My 1P is the best solo tent I've ever used. If I'm not hammocking, it's my goto for ground camping. The design on these tents is outstanding and the quality of build is great. I made a few mods to suit my preferences (longer stake outs, reflective cordage, pull out/pole loops on the base of the inner, etc.) but the tent performs just fine without them. I've camped alongside friends on ZPacks Duplex tents, and Altaplexes, and Ones (Gossamer Gear), and other single wall shelters. They all tell me how light their tents are (usually about 10 oz lighter than mine). It's funny to watch in the morning as I pack out my dry tent while they wipe down the condensation in theirs and complain about wet footbox on their sleep systems. The extra weight is worth it. I can open and completely zip closed my doors without having to crawl out of the inner. I have storage. The vestibules are perfect. I love this tent. Seriously considering picking up a 2P for when my 70 lb puppy friend comes with me.
I spent many hours making tent designs in 3D software. This shape/design has been drafted but I always wondered why it never made it into production. The execution and detail of the Durston X-Mid 2 is excellent. I don't use trekking poles myself and I'm a tarp user, but once you get 2 people, the weight savings of tarp/bivy combo vanish - so this is the best 2P option I've seen.
Hi Kim! We have an email notification list at the bottom of the X-Mid 2P page on DurstonGear.com: durstongear.com/product/x-mid-2p Our next batch is expected around the end of the year but it will sell out quickly, so we recommend signing up for that.
Just got this as my first tent. Purchased for my fiance and myself to get into nature. Very hyped I got such a great tent at a very reasonable price( $305 after taxes and shipping!)
@@tommymaddox6785 Not for the current tents because I have an exclusive distribution contract with Drop for a few years because they funded development, but the upcoming DCF X-Mid will be just through me (e.g. sold on DurstonGear.com)
I just got this tent for my 20th wedding anniversary and was expecting it to be a bear to set up. Planned on practicing 2-3 times before I actually took it out. Instead I was done in less than 5 minutes, and this baby is solid with just 4 stakes; More solid than any trekking pole tent I have ever seen. More solid than my big agnes fly creek, .and a whole lot more room for the same weight. Super excited to get this out in the wind to give it a real test.
This tent is awesome! Got mine back in September in preparation for a Colorado trip last week of October. First day up on as a wonderful mid to low 50’s. Second day.... 18 inches of snow over night and we found out afterwards that it got down to -25 F. This tent held up great, little to no wind, sheds snow as advertised, and significantly cut a few pounds of weight from my pack. I am probably going to to order the 1 P as well just to have a smaller version for the kiddo.
Dan, there is something about this tent that makes me happy. Every time I pitch it I find myself just looking at it. I REALLY LIKE THIS TENT! The 2P is incredibly roomy for two people especially with the outdoor storage space.
My friend and I both just bought one from amazon (said seller was Drop). Uh oh should we be concerned?? It says we both can expect them to be delivered this Friday. If there’s a better way to communicate with you I can show u the receipt from amazon.
@@mr.e.5023 That makes sense. Should be legit. I think Drop has sent them some small batches (e.g. 5 tents) so they do come into stock but have been selling out pretty quick.
@@durstongear : delivered this afternoon. Just in time to test on my weekend trip. Put it up in my backyard during lunch break and was surprised how easily it gave a good pitch. Great design and quality.
@@durstongear Likewise. We have a lot planned in the Job/white goat area next summer, valley of the lakes, mcdonald lakes/valley, job/sampson pass + lakes etc. We'd kill to do the white goat lollipop, just a little long and so little info to head out by ourselves. Also got a big loop planned in the castle wildland that includes la coullette/barnaby/jutland/spienkop etc over 10 days that hits almost all the lakes there. If you're ever looking for other people to head out with let us know!
@@TheBackcountryGuys Very cool. I hope to get back to Barnaby ridge next summer. Pretty booked up already for longer trips though. I've got a couple weeks in Alaska, 1 week maintenance trip in the Willmore Wilderness, and 2 week off-trail hike from Kakwa to Monkman.
@@durstongear wow that kakwa-Monkan section is going to be remote and fun. Extending the GDT lol? There's a route down in the castle we want to do thats connects lys ridge and barnaby that's a 2 or 3 day trip only, lets stay in touch maybe things will line up next summer.
What a brilliant f-ing design. Yes...a little heavier than those ultraultra light Z's but more durable and better performance for sure. I can already tell just by watching reviews. I'm gonna order this X mid2 over the X1 even though its just me. More spacious and at only 8 more ounces, I'll take it. I like to keep my gear inside with me.
I'm just not that easy to impress much less get excited, must be genetic 🙂. Your tent totally blows my doors off! It's the most elegant solution for a trekking pole tent I've ever seen. Kudos to you, Dan, and your team. And yes, it's worth the hype. Cheers!
Just found out about this tent and if I could order it I would have it on the way to the house. Brilliant design and exactly what I have been looking for. I'm signed up to get a heads up when they become available again. So refreshing to have a well designed tent that doesn't break the bank. Well done!!
That’s a nice looking tent!! I typically don’t like the pole set up tents or 1 wall tents like the zpacks duplex, because they just don’t seem stable and the set up isn’t easy. I love how easy your tent looks to set up! And I also love the versatility- being able to set the fly up first or keep the inner tent attached to the fly as if it’s all one. That is way cool!! Can tell there’s been a lot of thought put into this tent! Should I need a new one in the future I’ll have it at the top of my list!!
This tent looks like a backpacker’s dream come true. I hope you resolve your supply chain issues for 2022 so I can order one in the near future. Cheers!
Thanks. We have two large batches on sale next week, but then we'll be sold out most of 2022 until finally we get good supply fall. Our batches next week will likely sell out quite fast, so if you do want one I recommend being ready when orders open. More info on our website.
I have this tent. It's awesome. Such a phenomenal value, quality. The little features and thoughtfulness of the design are what makes this such a good tent. I don't see why people spend more to get less.
Ive got both the 1p and 2p. Only tents I own. Nice touch to the 2p are the side mesh pockets. Slip my phone in to watch media while going to bed. Its the perfect height.
OOOh, another bonus for this tent that I'm waiting to buy. One of my dome camping tents has a mesh hammock in the roof that I pop the tablet in for movie nights while camping. I was hoping I could set my phone up in the roof pocket designed the headlamp so that two people can watch the same thing but at if I'm on my own I'll do as you suggest.
Took it to Iceland and Norway last year, to the most remote, windy, rocky places. I've had ice building up on the fly, had to pitch in all possible conditions, on all kinds of terrain. The smooth grass of Hornstrandir, the black lava fields of Laugavegur and the rough surfaces of Jotunheimen. Conclusion: the tent is simply brilliant. It only takes a tiny spot in the backpack, but offers a roomy, waterproof, sturdy place to spend the night in.
I've enjoyed mine, the weight and ease of set up has been fantastic. I haven't had the chance to use it in inclement weather though.... not that is a bad thing, but I haven't gotten the bad weather experience yet with this tent.
We managed to get a pre order in for the X-Mid Pro 2 today. Excited to try it out later this year. We've been using and love the Tarptent Stratospire Li but prefer how the X-Mid Pro 2 packs up smaller.
Looks great, here from the hype on the net. Why do the trekking poles go upside down? Can you have just the metal tips in the poles or do you have to cover them with the rubber tips?
Thanks for the interest. Normally your pole's metal tips go straight into the grommets inside the peaks (no rubber tips/boots). There are adapters to pitch handles up too, but it is lighter to provide a reinforced area with a grommet for the pole tip. - Dan
@@durstongear happy to report it has been working very well, we went camping twice since I got it. Slight learning curve compared to my Marmot, but the weight and interior space are huge benefits!
Great tent 👍 I'm curious to see a video with your take on tent care though (general storage sack packing method, how to dry off dew if you're in a hurry to leave, packing your backpack with a wet tent, setting up an already wet tent, how to repair a hole, long term storage...etc.)
my 1P has been used at least a dozen times since I purchased it. Managed to convince my friends who were looking for another tent to give a shot at yours. I'm also considering your backpack next
I set up my tent last night first go round. I was slow but it looked pretty good!! Excited about that! My dog Mako and I slept in it last night!! He wasn’t so sure at first but slept good by my side!!! So excited for the many adventures we will have. Thanks Dan!! Highly Recommend the xmid 2 💥🏕
I wish the RUclips reviewers would include the Durston non-pro tents as they look to be an excellent design and much more affordable than the ones made from DCF. I will consider these tents for my 1p or 2p tent next purchase.
@@durstongear I just got my Durston X-Mid 2 today. Looking forward to trying it out! I know it's not as light as the pro but it's slightly bigger and half the price and still much lighter than my previous tent.
This tent is awesome. Thinking of bringing it along for my 2021 PCT thru-hike. I've used other ultralights like the gossamer one, outdoor vitals dominion 1p, and alps mountaineering 1.5 mystique. Sure some are lighter, but I don't feel like I'll be able to trust them for 5+ months on the trail. My plan was to use the gossamer one @ 17.7oz, but after taking this out a few times I'm starting to think the extra space, quality materials, and well thought out design would be well worth packing an extra 20oz. I can't find anything even close to comparing, especially in the sub $500 range (I'm poor lol) This thing is just as packable too, I use the same 5L REI compression sack (the smallest size they make) to pack both the G-one and the X-Mid 2p with no problems. After hiking 50+ miles with the X-Mid 2p in my pack the "extra" weight isn't even noticeable.
