Based on a classic lightweight 2-person tent design, the Zempire Zeus Hiking Tent provides an entrance and vestibule for each occupant - handy if you’re not on speaking terms!
The twin hub pole structure creates near vertical sides and tonnes of internal space and creates an exceptionally stable free-standing frame. A full mesh inner, draft panels, highly waterproof floor and rip-stop fly all come together in a tough, durable design.
The Zempire Zeus is the most functional tent in the Zempire range and is a great choice if you want one tent for every hiking and backpacking adventure.
I have the Zempire trilogy, and really like that it has dual zip-pulls, so you can undo the zippers starting either from the top or the bottom. Does the Zeus have the same feature?
G'day Martin,
The dual zipper feature is definitely awesome when you're needing additional ventilation - unfortunately the Zeus doesn't have that feature, it's just the singular zipper.
just wondering if this can be set up fly first with the footprint in rainy conditions to keep inner dry?
G'day Samual,
It's not a multi pitch tent, however, we've had a very popular review from one customer who has made a simple DIY solution to address this exact issue.
Filter the customer reviews by photos, and check out the review from 'Michael - Collaroy Plateau, NSW'
Rather a legend, Michael provided further info for us on how he went about it:
"I made the straps by:
I set up the tent and measured out the width between the tent legs. I brought some o rings, clips and the red strap to the size of the clips. I've tack tied the straps in place so don't have to constantly adjust. I left them long so if I buy a new tent then can adjust to suit.
I carry my tent poles with the straps I made separate from the tent so when its wet can set up without the inner getting wet.
Basically, I lay out the straps then put in the tent legs. I then slide the outer over and peg loosely. Lastly I the put in the footprint and clip the inner to the poles. I then go around and tighten up all the guys ropes and pegs.
Hope this helps
Michael"
What are the internal dimensions of this tent at the foot end? As it looks like it's tapered? Trying to match some sleeping mats to the tent
G'day Martin,
The Zeus has an inner length of 225cm and the foot end does taper down to about 120cm wide. You do have a bit of space at the foot end in terms of height, tapered sleeping mats could work otherwise if they are no bigger than 120cm at the foot end they should fit.
I dont suppose that this tent is made anywhere other than china?
G'day Martin,
The Zempire team continue to be on the ground in China each year, working with trusted manufacturing partners and quality-checking every single production run. At the moment that's where manufacturing is done.
Heading to Sth NZ early Jan '23. Which is the more suitable hiking tent? Torn between Zeus, Grasshopper, Spartan 2 and Hiker 2 Dome...
My recommendations would be in the same order you have written them, Leish. Zempire Zeus is an affordable and reliable all-rounder to which Black Wolf's lightweight offerings are pretty much on par. The EPE Spartan is also great value but probaby made more to a price point whilst the OZtrail Hiker 2 is really an entry level hike tent. Hope that helps.
What's the eight of the inner and poles (without the fly) please?
I don't have this specific information sorry, Penny, and it's not something the supplier has either. I can make some assumptions though, and I reckon the weight of the tent without the fly would be about half the total. The flysheet being a solid fabric will weight more than the mesh inner, add the poles and pegs to this and you'd be looking at about 1.3-1.4kg.
Hey guys, just wondering if the Zeus is freestanding?
G'day Dan,
The Zeus is freestanding, would be great to have a rock or somewhere to anchor off the fly for the vestibules to work, but other than that, no pegs are required to put this one up.
Hi there. What mats are shown in the features video?
G'day Rod,
Looks like we've got a few Sea to Summit mats there, I'd say in the regular size as that's usually what we have on display:
Comfort Light Insulated
Comfort Plus Insulated
How good is this tent for insulation during Aussie winter weather (near 0 degrees)? I'm just wondering as the inner is near full mesh.
G'day Allan,
Generally tents do not provide insulation, regardless of the inner design.
The only ones that could be considered to have any insulative properties would be canvas, but again, there's no claim to that.
Essentially when it comes to keeping warm the elements to have nailed down are your sleeping mat and sleeping bag.
Aside from that this tent has an excellent water head rating and is suitable for Aussie Winter conditions.
What are the three seasons I presume.there spring summer autumn
G'day Josh,
Yes, a 3 season tent is suitable for use from Spring through to Autumn.
If you need more info check out our blog, Guide to Understanding Tent Seasons & Ratings
The Zempire website has the following info: PRODUCT WEIGHT 2.7kg (with all components) MINIMUM WEIGHT 2.37kg (includes fly, inner, poles & 4 pegs only) This is a bit different to your website, can you please confirm? Thanks!
G'day Minako,
The specifications we have listed on our website for the Zempire Zeus are the real-life measurements that we have weighed ourselves here at head office.
There may be very slight discrepancies between weights depending on the scales used and when they were last calibrated. Ours are accurate to the closest 2 grams.
Hope that helps!
Hi just checking if you know wether the Zempire Zeus is Midge & Sandfly Proof?
G'day Steve,
Technically the Zeus Tent Mesh isn't classified as sandfly proof. It will do a good job of keeping most things out, but sandflies can sometimes chew through the fine mesh Zempire use in their hike tents. Best bet will be to use the tent in combination with some insect repellant.
Just wanted to know about the mounting tabs at the base of the fly I have had those style clips break before through general wear and tear and becoming brittle through excessive sunlight and heat how durable are they and can they be replaced if they break and does it have alternative way of securing fly if they break and I see that the exped megamat 10 LXW single seems like it should fit ok and with the exped megamat and a -20°C sleeping bag I should be nice and warm in most climates I would think
G'day Steve,
We're pretty happy with the attachment clips and haven't had any reported issues with this style. If you do have issues due to breakage you can always carry some field repair buckles in case you have any damage, or you can al3ways peg the fly directly into the ground using the webbing strap if needed. The Exped Megamat 10LXW will fit well, and you'll be super toasty in your nice -20'C sleeping bag.
