Zpacks Duplex or Lightheart Gear SoLong 6 Cuben Tent?

[Tony Blankenship]

I've narrowed my tent down to these 2 options. Would love your input/experience to help me decide.
http://zpacks.com/shelter/duplex.shtml vs http://www.lightheartgear.com/index….products_id=28
Both are good companies w/great reputations – not worried about the "quality" of either.
I need a very spacious, yet lightweight tent for my AT thru. I want to be able to keep all of my gear inside the tent with me.
I plan on tenting as much as possible, will be starting in Feb, so want some extra room for comfort since I'll be spending so much time in it.
I'm finding it a bit tricky to compare the weights accurately.
Definitely want 2 doors and the entire tent and floor in cuben. (standard on the Duplex; +$100 for cuben floor in the SoLong which puts the pricing w/in $20 of each other).
Looking for thoughts/advice on: 1) which thickness of cuben to go with for either tent
2) which thickness of cuben to go w/for the floor of the SoLong
3) confused about the "fly style" options with the SoLong (again, I want 2 doors, so what's best option for that?)
Other thoughts so far: On the one hand, I'm leaning towards the SoLong because it seems to have a little bit extra room, more options on the design and I like the fact
that your hiking poles are set up inside the tent. On the other hand, the Duplex also has some nice features and seems to be lighter when you spec the same & include stakes…
I sure would appreciate any thoughts you might have to help me decide. Thank you!

[robert v]

I can only shed insight on the Lightheart Gear Solong6. I have owned and used both the silnylon and the cuben fiber Solong6. The cuben Solong6 is listed as a 1 person but easily holds two friendly, big people. For one person it is a palace. It is also a very stable structure. I have used it on mountain tops in serious weather with excellent performance. If you get the Solong6 you need to have a full zipper on each side and and awnings on each side. This way you can have great views in all but the worst weather. If truly bad weather comes, you can still batten down the hatches!! I am almost 6'2" and 300# and I had a lot of storage space in the tent and a ton under the awnings.

I would order the lightest options for both wall and floor then always use a poly sheet under the tent as a groundcloth. Judy at Lightheart Gear builds these tents to last as long as you protect the floor from sharp objects.

[Tony Blankenship]

Thanks for the feedback – that's helpful. What does your cuben version weigh?
I do plan on using something under the tent and I've been wondering what material would be best. (seems like poly and tyvek are popular). I would also like to have grommets? installed on the groundsheet so I could put it up for a quick cover to eat lunch etc when it's raining during the day. Does anyone make a good tent footprint like this with grommets or loops ready to go – OR – any suggestions on what to get to make my own?

[robert v]

My solong6 weighs 24oz and I used the window film that comes in the storm window kits sold on amazon or at walmart. You just cut them slightly smaller than the foot print of your tent. They seem to last at least 6-8 trips before I need to repair them with a bit of packaging tape. The weight is very low, maybe 3-4oz at worst.

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