Zpacks Pivot Solo Tent Evaluate| CleverHiker

Backside Line

For a singular tackle a one-person, two-trekking-pole tent, the Pivot Solo got here out swinging and hit a house run. No doubt, this is among the greatest ultralight tents in the marketplace, and you’ll see extra in our full information. We cherished its low weight, good flooring area, and wonderful livability. The important thing design function is a secondary, shorter pole close to the foot area that enables the principle pole to shift backwards. This allows a big, L-shaped door and a extra spacious inside.

The shorter pole on the finish additionally locations mesh between the foot space of the inside and the rainfly, defending sleeping baggage from condensation on the rainfly and using all the flooring area extra successfully than a design with sloping partitions. That flooring area extends a bit to the aspect, permitting for a backpack to be positioned inside whereas sleeping, a luxurious for a lot of single-person tents.

Whereas we haven’t taken it into storms for an entire check, the design ought to maintain up effectively towards inclement climate. The ultra-strong Dyneema Composite Fiber (DCF) rainfly, mixed with a largely pyramid-based design, means it ought to shed wind and rain like a champion.

It’s nonetheless a bit difficult to arrange, like many trekking pole shelters, however we imagine customers will get used to it over time. Moreover, the inside flooring to fly tensioners dangle into the pinnacle space, the excessive rainfly peak means gusts and splashback might be problematic, and we want the pockets have been designed a bit higher. Or just gave us one other one.

Nevertheless, all of those are minor issues when contemplating the tent as a complete. It manages to ship a remarkably balanced shelter in each options and luxury whereas sustaining a notably low weight. Though this tent comes at a premium, we imagine it’s a worthwhile funding in the long term.

Consolation

With its modern new design, the Pivot Solo provides spectacular inside flooring area and headroom, leading to a cushty expertise total. The shorter pole on the foot finish permits for a wider flooring space than a single pole design. This design function ensured we may simply deliver a backpack into the inside at night time whereas nonetheless having room for different gadgets.

Moreover, the near-vertical mesh on the foot finish retains the rain fly away from the foot space, eliminating issues about waking up with a moist footbox as a consequence of condensation. We discovered the headroom passable for each mendacity down and sitting up, though the one peak restricted the area accessible for altering garments or stretching. Nevertheless, for such a centered ultralight tent, this isn’t a big disadvantage, and we might price the Pivot Solo as above common for headroom on this weight class.

The vestibules are a good dimension, however because the rain fly doesn’t prolong all the best way to the bottom, splashback will probably be a priority throughout rainfall. They’re nonetheless giant sufficient for a pack and a pair of sneakers. We respect Zpack’s development of incorporating waterproof zippers on their vestibules with a pleasant and clean #3 zipper. On a unfavorable observe, the one inside pocket is disappointing. With a small angled mesh pocket, it’s sufficiently big for a telephone or headlamp, however not a lot else. One other minor annoyance is the inside fly-to-floor stress twine that dangles into the pinnacle space when mendacity down. We worth these stress cords for adjustability, however the placement of the pinnacle one will get in the best way.

Weight

Zpacks managed a very spectacular weight of 16.1 ounces after we measured the Spruce Inexperienced model with an ordinary flooring. For these counting ounces, they provide a lighter model utilizing 0.55oz/sqyd DCF for the fly and a 0.75oz/sqyd flooring that weighs in at 13.5 ounces.

Whereas 0.55oz/sqyd DCF is a dependable materials for the rainfly, we imagine the added sturdiness of the usual flooring’s 1.0oz/sqyd materials is a greater common suggestion, particularly if you’d like it to final for a whole thru-hike. DCF is a superb material for stress resistance as a consequence of a community of ultra-strong Extremely Excessive Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers, making it ultimate for a rainfly.

Nevertheless, the comparatively weak mylar layers sandwiching the UHMWPE fibers don’t present sufficient puncture or abrasion resistance. Though the UHMWPE fibers within the thinner 0.55oz/sqyd DCF are extremely tear-resistant, the improved puncture resistance of the heavier materials comes from further layers of mylar quite than extra fibers.

We nonetheless assume the usual flooring model is extremely light-weight given the efficiency and luxury it offers. A minor disadvantage of utilizing thicker DCF materials is that the packed dimension is bigger in comparison with silnylon or silpoly tents. The Pivot Solo measures roughly 4×11 inches when tightly rolled and 5×12 inches when loosely rolled. General, we don’t see this as a big concern, however for backpackers who’re extra centered on pack quantity over total weight, the scale can add up.

Ease of Use

Like all trekking pole tents, the Pivot Solo might be difficult to arrange initially, nevertheless it turns into simpler with follow. We take into account it common for a trekking pole tent. The beneficiant quantity of twine on the corners and peaks additionally helps facilitate setup in conditions with restricted floor area flexibility.

Staking out the tent will probably be trickier if the bottom is difficult or many obstacles stop ultimate nook placement. Though freestanding tents carry out higher in these circumstances, we discovered that almost all of nights spent with non-freestanding tents on numerous trails have been issue-free throughout pitching. Moreover, giant rocks can be utilized to safe the stakes if the bottom isn’t appropriate. Not like silnylon, DCF doesn’t sag when moist, so as soon as the Pivot Solo is pitched, it ought to stay taut all through the night time, no matter how moist it will get.

