packs duplex vs bearpaw diamond

At best, Bearpaw is a crapshoot, and for those who’ve not been happy their follow-up experiences with the vendor read like a horror novel. The ones I’ve read here on BPL seem quite legit to me, complete with photos of the most atrocious stitching this side of Pluto.

Conversely, the Duplex is very well made. Even in the unlikely event you end up not liking the tent you’ll be able to sell it easily and quickly and recoup most of the cost.

Those considerations aside, these are two VERY different shelters; the Duplex is much larger, 2-person, 2-door tent with a ridgeline that creates plenty of headroom and mesh that keeps out insects, and the Diamond Solo is a small shaped tarp that for most people would still require an inner of some sort.

So you’re comparing apples and kumquats.

And referencing again the metric crap-ton of threads on this site recounting Bearpaw horror stories, especially of late, I doubt I’d head out into the backyard with one of their shelters much less for months on the AT.

ZPacks’ customer service has historically been exemplary, with quite a few instances of servicing thru-hikers who encountered problems quickly and allowing the hike to continue.

Full Disclosure: I own one of the first Duplex to be sold to the public (Nov. 2013), and many other of their products.  I’m a fan.

Go with zpacks. You won’t be disappointed.  I own a spruce Duplex 2017.

Comparing Bearpawd with ZPacks is like comparing Yugo with Mercedes. MLD and ZPacks are supreme.

Example

https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/my-absolute-nightmare-experience-with-john-stultz-and-bearpaw-wilderness-designs/

I’ve seen a bunch of work from him. No.

The photos in that ^^^ thread are the stuff of legend.  And nightmares.  And legendary nightmares.

It should be required reading for anyone considering buying from that company.

I saw one of his mids at a GGG. I had to ask if it was pitched inside out. Yikes.

Hard to believe such schlock “craftsmanship” exists today, especially with a cottage vendor.

I’ve recently gotten some hammock stuff from Hammock Gear, Dutchware and UGQ, and the workmanship and customer service are simply stellar, same as we’ve come to expect from EE, Zpacks, MLD and others.

“Comparing Bearpawd with ZPacks is like comparing Yugo with Mercedes.”

What is the contemporary Yugo example? I doubt anyone under 40 has heard of the old kickboy Yugo-

I saw one of his mids at a GGG. I had to ask if it was pitched inside out.

Just spit my coffee out all over the screen.

I have experience with both…no comparison at all…go with the Zpacks 1,000%!!!

You’re right Cameron, I’m showing my age.

Okay, BPWD Diamond vs  ZPacks Duplex is like a Samsung Note 7 vs an I -Phone 10.

Mercedes? It’s cuben fiber, should be a Ferrari or Lamborghin.