@@blade1535 We have better pegs now. We don't have a v3 in the works because the v2 is pretty close to optimal but we have been making all sorts of regular updates to the X-Mid 2.
After using the X-Mid for over 175 days last year, in every possible weather and ground condition, here's some advice. Swap out the tent stake guylines (at the four corners) with longer cord. I have them a little over 2 feet long. That way I can loop the end around a rock and do big rock / little rock - the tent remains just as sturdy as staked out when done properly. Needed this on a great many nights on the PCT.
@@brettg9013 I actually did the mod on-trail with some Sea To Summit Mini Paracord I picked up at a gear shop and it worked great, it's slightly smaller diameter than what came with the tent so you do have to make extra sure the cord is properly seated in the line locks. However, Durston sells the same cord that comes on the tent in bulk on his website (Dyneema reflective Ironwire) - I do intend to switch to that once these wear out. I tend to think of guylines as consumables (especially using rock methods) and always carry extra for replacement on trail when necessary. Sorry for the long reply :)
I've been using the X-Mid for about three years now, and it has steadily risen from being just in the rotation to being my go-to shelter. I first purchased it after waiting out a storm in a Nemo Hornet and deciding I wanted something a bit more palatial for my bad-weather trips, but over time I have come to see the value of it far beyond that. As you mention, I was worried at first about the large footprint of the tent (bear in mind mine is a 1P, but it's still a pretty big tent,) but I have yet to find a campsite that I couldn't get it into with a little creativity. At any rate, I hope you enjoy yours half as much as I've enjoyed (and will continue to enjoy) mine. It's nice to see everyone jumping on the X-Mid bandwagon!
Thanks for watching! I’m super excited to get the tent out and try it in the field as soon as the weather allows. So far I am really impressed with it. Thanks for watching!
Love my x-mid 2p after I finally got 1. Ur right they were unavailable for over a year. Mine finally arrived in Nov. can’t wait to get it out early this year. You might consider the solid version for early spring &!late fall camping. It’s much warmer
I own the 1P and I'm going to replace my Fortius 2P with a Durstan 2P. I've had mine set up in high winds, this past weekend in 40 mph gusts on a mountain top with zero issues. On the stakes, I mentioned that issue in another review video but also said if someone picks a tent based on the stakes provided they might as well get an RV. That got a like from Durstan himself. It is a big footprint which is great especially in bad weather. That just means that occasionally on really dense forest sites I've got a small bush in my vestibule. Ambiance.
Love it! Ambiance haha. Yes I agree, I’ve never gotten too hung up on tent stakes and usually replace them on all tents. Great points, you definitely got a chuckle out of me! Cheers!
I have a 2P and a 1P. I took the 1P on the PCT and for shorter trips I take the 2P cuz it's so roomy. I don't mind the extra weight just for a few days. Bombproof tent. Have had it in brutal ass conditions.
We have used this tent for 2 years now, and we LOVE it. I did replace the stakes with MSR ground hogs (I carry 8 shorties and 2 of the regular ones... in case of soft ground or sandy soil). The size and placement is the only issue, and it's not a deal breaker by any means. We did put a hole through it being careless with a pole taking it down last year, but I was able to patch it easily enough and it has been our go-to home away from home. For the price, size and weight I haven't found anything that compares. Plus it's funky and unique enough that it has been somewhat of a conversation piece on the trail. I hope you enjoy yours as much as we have.
Welcome to the bent stake club! haha But in Dan's defense! The stock stake bag is the perfect size to fit 6 MSR Groundhog stakes, and 2 more if you want the full 8 stake setup! The stock stakes are about 6 inches long, but Dan had the foresight to make the bags big enough to fit 7.5 inch stakes. He was smart.
He definitely is! And I would never fault a tent maker for stakes. I think I’ve always had to switch out stakes in every tent ha ha. And Montana is exceptionally hard on stakes.
All great points. Great video! I struggled with my latest tent purchase. The x-mid is awesome. My friends love theirs. I picked the Hubba Hubba for two reasons, I am not sold on trekking pole tents in winter. I will have to experiment with ways to not have the poles sink when snow pack is deep. I also liked that the Hubba Hubba is rectangular with no taper. I also kayak camp, so I won’t have to take trekking poles paddling. I will probably pick up the x-mid 1p. One knock my friends have had with setup is they say it hard to judge a flat footprint because of its geometry.