Wow I've been trying to design a tent of my own with these features, I love the ability to just have a mesh star gazing shelter with the tarp being modular. Great design!
Hi Dan, I was excited to order one of these on drop earlier in the year , it arrived early September and I have not been able to try it out (other then in the garden for a quick pitch) for a variety of reasons (work,covid,puppy!) But very much looking forward to 2021 and the camps in it that it will bring. I see you are very active in forums and I think for the weight and price point this is as good as it gets - well done on getting your products out there. Cheers Rob
Can’t wait to get this tent, ordering for Xmas. Going to take it out on the JMT next year, seems like it has the perfect balance between UL and usable space for 2 people. I decided to wait for xmid2 over getting a TT SS2, locking forward to the nicer zippers and hope the tent will last for a long time.
I have both the 1P and 2P. In my view they are easily the best nylon/polyester tents on the market in this category. I carry a tent for 2 reasons, to get a break from the bugs and protection from the weather. All decent tents provide similar bug protection but storm worthiness is a much different story. The several factors mentioned in the video (fly first pitch, highly stable, steep exterior walls, excellent ventilation, and a pitch that goes all the way to the ground) make it more storm worthy than it competitors like Tarp Tents, Gossamer Gear or Zpacks. Just think about how this tent would handle spin drift compared to those. If these tents had a DCF fly it would bring the weights within 1 to 1.5 ounces of the BIC weights from Zpacks with double walls (simple ratio calculation of the fabric weights DCF (0.51oz/yd) / SiPoly (1.21oz/yd) * Fly weight (2P=22oz, 1P=18oz)) and a much better pitch. Dan, as soon as you have a DCF fly available I will be the first on the list to buy it. Thank you for dreaming up this amazing tent and then going through the effort to make it available to all of us.
Thanks Aaron! I hope to have DCFs flys available eventually. Looks like it's going to take a bit (e.g. perhaps 2022) but I'd like to do it eventually. I agree it would be awesome.
Mine is due to dispatch tomorrow for the uk! :-) Which says everything I think about what you've come up with here. Really looking forward to receiving my X-mid 2p and doing that first pitch, which will probably be in a local park (we don't have a lawn).
Any luck in getting to try it out in the wonderful weather we've been having? Also I live in Ireland and I'm thinking customs will hit me, did you have to pay much to get it to the UK if you don't mind me asking!
I'm a bit late to learning about your tents. RUclipsrs like @heather__hikes and @HomemadeWanderlust have given me some good information and confidence with the tent. Looking forward to ordering one and taking it on some hikes. Hope you have much continued success.
Amazing. I'm in the UK, I like my space and comfort, and I don't want a 15d floor or a cheap silicone tent from China. We get lots of condensation and I don't want a bivy bag. This covers absolutely everything - such a well though out design. I'll even wait for shipping from the US 😁
If it helps anyone: I found it dead easy ordering from Drop to the UK. Got a $10 welcome voucher 🙂 as a new customer, took about 10 days only to arrive, worked out £290 Sterling total including customs. Quality looks great, highly recommended.
Looks like the best to me. I already have a 1.5 p tent, now I wish I had this one. The reason is I like the open side venting to get rid of extra condensation from me sweating while sleeping.
If both answers are "YES" then I'm certainly going to get one. I currently have a Duplex which is great in summer conditions. However I live in the PNW, so Summer conditions are maybe 2 or 3 months out of the year. A few questions: 1. Is a ground cloth needed, or is the floor durable enough to not need one? 2. If I wanted to cowboy camp, is the fly durable enough to lay on?
Hi Casey, Thanks for your interest. 1) With the floor we choose a material that is light but still durable enough to use without a ground cloth, as long as you use a bit of care (e.g. checking the site for sharp sticks and rocks). We only recommend a ground sheet for harsh surfaces like on rock or gravel, or if you want to keep the floor clean. 2) The fly is the same material as the floor, so yes you could sleep on it. You would have to be okay with it getting a bit dirty, and you would have to use the same caution.
About to order this beauty. I’m hoping to use the outer by itself as a winter hot tent. Before get it & get overly excited & cut/sew the stove pipe vent in place I wanted to ask your opinion on where you think the best placement for it would be? I get the feeling I’ll get a better sense of this once I have it set up in front of me but figured I’d ask the expert in case you’ve ever done such a modification yourself or pondered it. Thanks for making such awesome amazing stuff. And please thank your lovely wife for her inspiring beautiful videos. Blessings to you both & keep rockin on!
Hi Angela, Thanks for the kind words and support. Someone did a nice hot tent build on the Durston Gearheads Facebook group recently. If you join that group and search for 'hot tent' it should come right up. The pictures there show the placement well.
I like my new X Mid 2 but would like some ideas on how to easily pack it up in the mornings: fold and roll, stuff, keep them hooked together or separate? It’s important to be able to quickly get your gear packed and get moving sometimes. What are people’s experiences and suggestions please.
Glad you're liking the tent. For packing it up, I suggest keeping it all clipped together unless the fly is wet and you want to keep the inner dry. You can pack it up any way, but I prefer to fold and roll because it is more tidy and packs smaller. Our RUclips channels has two pitching videos. The older one shows how I pack it up at the end. Hope that helps, Dan
I want this tent! I just can't make up my mind to get the 1p or the 2p. I rarely have to share a tent, so the solo would make sense, but the 2p would give me an option when I can finally get a dog! LOL. I love that it's designed by a Canadian, we don't have many UL gear makers/designers here. I would love to support local (from across the country ;) )
The 2P is a legit size for a 2P tent so it tends to be overkill for a solo hiker. Some like the extra space but it does mean more weight, larger footprint, and a bigger packed size. So I recommend the 1P if you are usually solo. But if you aren't too concerned about weight and like a big tent, then the 2P could make sense.
@@durstongear Thank you! I've been using a North Face Stormbreak 1 for a couple of years, and it weighs 1lb *more* than the 2p X-Mid. I'm just getting old and need to reduce my base weight for a more enjoyable experience. I'm a weekend warrior mostly, but I'm planning a 2 week trip this year, (pandemic willing!) so going lighter than 3lbs for a shelter is a very attractive concept :D I'm pretty sure my budget can only handle the 1p, so I will very likely go with that. So looking forward to getting out on trail this year.
@@durstongear Awesome. Another cool option would be just doing dyneema for the bathtub floor as a hybrid fabric design so it still packs small. Just a thought. Love the design!
@@tommymaddox6785 You can sign up for interest list for the DCF here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSchhTEBP64AEYXdJEnGdm6FEICeE5F21iaAiAi786uEk9ShJw/viewform?fbclid=IwAR30WjrmFhghGwZlbudMqoX3-prhP8SwhRFsdbp1E0YH4q5aZdNeMIiqkmY We will do a pre-sale in the fall.
@@durstongear thanks Dan, signed up. Im in Calgary for a while and I really would like to gear up before we get too far into summer, but the complete lack of availability on drop/amazon for both the 2p and large version backpack is disappointing. Do you know when additional stock will be available or is that completely out of your control?
I echo exactly what Wild Camper said above. I received mine end of August right after I did my first multi-overnight trip up in Olympic National Park. Wish I could have had it to use then because I was relegated to carrying a 3P Marmot stand-alone just for myself....6 pounds of “fun”!! The 2P is approx 2 pounds...breath of fresh air. Thought my son was going with but he couldn’t go and I already had the permit...so no load sharing unfortunately. Have only used it in the backyard so far. Got a decent pitch the first time too....but I took my sweet time too. My interest in gear is always peaked by smart and efficient design and ability to use gear that satisfies many practical aspects/needs/desires. Now I have something else for my trekking poles to do! What is the recommendation on a using a ground sheet? I never see one in the instructional vids. Obviously it depends on where you pitch it but most of the time there is not much of a choice once you’re done for the day.
I'm working on some factory built groundsheets that will clip in. I should have those for sale on DurstonGear.com around spring (~May). Most people aren't using groundsheets and the tent should be fine without if put a bit of care into where you pitch (e.g. check the site for sharp sticks/rocks/roots) but a groundsheet is nice if you want the extra safety margin and/or want to camp on harsher surfaces like rock.
We design these tents to be simple to use, so there's no need to measure the poles. You stake out the 4 corners, then adjust the base of the tent so it's tight, and then just extend your poles until the fly is tight. Normally that's about 120 cm but can be a bit more or less depending on uneven ground and how it is pitched.
Hi Dan, ive just ordered the x mid 2 solid, just a thought, if you haven't already made one, a rectangular footprint that covers the vestibule floors would be great, if placed down first it would make getting the tent pitched in a pure rectangle easier first time.....and help keep your gear clean and dry👍🏻🙂
We don't offer a footprint like this, but a lot of 3P tents from other brands have a footprint that is roughly this size. MSR makes "three person large" footprint that fills the entire fly quite well.
Hey Dan, you realize if you make the DCF version and come in at approx 22 oz or below, it'll be the biggest blow ever to the Zpacks Duplex? Issues your design solves: lower stake count, easier setup, steeper sidewalls, superior entry experience, a mesh door that won't fall down in the mud or get stepped on (bye-bye rainbow zippers). I'm assuming you'd go with a similar bathtub floor design with mesh netting all around the perimeter? Are you willing to drop features like the vestibule zipper and the top vents in order to come in at a sub 24 oz weight (including the stakes and stuff sack)?
