Introducing Zpacks
Meet Zpacks, a true game-changer in the world of ultralight outdoor gear. Founded in 2005 by the legendary hiker Joe Valesko—who has conquered over 9,700 miles across some of the most iconic long-distance trails—Zpacks has consistently revolutionised the thru-hiking community with its innovative, featherlight camping gear.
As a Triple-Crowner (someone who has completed the Appalachian Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and Pacific Crest Trail), Joe’s first-hand experience as a thru-hiker has been instrumental in shaping Zpacks’ product line. Their gear is meticulously designed to meet the demanding needs of long-distance hiking while minimising weight.
Zpacks shelters are crafted using Dyneema Composite Fabrics (DCF), the lightest and strongest material available for ultralight shelters, ensuring durability without sacrificing portability.
Zpacks tents from Valley and Peak are priced no higher than buying directly from Zpacks. Order now to reduce your carbon footprint and enjoy fast delivery in the UK!
Explore our full range of Zpack shelters, including the AltaPlex Classic and AltaPlex Lite, Duplex Classic and Duplex Lite, Hexamid Pocket Tarp, Plex Solo Classic, and Plex Solo Lite.
Why Choose Zpacks?
Water Resistance:
Zpacks tents are designed to repel water effectively. With their quick-drying capabilities, they allow you to pack up, shake off, and move on without any hassle.
Ultra-Lightweight:
Among the lightest tents on the market, Zpacks shelters are spacious yet packable, fitting snugly in any ultralight backpack or bike-packing setup with room to spare.
Adventure-Ready Durability:
Constructed with robust DCF materials, Zpacks shelters are resilient and full of character. Despite the common perception that ultralight gear compromises on durability, these tents defy expectations with their outstanding resilience and performance.
Effortless Setup and Teardown:
Forget about struggling with bulky, heavy gear. Zpacks tents are designed for quick and easy setup and teardown, allowing you more time to enjoy your outdoor adventure.
Explore our range of Zpacks tents and experience the difference for yourself:
Altaplex Classic:
Choosing a shelter for a thru-hike can be more challenging than selecting any other piece of gear; it's essentially like picking a home for half a year. Zpacks have become extremely popular among thru-hikers, with the Altaplex being one of their standout models. Weighing a mere 467g, this tent is designed for hikers up to 6’6”, making it one of the most spacious one-person tents available. Remarkably, it manages to keep the weight under a pound, offering a highly competitive option for weight-conscious backpackers. All in all, the Altaplex Classic is a lightweight, one-person tent that offers ample head and foot room. It sets up easily with a single trekking pole and packs down small for effortless carrying.
Altaplex Lite:
Like with all Zpacks shelters, the Altaplex Lite is made in the USA. This roomy and well-ventilated tent offers a quick setup with a single trekking pole and easy packing. Weighing a mere 334g, tall hikers won’t find a more spacious and lighter single-pole tent on the market than the Altaplex Lite. Featuring a .55 oz/sqyd Dyneema Composite Fabric canopy and a .75 oz/sqyd DCF floor, it is 25% lighter and packs down smaller than their standard tent floors. The tent is also equipped with bright yellow 1.3 mm Z-Line guy lines, which are lighter than the 2 mm guy lines used in their standard tents.
Duplex Classic:
Voted the top ultralight tent by Appalachian Trail thru-hikers for two consecutive years, the award-winning Duplex is designed for long-distance backpacking. Whether you're on the Pacific Crest Trail or exploring the Swiss Alps, the Duplex Classic two-person tent excels in size, weight, and features. With its spacious design, excellent weather resistance, and extremely low weight of just 524g, it's been many a thru-hikers go-to tent on hundreds of nights on the trail, including extended thru-hikes across rugged mountains and deserts. This tent excels in condensation management and features wide, easy-to-use doors. Constructed with ultralight, waterproof DCF and pitched using two vertical poles—either your trekking poles or Zpacks’ ultralight 2.6-ounce carbon fibre tent poles—the Duplex is much lighter than freestanding or semi-freestanding options.