Those are some great reasons and the Hubba Hubba is a great tent. If it’s the tent that meets your needs the best then it’s the right tent for you so run with it! I too wonder about placement with the way the tent is laid out, but as I intend to use it as a one person tent, i find that I can sleep diagonally in the body and that lines up with the fly position. But we will see! Thanks for watching and for your comment!
I camped a few weeks ago in Northern Cal, during the recent wind/rain storm, winds were 40 to 50 with 75mph gusts and my X-mid 2 handled it no problem just with the peak guy outs staked and the 6 other regular staking points, the 4 corners and vestibule doors! Great tent, enjoy and thanks for this video!
Own an original XMid 2. Love it and have zero complaints. Only modifications I have made is I hate tips-up on poles, so I added an aftermarket trekking pole handle adapter from Tarptent. They work great. The only other mod was I upgraded the tie out lines and got rid of the cheap mitten hooks that tie the inner to the fly. They are stiff and hard to use in cold weather. I leave the inner attached at all times and never pitch separately. I do have the stargazer kit and sometimes pitch the inner by itself in hot buggy summer nights with no chance of rain. I have a new XMid 1 solid scheduled for delivery in February. I’m sure once it gets here I will love it too.
I've been carrying the Xmid 2P for two seasons now. In fact I may have seen it in your video haha. I generally leave the inner attached when I tear down, so that once the four pegs and two trekking poles are in place, it's ready to move in. I took it on my Lost Coast trip which was the second windiest trip I've ever taken, and properly pitched, it's nearly bomb proof. We had sustained winds of around 20mph, with gusts up to 50mph for three nights, and not once did I feel like the shelter would fail. It is difficult to pitch in tight spaces, that is the only complaint I have. You have a newer model than me (mine is the Drop version, I think second generation?) , and a smaller footprint. So it might not be as much as issue for you.
I really appreciate seeing a relatable person as a backpacker/hiker; just as much as the honest review. I’ve never used a trekking pole tent, and this has been the most appealing one so far. Most have seemed too flimsy and I don’t generally walk/hike with poles, so I’m still on the fence about it.
Thank you for the kind words! Yes I was also very skeptical about trekking pole tents, still am a bit to be honest. This tent however seems very sturdy.
Great job on the video. I have the OG X Mid 1p. As soon as I saw the design and watched Dan explain it I was sold. Great tent. Just recently did 4 nights in the Linville Gorge with it. The new XMid 2p with 2 of Dan's "tent poles" was delivered a couple weeks ago. Have not tried it yet but I can only imagine it being awesome. One complaint about trekking poles in general is getting creative when there's nowhere to stake them down. And one specific to the XMID (a pro and con) is that it's so big you need a lot of space to pitch it.
I had my XMid 1P in very strong winds. All my camping friends had their tents collapse a but, mine stood sturdy. When inside, I feel no wind at all. I hear ya on the size of the footprint. It is large, however what I found out very recent is there is a skinny pitch. You’ll lose the vestibules, or just one, but it’ll be useful for very tight spots. I wished I knew this with my 1P tent! I sold it to get the 2P. 😊 The skinner stakes are used for hard grounds, the v stakes are for looser ground. That’s what Dan told me years ago. I did mention that he should replace them with MSR ones. But he felt that people have huge range of preferences of stakes, so he just got a standard one knowing most people already have good stakes on hand or replace them. Keeps cost low. How are you liking the tent now?
Thanks for the info! So far so good. Unfortunately out here in Montana it may be until April that I’m able to actually field test it and way into June before we can really get out on the trail. So time will tell!
You will love it. I have the Drop XMID 2 and a few inches taller than you and a few pounds heavier. Never have I found that I was cramped inside it. These are rock solid in wind and rain and yes stakes do need to be alterted based upon the ground you camp in
Great review! We've found many of the same advantages. Big fan of just using the fly and Durston Groundsheet when not buggy out...makes it even lighter
Just came over from Monk's livestream and subscribed. Nice detailed review. Like that the fly is set up first before the tub so your sleeping area can stay dry when setting it up. Can also set up just the fly in the rain to have lunch on a rainy day.
The tent I bought from BA leaked first use, and when I sent it back they said it was water tight, and the 80 dollar footprint I bought for it ripped on the first use. They won’t exchange it and will only fix it for a fee. Totally turned off on BA now. The blacktail hotel 3 bike packing I have is a great tent in terms of space and storage, But I feel like its not gonna hold up well in wind, and it definitely leaked. I’m getting the mid 2 next week, looking forward to a nice light back packing tent.