We're working on hard on this. I think we can keep things like vents and vestibule zippers and still come in close to 22oz because we have other weight saving advantages (e.g. fewer seams, fewer guyouts). Hard to say right now though because we're in the process and still making those decisions. We're planning a pre-sale this fall for spring delivery. You can stay in the loop here: durstongear.com/product/x-mid-pro-2p
You can deploy the peak guyline instead of the corner stake, so that the vestibule is not deployed. You can then stake the vestibule very close to the floor so it's straight down. So yes that works. The vestibule will have some loose fabric on that side but it works.
@@jamesbean1962 Probably but it's a ways off. We're working on the X-Mid 2 DCF now and trying to have that ready for next summer. An X-Mid 1 DCF is next fall at the soonest. For both, we're starting with lighter singlewall versions and then maybe we'll have a doublewall DCF some time in the future.
Yes. People use folding poles like these: www.tarptent.com/product/vertical-support-pole/ I'm working on a custom carbon set for the X-Mid that is adjustable to fine tune the pitch. Not quite done development now but should have those later this year. In the mean time, a few other companies offer reasonable good options like the link above and these: www.sixmoondesigns.com/products/5-section-pole-49-carbon-fiber
Looks like a great tent. My big concern with all tents is length. I’m 6’4” and wondering if the this and/or pro is long enough enough while using a sleeping pad and a 10* quilt. Thanks.
The X-Mid 2p is a fairly generous tent for length, as the floor is 92" long. For use with two people, we recommend it up to 6'4". For solo use, the 2P is very long because the parallelogram shaped floor gives on diagonal that is super long. It works up to about 7'0" for a solo occupant on the diagonal.
DanDurston Thanks for the up date. After I sent this, I watched the 6’4” ish guy demonstrate how the tent works for him. I’m on the mailing list to get one in January, I think it is.
@@barondavis5692 Nice. That guy is basically the worst case scenario because he's not only tall but also on a thick pad, with a very thick bag, and using TWO pillows so he is higher off the ground where it's shorter. And he still has good space. There's also large gaps between the mesh and fly, so touching the mesh a little is not a problem.
@@barondavis5692 Our batch that is going on pre-sale in a few weeks (early January) will ship to customers about 6 weeks later (e.g. late Feb/early March). After that we'll only have a few small batches in 2022 due to covid related delays, so this January pre-sale is the best time to get one.
Question.. im having a tough time deciding between some trekking pole shelters for thru hiking. Mainly the xmid1, xmid2, 6moon skyscape trekker, and lunar Solo. I really like the xmid design way more than both six moon shelters. Problem I have is the TINY inner on the 1 and the HUGE footprint on the 2. Seems like the 2 would be really tough in tight spots. Any advice from anyone with field experience with these shelters.
I wouldn't use the X-Mid 2P if it's just you on a thru-hike. The amount of space probably overkill. You can see the X-Mid 2P footprint at this link compared to other 2P shelters. It's similar to other nicely sized 2P shelters (e.g. TT StratoSpire) and smaller than some of the bigger ones (e.g. SMD Lunar Duo) but of course larger than 1P tents and the small 2P tents out there. imgur.com/yOqPpuz The inner on the 1P is about average for a 1P tent. I wouldn't say it's tiny. It is a good length, ample height, and preserves that height throughout the full length of the inner, so you can sit up anywhere inside instead of just near the peak in the Lunar Solo. Single pole designs like the Lunar Solo have a lot more inward slope on the inner walls, so the floor is much larger while the headroom is much less. The aspect of the 1P inner that is smaller than average is the floor width is slightly narrower than average. But you can clip it out wider at shoulder height with the door toggles and it still feels wide IMO because there's just mesh walls and vestibules beyond, so you're not right against some potentially wet fly. So I'd recommend trying the 1P. People generally fit it long enough to about 6'2" and most people find it wide enough other than broad chested folk, and I think everyone agrees it has good headroom.
@@durstongear so I think I'm going to get the xmid2, try it out and then decide whether the xmid1 is right for my thruhiking. Dan, where do you prefer I purchase it from? Amazon, drop, your page?
@@terryboardman789 I get a small referral bonus on Amazon if you use my link, but it's just a few dollars so I'd say just do whatever works best for you. It does ship a bit quicker from Amazon and might be cheaper (free shipping I think)? X-Mid 2P on Amazon.com
@@durstongear done. Thanks. Arrives Friday. I like what I’ve watched and read about the shelter .... but honestly, what really pushed me was your time explaining and answering questions. I’ve never seen anything like it. I’ve spent hours reading your responses to people / really, even if I end up not liking this shelter, I’ll still be a Dan Fan. Lol.
Hi Dan, I'm ready to pull the trigger and get your tent. I was just wondering if it could come with a solid inner within say 4 month. Or do you think the ability to lower the fly all the way to the ground will give the same effect as a solid inner? Thanks
Being able to lower the fly accomplishes a lot of that because it blocks wind/snow/drafts and you can pile a little snow on the edge to make it more air tight if you want. But a solid inner is slightly warmer yet since that extra layer of solid fabric does keep a little more heat in. Many UK hikers have commented that they're fine with the mesh inner because the full coverage fly work well but some still prefer a solid inner. We're not going to have a solid inner option for the 2P anytime soon. I'd like to do it but I haven't been able to convince Drop yet. I'm trying to have it ready for next winter (e.g. fall 2021) but that's not certain.
Solid inner is coming. Dan already posted pictures on the r/ultralight subreddit. Stoked to order mine when the preorder starts. Finally a replacement for my Fortress 3p.
You can add a groundsheet but the floor is durable enough to last a very long time (hundreds of nights) if you're camped on normal surfaces and use reasonable care. We'll have groundsheets on pre-sale over at DurstonGear.com starting monday. All adjustable trekking poles are compatible. Fixed length ones need to be 48" / 120cm.
will the batch available in July have any updates to it from the previous release? With the new xmid pro, there were tensioned floors and magnetic straps to hold the door up. Can we expect those two things on the regular x-mid in the July batch or soon?
We are entirely sold out right now but we do have another batch in the works expected in a few months. That will ship to Australia but will also sell out quickly, so we recommend being on the email notification list. You can sign up for that at the bottom of this page: durstongear.com/product/x-mid-2p
Yes. We recommend the X-Mid 2 up to 6'4", so it should work at your height. That is for use with two people. When used solo you can sleep diagonal which is extremely long. The X-Mid 1 has the same length but you can't sleep diagonal so much since it's not a 2P tent. The X-Mid Pro 1 will be our longest tent when it is announced in a few months.
Yeah I did. Good point. They don't come with that because I want people to use the main stake points (4 corners) to get a good pitch rather than compensate for a loose pitch by adding extra stakes. Using these is more of an advanced technique that most people won't need to do. But some people stake them anyways (with no shockcord) which isn't great because it tends to pull the fly too low. E.g. If the fly is pitched with a few inch gap but then these are staked to the ground, that creates wrinkles in the fly as it's pulled lower there.
When using the X-Mid 2P with two people we recommend it to 6'4". For most people that will be a comfortable height, but it depends on several factors like how big the sleeping bag is, how thick the pad, if there is a pillow and how straight they sleep. Certainly it is comfortable at 6'0 - 6'2" for almost anyone and some people are happy up to 6'6", so we recommend it for 6'4". That is when using the tent with two people. With one person inside it is very long because you can sleep on the diagonal and the parallelogram shaped floor gives a very long diagonal. You can be 7'0" and sleep on the diagonal.
I’ve seen multiple mentions of being able to ‘collapse’ a vestibule when you need to save space. I have the x-mid 2p. Are there specific recommendations for how to do this?
There are some videos now if you search for 'X-Mid Skinny pitch' but I'll be filmed a thorough one soon that should be posted in a couple weeks on our channel.
It basically involves removing the peak guylines from the fly, tying them to the inner peaks (using any knot) and then tying any loop in that cord (e.g. glove hitch, overhand) for the pole tip. There's some more info on it in the DurstonGearhead's Facebook group. But I'm working on an inner only kit that will be sold as an accessory on DurstonGear.com starting in April/May that will make it 100% plug 'n play. For anyone that does it regularly it'll be a nice upgrade.
how long do you think this tent lasts, assuming the person who owns it takes good care of it? i love it , but i am not an ultralight person, i am more concerned with durability than weight and i know this is more of an ultralight tent
With good care, it should last a very long time. We use coatings like Sil and PE that are more durable than traditional coatings, and poly is more UV resistant than nylon. We have hikers with 5000 miles / two thru hikes on them (~300 nights) that are still working great. The floor could be damaged on harsher surfaces so if you want max life you can use a groundsheet, but the rest of the tent should last pretty much indefinitely if it is cared for (e.g. dried before storage).
In that clip I just tied the peak guylines to the inner peaks and then tied a loop for the pole tip. The Stargazer kit makes this slicker but it can be done without.
Almost certain Amazon is shipping the updated version as well. The only differences are wider 2.5mm cord at the 4 corners and it now includes 4 wider titanium V stakes + 4 ti hooks instead of all 8 ti hooks for more holding power in softer soils, so the updates are easily retrofitted for a few dollars.