Duplex Lite:
Weighing in at just 423g, the Duplex Lite is the lightest two-person, fully enclosed shelter on the market. Made from strong and durable DCF, this tent offers a spacious interior with a 25-square-foot floor area and a 48-inch peak height. Designed with functional simplicity, it features four overlapping storm doors that can be opened or closed independently using toggles, allowing flexible views, ventilation, and weather protection. Excellent ventilation is ensured by mesh panels on all four sides and two peak vents. The intuitive A-frame design makes setup a breeze: just lay out the tent, stake the corners, insert the poles, and adjust the guylines. With a slimmed-down footprint and a 40" wide floor, it’s spacious enough for one person with gear or can accommodate two standard-width sleeping pads side by side.
Hexamid Pocket Tarp:
For those who meticulously count every gram, the Hexamid Pocket Tarp is Zpacks' lightest shaped tarp ever, coming in at 157g! Perfect for ultra-minimalist adventures, this tarp can serve as your primary shelter or be tucked into a pocket for unexpected thunderstorms. The Hexamid Pocket Tarp can be set up using a single trekking pole adjusted to around 52 inches, or a tent pole, and requires a minimum of six stakes, though ten are recommended for windy conditions. It includes bright yellow 1.3 mm Z-Line guy lines, which are lighter than the standard 2 mm lines. The tarp packs up tiny into a 5" x 6" stuff sack, perfect for ultralight backpacking. With overlapping storm doors that can be independently opened or closed using metal hooks, it provides versatile weather protection and ventilation without the risk of zipper failures. The design allows enough vestibule space for storing gear and ensures ample interior space for one person and their gear. Condensation runs down the walls and out of the tarp edges, while loops inside the tarp allow for easy attachment of optional groundsheets and hanging gear.
Plex Solo Classic:
The ultralight Plex Solo is a 400g tent designed for thru-hikers who prioritise weight without sacrificing performance or comfort. It’s easily pitched with a single 52" trekking or tent pole. The Plex Solo is well-ventilated and compact, making it perfect for tight campsites. Key features include independently adjustable storm doors for versatile weather protection, ample vestibule space for gear storage, and a mesh pocket for convenient access to essentials. The canopy’s overhang and screen between the bathtub floor and walls help manage condensation and keep the interior dry. It packs down to a tiny 5" x 11" size and includes a Medium DCF stuff sack, repair tape, and spare zipper sliders.
Dan Jones of Wildcamping.lifeuk shares his experience with the Plex Solo Classic:
"The biggest advantage of the Zpacks Plex Solo is its weight. As someone who prefers to move quickly on long hikes, the Plex's lightweight design is a game-changer. At just 413 grams, it’s one of the lightest tents available.
The quality of the Zpacks Plex is exceptional, which you'd expect from a premium product. Despite its delicate feel, the 75 oz/sqyd DCF fabric is incredibly strong. Unlike nylon, which can stretch and sag, DCF remains taut throughout the night, even in wet conditions.
For me, the Zpacks Plex is the ultimate ultralight shelter".
Plex Solo Lite:
At a mere 300g, the Plex Solo Lite is the lightest full-featured one-person tent in the market right now. It’s easily pitched with a single 52" trekking or tent pole. It features the same dimensions as the standard Plex Solo but utilises lighter .55 oz/sqyd Dyneema Composite Fabric for the canopy and .75 oz/sqyd DCF for the floor, making it 25% lighter and more compact. Equipped with bright yellow 1.3 mm Z-Line guylines, it saves additional weight compared to the standard 2 mm lines. For those pushing their limits in ultralight backpacking, the Plex Solo Lite is the ultimate lightweight shelter.
A tent is one of the heaviest items you’ll carry besides your sleeping bag or quilt, backpack, and sleeping pad, so reducing your shelter's weight lowers your pack’s overall base weight, enabling a faster, easier, and more enjoyable hike. If you’re considering transitioning to a lighter setup, explore our Guide to Ultralight Gear.