So behind on watching this man. Your so right, trekking pole tents can be so much a pain to setup and truly each have their own learning curve. Just got the email for shipment of mine! so excited!
No worries buddy. I always get behind on RUclips and I don’t even have a baby haha. I’m excited for you to get your tent. It truly is a great tent I think!
So, as an aside - setting up the fly first or whatever is kind of moot as once you attach it there's no need to disconnect it and put it away on its own. Unless you want to of course.
That is a very valid point. And in hindsight I don’t really have a good reason why I didn’t just attach the body and leave it attached. Just set in my old school tent setup ways. Thanks for watching!
Hammocks are definitely great options for some. I have never been able to sleep in them personally and out here in Montana I’m often camped in places without good trees for set up. But I know people that adore their hammocks so rock on!
@@Everydaybackpacker I struggled with gathered end hammocks and found bridge hammocks worked for me but for sure, not for everyone. I've always been more tarp camper over tents as I like the open air, however, my hammock also acts as a bug bivy if I have to sleep on the ground above the treeline.
Really like my Xmid 2P! Used it on the AT last year during my 600 mile section hike. My only concern was the real estate it needs to set up. I never had a problem with finding an adequate site, but it does limit where you can pitch it. Hope you enjoy it, and welcome to the cult!
There are a few videos on doing a skinny pitch on here which are great, also a stargazing setup without the stargazing accessories that are out of stock anyways!
Thanks so much! That means a lot coming from you. I’m always skeptical a out hype, but when I started seeing people I really trusted liking it, that was enough for me. Thank you so much for watching!
Yep , there ain't no perfect tent but in my 79 years the X-MID 1 is the best. It could take 79 more for a better tent by then who cares ? I got my X-MID 1 back when they were 1st available on the DROP Program. One thing I did was to add a ground cloth. I used the 3m (3.2 yards ) of Tyvek 43gsm 1443R Kite Making Material , Durable , Strong , Lightweight and Breathable from Amazon. It's softer and quieter than the Tyvek used in home building. I cut it to shape for use as a ground cloth without or with the inner tent. 2 sides to it , the soft side is up and the slick side is down.
So true of all gear, nothing is perfect and nothing is wrong. Everyone has different needs and thus different gear that will work for them. As an outdoor retailer I spend time asking people what they are using the gear for and their goals to match them with gear. 79 years is one heck of a good run! Great job on still getting out there. I will look into the tyvek material for sure. Thanks for watching!
i took mine out and a thunderstorm hit. harsh winds, heavy rain, thunder and lightening. i was using rocks as stakes so i had get out and adjust a few times but other than that i stayed dry as a bone. i was really impressed with how it held up in the harsh winds/rains.
@Chris Clark there are adjusters on the inner where it connects to the fly that you can lower to create more space between the 2. Did you stake out the storm lines on the top?
After watching lots of vids about the xmid, I purchased some groundhog minis just after it arrived. Still have used the stakes that came with the tent. They are emergency backups. Tent is soooo roomy and the vestibules are huge. Actually thinking of getting the 1p for my through hike so I can fit the tent in more spaces since I won’t need to keep much gear inside👍
Great honest review,I’ve an Msr hubba Nx 1 for bike packing,do you think that it’s a good upgrade to this for backpacking? I live in Ireland & we get a fair bit of rain & wind.
I think it’s a good tent and I definitely love it so far. It will definitely have a larger footprint in camp so if you camp in tight places that could be an issue. As for rain and wind, so far it has done well in both. It did take me some practice to get it truly well set up and having extra stakes for guylines is key. Also, I would invest in a hand-full of MSR groundhog stakes.
I never understood why some choose an end entry tent over a side entry tent. Getting in and out of an end entry tent is ridiculous and when you're laying in it all you see is tent. When you're laying in it In a side entry tent you see the great outdoors.
Well, it made sense to me when I bought it. I justified the weight and size savings at the time. Over time my needs and wants changed and so I changed. I think that everyone has a different list of what they are looking for in a tent, want’s versus must and so on. That is why I listed mine. Every hiker has different goals and needs with gear. For me, it was great at the time, now not so much haha. Thanks for watching and for your comment!