I just received my 2P last week and will maiden it this weekend with our 8 year old son. Truly stoked to have this to replace my (30 y/o) REI Traildome -- at about 1/3 the weight!! Expecting rain and 15-20 mph winds throughout the weekend in the Shenandoah, so we'll find out how she handles the weather! Based on first impressions of its design and material qualities, I'm optimistic this will be an excellent tent. Well done Dan!
Love the tent design and the weight. We often backpack into areas where the ground is too hard to anchor stakes. Also some areas where camping is restricted to tent pads. So we carry a free standing. Is it still possible to pitch quickly and easily in these situations? Also is the a tent pole that can be purchased for the X-Mid?
The shape of the X-Mid lends itself well to tent pads because both tend to be rectangular. Usually there is a way to tie/anchor the X-Mid to the tent pad, such as tying around the end of the boards, staking to the ground off the edges, connecting to eyelets on the sides of the platform, and/or inserting the cord between slats and anchoring it to a stake below. Takes a bit of creativity but once you've done it a few times it's not too hard. Here's an example of someone doing a nice job: imgur.com/8JtwWgs For other difficult staking situations, you can tie off to rocks and trees. For tying to rocks, easiest is the "little rock, big rock" method, which involves tying to a small rock (easy to do) and then anchoring that small rock by placing one or more larger rocks on top. You can also buy very tough stakes that you can really pound into the ground (e.g. with a rock). The example below shows a very strong stake you can often pound into quite rocky soil. vargooutdoors.com/titanium-nail-peg.html
There is another batch that is in shipment to Amazon now. I'm not sure of the exact timing, but could be on sale any day now and quite likely in the next few weeks. There is a sign up on my website here to be notified when they're back on sale: durstongear.com/product/x-mid-2p Once this batch sells out (perhaps a few weeks) we won't have more until fall.
@@durstongear Yes. Already awaiting notification. Thanks for a quick response. I do alot of weekend camping, (solo) , prefer not to be confined , like a lil room to move, although have been eyeballing the 1person option that is available now. Does the 2 person tent pack down pretty small also. I have a Gossamer Gear mariposa 60 liter. Wanted to fit a tent in the long pocket if possible
Hey Dan! Question on storage: Is it ok to keep my X-Mid in the stuff sack (assuming it's clean and dry) or should I store it less compressed in a larger bag/container?
Yeah if it's dry it's okay to keep in the stuff sack. It's not so tight that it would be a problem. It'll be a bit wrinkly after a long storage but that fades out quickly.
How do you keep the the 2 main panels of the inner not touch the 2 main big outer panels? I had tons of condensation inside the inner last night. It got my quilt a bit wet and dripped in my face. I have the 2p solid and if i had a 2nd person in there it wouldn't have been great.
For the gap between the fly and inner there are several adjustments available. In the approximate order of how they should be implemented it is: 1) Make sure the fly pitch is good (tight). If the fly is loose it will hang down closer to the inner. Our pitching guide goes over this. 2) The fly can be pitched higher for a larger gap between the inner. To do this, set the corner cords longer before staking it out. 3) The inner can be lowered at the peaks. This should only be needed if it is set quite high and/or the fly is pitched quite low. 4) The pole handles should be put in the pole handle connections and then sliding them to the right a bit will pull down on the inner above the doors (the most common point of contact). Sliding the pole handle around will affect the pitch of the inner so you can use this to dial it in. 5) As a last resort, you can adjust the length of the cords that clip the inner into the fly. This shouldn't be needed but will work.
I love my 2P. the more I use it the more I like it. Got the 2P for when I take a kid with me. So roomy. Maybe I'll invest in the 1P just for me. Held up great in heavy wind in a canyon in the OR desert in Feb. I felt no wind inside. And packs down so tiny. Do you need a footprint with it? I have a bit of tyvek I use which works fine, is that needed? Thanks for making such an awesome tent!
If you sign up for the email notification list at the link below, you will hear about the next sale which is in September: durstongear.com/product/x-mid-2p
If you want to put tent on a platform use 4 screw eye hooks there light ... You can use rocks too ...Then you can put tent any were you want ... I did on my porch to test because 2 ft snow ... And yes I bought the 2p one just had to save big time .. Its my favorite that I can use any were even were free standing can go ... Bought because less stakes easy setup and no extra weight poles to deal with and inner stays dry ...And you can use fly or net alone ... And its great in wind and rain ..
I just love this tent! I will be hiking the AT with my dog who is 70 lbs! I have never had a trekking pole tent. You took your dogs along too, did they ever hit the piles? Thank you for any help!! Take care!
We've never had an issue with our dog, nor heard of any issues, but plausibly a very excited/active dog could hit the pole. In that case I might be more worried about other aspects of the tent (e.g. the dog clawing at the mesh). So a very hyper dog might not work well but the vast majority of dogs should be fine.
@@NancyandMako Drop will have more very soon. They are arriving any day now and on sale in perhaps 1 week. If you click 'request' here you'll get an email when it opens: drop.com/buy/drop-x-mid-2-person-tent-designed-by-dan-durston/
![Seungmin "그렇게, 천천히, 우리(As we are)" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kAzmhLHePqU/mqdefault.jpg)
Such a killer shelter. I love all the thought you put into this, Dan. In the world of UL 2 person shelters, this one really stands out. Great video!
Thanks Jeff!
My 1P is the best solo tent I've ever used. If I'm not hammocking, it's my goto for ground camping. The design on these tents is outstanding and the quality of build is great. I made a few mods to suit my preferences (longer stake outs, reflective cordage, pull out/pole loops on the base of the inner, etc.) but the tent performs just fine without them.
I've camped alongside friends on ZPacks Duplex tents, and Altaplexes, and Ones (Gossamer Gear), and other single wall shelters. They all tell me how light their tents are (usually about 10 oz lighter than mine). It's funny to watch in the morning as I pack out my dry tent while they wipe down the condensation in theirs and complain about wet footbox on their sleep systems.
The extra weight is worth it. I can open and completely zip closed my doors without having to crawl out of the inner. I have storage. The vestibules are perfect. I love this tent. Seriously considering picking up a 2P for when my 70 lb puppy friend comes with me.
I love my X-MID 2P. There is so much room and boy can it handle the rain, no problem
I spent many hours making tent designs in 3D software. This shape/design has been drafted but I always wondered why it never made it into production. The execution and detail of the Durston X-Mid 2 is excellent. I don't use trekking poles myself and I'm a tarp user, but once you get 2 people, the weight savings of tarp/bivy combo vanish - so this is the best 2P option I've seen.
Thanks for the kind words Aaron.
- Dan
Just bought mine today! Gonna be my first light weight backpacking tent. Im used to 5 to 7 pounds!
Awesome. Thanks for giving our tents a try.
@durstongear is there anything to hang the light onto inside?
I added my name to the list to be notified when one of these is available for purchase. So impressive!!
Hi Kim! We have an email notification list at the bottom of the X-Mid 2P page on DurstonGear.com:
durstongear.com/product/x-mid-2p
Our next batch is expected around the end of the year but it will sell out quickly, so we recommend signing up for that.
I can't wait to get my hands on this tent. Perfect!
Thanks for the interest Naomi!
June 16th is the next drop
Just got this as my first tent. Purchased for my fiance and myself to get into nature. Very hyped I got such a great tent at a very reasonable price( $305 after taxes and shipping!)
Awesome. I hope it works well :)
Great review. Just purchased one. Will use it on section hikes and camping and my thru-hike of the AT in 2022.
Beautiful and can’t wait to get my hands on one of these. Cmmon Drop! And Thanks Mr. Dan Durston. Amazing work.
Should be available again any day now.
@@durstongear the whole drop/amazon situation right now is kinda lame. Can I deal with you directly?
@@tommymaddox6785 Not for the current tents because I have an exclusive distribution contract with Drop for a few years because they funded development, but the upcoming DCF X-Mid will be just through me (e.g. sold on DurstonGear.com)
I just got this tent for my 20th wedding anniversary and was expecting it to be a bear to set up. Planned on practicing 2-3 times before I actually took it out. Instead I was done in less than 5 minutes, and this baby is solid with just 4 stakes; More solid than any trekking pole tent I have ever seen. More solid than my big agnes fly creek, .and a whole lot more room for the same weight. Super excited to get this out in the wind to give it a real test.
Awesome. Glad it's working well.
This tent is awesome! Got mine back in September in preparation for a Colorado trip last week of October. First day up on as a wonderful mid to low 50’s. Second day.... 18 inches of snow over night and we found out afterwards that it got down to -25 F. This tent held up great, little to no wind, sheds snow as advertised, and significantly cut a few pounds of weight from my pack. I am probably going to to order the 1 P as well just to have a smaller version for the kiddo.
Nice! Sounds like some serious weather. Glad it worked out well.
Dan, there is something about this tent that makes me happy. Every time I pitch it I find myself just looking at it. I REALLY LIKE THIS TENT! The 2P is incredibly roomy for two people especially with the outdoor storage space.
Awesome! Glad to hear it.
Truly a great tent, it’s held up incredible for me this past year
Glad you're liking it!
My 1p is the bomb. Heavy rain and high winds, no problem for this tent!
Do you need a footprint? I’m loving what I’m seeing
@@timontrail I use a piece of Tyvex cut to the shape as a footprint.
Just bought mine today! Talked a buddy into getting one as well. Hah I’m that excited about this guy and retiring the Big Agnes. Thanks again!
Nice! Where did you find one today? I thought they were sold out everywhere? Should have more soon.
