of speaking. Long live linguistic diversity!
Haha, cheers!
One of the best comments I've had on YT was from a guy in the comments section of this video. He said, 'even Jackie Chan speaks better than this guy.'
Hahaha! 😂👏😂👏😂 SO funny! 😂🐾👍
Great review!!! I like the bit of people going camping with mattress most of all. I was laughing to tears. It reminded me Steffy's Trail mix video which I watched a year ago, where she has a plastic chair tied to her backpack. th-cam.com/video/B3BlWO4QI5k/w-d-xo.html The matress and the chair - sooo funny!
Haha, I know: mental 😂👍
Hi John, Good idea to shoot enough content for 4 vids in one trip. Good planning. I see you are close to 1000 subs and you must already be over 2500 hrs in a year. Are you going to monetise? It would give you a little extra help for kit, trips, and Moss treats.....
Hi Justin, haha, yeah, a load to edit though! 🖥🙈
Hmm, I've not really thought about monetizing. Ads are a bit of a pain at times!
Well, lots of people like your content and style, John. Plenty of appreciative comments. I think most people don't mind ads, especially if it helps their favourite (small) TH-camrs make new content. Might be worth a look. . . . in Studio>Channel>Status & Features>Monetisation... Of course, what counts is what you want from YT. Do what makes you happy. 🐾👍
@@JustinWhiting9 thanks man!
Indeedio! I'll have a wee look into it. 🙂👍
6:46 Fucking shat maself, didn't know you had another person with you behind the camera.
That was Moss! 😂🐺🐾👍
Sorry John but I stopped listening after guy with the mattress. 🤣
Interesting video although zpacks is not for me. There are better options out there.
Indeed! Everyone has their own specific needs and style. What are you rockin' tent wise? I'm always up for new gear info!
@@HoundsofHowgate nice tents m8 and review
gl n safe travels
reguards to wee moss. 👊👊
@@gonedetectinguk5906 cheers bud!!! 👣🐾👍
I like Tarptent but still saving for it. :) Maybe D. Trump will make a deal with UK and we wont have to pay duty when buying in US. :D
For now my 2 summer tents are from Six Sigma Design and in winter I use Terannova Southern Cross 2.
Cheers, Seb
@@3WalkingPoles oh man, that would be so sweet if wee didn't get hammered with tax importing! 👍
Jackie chan speak english better than this guy
Hahahahaha! This is the most EPIC comment ever! 😂😂😂👍👍👍
BRILLIANT! 🙏🍻
Welcome to Scotland my good friend! 🐾👍👍👍
Fantastic! 🙌💥👍
He's not English He's Scottish