Zpacks Pivot Solo Review
Zpacks Pivot Solo combines the brand’s signature full-height, offset head-end trekking pole configuration, with a trendy, length-wise diagonal ridgeline tracing to a half-height center-foot-end pole. The end result yields a bizarre, asymmetrical shape, a vertical foot end wall, and a generous interior volume. Compared to traditional 1P single pole tents, it boosts livability in exchange for added pitching complexity. For most ultralight backpackers who don’t prioritize pitching speed, Pivot Solo juice is likely worth the squeeze.
Editor’s note 3/31/25: Pivot Solo replaces Offset Solo in the Zpacks lineup. It is available in a Lite version (DCF .5 canopy, DCF .75 floor, 13.5 oz) or a standard (DCF .75 canopy, DCF 1.0 floor, 15.8 oz). The Lite version is reflected below.
- Price: $649
- Weight: 13.5 oz
- Interior Area: 21 ft²
- Vestibule Area: 8 ft² (our estimate)
- Int Area/Pound: 24.9 ft²
- Height: 52 in
- Fly/Floor Material: Dyneema
- Compare to: Zpacks Duplex Lite, Zpacks Plex Solo, Zpacks Alta Plex, Zpacks Pivot Duo, Zpacks Pivot Trio
- Pros: Exceptionally ultralight. Best-in-class materials. Vertical double wall foot end protects against condensation. Larger interior volume than single pole alternatives. Good wind stability. Ventilated. Magnetic toggles. L-shaped inner door. Complimentary DCF dry bag.
- Cons: Complex, very unusual pitch adds setup time, requires 8 stakes. Expensive.
Compare this to its sibling in our Zpacks Pivot Duo review and Zpacks Pivot Trio review. Compare to more great 1P Ultralight Tents.
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Who Should Choose Pivot Solo
- Solo ultralight backpackers and optimizers who want to achieve a 5-9 pound base weight without sacrificing comfort
- Those who think the severely sloping side/end walls of single pole tents like Plex Solo reduce livability
- Experienced trekking pole tent users – while not outside of ordinary complexity limits, it isn’t the simplest pitch to get taut.
Who Should Pass On Pivot Solo
- Thru-hikers and long distance fastpackers. Despite smashing the ultralight weight threshold, those who hike all day, day after day, will want to prefer a tent that is faster and easier to pitch.
- Luxury ultralight hikers who want a super spacious tent, in which case go for Offset Duo or Duplex Lite
- Beginner trekking pole tent users, who would benefit from a simpler pitch
Unique & Complex Pitch Increases Interior Volume But Adds Setup Time
The Zpacks Pivot Solo pitches with one tall and one short trekking pole, which yields a very unique and asymmetrical geometry that boosts interior volume at the expense of increased setup time.
The design is optimized with a very steep head end wall and vertical mesh interior end wall, which maximize usable interior volume, and prevents your quilt footbox from suffering condensation. The diagonal ridgeline lofts the ceiling up and off the user at the mid and foot end, which compares favorably to the sloping sidewalls of a single pole pitch. Technically optional, (but we think required) exterior sidewall guylines pull the ceiling out and away from the user, creating a tri-force of tension that combined yields a very effective interior volume profile with more usable space than average.
The downside here is that it requires eight stakes and plenty of micro adjustments to achieve perfect tautness. One advantage to the unique shape is that the floor is not rectangular, and there is a bonus storage area on one side of the bottom half. This helps to compensate for the fact that the interior length isn’t longer than average, so there isn’t much storage space at the head or foot end.
The vestibule is quite sizable, plenty large enough for a backpack and shoes. Zpacks tent vestibules have been trending smaller and smaller lately, and we’re glad to see the return of full size external storage. We also like that the vestibule door opens and closes independent of the ridgeline, which allows the pitch to remain relatively taut with the door rolled up.
But all of the goodies aside, the pitch is wonky to behold, and requires sidewall guylines and a healthy dose of micro adjustments to get it perfectly taut. Complexity of pitch is the biggest downside to this tent. But for the majority of non thru-hiker ultralight backpackers, it is likely a price worth paying.
Standard length/width sleeping pad
Long/wide sleeping pad
Materials
Dyneema is still at the top of the tent fabric power rankings, and we’re glad to see it used for the Pivot Solo canopy and floor. It is available in a super ultralight DCF .55/.75 combo (blue or olive), or a more durable .75/1.0 combo (Spruce). Which to choose is largely based on if you value a small weight decrease, or a small durability increase.
Another Zpacks all-star is the neon yellow guyline cordage, the best and most visible option because it reduces tripping hazard. Each cord gets its own lineloc for tension adjustments. The zippers and mesh are all light, minimalist, and high quality. The tent comes with repair patches and backup zippers.
Magnetic door roll-up toggles
Bathtub floor lifters
Peak vent
Key Features
L-Shaped Inner door
The L-Shaped mesh door is our preferred configuration. Compared to the Zpacks classic rainbow zipper, L-shape keeps mesh from draping onto muddy soil, and prevents mosquitos from buzzing in with you.
Magnetic Door Toggles
Magnetic door toggles are widely considered superior to traditional toggles because they are less finicky and can be undone one-handed. Interestingly with Pivot Solo, the inner mesh door and outer vestibule door share three magnets between them, rather than two independent pairs.
Peak Vent
A peak vent helps with condensation and we’re glad to see it here. It’s built into the ridgeline tensioner, and always stays open.
Bathtub Floor Lifters
On both the head end and the side walls are located bath tub floor lifters. We don’t pay too much attention to these, except when it’s really storming and there is splash back concern. It is cool that the side wall has a triangle configuration bathtub lifter that shares one tension line to equalize height, and reduce component cost/weight.
Mesh Gear Shelf
Next to the door is a pocket for storing small items. This is a departure from Zpacks typical pocket, which hangs down below the door.
Vestibule with Men’s size 12 HOKA Speedogats
Generous canopy coverage beyond interior foot end
Pivot Solo vs Plex Solo vs Altaplex vs Duplex Lite
You might immediately be wondering how to choose between Zpacks’ four 1P tents, and how Pivot Solo stacks up against the other three as well as their lightest 2p model, the Duplex Lite. Here’s our take:
- Pivot Solo vs Plex Solo: Pivot Solo is more expensive, has a larger usable interior volume and superior mesh doors, but a more finicky setup.
- Pivot Solo vs Altaplex: Pivot solo has superior wind stability, L-shaped doors, and is slightly lighter weight. But Altaplex’s larger interior area and higher peak height likely make it a superior choice for tall backpackers.
- Pivot Solo vs Duplex Lite: We make this comparison because Duplex Lite is better thought of as a large 1P than a small 2P. Pivot Solo is an ounce lighter, has steeper end walls, and superior L-shaped doors, but a much smaller interior area.
Zpacks Pivot Solo Review Conclusion
The Zpacks Pivot Solo is an innovative tent, offering the weight profile of a single person pyramid, but with a larger interior volume and additional setup time. Of particular note is the way in which it’s double walled foot end prevents quilt footbox condensation. It is a great choice for solo ultralight backpackers who plan to hang out in their tent, but those on the move from dawn to dusk should choose something that pitches faster.