My friend and I both just bought one from amazon (said seller was Drop). Uh oh should we be concerned?? It says we both can expect them to be delivered this Friday. If there’s a better way to communicate with you I can show u the receipt from amazon.
Should also mention that they were NOT available yesterday, but checked again this evening, and there they were.
@@mr.e.5023 That makes sense. Should be legit. I think Drop has sent them some small batches (e.g. 5 tents) so they do come into stock but have been selling out pretty quick.
I can see why they would be. Seems to me like you created an awesome product my friend.
Just ordered mine tonight. Stoked
Sweet! Hope it works out well!
@@durstongear : delivered this afternoon. Just in time to test on my weekend trip. Put it up in my backyard during lunch break and was surprised how easily it gave a good pitch. Great design and quality.
@@ssam143 Glad the first impressions are good!
Yup, done. This is what we will be piling into next summer 🙌🙌.
Hope to see you out there. I recognize that banner image on your page. Looks like we hike in a lot of the same areas.
@@durstongear Likewise. We have a lot planned in the Job/white goat area next summer, valley of the lakes, mcdonald lakes/valley, job/sampson pass + lakes etc. We'd kill to do the white goat lollipop, just a little long and so little info to head out by ourselves.
Also got a big loop planned in the castle wildland that includes la coullette/barnaby/jutland/spienkop etc over 10 days that hits almost all the lakes there.
If you're ever looking for other people to head out with let us know!
@@TheBackcountryGuys Very cool. I hope to get back to Barnaby ridge next summer. Pretty booked up already for longer trips though. I've got a couple weeks in Alaska, 1 week maintenance trip in the Willmore Wilderness, and 2 week off-trail hike from Kakwa to Monkman.
@@durstongear wow that kakwa-Monkan section is going to be remote and fun. Extending the GDT lol?
There's a route down in the castle we want to do thats connects lys ridge and barnaby that's a 2 or 3 day trip only, lets stay in touch maybe things will line up next summer.
@@TheBackcountryGuys Yeah gonna be remote. The middle 96km is entirely off-trail.
What a brilliant f-ing design. Yes...a little heavier than those ultraultra light Z's but more durable and better performance for sure. I can already tell just by watching reviews. I'm gonna order this X mid2 over the X1 even though its just me. More spacious and at only 8 more ounces, I'll take it. I like to keep my gear inside with me.
I'm just not that easy to impress much less get excited, must be genetic 🙂. Your tent totally blows my doors off! It's the most elegant solution for a trekking pole tent I've ever seen. Kudos to you, Dan, and your team. And yes, it's worth the hype. Cheers!
Thanks Joey! I appreciate the kind words.
Sick! Looks like you have found the best design tent
Greetings from France
Great tent. I have a 1p and it’s the absolute best. the 2p will be my tent for trips with my wife!!
Just found out about this tent and if I could order it I would have it on the way to the house. Brilliant design and exactly what I have been looking for. I'm signed up to get a heads up when they become available again. So refreshing to have a well designed tent that doesn't break the bank. Well done!!
Thanks! We're working hard to get more. Should be about 4 months. The factory is quite backed up right now due to covid.
That’s a nice looking tent!! I typically don’t like the pole set up tents or 1 wall tents like the zpacks duplex, because they just don’t seem stable and the set up isn’t easy. I love how easy your tent looks to set up! And I also love the versatility- being able to set the fly up first or keep the inner tent attached to the fly as if it’s all one. That is way cool!!
Can tell there’s been a lot of thought put into this tent! Should I need a new one in the future I’ll have it at the top of my list!!
This tent looks like a backpacker’s dream come true. I hope you resolve your supply chain issues for 2022 so I can order one in the near future. Cheers!
Thanks. We have two large batches on sale next week, but then we'll be sold out most of 2022 until finally we get good supply fall. Our batches next week will likely sell out quite fast, so if you do want one I recommend being ready when orders open. More info on our website.
I have this tent. It's awesome. Such a phenomenal value, quality. The little features and thoughtfulness of the design are what makes this such a good tent. I don't see why people spend more to get less.
Thanks Nathan! Glad you're liking the tent!
This looks real interesting, I might consider once I know a bit more about it
Thanks for your interest Kieron. We have more info on our website (link in video description).
Cheers,
Dan
Ive got both the 1p and 2p. Only tents I own. Nice touch to the 2p are the side mesh pockets. Slip my phone in to watch media while going to bed. Its the perfect height.
Ooo interesting...a media viewing pocket! I've never thought to use it as that.
OOOh, another bonus for this tent that I'm waiting to buy. One of my dome camping tents has a mesh hammock in the roof that I pop the tablet in for movie nights while camping. I was hoping I could set my phone up in the roof pocket designed the headlamp so that two people can watch the same thing but at if I'm on my own I'll do as you suggest.
Lovin' my X-Mid 2P, highly recommend it
Nice to hear!
Took it to Iceland and Norway last year, to the most remote, windy, rocky places. I've had ice building up on the fly, had to pitch in all possible conditions, on all kinds of terrain. The smooth grass of Hornstrandir, the black lava fields of Laugavegur and the rough surfaces of Jotunheimen. Conclusion: the tent is simply brilliant. It only takes a tiny spot in the backpack, but offers a roomy, waterproof, sturdy place to spend the night in.
Glad the tent has been working well! Thanks for the kind words and using our tents!
- Dan
Nice! I just got the 2mid for xmas. Cant wait to take it out here in the PNW!
I just got mine. I really dig the new darker Sage Green color 🔥
Awesome! Glad you like it.
I've enjoyed mine, the weight and ease of set up has been fantastic. I haven't had the chance to use it in inclement weather though.... not that is a bad thing, but I haven't gotten the bad weather experience yet with this tent.
Thanks for the awesome design Dan! Just received mine in the mail yesterday 🤙🏾. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
We managed to get a pre order in for the X-Mid Pro 2 today. Excited to try it out later this year. We've been using and love the Tarptent Stratospire Li but prefer how the X-Mid Pro 2 packs up smaller.
Nice work, Dan!
Looks great, here from the hype on the net.
Why do the trekking poles go upside down?
Can you have just the metal tips in the poles or do you have to cover them with the rubber tips?
Thanks for the interest. Normally your pole's metal tips go straight into the grommets inside the peaks (no rubber tips/boots). There are adapters to pitch handles up too, but it is lighter to provide a reinforced area with a grommet for the pole tip.
- Dan
Can't wait to try out mine
Thanks for trying our gear. I hope it works well :)
- Dan
@@durstongear happy to report it has been working very well, we went camping twice since I got it. Slight learning curve compared to my Marmot, but the weight and interior space are huge benefits!
Manage to get one of these in the drop today, very excited to get my hands on it!
Nice work!
The music on all these videos is fantastic. Xmids are sold out so i just watch the videos to get my fix
Great tent 👍 I'm curious to see a video with your take on tent care though (general storage sack packing method, how to dry off dew if you're in a hurry to leave, packing your backpack with a wet tent, setting up an already wet tent, how to repair a hole, long term storage...etc.)
my 1P has been used at least a dozen times since I purchased it. Managed to convince my friends who were looking for another tent to give a shot at yours. I'm also considering your backpack next
Awesome! Thanks for telling your friends!
I set up my tent last night first go round. I was slow but it looked pretty good!! Excited about that! My dog Mako and I slept in it last night!! He wasn’t so sure at first but slept good by my side!!! So excited for the many adventures we will have. Thanks Dan!! Highly Recommend the xmid 2 💥🏕
Awesome! I hope you have many great adventures. Glad the first night was good!
Thanks again Dan!! Going have a lot of fun adventures out there!! Hope you have a great weekend.
Makes me want to pick up a big brother for my 1p! Nice shots!
it´s a great tent that is a pleasure to use and this video describes very well how good it is. I own both the X-Mid 2P and the X-Mid 1P
I wish the RUclips reviewers would include the Durston non-pro tents as they look to be an excellent design and much more affordable than the ones made from DCF. I will consider these tents for my 1p or 2p tent next purchase.
Thanks for the kind words Eric. Yes the regular tents are extremely well rounded tents that are the best choice for many people.
@@durstongear I just got my Durston X-Mid 2 today. Looking forward to trying it out! I know it's not as light as the pro but it's slightly bigger and half the price and still much lighter than my previous tent.
@@eric55406 Nice. It's an awesome tent. I hope it works well.
This tent is awesome. Thinking of bringing it along for my 2021 PCT thru-hike. I've used other ultralights like the gossamer one, outdoor vitals dominion 1p, and alps mountaineering 1.5 mystique. Sure some are lighter, but I don't feel like I'll be able to trust them for 5+ months on the trail. My plan was to use the gossamer one @ 17.7oz, but after taking this out a few times I'm starting to think the extra space, quality materials, and well thought out design would be well worth packing an extra 20oz. I can't find anything even close to comparing, especially in the sub $500 range (I'm poor lol) This thing is just as packable too, I use the same 5L REI compression sack (the smallest size they make) to pack both the G-one and the X-Mid 2p with no problems. After hiking 50+ miles with the X-Mid 2p in my pack the "extra" weight isn't even noticeable.
Great! Hopefully trying my X-Mid2 this week 😊
Thanks Brian. Loved your GDT hike.
Wow I've been trying to design a tent of my own with these features, I love the ability to just have a mesh star gazing shelter with the tarp being modular. Great design!
