How many have a camo duplex tent with out any issues?

Hi Russell,

Would only suggest that before purchasing a camo Zpacks duplex, taking a look at the DCF tents offered by TarpTent might be helpful.  Disclosure:  I’ve not used DCF tents, but follow the tent threads avidly, and get the impression that the TarpTents are better designed and have less ‘fiddle-factor,”  which can be a big deal when trying to get a shelter up in a storm, or survive a stormy night in one.

I have no connection with TarpTent, but think you might find the threads on BPL helpful in choosing a DCF tent.   If the issue is about DCF dyed with a camo pattern, you might find it difficult to find many on BPL with the experience you mentioned.  DCF is made with loose Dyneema fibers stabilized and laminated in a sandwich between very thin mylar films.  Trying to dye those films sounds a bit problematic.  While I’ve seen DCF shaded different colors, they have always been translucent.  But I’ve not seen DCF shaded with a solid color, as would be necessary to put a camo design on the material.  Granted, it may be possible without affecting the integrity of the lamination.

If you have not posted on or seen this BPL thread, you might take a look:                                    https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/zpacks-altaple-camo-wanted-to-buy/

DCF Camo print as used by several cottage manufacturers is .51 with a camo design laminated on top of it.  It’s not dyed.  I have several camo tents (Zpacks Duplex, Altaplex and Triplex).

Expect the wear and lifespan to be slightly more robust than say olive color .51.

People have used Camo DCF tents for thru hikes, for instance Neemor’s PCT SOBO he used a camo Zpacks Soloplex.

Of note, Zpacks no longer offers Camo as an option on their tents.  Other cottage makers still do.

I’m not wild about the 0.51 DCF made these days. It is so translucent I have to wear a bandana  over my eyes on moonlit nights (about 1/2 to 3/4 of the month).

Anything to make it more opaque would be a boon.

The Cuben 0.51 olive did not have this problem.

> Of note, Zpacks no longer offers Camo as an option on their tents. Other cottage makers still do.

DSM no longer makes camo.  Any tents still offered are from fabric still in the distribution pipeline but the fabric is no longer in production.

–H

Henry S:  Thanks for that info.  Would the .51 or current equivalent DCF have different wear and lifespan qualities from a camo print .51 or current equivalent?

@07100 Do you have any insight as to why they stopped making this material?

I have a 2.5 year old camo Duplex. It came with a couple of minor spots-looks like white skin peeling, size of a dime. I emailed them at the time and they said it wasn’t uncommon to see some anomalies like this, that it wasn’t delaminating and shouldn’t be an issue. It hasn’t been an issue and has not changed in the 2.5 years. I really like the tent and camo material.