Anytime a tent comes in at just 19.4 ounces (excluding poles and stakes) for a two-person shelter, it demands your attention. The Zpacks Offset Duo certainly caught mine. Fully outfitted—with eight stakes, all the guy-outs, three carbon fiber poles, and a stuff sack—this tent weighs an incredible 1 pound, 13.5 ounces. That’s insanely light for what you get. The Zpacks Offset Duo is an ultralight two-person tent that provides a spacious interior without adding unnecessary weight to your pack.
Despite being incredibly light, this tent doesn’t sacrifice headroom or interior space. It features two doors and two vestibules—one on each side of the tent. It also includes a Dyneema Composite bathtub-style floor, perfect for those who prefer not to go “floorless.”
**As of this writing, the Offset Duo has been updated and replaced with the newer Zpacks Pivot Duo featuring a similar design with some updates.
The Specs – Zpacks Offset Duo
Zpacks seems to have thoughtfully addressed many common complaints surrounding ultralight two-person tents. The Zpacks Offset Duo tent felt like it had just as much headroom as similar models I’ve used in the past, but at about half the weight.
| Zpacks Offset Duo Tent Specs | |
|---|---|
| Weight (excluding poles/stakes) | 19.4 oz |
| Weight (with Zpacks Carbon poles/stakes) | 1 lb 13.5 oz |
| Peak Height | 48″ |
| Interior Area | 31.4 sq ft |
| Interior Length | 7.5ft (94″) |
| Interior Width (tapered) | 50″ – 44″ |
| Zipper Height | 40″ |
| Vestibule depth | 18″ |
| Packed Size | 7″x13″ |
| Exterior width | 86″ |
| Exterior length | 100″ |
| Stakes Needed | 7-8 |
What I Liked – Zpacks Offset Duo Tent
MATERIAL
Zpacks reduced the weight of the Offset Duo tent by using 0.55 oz Dyneema Composite fabric, though a 0.75 oz version is also available. The bathtub floor is constructed with 1 oz Dyneema Composite. This exterior material of the Zpacks Offset Duo proved not only to be extremely lightweight but also surprisingly durable. It held its shape well—even after I returned from a full day of hunting to find four inches of snow piled on and around my shelter during an October storm. The Zpacks Offset Duo tent handled it impressively. After brushing off the snow and tightening the guy lines, there were no signs of sagging.
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Another key benefit is the 4” overhang of the exterior tarp above the bathtub floor. This design prevented rain and snow from getting into the interior of the tent.
The floor also held up extremely well. I pitched this tent in some less-than-ideal spots due to the terrain I was hunting—rocky, high desert conditions—and it still came away unscathed, with no visible holes or damage.
EASE OF SETUP
The Zpacks Offset Duo is very easy to set up. It pitches quickly and doesn’t require complex shapes or awkward angles. I opted to add the 48” carbon fiber poles offered by Zpacks so I wouldn’t have to use my trekking poles. The added 5.2 ounces (for both poles) was worth it to me, since I rely on my trekking poles for navigating rough terrain during the day. At just $34.95 each, the Zpacks 48″ designated poles made setup even faster since they’re already cut to the correct height.
SPACIOUS INTERIOR
For such a light tent, the interior is surprisingly roomy. The floor width is 50” at the head and torso, tapering to 44” at the foot—providing plenty of space for two people. I also had ample room at the head for miscellaneous gear like a charging block, toiletry kit, puffy jacket, and clothes for the next day. The 50” width felt more generous than other two-person tents I’ve used and allowed two average-sized guys to get dressed in the morning without constantly bumping into each other. Of course, for one person and their gear, the space feels luxurious.
A unique feature of the Zpacks Offset Duo is a third trekking pole—32” tall (or a designated pole, which I used)—at the foot of the tent. This pole is inserted vertically and staked out to open up the footbox even more. I found the added living space to be worth the minimal weight of the extra pole.
VENTILATION
The Zpacks Offset Duo includes peak vents on both sides, located next to the two 48” poles. These vents worked well; I didn’t notice much condensation, even with two people sleeping inside.
MAGNETIC TOGGLES ON DOORS
Another standout feature is the magnetic toggles used to hold open both storm doors on the outer tarp. This design is incredibly convenient—just snap the magnets together, rather than fiddling with a plastic toggle and fabric loop. The magnets held securely and didn’t pop open at inconvenient times.
What I Disliked – Zpacks Offset Duo Tent
VESTIBULE SPACE
When a two-person shelter weighs under 20 ounces, there has to be a trade-off. In this case, it’s vestibule space. While there are two vestibules—one on each side—the space they provide is pretty limited. With a living space of 50” wide, you get only 18” of vestibule depth at the widest point, and it tapers off quickly.
There’s just not much room, especially if you’re dealing with wet weather and need to keep your gear dry. I often had to bring more gear inside the tent than I would have liked, which became frustrating during a 24-hour rainstorm I had to wait out last year.
PRICE TAG
With Dyneema, a high price tag is inevitable. It’s just an expensive material. I’ve yet to find a Dyneema tent that I’d consider budget-friendly. Outfitted as I used it with a Zpacks 32 inch tent pole and some Zpacks tent stakes, this Zpacks Offset Duo tent setup will run you over $850.
Conclusion – Zpacks Offset Duo Tent Review
I thoroughly enjoyed testing the Zpacks Offset Duo. It quickly became my favorite two-person tent—something I didn’t think would happen, given how much I liked my previous favorite. The Offset Duo delivers an ultralight, compact shelter without sacrificing livability and interior space. If you’re willing to pay the premium, I think you’ll be very happy with your investment. I’m confident this tent will last for years, which helps justify the cost in the long run.
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