Thanks!
Dan just released the Stargazing kit. I would order that
I wanted to get the Pro but couldn’t wait so I got the xmid 2.
Going hiking in the White Mountains next month and I can’t wait to try it out.
Awesome. I hope it works well for you Fred.
Hi Dan, I was excited to order one of these on drop earlier in the year , it arrived early September and I have not been able to try it out (other then in the garden for a quick pitch) for a variety of reasons (work,covid,puppy!) But very much looking forward to 2021 and the camps in it that it will bring. I see you are very active in forums and I think for the weight and price point this is as good as it gets - well done on getting your products out there. Cheers Rob
Thanks Rob! Hopefully 2021 is a good year for getting out.
Looks like a great tent!
I'm in LOVE!!😁✌💚
Thanks for the kind words!
Can’t wait to get this tent, ordering for Xmas. Going to take it out on the JMT next year, seems like it has the perfect balance between UL and usable space for 2 people. I decided to wait for xmid2 over getting a TT SS2, locking forward to the nicer zippers and hope the tent will last for a long time.
Thanks for the support Shane! I think you'll really like it.
My x-mid one is great in rain...hope to try a 2 soon...
I have both the 1P and 2P. In my view they are easily the best nylon/polyester tents on the market in this category. I carry a tent for 2 reasons, to get a break from the bugs and protection from the weather. All decent tents provide similar bug protection but storm worthiness is a much different story. The several factors mentioned in the video (fly first pitch, highly stable, steep exterior walls, excellent ventilation, and a pitch that goes all the way to the ground) make it more storm worthy than it competitors like Tarp Tents, Gossamer Gear or Zpacks. Just think about how this tent would handle spin drift compared to those. If these tents had a DCF fly it would bring the weights within 1 to 1.5 ounces of the BIC weights from Zpacks with double walls (simple ratio calculation of the fabric weights DCF (0.51oz/yd) / SiPoly (1.21oz/yd) * Fly weight (2P=22oz, 1P=18oz)) and a much better pitch. Dan, as soon as you have a DCF fly available I will be the first on the list to buy it. Thank you for dreaming up this amazing tent and then going through the effort to make it available to all of us.
Thanks Aaron! I hope to have DCFs flys available eventually. Looks like it's going to take a bit (e.g. perhaps 2022) but I'd like to do it eventually. I agree it would be awesome.
DCF version is coming soon.
Xmid 2p Pro: durstongear.com/product/x-mid-pro-2p
DCF pre sale will be live on January 24
Mine is due to dispatch tomorrow for the uk! :-) Which says everything I think about what you've come up with here. Really looking forward to receiving my X-mid 2p and doing that first pitch, which will probably be in a local park (we don't have a lawn).
Any luck in getting to try it out in the wonderful weather we've been having? Also I live in Ireland and I'm thinking customs will hit me, did you have to pay much to get it to the UK if you don't mind me asking!
Have one. Is great. Buy it.
I'm a bit late to learning about your tents. RUclipsrs like @heather__hikes and @HomemadeWanderlust have given me some good information and confidence with the tent. Looking forward to ordering one and taking it on some hikes. Hope you have much continued success.
Thanks for the kind words and interest Amy.
- Dan
Amazing. I'm in the UK, I like my space and comfort, and I don't want a 15d floor or a cheap silicone tent from China. We get lots of condensation and I don't want a bivy bag. This covers absolutely everything - such a well though out design. I'll even wait for shipping from the US 😁
Thanks for the kind words Philip!
- Dan
If it helps anyone: I found it dead easy ordering from Drop to the UK. Got a $10 welcome voucher 🙂 as a new customer, took about 10 days only to arrive, worked out £290 Sterling total including customs. Quality looks great, highly recommended.
Thanks for the info. Glad the first impressions are good.
Thanks for the info, I live in Ireland and was wondering about customs!
Looks like the best to me. I already have a 1.5 p tent, now I wish I had this one. The reason is I like the open side venting to get rid of extra condensation from me sweating while sleeping.
If both answers are "YES" then I'm certainly going to get one. I currently have a Duplex which is great in summer conditions. However I live in the PNW, so Summer conditions are maybe 2 or 3 months out of the year.
A few questions:
1. Is a ground cloth needed, or is the floor durable enough to not need one?
2. If I wanted to cowboy camp, is the fly durable enough to lay on?
Hi Casey,
Thanks for your interest.
1) With the floor we choose a material that is light but still durable enough to use without a ground cloth, as long as you use a bit of care (e.g. checking the site for sharp sticks and rocks). We only recommend a ground sheet for harsh surfaces like on rock or gravel, or if you want to keep the floor clean.
2) The fly is the same material as the floor, so yes you could sleep on it. You would have to be okay with it getting a bit dirty, and you would have to use the same caution.
About to order this beauty. I’m hoping to use the outer by itself as a winter hot tent. Before get it & get overly excited & cut/sew the stove pipe vent in place I wanted to ask your opinion on where you think the best placement for it would be? I get the feeling I’ll get a better sense of this once I have it set up in front of me but figured I’d ask the expert in case you’ve ever done such a modification yourself or pondered it. Thanks for making such awesome amazing stuff. And please thank your lovely wife for her inspiring beautiful videos. Blessings to you both & keep rockin on!
Hi Angela,
Thanks for the kind words and support.
Someone did a nice hot tent build on the Durston Gearheads Facebook group recently. If you join that group and search for 'hot tent' it should come right up. The pictures there show the placement well.
I like my new X Mid 2 but would like some ideas on how to easily pack it up in the mornings: fold and roll, stuff, keep them hooked together or separate?
It’s important to be able to quickly get your gear packed and get moving sometimes.
What are people’s experiences and suggestions please.
Glad you're liking the tent. For packing it up, I suggest keeping it all clipped together unless the fly is wet and you want to keep the inner dry.
You can pack it up any way, but I prefer to fold and roll because it is more tidy and packs smaller. Our RUclips channels has two pitching videos. The older one shows how I pack it up at the end.
Hope that helps,
Dan
@@durstongear Thanks for responding, I’ll go find that video and watch it. Well thought out tent.
I want this tent! I just can't make up my mind to get the 1p or the 2p. I rarely have to share a tent, so the solo would make sense, but the 2p would give me an option when I can finally get a dog! LOL. I love that it's designed by a Canadian, we don't have many UL gear makers/designers here. I would love to support local (from across the country ;) )
The 2P is a legit size for a 2P tent so it tends to be overkill for a solo hiker. Some like the extra space but it does mean more weight, larger footprint, and a bigger packed size. So I recommend the 1P if you are usually solo. But if you aren't too concerned about weight and like a big tent, then the 2P could make sense.
@@durstongear Thank you! I've been using a North Face Stormbreak 1 for a couple of years, and it weighs 1lb *more* than the 2p X-Mid. I'm just getting old and need to reduce my base weight for a more enjoyable experience. I'm a weekend warrior mostly, but I'm planning a 2 week trip this year, (pandemic willing!) so going lighter than 3lbs for a shelter is a very attractive concept :D I'm pretty sure my budget can only handle the 1p, so I will very likely go with that. So looking forward to getting out on trail this year.
If you make a version of this in Dyneema all the other tent makers can just stop.
Working on it. Not too soon but the wheels are turning.
@@durstongear Awesome. Another cool option would be just doing dyneema for the bathtub floor as a hybrid fabric design so it still packs small. Just a thought. Love the design!
@@durstongear sign me up, in canada currently.
@@tommymaddox6785 You can sign up for interest list for the DCF here:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSchhTEBP64AEYXdJEnGdm6FEICeE5F21iaAiAi786uEk9ShJw/viewform?fbclid=IwAR30WjrmFhghGwZlbudMqoX3-prhP8SwhRFsdbp1E0YH4q5aZdNeMIiqkmY
We will do a pre-sale in the fall.
@@durstongear thanks Dan, signed up. Im in Calgary for a while and I really would like to gear up before we get too far into summer, but the complete lack of availability on drop/amazon for both the 2p and large version backpack is disappointing. Do you know when additional stock will be available or is that completely out of your control?
I echo exactly what Wild Camper said above. I received mine end of August right after I did my first multi-overnight trip up in Olympic National Park. Wish I could have had it to use then because I was relegated to carrying a 3P Marmot stand-alone just for myself....6 pounds of “fun”!! The 2P is approx 2 pounds...breath of fresh air. Thought my son was going with but he couldn’t go and I already had the permit...so no load sharing unfortunately. Have only used it in the backyard so far. Got a decent pitch the first time too....but I took my sweet time too. My interest in gear is always peaked by smart and efficient design and ability to use gear that satisfies many practical aspects/needs/desires. Now I have something else for my trekking poles to do!
What is the recommendation on a using a ground sheet? I never see one in the instructional vids. Obviously it depends on where you pitch it but most of the time there is not much of a choice once you’re done for the day.
I'm working on some factory built groundsheets that will clip in. I should have those for sale on DurstonGear.com around spring (~May). Most people aren't using groundsheets and the tent should be fine without if put a bit of care into where you pitch (e.g. check the site for sharp sticks/rocks/roots) but a groundsheet is nice if you want the extra safety margin and/or want to camp on harsher surfaces like rock.
That’s great Dan....Many Thanks for the response....I’ll look out for that in the Spring!
What height do you set the trekking poles at?
