ZPacks Hexamid Solo Plus (Tarp Only) Questions

Have you watched the set up video (link on the Solo-Plus web page or here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AMwjC8X090)? It might give you a better idea about the size.

I used a Spinnshelter for a number of years. Like you I wanted more usable living space. The Hexamid does provide more space than the spinshelter in a lock down pitch. But if you pitch the spinnshelter off the ground by say 9-12", there isn't that much of a different int weather protected space… the spinnshelter might be slightly better. If you are talking bug protection, then the Hexamid is a huge improvement.

The Hexamid or Hexamid Plus with the integrated netting should be fine length wise. The separate inner net is a bit short for my taste (I am use 5'10" and keep to be able to lift my head while lying down. The only issue I have had is that the foot/head narrow. I haven't had problems hitting the edge, but I have had issues (in the non Plus) of my quilt foot getting too close to the edge and getting wet from blown rain. If you don't thrash much as your sleep, use the extended beak, or if you use a bivy or bathtub system ground cloth you should be ok.

If I had gone strait from the spinnshelter to the hexamid I would most likely be overjoyed with the space. Alas, I use a GG The One for a couple of years in between which spoiled me space wise.

The door is low. Most of my other shelters I can go from squatting down on my feet to sitting down inside the shelter without brushing against anything. I have yet to find a way in or out of the hexamid that doesn't involve either kneeling/sitting on the ground outside the shelter, or brushing against the top of the door.

–Mark

I just used the 1.1 oz poles on a recent 15 day trip. It performed admirably. However, I have the tent. I'm not sure if that would make a difference.

A few times because of less than perfect campsites, I had to be creative with my pitches and the pole was actually bowed quite a bit. I was too lazy to fix it.

And despite decent wind and some stumbling Englishman, in his clod hoppers, tripping over my guyline in the middle of the night (happened one another couple occasions as well), it held up like a champ.

It does bow when you try to get that pitch "extra" tight. Definitely worth a try for $22.

Hey:

Bradford I'd be more than happy to let you check out my Hexamid Twin, I know it's not the tarp version and a two man. However you can at least get an idea of what the Zpacks is like, I'm pretty sure we're local to one another….Mocs? UTC right? Chattanooga, TN? If so yeah you're more than welcome to come play with it. Just shoot me a PM.

-Kevin

Bradford I can also, come up with a Hexamid Solo, not the plus for you to check out too. I forgot one of my buddy's has one and I can snag it from him in a week or two when we swap out some gear to try out.

Let me know.

-Kevin

William – Thanks for the link

Mark – Thanks for the comparison between the Hexamid and the Spinnshelter. I wonder if one could be made with the extended beak with a zipper that goes all the way to the top? That would make entry exit a lot easier.

Scott – Thanks for the info about the pole

Kevin – PM Sent

I assume that the .51 Cuben has been plenty durable for everyone. I probably have 150 nights on my Spinnshelter and it still looks pretty good.

Hello,

First thing to keep in mind is that *very* few people have the “Plus” version of the ZPacks Hexamid Tarp – its been out less than two months and there is typically a one month wait time. So, even those of us that buy a lot of ZPacks gear have not gotten one yet.

I can, however, speak from the solo tarp perspective.

As you can see from the ZPacks website there is no length difference between the Solo and the Solo Plus. They are both 274 cm (9 feet) in length.

The difference in the two is the height and the width.

You can see how the Solo fits me in my view of this tarp. I recommend you just fast-foward to the 10 minute mark to by-pass me having a horrible time setting it up due to have the wrong kind of stakes with me

At the 11:30 mark I show how the length is for my 6’1 height.

Bounce to the 17:15 mark to see how the fit of the Solo HexaNet is (and a perspective of the tarp from the inside).

To address the issue of how well the 0.51 cuben fiber material holds up:

It holds up rather well. There are fray issues that you will not typically see with the .74 cuben fiber (as has been well documented via white sheet write ups here at BPL) but I have a full season with mine and have not had to tape or do any repairs of any kinds on it.

That is not to say that the decision by others to not use 0.51 as their primary cuben fiber material (thinking of MLD and HMG) are wrong in their decisions, rather it has to do (I believe) with what a hiker needs.

If you are SUL and do not mind if you might have to replace your gear every season or two, 0.51 can help you stay in the SUL category if you have a big pocketbook to buy every few seasons – especially if you are a long distance hiker.

If you are a weekend hiker, 0.51 should last you a long long time! Those companies out there using the thicker/heavier cuben fiber are those companies who are selling to hikers who might want gear that will last a lot longer and who perhaps do not want to give their gear a little bit of extra TLC and being sure to look for items falling out of trees.

A big Ponderosa Pine cone would probably not break through .71 or heavier cuben fiber, but with 0.51… I might be a bit worried. Those are the kind of situations I speak of being aware of.

I have 0.71 cf tarps, and 0.51 cf tarps, and I recently got into 0.34 cuben fiber tarps. I just all comes down to how much I really want to pay attention to my surrounding when I am deciding on which one to take.

I think what Ron at MLD and Mike at HMG are doing with going with the heavier cuben fiber is probably the best route for all but those who are really looking to shave off the weight. Steve from Suluk46 released two different tests on cuben fiber durability that are seriously worth reviewing if you only plan to budget for a single cuben fiber tarp! tieout tests and a 0.3 tieout test.

In regards to the beak being rolled rather than zipped… KenThompson and I have talked about that a few times… I came really close to putting a zipper on the front of my Hexamid (with a beak) to make it easier to get into and out of. It would add about 1oz or so but seems like it could almost be worth it for us taller folks that have to bend over so far (darn-it to Joe for being a short guy!! – grin)

Lastly I will share this: I have on multiple occasions asked ZPacks for a longer Hexamid tarp. The 9 feet length just does not seem to be quite long enough for me – especially if I am out using my XtraLarge Superlight Bivy from MLD. I can understand why they have not as 9feet does seem to be the standard length these days for tarps, but more than that, it would likely require an entirely new template that they would have to develop, and that cannot be fun to do I suspect.

Hope some of this helps!
John B. Abela
RedwoodOutdoors.Com