Zpacks Duplex vs Tarptent Bowfin1

Things I would consider:

$309 vs $599

37oz vs 21oz (22oz-23oz after stakes, and 33-34oz after you add the CF pole for free-standing)

The stakes and CF pole for the Duplex will set you back more $.

The Bowfin 1 also will only fit a single person. The Duplex can fit two adults reasonably comfortably.

Hope this helps you decide.

The duplex have very good ventilation, but that also means if its windy outside it will be draught inside. Pitching it low only helps to a certain degree since the doors don’t go all the way down to the ground even then. Don´t think of the wall inserts as a double wall tent from draught perspective, it should help reducing condensation problems but would have a very marginal effect on reducing draught (I guess, I don’t have the inserts). After  using a duplex in the Scandinavian mountains this summer I am currently thinking of ways of reducing draught, and I am not considering the inserts. So a tent with a partially solid inner should be warmer. (But the duplex still keeps you protected from the outside, so with a bit warmer sleeping bag you should still be OK.)

Yeah. To be honest, i like the camo duplex a lot. Had it partial solid walls would it be my go for sure even if more expensive. Same weight double space…

But as a cold sleeper I’m a bit worried about draught…

But as a cold sleeper I’m a bit worried about draught…

Multiple ways to achieve more warmth with draughty conditions:

• Partially solid inner (Bowfin)
• Warmer sleeping bag or quilt
• Picky campsite selection for maximum wind protection
• Make or improvise a wind panel (or two) that connects to the inside of a Duplex? Not sure if anyone has done this, but maybe using a Zpacks flat groundsheet, or some light 10D fabric with velcro attachments? The Duplex already has inside attachment points at the corners at the peaks. Such a panel could sandwich against an inside mesh wall/door of the Duplex in the direction of the wind – similar to the Zpacks Double Wall Insert, but triangle shaped, and used for wind blocking rather than condensation control.

That is one of the two things I am looking at for my duplex to reduce draught, but I always carry a poncho and a tyvek map, so I use them instead, hanging them on threads that is secured in the top and corners so the bathtub is raised enough if the tent is pitched low. It also leaves a 3-4 inch ventilation gap at the top. I have done that and it seems to be working well but isn’t really tested enough yet for me to recommend it.

The other thing I intend to do is to (permanently) fasten an extra bit of cuben low on the on-wind side of the tent to be able to stop the head-on wind getting into the tent, without pitching the tent all the way to the ground. I tend to touch the roof with my head when pitched to the ground – not good when its condensation.

So there is a lot of things you can do, but it may be easier to just choose a tent with (partially) solid inner if you are about to buy one…

No no, it makes no sense to buy something if it must be so complicated.

I like the bowfin too, so, it’s ok. I would also prefer to spend less money than what a duplex costs. But the Duplex seemed potentially more comfortable, spacious, easier to pitch, and I’m not sure but maybe also more stable. And I like the camo for stealth camping, as said.

I just need to understand from the owners of the duplex their experience with the draught.

I think I’ll ask in the duplex thread.