Nice looking tent (not sure if they're available here in Spain or Europe) Not sure they are for 4 seasons but my main issue wih trekking pole tents is they have a tendency to fail in high winds. Have you much experience of strong winds with this tent?
The tent I have is a three season one, but they do make a version called the solid I think that os more 4 season. I have not used it yet in wind as it’s a new tent for me, but I friend said it does well in wind.
I’m simply put off by the colour……..It’s a shame it doesn’t come in a darker material as it’s just too light up here in the Arctic in summer. Mostly use Vango and OEX tents.
I had an MSR Hubba Hubba NX that I abused for almost 3 years, wonderful tent. When it died, I started looking. Found an exact replica of the NX, minus about 4 inches of peak height, the Nature Hike Monger 2. Over $200 cheaper and if I have to I'll buy it again.
That is a good question. I do know that early on they were updating often so there were several variations. Also, they use different denier count fabric in different styles so if you have the dyneema version there may be some color differences. I’m honestly not 100% sure.
Thanks for the kind words. Glad you're liking the tent.
It’s a great tent! Thanks for watching! I’m excited to try it out. I will be buying a footprint for it soon. Montana is rough on tents haha.
I wonder when a version 3 will come out with better pegs.
@@blade1535 We have better pegs now. We don't have a v3 in the works because the v2 is pretty close to optimal but we have been making all sorts of regular updates to the X-Mid 2.
After using the X-Mid for over 175 days last year, in every possible weather and ground condition, here's some advice. Swap out the tent stake guylines (at the four corners) with longer cord. I have them a little over 2 feet long. That way I can loop the end around a rock and do big rock / little rock - the tent remains just as sturdy as staked out when done properly. Needed this on a great many nights on the PCT.
Great advice! Thanks! Did you thru hike the PCT? That is one of my dreams.
@@Everydaybackpacker I hiked all of CA last season!
@@helpfulcommenter that is an amazing accomplishment! Congrats! I’m super jealous
What cordage do you recommend for the guys?
@@brettg9013 I actually did the mod on-trail with some Sea To Summit Mini Paracord I picked up at a gear shop and it worked great, it's slightly smaller diameter than what came with the tent so you do have to make extra sure the cord is properly seated in the line locks. However, Durston sells the same cord that comes on the tent in bulk on his website (Dyneema reflective Ironwire) - I do intend to switch to that once these wear out. I tend to think of guylines as consumables (especially using rock methods) and always carry extra for replacement on trail when necessary.
Sorry for the long reply :)
I've been using the X-Mid for about three years now, and it has steadily risen from being just in the rotation to being my go-to shelter. I first purchased it after waiting out a storm in a Nemo Hornet and deciding I wanted something a bit more palatial for my bad-weather trips, but over time I have come to see the value of it far beyond that. As you mention, I was worried at first about the large footprint of the tent (bear in mind mine is a 1P, but it's still a pretty big tent,) but I have yet to find a campsite that I couldn't get it into with a little creativity. At any rate, I hope you enjoy yours half as much as I've enjoyed (and will continue to enjoy) mine. It's nice to see everyone jumping on the X-Mid bandwagon!
Thanks for watching! I’m super excited to get the tent out and try it in the field as soon as the weather allows. So far I am really impressed with it. Thanks for watching!
Love my x-mid 2p after I finally got 1. Ur right they were unavailable for over a year. Mine finally arrived in Nov. can’t wait to get it out early this year. You might consider the solid version for early spring &!late fall camping. It’s much warmer
Will do!
Weird. I’m currently hiking the AT and I’ve gotten soaked 2 times in my durston. Buying a Nemo
@@chrisclark4183 that’s curious. Would you give details so others can look out?
I own the 1P and I'm going to replace my Fortius 2P with a Durstan 2P. I've had mine set up in high winds, this past weekend in 40 mph gusts on a mountain top with zero issues. On the stakes, I mentioned that issue in another review video but also said if someone picks a tent based on the stakes provided they might as well get an RV. That got a like from Durstan himself. It is a big footprint which is great especially in bad weather. That just means that occasionally on really dense forest sites I've got a small bush in my vestibule. Ambiance.
Love it! Ambiance haha. Yes I agree, I’ve never gotten too hung up on tent stakes and usually replace them on all tents. Great points, you definitely got a chuckle out of me! Cheers!
I have a 2P and a 1P. I took the 1P on the PCT and for shorter trips I take the 2P cuz it's so roomy. I don't mind the extra weight just for a few days. Bombproof tent. Have had it in brutal ass conditions.