We design these tents to be simple to use, so there's no need to measure the poles. You stake out the 4 corners, then adjust the base of the tent so it's tight, and then just extend your poles until the fly is tight. Normally that's about 120 cm but can be a bit more or less depending on uneven ground and how it is pitched.
Hi Dan, ive just ordered the x mid 2 solid, just a thought, if you haven't already made one, a rectangular footprint that covers the vestibule floors would be great, if placed down first it would make getting the tent pitched in a pure rectangle easier first time.....and help keep your gear clean and dry👍🏻🙂
We don't offer a footprint like this, but a lot of 3P tents from other brands have a footprint that is roughly this size. MSR makes "three person large" footprint that fills the entire fly quite well.
@@durstongear awesome, thanks for the heads up, I can't wait for my X mid to arrive.
Hey Dan, you realize if you make the DCF version and come in at approx 22 oz or below, it'll be the biggest blow ever to the Zpacks Duplex? Issues your design solves: lower stake count, easier setup, steeper sidewalls, superior entry experience, a mesh door that won't fall down in the mud or get stepped on (bye-bye rainbow zippers). I'm assuming you'd go with a similar bathtub floor design with mesh netting all around the perimeter? Are you willing to drop features like the vestibule zipper and the top vents in order to come in at a sub 24 oz weight (including the stakes and stuff sack)?
We're working on hard on this. I think we can keep things like vents and vestibule zippers and still come in close to 22oz because we have other weight saving advantages (e.g. fewer seams, fewer guyouts). Hard to say right now though because we're in the process and still making those decisions. We're planning a pre-sale this fall for spring delivery. You can stay in the loop here:
durstongear.com/product/x-mid-pro-2p
@@durstongear Wow, that'd be an incredible market offering. Signed up! Can't wait to see the final product.
Can the tent be pitched with the vestibules pitched straight down if in a tight spot?
You can deploy the peak guyline instead of the corner stake, so that the vestibule is not deployed. You can then stake the vestibule very close to the floor so it's straight down. So yes that works. The vestibule will have some loose fabric on that side but it works.
@@durstongear Awesome! I hope I can buy one from the next batch! You did a great job designing this tent! Thank you!
@@durstongear do you plan a Xmid 1 DCF?
@@jamesbean1962 Probably but it's a ways off. We're working on the X-Mid 2 DCF now and trying to have that ready for next summer. An X-Mid 1 DCF is next fall at the soonest. For both, we're starting with lighter singlewall versions and then maybe we'll have a doublewall DCF some time in the future.
@@durstongear Keep up the great innovations! As a 64 year old backpacker, I can use all the help I can get! It was great to chat with you! Thanks
would this work with tent poles instead of trekking poles?
Yes. People use folding poles like these:
www.tarptent.com/product/vertical-support-pole/
I'm working on a custom carbon set for the X-Mid that is adjustable to fine tune the pitch. Not quite done development now but should have those later this year. In the mean time, a few other companies offer reasonable good options like the link above and these:
www.sixmoondesigns.com/products/5-section-pole-49-carbon-fiber
Looks like a great tent. My big concern with all tents is length. I’m 6’4” and wondering if the this and/or pro is long enough enough while using a sleeping pad and a 10* quilt. Thanks.
The X-Mid 2p is a fairly generous tent for length, as the floor is 92" long. For use with two people, we recommend it up to 6'4".
For solo use, the 2P is very long because the parallelogram shaped floor gives on diagonal that is super long. It works up to about 7'0" for a solo occupant on the diagonal.
DanDurston Thanks for the up date. After I sent this, I watched the 6’4” ish guy demonstrate how the tent works for him. I’m on the mailing list to get one in January, I think it is.
DanDurston This year summer ‘22 is June 21. Is that the expected time of delivery? I know you can’t be exact, but range would be appreciated. Thanks
@@barondavis5692 Nice. That guy is basically the worst case scenario because he's not only tall but also on a thick pad, with a very thick bag, and using TWO pillows so he is higher off the ground where it's shorter. And he still has good space. There's also large gaps between the mesh and fly, so touching the mesh a little is not a problem.
@@barondavis5692 Our batch that is going on pre-sale in a few weeks (early January) will ship to customers about 6 weeks later (e.g. late Feb/early March). After that we'll only have a few small batches in 2022 due to covid related delays, so this January pre-sale is the best time to get one.
Question.. im having a tough time deciding between some trekking pole shelters for thru hiking. Mainly the xmid1, xmid2, 6moon skyscape trekker, and lunar Solo. I really like the xmid design way more than both six moon shelters. Problem I have is the TINY inner on the 1 and the HUGE footprint on the 2. Seems like the 2 would be really tough in tight spots. Any advice from anyone with field experience with these shelters.
I wouldn't use the X-Mid 2P if it's just you on a thru-hike. The amount of space probably overkill. You can see the X-Mid 2P footprint at this link compared to other 2P shelters. It's similar to other nicely sized 2P shelters (e.g. TT StratoSpire) and smaller than some of the bigger ones (e.g. SMD Lunar Duo) but of course larger than 1P tents and the small 2P tents out there.
imgur.com/yOqPpuz
The inner on the 1P is about average for a 1P tent. I wouldn't say it's tiny. It is a good length, ample height, and preserves that height throughout the full length of the inner, so you can sit up anywhere inside instead of just near the peak in the Lunar Solo. Single pole designs like the Lunar Solo have a lot more inward slope on the inner walls, so the floor is much larger while the headroom is much less. The aspect of the 1P inner that is smaller than average is the floor width is slightly narrower than average. But you can clip it out wider at shoulder height with the door toggles and it still feels wide IMO because there's just mesh walls and vestibules beyond, so you're not right against some potentially wet fly. So I'd recommend trying the 1P. People generally fit it long enough to about 6'2" and most people find it wide enough other than broad chested folk, and I think everyone agrees it has good headroom.
@@durstongear Thanks Dan. I’ve thrown the Xmid2 in the mix as an option because I am broad shoulder. Thanks for your response.
@@durstongear so I think I'm going to get the xmid2, try it out and then decide whether the xmid1 is right for my thruhiking. Dan, where do you prefer I purchase it from? Amazon, drop, your page?
@@terryboardman789 I get a small referral bonus on Amazon if you use my link, but it's just a few dollars so I'd say just do whatever works best for you. It does ship a bit quicker from Amazon and might be cheaper (free shipping I think)?
X-Mid 2P on Amazon.com
@@durstongear done. Thanks. Arrives Friday. I like what I’ve watched and read about the shelter .... but honestly, what really pushed me was your time explaining and answering questions. I’ve never seen anything like it. I’ve spent hours reading your responses to people / really, even if I end up not liking this shelter, I’ll still be a Dan Fan. Lol.
What are the Sleeping Mats you were using on here?
Those are NeoAir's from Thermrest. One is the Uberlight version and the other is the Xtherm version.
@@durstongear looks a lot more comfy then my Klymit Static V...
Hi Dan, I'm ready to pull the trigger and get your tent. I was just wondering if it could come with a solid inner within say 4 month. Or do you think the ability to lower the fly all the way to the ground will give the same effect as a solid inner? Thanks
Being able to lower the fly accomplishes a lot of that because it blocks wind/snow/drafts and you can pile a little snow on the edge to make it more air tight if you want. But a solid inner is slightly warmer yet since that extra layer of solid fabric does keep a little more heat in. Many UK hikers have commented that they're fine with the mesh inner because the full coverage fly work well but some still prefer a solid inner.
We're not going to have a solid inner option for the 2P anytime soon. I'd like to do it but I haven't been able to convince Drop yet. I'm trying to have it ready for next winter (e.g. fall 2021) but that's not certain.
Solid inner is coming. Dan already posted pictures on the r/ultralight subreddit.
Stoked to order mine when the preorder starts. Finally a replacement for my Fortress 3p.
Does it last longer with a tarp under the inner tent? Are there walking sticks that work particularly well with it?
You can add a groundsheet but the floor is durable enough to last a very long time (hundreds of nights) if you're camped on normal surfaces and use reasonable care. We'll have groundsheets on pre-sale over at DurstonGear.com starting monday.
All adjustable trekking poles are compatible. Fixed length ones need to be 48" / 120cm.
will the batch available in July have any updates to it from the previous release? With the new xmid pro, there were tensioned floors and magnetic straps to hold the door up. Can we expect those two things on the regular x-mid in the July batch or soon?
Yes. Lots of updates coming to the regular 2P for the next batch. We will announce them all in a few weeks.
Any retailer have supply for this tent these days? Particularly in Australia or those shipping to Australia?
We are entirely sold out right now but we do have another batch in the works expected in a few months. That will ship to Australia but will also sell out quickly, so we recommend being on the email notification list. You can sign up for that at the bottom of this page:
durstongear.com/product/x-mid-2p
@@durstongear thanks. Looking forward to it.
Is both the 2P and 1P version suitable for tall people? (1.90 m)
Yes. We recommend the X-Mid 2 up to 6'4", so it should work at your height. That is for use with two people. When used solo you can sleep diagonal which is extremely long. The X-Mid 1 has the same length but you can't sleep diagonal so much since it's not a 2P tent. The X-Mid Pro 1 will be our longest tent when it is announced in a few months.
Did you add some shock cord to the extra stakeout points, or does it come with that?
