Gossamer Gear the 2

Hi Gary, I  own an original the One and the new the One and last year’s the Two, slightly different from the newest version and hundreds of miles on them. We also have the original hexamid for 2 and I have spent a week long trip with a duplex. I really consider the duplex and the Two as virtually identical. I find I can set up the Two quicker and easier and keep a better pitch in unlevel terrain or when I have to make adjustments to allow for logs, rocks or hard ground. If the price was the same, I’d say it’s a coin toss, but I purchased the two  during a sell or a black Friday event. Making it the choice I would do it again if I had to purchase new.

Lee

Not to complicate matters but I’ve heard rumors that if you wait a couple of months you can buy a DCF version of The Two or the less expensive one made of the sil/pu material they have been using.  The DCF version should be very close to the Duplex in weight, design, and (gulp) cost. I’ve had a Duplex for four years and like it a lot, but it has some small sewing problems. Perhaps those have been worked out in more recently made models. A Zpacks tarp I bought last year was flawless. The Duplex is a fantastic tent if you can afford it. The DCF Two will be too I imagine. But then there’s the Double Rainbow Li and Stratospire Li to consider so have fun.

Take a look at the Tarptent Stratospire Li (sleeps 2).

Its design is much more wind-worthy than Gossamer Gear’s The Two.

Outdoor Gear Lab posted a GG The Two review one week ago:

https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/reviews/camping-and-hiking/ultralight-tent/gossamer-gear-the-two

OGL reviewed the Zpacks Duplex, TT StratoSpire Li, and a bunch of other lightweight shelters, too:
https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/camping-and-hiking/best-ultralight-tent

I rarely agree with OGL’s conclusions, but I always learn something from their reviews.

— Rex

REX,

I too rarely agree with OGL reviews and this is yet another time that disagreement holds true. To take a Z-Packs FLEX over either of the Tarptent designs is a stretch, especially when you look at how many guy lines (and stakes) the FLEX requires.

Yeah those OGL reviews don’t make sense. They gave the Duplex Flex a 9 out of 10 for weather resistance, which really should be reserved for a shelter that is quite robust in all aspects, yet here we have a tent that is not ideal for condensation (singlewall, no vents), not ideal for high winds (questionable pole structure, high cut fly doesn’t block gusts), collapses easily under snow etc. Not saying it’s a bad tent but they’ve clearly sacrificed a lot of protection to save weight, so it’s nowhere near a 9. I’d put it closer to a 5 or 6 like they gave The Two. The Aeon only got a 7 and it’s at least got a proper structure and venting.

Similarly, how does the Flex get a 7/10 for weight when the SS Li is nearly 1/4 lbs lighter and only scores a 6?

Gary also take a look at Dan Durston’s two person tent. It’s not the same design or materials but worth consideration.

And no I’m not flattering; Durston’s looks like a good tent that would out-perform some others mentioned here in bad weather.