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Zpacks Altaplex Lite Review
Zpacks continues to innovate with new, lighter versions of their Plex tents. This year, they’ve managed to shave several ounces off of their already sub-one-pound shelters. The Plex Solo Lite has been brought down to 11.8 ounces, and the Altaplex Lite is just behind it at 13.2 ounces.
I carried the standard 16.5-ounce Altaplex on my Calendar Year Triple Crown hike just a few years ago, so of course I was stoked at a chance to test out the new and sleeker model. I lived in Millinocket, Maine for the summer and got to test the Zpacks Altaplex Lite in the famous Hundred Mile Wilderness. Here’s how it holds up.
Zpacks Altaplex Lite At-a-Glance
MSRP: $679
Weight: 13.2 oz
Height Accommodation: Up to 6’6”
Setup: Single Trekking Pole (not freestanding)
Stakes Required: 6-10
It helps maximize space to use all 10 stakes (or at least 9 and a nearby tree).
Circumstance of Review
I took this tent out for a couple of spins in the Hundred Mile Wilderness in the summer of 2024. The nights I camped were humid, and one had a little rain. Temperatures were warm but comfortable (high 50s/low 60s at night). I’ve only taken this one out on a few trips so far, but its big brother, the regular Altaplex, was my tent for the entirety of my Calendar Year Triple Crown in 2022.
The tautness of the bathtub floor can be easily adjusted all the way around the tent.
Zpacks Altaplex Lite Features
Lightweight bathtub: Tent floor material is 25 percent lighter than the standard Altaplex
Seamless 40″ x 90″ bathtub floor: Spacious for one person, and lack of seams means one less potential failure point where water could get in
Rainbow zipper door: Unique, spacious door design makes for easy entry
Overlapping storm doors: Provide rainproof venting and plenty of vestibule space for a pack and shoes
Versatile setup: Storm doors close/open independently and the tent is symmetrical, so the user can lay with their head at either end for easy versatility in setup.
1.3mm guy lines are lighter than standard 2mm
Simple pitch: Sets up with single 56” – 58” pole
The storm doors close with a simple fixture, keeping rain out while still allowing ventilation.
Altaplex Lite vs. Standard Altaplex
Obviously, the whole point of this tent is to shave off those precious ounces. 3.3 ounces isn’t a ton of weight, but as long as you’re basically getting the same tent and can afford it, why not? Here are the things that changed from the original, and how I found them to impact the functionality of the tent.
Thinner Floor
The DCF used in the floor of this tent is 25 percent lighter than the standard version. Even so, Zpacks says you don’t need an additional ground tarp/sheet with the Altaplex Lite. The floor is slightly less abrasion resistant, but not enough to necessitate any extra gear to make up for it.
As far as I could tell in my use so far, I find this to be true. The floor is still thicker than the notoriously thin walls and feels durable enough to slide around on when in it. There could be issues with a shorter life on this than the standard version, but so far, it seems solid to me.
Smaller Guy Lines
The lines used for this tent are down from 2mm to 1.3mm. It’s subtle, but I definitely noticed the difference. They still work, but I did find them a little bit more finicky than the regular ones. It didn’t make a huge performance difference, but it also can’t be a significant weight difference. Fortunately, this is one part of the tent that, if you don’t like it, you could simply swap out for the standard thickness.
No More Pocket
That’s right, to make the tent as absolutely light and simple as possible, the inner pocket at the bottom of the door was removed. Personally, I don’t find this to make much of a difference. I would typically only use a pocket to store one, maybe two things, and it was an easy enough organizational change for me that I found I didn’t really miss it. And, like the guylines, this is something you could change if you wanted, as Zpacks sells a stick-on mesh pouch.
All guy lines are easy to adjust at the attachment points.
Using the Tent
I found that the weight-saving changes made to the tent didn’t impact its functionality beyond what I already mentioned. It works just the same as the regular Altaplex did for me. You can read the full original review here.
Basically, it can take some finesse to really nail down the setup (I recommend using all 10 stakes every time), but it ends up being a really solid shelter. I’ve waited out some heavy rain in it and been totally dry, though with the mesh layer that connects the tent wall to the bathroom floor, it’s crucial to make sure there isn’t any floor jutting out beyond the walls, or else the tent can quickly fill with water.
The setup is really important, as I found that even at just 6 feet tall, I often felt pretty close to the max height limit when sleeping on a standard 2.5-inch inflatable pad. I’d need a perfect setup to ensure a full night of sleep without either my head or feet touching the walls of the tent.
The rainbow door makes for a massive entry/exit point.
Zpacks Altaplex Lite Pros
Insanely light: 13.2 ounces for a fully enclosed tent is undoubtedly NUTS.
Spacious: I know I mentioned a little gripe with the tent’s dimensions, but man, as a 6’ tall hiker, this is as roomy as it gets for a tent anywhere near this light.
Simple: No pocket, no weird compartment, no strangely angulated door, no frills. Once this thing is staked out properly, it’s a sleek, easy tent to climb in and out of every day.
Zpacks Altaplex Lite Cons
Expensive: $679 … Yeahhh, that’s a big price tag. A tent like this is a serious investment. To get the lightest tent, you’ve gotta be willing to pay the most.
Durability Compromise: While I haven’t had any durability issues in my time testing the Altaplex Lite, inevitably I believe thinner materials will lead to a shorter lifespan. I never saw any durability issues with my standard Altaplex after a year of sleeping in it, but objectively speaking, I’d expect thinner material to mean shorter life.
Final Thoughts
Zpacks had a massive year of improvements and upgrades on their iconic tent line. Shaving 3.3 ounces off a tent they’d already gotten down to a pound is extremely impressive. I’m pleased to have gotten to test it, and it’s still a really solid tent, thinner material or not. For those willing and able to spring for the lightest, this tent will not disappoint.
Shop the Zpacks Altaplex Lite Tent
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The Zpacks Altaplex Lite was donated for purpose of review
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