Zpacks Duplex vs SMD Haven Cuben Fiber w/ Net Tent.

I guess the issue would come down to how big the dog is, how tall you folks are and how much other stuff you want in the tent with you.

I am 6ft, my wife is 5-4, there would certainly be enough space at her feet for our 70lb shepard. We tend to keep our packs, boots etc in the tent with us though because of gnawing critters. There really is not much surplus width available.

I would think the floor would be not worse off with the dog, as long as its nails were clipped well.

What size dog and how do you sleep? If you or wife sleeps curled up, then there could be room for the dog. Or if the dog is small, they may do fine under one of the beaks. I have the Duplex and have used it with with two tall adults. We slept in alternate positions, ie, head of one at the same end as feet of the other and we had plenty of room. Shoulder to shoulder would of been more difficult. I'd recommended you do a mock up and see it seems comfortable.

KK

Hi Eric,

we own both – the SMD Haven Cuben with NetTent and the ZPacks Duplex. My sons and I just took both for a month across the Brooks Range

My wife and I also use a double quilt and have spent many nights in both tents.

Both are excellent choices and I have no problem recommending either one. Here are some of the differences we observed that might tip the balance for you one way or the other.

Have fun out there!

Manfred

• Two pieces of gear vs. one
  • You can leave the SMD NetTent at home when there is no bug pressure
  • You can distribute the two pieces across two backpacks
• Double wall vs. hybrid
  • Condensation poses a potential issue in a hybrid tent. In humid conditions we had heavy rain knocking condensation lose, so that it seemingly “rained” inside the tent
• Setup
  • Setting up two pieces takes longer and is slightly more complicated than setting up just one piece
• Doors – zipper vs. carabiner
  • The ‘storm doors’ on the ZPacks are closed with a carabiner. Not having a zipper saves weight and a potential fail point
• Space
  • The hybrid tent gives you more space as you don’t lose the space between inner and outer tent
• Trekking Pole – Tip up vs. Tip down
  • The Duplex uses the trekking pole with the tip down. That prevents on most surfaces slipping and it also prevents unintentionally poking a hole into your expensive cuben

I am 6'4" and the girlfriend is 5'9" both skinny/athletic build.

I have a 50lb Australian Cattle Dog, most people call them a blue heeler. She's well mannered when in the tent, she goes to her corner and curls up. So doesn't take up a ton of space. Another issue we have is we both use full length NeoAir pads so the dog can't exactly share the bottom portion of the pad with my girlfriend like she could with a closed cell foam pad.

Eric,

I was in your exact situation before I bought a Duplex, minus a dog. I had an SS2 and it was too palatial and heavy for my other and I. We are both around 5-9, skinny athletic types and the Duplex has plenty of room. At first the width seemed too narrow but if nothing is stored on our sides then it is perfect. The head and foot have plenty of room, and I bet a small dog could easily fit. I also carry it as a solo shelter often and I think it is light enough to do so. I too could not decide between the Haven and Duplex, and so far the Duplex has been excellent.

Benji

Manfred, Ken and Benji, very helpful info on the Duplex and the Haven – thank you for sharing.

Eric, as to pyramids, you might want to take a look at the MLD Duomid XL, which is designed to use an offset trekking pole/pole to allow for plenty of room inside the shelter.

http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=217

Eric,

I am 5'9, wife is 5'4 and we are thin athletic builds. We have a 55 lb pit/pointer mix.

When we use the net-tent, there is plenty of room for my dog above our head. BUT, my wife and I use short length Prolites pads and put our bags under our feet when we sleep.

When my dog curls up between us, it pushes us pretty close to the trekking poles holding up the shelter. It isn't horrible, but I am a pretty small guy, any bigger and I will touch/knock down the poles.

One thing to keep in mind with the Haven Net Tent is that there is some sag on the net at the steep end, and if your dog stands, she/he will hit the top of the net and potentially the Haven tarp. I have toyed with the idea of adding a grosgrain loop to the middle of the net tent steep face to pull the material closer to the tarp to give my dog a bit more room. If you just use the Cuben tarp, none of this is a problem.

I suspect your dog may be able to curl up above your girlfriend but that would leave you little space for gear.