Zpacks - Plex Solo

First tent I ever bought and I love it. Would take it on my next thru if I didn’t have a plex solo already. I swear by this tent and it’s my recommendation when people come to work looking to buy tents.

So I should clarify, I have the plex solo lite. I’d get the regular plex solo if I were to get one again. The lite is stripped down, it’s not worth the weight savings versus the lack of features. I had a Lunar Solo that I used for most of the AT which I absolutely loved, and the plex solo (regular, not lite) reminds me of that but DCF. I think they’re the same price, so you’re just saving an ounce or two on weight.

With experience with a Duplex, Plex Solo and The Two, I'd probably pick The One if bulk was a big factor. It's not as sturdy in high winds as a non-stretchy DCF tent, but I've slept through some heavy gusts in my GG tent. A good pitch goes a long way. The sag is there, and some hikers I met find it bothersome while it's only a minor nuicanse for me. I'd say get the GG, try it out in a wet environment and see if you manage. If not, resell. You won't lose too much money. One inconvenience the Pivot Solo shares with the other Zpacks 1p tents is the low beak attachment. Getting in and out can be pretty inconvenient. But I guess that's where lower weight impacts comfort. The arched zippers in the Zpacks tents is a nuisance under high bug pressure. GG and Durston designs are much better there as theirs have the mesh fall into place even when the zipper is open, so you don't invite an army of mosquitos into your tent each time you get in or out. Think Yosemite right after snow melt. I'm going to take my The Two on the JMT this summer, and I've hiked in the Sierras before so I know what to expect.

Speaking of Zpacks, why aren't you considering the Plex Solo Lite? I have the tarp verion, and except for the no bug protection part, it's ideal for occasional fastpacking in the Sierras (no experience at the lower elevations you mention). And I'd have a Plex Solo, too, if it didn't cost so much and I already owned the tarp. Maybe this year, though.

I'm 5'9" and it's okay. But you mentioned fastpacking, when livability isn't really an issue. I'm not hanging out in it, that's for sure. It's just a place to sleep when not grinding out the miles. As for the DCF, I think it's a lot easier to set up than my huge (by caparison) silpoly SMD Lunar Solo. You don't have to constantly adjust it, and it stays taught. And while the tarp has no floor, I do use a DCF ground sheet from Borah Gear (0.8 oz Dyneema) that's held up pretty well. But I do spend extra time clearing out sharp stuff underneath.

I didn't like mine very much. I found it to be hard to pitch mostly because it was too big and a little unwieldy. Always has problems finding a spot with enough good space for it to fit easily, and had to resort to securing the guy lines to logs, tree branches, etc. And I don't think I ever got the floor to be a bathtub (just a sad groundsheet). That said, it is very roomy inside and I never had a bad night in it. I never had it in much rain though, only high-ish winds, which when secured properly, did just fine (except for dirt blowing in, due to my inability to get the bathtub going). And while I realize all trekking pole tents involve more hassles, I think the Lunar Solo is at the higher end of that scale. I now have a Plex Solo. Which still comes with "problems," but at least it's about half the weight, so I'm willing to put up with them. The Lunar didn't weight much less than my Nemo Hornet 1P, so I found myself just using that instead (before the Plex Solo). Edit: I should practice what I preach, that tent review/opinions should include where they've been used. In my case, it was summertime, in the Sierra Nevada, CA.

Haven't used the re-introduced version with the netting, but imo the Hexamid Pocket Tarp is the best shelter out there--when conditions allow for it. However, I would probably get pretty annoyed having to lift the netting up to get in and out of it. But without the netting, the Pocket Tart is very easy to set up (pitches much better than a full tent like the Plex Solo, which I also have), and it's so nice to be able to get in and out without a zipper and netting flopping around. It also pitches well with shorter poles, like the 125mm I have (lightweight, fixed length running poles). But, as I mentioned, rather than get the version with netting for when there are bugs, I got the Plex Solo. I realize I could instead find camp spots away from the bugs, but I like camping by water, especially scenic lakes (largely for photography). Others don't care so much about that.

Always sharing. I have a three person tiger wall for me and a kid (or both kids). I have 3 20 inch pads (last model Nemo tensors) when it’s both kids. For one kid, we use two wide REI helix pads (25 inch). If all 4 of us go, then I bring a 5 person copper spur, and then it’s 2 helix and 2 tensors. I use a quilt, but my wife and kids are all in sleeping bags. Solo, I mostly stick to my plex solo (with wide helix and quilt).  I carry most of the gear under any group configuration. The 5 person tent is tough. I like the copper spur, but any tent that fits 4 is going to be a pain in the ass. The tiger wall 3UL is not too bad, poles and all. Be mindful of usable space. If you share a 2 person tent, it may limit your pad selection. 

The normal xmid worked really good for me and it is quite affordable. My tent pick if I were to do it again probably would be the plexsolo, it weighs a decent bit less and takes less space. 1p is plenty big enough for me and the trail is dry enough where I don’t think I needed double walls. This is assuming you were going for a trekking pole tent though.

I’ve really liked my plex solo for about 500 miles of mostly Sierra hiking. I’m very rough on everything and I’ve had to patch a few small pinholes but I blame myself, not the design, materials or manufacturing.

My issue with ZPacks tents is a pretty simple one. I have a Plex Solo. It has survived the CDT and 2/3s of the PCT and it is still truckin' with nothing beyond a small hole in the floor. It just wont die. But if it does, I have my eye on the Pivot. I will admit I am not a fan of the storm doors on the Plex. If they were a tad bigger, it would be perfect.

My Zpacks Solplex tent. I used it on my PCT thru hike, and its still in such great shape I plan to use it on my next thru hike. I love being able to pitch such a small footprint in a tiny site but I can still squeeze my pack and shoes inside with me its raining a lot. It also weighs less than a pound.

I love my Zpacks Solplex (or plex solo, they changed the name for some reason). It is nice and small and fits into all those tiny spots left in between all the giant Durstons. And it weighs less than a pound.

I've had two over the last ten-ish years. i sold one to someone who successfully did the CDT with it, then I bought another to replace it after i didn't like what I had. maybe a hundred nights on the second one? no issues, and been in some significant wind, though I always use all the guylines. i recently sold my plex solo and had to bust out my copper spur for a quick two nighter, it hadn't been used in two years. it was still in perfect condition after being stored; no de-lamination, shock cords still springy, etc.

mine arrived with a pinhole day one :/ but well zpacks offered me a great discount so it's okay and DCF is super easy to patch so not that bad in the end.