Hi, We are looking to walk the 6ft track and see that the pegs are not good for going into hard ground, what pegs would you recommend and will it take the weight over 3kg which I'm trying to avoid. If so what tent would you recommend
G'day Michael,
The MSR Hook Tent Stakes are generally a popular option for harder ground, they're super dooper lightweight, so if you carry them instead of the supplied pegs you'll keep your weight about the same and won't sneak over 3kg.
Hi, The Zeus has a footprint sold separately, so if it wears out (but the rest of the tent is fine) it can be replaced. Is it possible to get the other parts -frame, inner, and fly- separately, for if and when these individual parts wear out? Cheers.
G'day Royce,
We're generally able to source spare parts for Zempire tents from their head office in New Zealand, so shouldn't be a problem if you need parts down the track.
Would you choose this tent for overland track (summer) and blue mountaims (winter) or companion pro hiker, zempire zeus, Blackwolf mantis, marmot catalyst?
Any of these tents will be suitable, Brooke. The Pro Hiker and Black Wolf Mantis will be slightly warmer as they have more solid nylon panels in the inner tent, making them better for winter but warm in summer. The Mantis also has limited headroom.
I like to have ventilation in my tent, so a full mesh inner suits me. I find it easier to manage condensation if the tent does not get too warm, and it is so much more comfortable in the warmer months. For use in the cooler months, I make sure I have adequate sleeping gear and enjoy the crisp air on my face in the morning.
The catalyst is a desirable choice here, it is well priced and weighs less than the Zeus, but both tents will suit your purpose.
What replacement pegs would you suggest, most reviews say the pegs that come with it are rubbish
G'day Kellie,
To be honest I'm not too sure why there are a few negative reviews about those pegs. I personally have a set of those pegs, and they've been great, it might come down to the ground texture where people are pitching their tents. If you're after some lightweight pegs that might be a little more robust, then we can recommend the Sea to Summit Ground Control Pegs.
Really love the MSR tent pegs. Even colour match! https://www.snowys.com.au/hook-tent-stakes
Hi. How waterproof is the compression sack? I'll be using it for a motorbike trip and it will be strapped out in the weather.
The fabric itself is waterproof, Craig, but the seams are not sealed. I'd say that if it is in an exposed spot on a motorbike on a wet ride you'd get a bit of water inside the bag through the seams and the top closure. If you carefully roll your inner inside your fly then the surfaces you sleep on should stay pretty dry, but if you want to be sure you might be best placing it inside an alternative or second dry bag.
I hate a tent that leaks!
G'day Ian,
Yes, the Zeus tent is seam-sealed if you check out Ben's video he goes through the features and even shows the seam tape on the fly.
Do the mesh sections have zip off/open fabric covers like most doors? Or are only the doors mesh? My current tent doesn't, and is too cold in winter.
G'day Tony,
Much like your current tent, the Zempire Zeus Hiking Tent's inner is mostly mesh, which allows it to be so light. This does mean it can get a little chilly if you don't have a super warm bag too.
Will my Exped Megamat 10 LXW Camp Mat and sleeping bag fit inside this tent and stay dry in a heavy downpour?
G'day Bluey,
I've just grabbed our display model of the Exped Megamat LXW Camp Mat and taken it over to the display Zempire Zeus Hiking Tent. Width wise, you've not got a worry in the world. The length is close but as long as you don't hang over the ends of your mat at all, you won't have any worries in the world.
What is included in the minimum weight spec
Hey Neil, there's no industry standard for minimum weights, and Zempire don't specify anywhere exactly what is included in this weight. As a general rule, the minimum, or sometimes called trail weight includes the tent inner, flysheet, poles and enough stakes to keep the tent in place, which in the case of the Zeus is likely to be just two pegs.
The weight of what ends up in your pack generally lies somewhere between the packed and minimum weights, and is dependant on what weather you are preparing for.
Hope this helps.
would the Exped Megamat 10 Duo be a suitable mattress to use in the zeus?
G’day Bailey, while I don’t have a Zeus to test this for you (they’ll be back in stock later this month) just from looking at the measurements I think it will be a bit of a stretch. Keep in mind that the dimensions listed on the website are external so when you’re trying to find a mat to fit a tent you’ll need an extra 5-10 cm space to accommodate the slope of the walls. While the length would be fine in the Zeus – the width is an issue as the Megamat 10 and the Zeus tent are both 130cm wide. I know the Megamat’s are super comfortable so it may feel like a downgrade – but there are some excellent hiking mats on the market at the moment, which would be better suited to this tent.
Sorry mate but dimensions suggest a 140cm sleeping area? Has there been an upgrade in size as I also have the megamat duo?
G'day Billy,
We don't currently have a Zeus tent on hand to try this one out, but they do taper towards the foot end of the tent, down to 125cm, so even if you're able to force a Megamat into the tent it's not really something we'd recommend as you may end up damaging the tent and/or mattress. It's not that it is impossible, but the size is very close, and therefore not something we'd be comfortable receommending.
I like the idea of a footprint for better insulation from cold ground and protection of the tent floor. Are Zempire planning to make footprints, if not, which of the stocked footprints would be most suitable to be used? - Can they be cut down? Thanks
Hi, I'm looking for a lightweight 2 person hiking tent, I'm 6'4" tall and am struggling to find a tent that I fit in. I'm in between an Rei half dome 2 plus, Mountainsmith Morrison 2 or the Marmot tungsten 2P.
Especially in terms of the percentage of the inner tent that is NOT mesh. We'd prefer more fabric than mesh if possible. Also, what is the weight of the Elixir 2 without the extra footprint.