Great to hear! Thanks for watching!
We have used this tent for 2 years now, and we LOVE it. I did replace the stakes with MSR ground hogs (I carry 8 shorties and 2 of the regular ones... in case of soft ground or sandy soil). The size and placement is the only issue, and it's not a deal breaker by any means. We did put a hole through it being careless with a pole taking it down last year, but I was able to patch it easily enough and it has been our go-to home away from home. For the price, size and weight I haven't found anything that compares. Plus it's funky and unique enough that it has been somewhat of a conversation piece on the trail. I hope you enjoy yours as much as we have.
Thank you! I’m super excited to try it out!
Welcome to the bent stake club! haha
But in Dan's defense! The stock stake bag is the perfect size to fit 6 MSR Groundhog stakes, and 2 more if you want the full 8 stake setup!
The stock stakes are about 6 inches long, but Dan had the foresight to make the bags big enough to fit 7.5 inch stakes. He was smart.
He definitely is! And I would never fault a tent maker for stakes. I think I’ve always had to switch out stakes in every tent ha ha. And Montana is exceptionally hard on stakes.
@@Everydaybackpacker But that's neat that you live in Montana! It's so beautiful up there!!
All great points. Great video! I struggled with my latest tent purchase. The x-mid is awesome. My friends love theirs. I picked the Hubba Hubba for two reasons, I am not sold on trekking pole tents in winter. I will have to experiment with ways to not have the poles sink when snow pack is deep. I also liked that the Hubba Hubba is rectangular with no taper. I also kayak camp, so I won’t have to take trekking poles paddling. I will probably pick up the x-mid 1p. One knock my friends have had with setup is they say it hard to judge a flat footprint because of its geometry.
Those are some great reasons and the Hubba Hubba is a great tent. If it’s the tent that meets your needs the best then it’s the right tent for you so run with it! I too wonder about placement with the way the tent is laid out, but as I intend to use it as a one person tent, i find that I can sleep diagonally in the body and that lines up with the fly position. But we will see! Thanks for watching and for your comment!
The unobstructed doors, and being able to set up just the fly are a plus for me. Sharp looking tent.👍
I kind of like it myself 😉. Thanks for watching my friend!
I camped a few weeks ago in Northern Cal, during the recent wind/rain storm, winds were 40 to 50 with 75mph gusts and my X-mid 2 handled it no problem just with the peak guy outs staked and the 6 other regular staking points, the 4 corners and vestibule doors! Great tent, enjoy and thanks for this video!
Thanks for the insight and thanks for watching!
Own an original XMid 2. Love it and have zero complaints. Only modifications I have made is I hate tips-up on poles, so I added an aftermarket trekking pole handle adapter from Tarptent. They work great.
The only other mod was I upgraded the tie out lines and got rid of the cheap mitten hooks that tie the inner to the fly. They are stiff and hard to use in cold weather. I leave the inner attached at all times and never pitch separately. I do have the stargazer kit and sometimes pitch the inner by itself in hot buggy summer nights with no chance of rain.
I have a new XMid 1 solid scheduled for delivery in February. I’m sure once it gets here I will love it too.
Right on! Great tips and incites! Thanks for watching!
Might have been brought up, but Dan has a video out on pitching in tight spaces and how to modify the pitch for them.
Yes, I have since seen it after making this video. Thanks!
I've been carrying the Xmid 2P for two seasons now. In fact I may have seen it in your video haha. I generally leave the inner attached when I tear down, so that once the four pegs and two trekking poles are in place, it's ready to move in. I took it on my Lost Coast trip which was the second windiest trip I've ever taken, and properly pitched, it's nearly bomb proof. We had sustained winds of around 20mph, with gusts up to 50mph for three nights, and not once did I feel like the shelter would fail. It is difficult to pitch in tight spaces, that is the only complaint I have. You have a newer model than me (mine is the Drop version, I think second generation?) , and a smaller footprint. So it might not be as much as issue for you.
Indeed you might have seen your tent😉. I am certainly excited to get a chance to try it out on the trail!
Fab tent. Sold all others and now own 2 xmids!!
That is awesome to hear! I’m super stoked to try it out!
Looks awesome! Can’t wait to see it in person!
Awesome video, can't wait to try mine out as well!! Thanks for sharing and being awesome!
Thanks for watching!
