ZPacks Pivot Solo Tent

First review I’ve seen:

https://www.adventurealan.com/product/zpacks-pivot-solo-review/

Thanks for the review link but Alan needs to watch the ZPacks’ set-up video more than once and maybe spend some time trying to get a taut pitch before uploading such pathetic photos. Makes the tent look bad. I could understand if he were a beginner, however Alan is supposed to be a savvy gear reviewer….sheesh!

Lol, you read my mind – completely agree Monte.

It appears that Alan is not involved with the website any longer or, at least, is no longer the owner. From the reviewer, Jaeger Shaw’s bio: “and as of spring 2023, is the owner and managing editor of Adventure Alan & Co. He holds a very high standard when it comes to gear.”  https://www.adventurealan.com/author/jaeger/

I find many of the reviews on that website to be cursory and uninformative at best. The reviews seem more geared toward getting affiliate link clicks.

I agree, that pitch is horrid. It looks like his poles are way too high as well. It’s almost like a smear piece with those photos. 6′ max user height, if true, is a major downer.

Here’s a video of the Pivot Solo uploaded on YouTube a few hours ago.

thanks Monte for that reassuring and excellent video. To me, again, this looks like a really promising tent by Zpacks. It does everything my old Hexamid solo did, but way better. Most importantly, it seems more storm worthy than the old Hex design. Ventilation appears to be through the rear of the tent, more than the door side–that is, the tent appears to close closer to the ground on the broad, door side, and be more open at the foot. But this could just be this particular pitch. In any case, I prefer that design: keep wind and rain out of the broad side and allow venting at the foot.

Thanks Monte. That video is good in most aspects. One critical thing it really doesn’t show well is the back wall angle leading up to the tallest pole. It looks fairly shallow but it’s tough to tell. I wonder how close it is to one’s left shoulder sitting up? Is it as close as it would be in the Plex Solo, or is there more room? Is there as much room as in the Altaplex? Tough to tell.

The side (back side) opposite the zipper seems like a large panel. It doesn’t seem to have a bottom tie out – there is a mid panel tieout. It will be interesting to see what happens to that panel in wind. Wish there had been a bottom tieout. The Plex Solo/Altaplex’s don’t have such large panels – so, I feel they will be more wind worthy than Pivot – just my feeling.

I have heard at least one person using the Xmid say that the panels of Xmid cave in with heavy winds reducing amount of space.

Recent video found the Plex Solo handled 40+mph wind with testing of the TT Arc-Dome, X-Mid, X-Dome as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0o5LWoaeHcM&ab_channel=JustinOutdoors

The side (back side) opposite the zipper seems like a large panel. It doesn’t seem to have a bottom tie out – there is a mid panel tieout. It will be interesting to see what happens to that panel in wind. Wish there had been a bottom tieout.

Murali, is this where you’re thinking:

Zpacks, of course, is in the business of squeezing out every gram, hence the likely reason there is no stake-out point there. I wonder if the other bottom staking point closer to the 32″ pole, coupled with the mid panel guyout, is enough? It might help that the centenary cut ridge-line is so low, creating a wind “spill-over” which could be very beneficial to shedding wind load. Dunno.

One thing I like that I see in the video is how much mesh is free/open at the foot. I can see this as being a real boon to ventilation – something seeming more lacking in the Solo and Altaplex models. And, even though it’s covered by mesh and is small, a peak vent can only help, even if just a little.

Yes – bottom tie out where you indicated. Maybe a seam running from bottom to top with the mid panel tie out on the seam will also help.  Yeah – who knows….

Anyone else shocked at how short the length is? That video seems to indicate 6′ would be the max user height.

I emailed Zpacks about max user height. They said up to  probably 6’2”.  When’s the Pivot Solo XL coming?

I emailed Zpacks about max user height. They said up to  probably 6’2”.  When’s the Pivot Solo XL coming?

Darn! Yes XL is needed for sure.

I also chatted with Zpacks and they claim 6’4″ max user height. Not sure why the discrepancy. 

Is it possible that she meant 6’4” on a ccf pad where the other Zpacks rep was thinking 6’2 on a more common 3” pad?

They are offering a 75$ off today, I’m tempted.

Is it possible that she meant 6’4” on a ccf pad where the other Zpacks rep was thinking 6’2 on a more common 3” pad?

That could be a possibility. I didn’t specify pad thickness in my inquiry.

Watching the video Monte posted, I could see a 6’2″ person fitting on a 3″ pad. Nice thing, the foot end is mesh and touching that end of the tent isn’t going to be a “moisture event” like the head end.

Watching the video Monte posted, I could see a 6’2″ person fitting on a 3″ pad. Nice thing, the foot end is mesh and touching that end of the tent isn’t going to be a “moisture event” like the head end.

True, the foot end won’t be wet, but it’s not too fun to have your head and foot end up against material. Need to see a few more videos to get a real idea of the length.

True, the foot end won’t be wet, but it’s not too fun to have your head and foot end up against material. Need to see a few more videos to get a real idea of the length.

I’m only 5’10” (5′ – 9-3/4″ exactly) so my concern is more with shoulder room sitting up (interaction with the back wall) than end-to-end length. So far, none of the videos or images I’ve seen give a sense of that space. The vast majority of Mid reviews obsess over the head and foot space (understandably so), but often never mention shoulder space which I find equally important. I’m going to order the Pivot and Altaplex, set both up, and decide which one I like.

Brad, assume you are over 6′?

Brad, assume you are over 6′?

Yes, 6’2″+. Back sleeper.  I do agree with the shoulder room and back wall slope. I have Plex Solo and Altaplex and while on paper the floor appears the same, the back wall of the Altaplex and from what I gather, the deeper bathtub floor of the Altaplex, feels much more roomy in length and shoulder width.

Here’s a follow up Pivot Solo video ZPacks put out yesterday which provides a better look and feel of the tent than the quick set up video Matt uploaded a couple of weeks ago.

@ Brad Mac

I second your thoughts on the livable space within a mid. I’m only 5’7”, but I’m built like a chest freezer and I struggle with the shoulder width when sitting upright and the lack of wiggle room. I do have a long torso and short legs, so when seated I probably sit “taller” than I really am. I don’t know how someone > 6’ tall can sit up inside an Altaplex and not feel claustrophobic.