One function that makes the Pivot Solo nice to make use of is the big L-shaped door. In a shift from their traditional rainbow doorways that zip from the highest, Zpacks employs a design that zips from the underside. This permits the mesh to hold from the ceiling quite than fall onto the filth or inside of the tent as seen in different designs. Moreover, the offset pole ensures that getting out and in of the tent is less complicated with out a pole obstructing the best way.

Climate Resistance

The semi-pyramid form of the Pivot Solo ought to make it an important tent for ready out storms, however we’ve but to take it into an actual barn-tipper to check it firsthand. Nevertheless, Zpacks has a observe report of manufacturing tents that face up to the weather effectively, and we will observe lots of the similar design decisions current right here that ought to present the Pivot Solo with above-average climate resistance.

For starters, pyramid designs successfully shed wind, and that continues to be the essential construction right here. The addition of a shorter pole on the foot finish reduces the floor space that the wind can catch. Even higher, with three stakes securing that finish, it ought to simply face up to gusts. DCF can also be a confirmed materials, and particularly contemplating the weights of the usual model, you’re way more more likely to expertise tent stakes pulling out than to see a failure within the material.

We respect the big peak vent design, which is held open by the door guylines. Though condensation administration might be difficult and generally practically unattainable to keep away from underneath sure circumstances, the presence of the vent boosts our confidence that it’s going to carry out effectively right here. We additionally want there have been an attachment level for a peak guyline to reinforce climate resistance even additional.

On a extra polarizing observe, the peak of the rainfly above the bottom is a design trade-off that may enchantment to some however to not others. This peak enhances airflow and reduces the general weight of the tent through the use of much less material.

However, splashback turns into a extra important concern with such a peak, and on blustery nights, the airflow can flip into an annoyance as an alternative of a profit. We don’t maintain Zpacks in a unfavorable mild for this design selection, nonetheless, since practically each tent of their lineup shares this function. It’s merely one other design choice with its personal benefits and downsides, and the place it stands for you relies upon by yourself priorities.

Sturdiness

In the usual model we examined with 0.75oz/sqyd DCF fly and 1.0oz/sqyd DCF flooring, we’ve only a few issues about sturdiness. Zpacks has been utilizing these similar materials and development strategies in among the hottest and well-used backpacking tents for years, and with acceptable care, they need to final a very long time in use.

We haven’t taken the Pivot Solo on a long-distance thru-hike, so time will inform if Zpacks has delivered one other strong shelter. However even primarily based on our restricted testing, we’re extremely assured it ought to shrug off a thru-hike with out concern.

General, the development high quality is great. A few years in the past, Zpacks struggled with a fame for high quality management, however they’ve considerably improved, and it reveals. The general match and end of the seams appears to be like nice. We additionally appreciated the bolstered magnetic door closures, which really feel strong.

Ought to You Purchase the Zpacks Pivot Solo Tent?

We actually like this tent, and for the best particular person, we expect Zpacks has one other hit on their arms. Should you’re the type of one that seeks first rate livability at an exceptionally low weight, the Pivot Solo checks many containers. It’s ultimate for lengthy thru-hikes just like the Pacific Crest Path, the place low weight is a precedence.

Zpacks seems to be positioning this as a extra livable various to their traditional Plex Solo, with benefits reminiscent of a greater door design, simpler entry, and improved headroom. On the similar time, people who may need been deterred from the Plex Solo in favor of the ultra-popular Duplex now have a purpose to pause and take into account that the Pivot Solo presents a tempting center floor at a barely decrease weight and value.

Nevertheless, there’s nonetheless no denying that the Pivot Solo is a premium piece of backpacking equipment. With its full DCF development, the value will probably be onerous to swallow for many who aren’t residing out of it for months on finish. Nonetheless, we imagine it’s a worthwhile funding for anybody on a long-distance path and may face up to years of excellent use.

What Different Ultralight Tents Ought to You Contemplate?

If the Zpacks Pivot Solo Tent is the proper match, our greatest ultralight tents information has many different choices.

Durston X-Mid Professional 1 Evaluate: The Pivot Solo and the X-Mid Professional 1 share a number of similarities, all the way down to a singular 2-pole design, waterproof zippers, an L-shaped door, and comparable weights. The X-Mid merely approaches challenges with totally different options, making it tough to find out whether it is definitively higher. For our type of backpacking and the design tradeoffs we worth, we do favor the X-Mid; nonetheless, neither of those tents is essentially flawed- simply totally different priorities in design decisions. If a very new backpacker requested us to decide on, our desire for the X-Mid would turn into obvious, however at these costs, these should not ultimate tents for learners, and we will envision skilled backpackers falling in love with both possibility.

Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo Evaluate: If the eye-watering value of the Pivot Solo is an excessive amount of to bear, our favourite finances tent nonetheless excels with spectacular efficiency at an unbeatable value. One benefit over the Pivot Solo is its a lot bigger flooring area, making it practically appropriate for 2 individuals. In truth, we’ve seen it utilized that approach in a pinch! The draw back is a considerably larger weight, however for first-time or skilled backpackers, it’s a superb shelter.

Zpacks Offset Duo Evaluate: Should you favored the general idea of the Pivot Solo however primarily backpack with one other particular person or a fluffy pal, the Offset Duo is a superb two-person shelter that’s positive to please. The design language right here is sort of comparable, that includes the identical L-shaped doorways, zippers, and peak vents. Nevertheless, the quick inside pole is changed with an exterior one, and it provides one other door and vestibule for the opposite particular person.