Yeah I did. Good point. They don't come with that because I want people to use the main stake points (4 corners) to get a good pitch rather than compensate for a loose pitch by adding extra stakes. Using these is more of an advanced technique that most people won't need to do.
But some people stake them anyways (with no shockcord) which isn't great because it tends to pull the fly too low. E.g. If the fly is pitched with a few inch gap but then these are staked to the ground, that creates wrinkles in the fly as it's pulled lower there.
Hi, great video, how tall do you think someone can be while still feeling (1) comfortable and (2) the maximum height allowed? Thank you!
When using the X-Mid 2P with two people we recommend it to 6'4". For most people that will be a comfortable height, but it depends on several factors like how big the sleeping bag is, how thick the pad, if there is a pillow and how straight they sleep. Certainly it is comfortable at 6'0 - 6'2" for almost anyone and some people are happy up to 6'6", so we recommend it for 6'4".
That is when using the tent with two people. With one person inside it is very long because you can sleep on the diagonal and the parallelogram shaped floor gives a very long diagonal. You can be 7'0" and sleep on the diagonal.
I’ve seen multiple mentions of being able to ‘collapse’ a vestibule when you need to save space. I have the x-mid 2p. Are there specific recommendations for how to do this?
There are some videos now if you search for 'X-Mid Skinny pitch' but I'll be filmed a thorough one soon that should be posted in a couple weeks on our channel.
@@durstongear thank you!
Hey Dan, could you make a video on the knots and set up required in order to pitch the tent inner only?
It basically involves removing the peak guylines from the fly, tying them to the inner peaks (using any knot) and then tying any loop in that cord (e.g. glove hitch, overhand) for the pole tip. There's some more info on it in the DurstonGearhead's Facebook group.
But I'm working on an inner only kit that will be sold as an accessory on DurstonGear.com starting in April/May that will make it 100% plug 'n play. For anyone that does it regularly it'll be a nice upgrade.
how long do you think this tent lasts, assuming the person who owns it takes good care of it? i love it , but i am not an ultralight person, i am more concerned with durability than weight and i know this is more of an ultralight tent
With good care, it should last a very long time. We use coatings like Sil and PE that are more durable than traditional coatings, and poly is more UV resistant than nylon. We have hikers with 5000 miles / two thru hikes on them (~300 nights) that are still working great. The floor could be damaged on harsher surfaces so if you want max life you can use a groundsheet, but the rest of the tent should last pretty much indefinitely if it is cared for (e.g. dried before storage).
@@durstongear Thank you very much for the detailed and quick reply, this makes my decision much easier
At 3:24, is that witht he star gazer kit or did you just use the guy lines?
In that clip I just tied the peak guylines to the inner peaks and then tied a loop for the pole tip. The Stargazer kit makes this slicker but it can be done without.
Hi, any idea if Amazon are shipping the updated 2p version yet?
Also essentially what is the difference between the old & new?
Almost certain Amazon is shipping the updated version as well. The only differences are wider 2.5mm cord at the 4 corners and it now includes 4 wider titanium V stakes + 4 ti hooks instead of all 8 ti hooks for more holding power in softer soils, so the updates are easily retrofitted for a few dollars.
@@durstongear i received my xmid2 on 11 dec 20020 that was ordered from Amazon. I can confirm it is the updated model with the different stakes etc.
@@terryboardman789 Good to hear! Thanks for this.
Room for 4?!?!?! Amazing!
How close are we to the drop? This week or next? 😬😬😬😬😬
Not this week. Either late next week or the week after.
@@durstongear thank you, now delete these comments! 🤣
@@durstongear This week or next brother? Money is burning a hole in my pocket, but it's reserved for your tent!
@@nelistheron83 Sept 27
I just received my 2P last week and will maiden it this weekend with our 8 year old son. Truly stoked to have this to replace my (30 y/o) REI Traildome -- at about 1/3 the weight!! Expecting rain and 15-20 mph winds throughout the weekend in the Shenandoah, so we'll find out how she handles the weather! Based on first impressions of its design and material qualities, I'm optimistic this will be an excellent tent. Well done Dan!
Thanks! Best wishes on your trip!
Love the tent design and the weight. We often backpack into areas where the ground is too hard to anchor stakes. Also some areas where camping is restricted to tent pads. So we carry a free standing. Is it still possible to pitch quickly and easily in these situations? Also is the a tent pole that can be purchased for the X-Mid?
The shape of the X-Mid lends itself well to tent pads because both tend to be rectangular. Usually there is a way to tie/anchor the X-Mid to the tent pad, such as tying around the end of the boards, staking to the ground off the edges, connecting to eyelets on the sides of the platform, and/or inserting the cord between slats and anchoring it to a stake below. Takes a bit of creativity but once you've done it a few times it's not too hard. Here's an example of someone doing a nice job:
imgur.com/8JtwWgs
For other difficult staking situations, you can tie off to rocks and trees. For tying to rocks, easiest is the "little rock, big rock" method, which involves tying to a small rock (easy to do) and then anchoring that small rock by placing one or more larger rocks on top.
You can also buy very tough stakes that you can really pound into the ground (e.g. with a rock). The example below shows a very strong stake you can often pound into quite rocky soil.
vargooutdoors.com/titanium-nail-peg.html
Any idea when they will be in stock again? Been sold out for quite a while. 2p x mid
There is another batch that is in shipment to Amazon now. I'm not sure of the exact timing, but could be on sale any day now and quite likely in the next few weeks. There is a sign up on my website here to be notified when they're back on sale:
durstongear.com/product/x-mid-2p
Once this batch sells out (perhaps a few weeks) we won't have more until fall.
@@durstongear Yes. Already awaiting notification. Thanks for a quick response. I do alot of weekend camping, (solo) , prefer not to be confined , like a lil room to move, although have been eyeballing the 1person option that is available now. Does the 2 person tent pack down pretty small also. I have a Gossamer Gear mariposa 60 liter. Wanted to fit a tent in the long pocket if possible
I know this guy...
@@redwhiteblue7831 You should try this tent out. Very roomy for tall guys like us! My go to now. Although, only downside it has a large footprint.
@@earthhorse5127... I'm checking it out, I really like it.
Hey Dan! Question on storage: Is it ok to keep my X-Mid in the stuff sack (assuming it's clean and dry) or should I store it less compressed in a larger bag/container?
Yeah if it's dry it's okay to keep in the stuff sack. It's not so tight that it would be a problem. It'll be a bit wrinkly after a long storage but that fades out quickly.
@@durstongear Ok awesome, thanks for the fast reply!
How do you keep the the 2 main panels of the inner not touch the 2 main big outer panels? I had tons of condensation inside the inner last night. It got my quilt a bit wet and dripped in my face. I have the 2p solid and if i had a 2nd person in there it wouldn't have been great.
For the gap between the fly and inner there are several adjustments available. In the approximate order of how they should be implemented it is:
1) Make sure the fly pitch is good (tight). If the fly is loose it will hang down closer to the inner. Our pitching guide goes over this.
2) The fly can be pitched higher for a larger gap between the inner. To do this, set the corner cords longer before staking it out.
3) The inner can be lowered at the peaks. This should only be needed if it is set quite high and/or the fly is pitched quite low.
4) The pole handles should be put in the pole handle connections and then sliding them to the right a bit will pull down on the inner above the doors (the most common point of contact). Sliding the pole handle around will affect the pitch of the inner so you can use this to dial it in.
5) As a last resort, you can adjust the length of the cords that clip the inner into the fly. This shouldn't be needed but will work.
@@durstongear Thanks, I'll try those steps on the next outing.
I love my 2P. the more I use it the more I like it. Got the 2P for when I take a kid with me. So roomy. Maybe I'll invest in the 1P just for me. Held up great in heavy wind in a canyon in the OR desert in Feb. I felt no wind inside. And packs down so tiny. Do you need a footprint with it? I have a bit of tyvek I use which works fine, is that needed? Thanks for making such an awesome tent!
I can't buy x-mid 2p in Russia! Help to buy
If you sign up for the email notification list at the link below, you will hear about the next sale which is in September:
durstongear.com/product/x-mid-2p
This be gd for Bikepacking market
If you want to put tent on a platform use 4 screw eye hooks there light ... You can use rocks too ...Then you can put tent any were you want ... I did on my porch to test because 2 ft snow ... And yes I bought the 2p one just had to save big time .. Its my favorite that I can use any were even were free standing can go ... Bought because less stakes easy setup and no extra weight poles to deal with and inner stays dry ...And you can use fly or net alone ... And its great in wind and rain ..
I just love this tent! I will be hiking the AT with my dog who is 70 lbs! I have never had a trekking pole tent. You took your dogs along too, did they ever hit the piles? Thank you for any help!! Take care!
We've never had an issue with our dog, nor heard of any issues, but plausibly a very excited/active dog could hit the pole. In that case I might be more worried about other aspects of the tent (e.g. the dog clawing at the mesh). So a very hyper dog might not work well but the vast majority of dogs should be fine.
Mako is big but wonderful and I will definitely get him used to the tent first and foremost b4 heading out on the AT. Thx again
Dan where can I buy this tent? I see a one person on eBay are the 2 person available? Thanks again!
@@NancyandMako Drop will have more very soon. They are arriving any day now and on sale in perhaps 1 week. If you click 'request' here you'll get an email when it opens:
drop.com/buy/drop-x-mid-2-person-tent-designed-by-dan-durston/
@@durstongear thanks Dan