Two Dyneema shelters from the same maker, sized for different crowds. The Duplex is the two-person ultralight standard, and the Triplex Pro adds a whole person of space for only a few ounces more.
| Zpacks Duplex | Zpacks Triplex Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| GearScore | 86✓ | 84 |
| Sleeps | 2 person | 3 person |
| Min. trail weight | 17.8 oz✓ | 22.1 oz |
| Weight per person | 8.9 oz | 7.4 oz✓ |
| Floor area | 28.1 sq ft | 38.4 sq ft✓ |
| Area per person | 14.1 sq ft✓ | 12.8 sq ft |
| Space-to-weight | 25.3 /lb | 27.8 /lb✓ |
| Peak height | 48 in | 48 in |
| Doors | 2 | 4✓ |
| Price | $749✓ | $899 |
| Type | Ultralight | Ultralight |
Highlighted cells mark the better spec: Duplex in blue, Triplex Pro in amber. A blank spec is never counted as a win. Every headline number is per person, so different capacities compare fairly. GearScore is the overall rating (0 to 100); re-weight it on the full tent comparison. Prices are current MSRP.
This is a space decision, not a quality one, since both are top-tier Dyneema shelters. The Duplex is the two-person benchmark: the lightest way for a solo hiker to sprawl or for two to share a minimalist shelter. The Triplex Pro stretches the same idea to three, and because Dyneema is so light, it adds that entire extra person of floor for only a handful of ounces, along with the Pro line’s dual-layer storm and screen doors.
The per-person math is the story. In absolute terms the Duplex is lighter and cheaper, as you would expect from the smaller tent. But the Triplex Pro delivers much more total floor and, split three ways, a competitive weight per person, plus four doors for easy entry and gear storage. For two people who want a palace, the Triplex Pro’s extra space costs surprisingly little weight.
Pick the Duplex if you hike solo and want maximum room-to-weight, or if you are a pair happy in a snug two-person footprint and want the lowest carry. Pick the Triplex Pro if you actually sleep three, or if you are two people (or two plus a dog) who will happily carry a few extra ounces for a lot more living space and twin double-doors.
Only a few ounces. Because both are Dyneema, scaling from a two-person to a three-person footprint adds very little weight, which is the whole appeal of the Triplex Pro: a large jump in floor area for a small jump in what you carry.
Very. Two people in a Triplex Pro have generous room to spread out, sit up, and store gear inside, with each person getting their own door and vestibule. The penalty is a few extra ounces and a higher price over the Duplex, which many couples happily pay for the comfort.
Usually the Duplex, which already gives one person luxurious space at a lower weight and price. Choose the Triplex Pro solo only if you want a truly cavernous single-person palace and do not mind the extra ounces and cost for it.