I really appreciate seeing a relatable person as a backpacker/hiker; just as much as the honest review. I’ve never used a trekking pole tent, and this has been the most appealing one so far. Most have seemed too flimsy and I don’t generally walk/hike with poles, so I’m still on the fence about it.
Thank you for the kind words! Yes I was also very skeptical about trekking pole tents, still am a bit to be honest. This tent however seems very sturdy.
There are poles you can buy for pole tents, you don’t need to use trekking poles
Great job on the video.
I have the OG X Mid 1p. As soon as I saw the design and watched Dan explain it I was sold. Great tent. Just recently did 4 nights in the Linville Gorge with it.
The new XMid 2p with 2 of Dan's "tent poles" was delivered a couple weeks ago. Have not tried it yet but I can only imagine it being awesome.
One complaint about trekking poles in general is getting creative when there's nowhere to stake them down. And one specific to the XMID (a pro and con) is that it's so big you need a lot of space to pitch it.
I have the same concerns and the same excitement!
Lookup how to do a skinny pitch of this tent. GAME changer!
I had my XMid 1P in very strong winds. All my camping friends had their tents collapse a but, mine stood sturdy. When inside, I feel no wind at all. I hear ya on the size of the footprint. It is large, however what I found out very recent is there is a skinny pitch. You’ll lose the vestibules, or just one, but it’ll be useful for very tight spots. I wished I knew this with my 1P tent! I sold it to get the 2P. 😊 The skinner stakes are used for hard grounds, the v stakes are for looser ground. That’s what Dan told me years ago. I did mention that he should replace them with MSR ones. But he felt that people have huge range of preferences of stakes, so he just got a standard one knowing most people already have good stakes on hand or replace them. Keeps cost low. How are you liking the tent now?
Thanks for the info! So far so good. Unfortunately out here in Montana it may be until April that I’m able to actually field test it and way into June before we can really get out on the trail. So time will tell!
I really hope this is awesome!
Tou should have lower expectations of me, haha!
You will love it. I have the Drop XMID 2 and a few inches taller than you and a few pounds heavier. Never have I found that I was cramped inside it. These are rock solid in wind and rain and yes stakes do need to be alterted based upon the ground you camp in
Great to hear! Thanks for watching!
Great review! We've found many of the same advantages. Big fan of just using the fly and Durston Groundsheet when not buggy out...makes it even lighter
Good to know! I plan on getting the groundsheet so I will try that as well!
Just came over from Monk's livestream and subscribed. Nice detailed review. Like that the fly is set up first before the tub so your sleeping area can stay dry when setting it up. Can also set up just the fly in the rain to have lunch on a rainy day.
Hey! Thanks for coming along on the journey. Monk is a great guy with a great channel. It does have some great features for sure. Thanks for watching!
The tent I bought from BA leaked first use, and when I sent it back they said it was water tight, and the 80 dollar footprint I bought for it ripped on the first use. They won’t exchange it and will only fix it for a fee. Totally turned off on BA now. The blacktail hotel 3 bike packing I have is a great tent in terms of space and storage, But I feel like its not gonna hold up well in wind, and it definitely leaked. I’m getting the mid 2 next week, looking forward to a nice light back packing tent.
Sorry to hear about your BA experience. I guess I’ve always had good luck with them but not the first Ive heard this issues. Hope you love your x-mid!
So behind on watching this man. Your so right, trekking pole tents can be so much a pain to setup and truly each have their own learning curve. Just got the email for shipment of mine! so excited!
No worries buddy. I always get behind on RUclips and I don’t even have a baby haha. I’m excited for you to get your tent. It truly is a great tent I think!
Mine arrived recently but I haven't had an opportunity to set it up yet. Hope to do it this week. I also just bought a new pack too 👍
Awesome!
So, as an aside - setting up the fly first or whatever is kind of moot as once you attach it there's no need to disconnect it and put it away on its own. Unless you want to of course.
That is a very valid point. And in hindsight I don’t really have a good reason why I didn’t just attach the body and leave it attached. Just set in my old school tent setup ways. Thanks for watching!
Cool option. If I ever decide to go back to tents this might work for me. Hammocks solved all my tent issues so for now, I'll stick with them.
Hammocks are definitely great options for some. I have never been able to sleep in them personally and out here in Montana I’m often camped in places without good trees for set up. But I know people that adore their hammocks so rock on!
@@Everydaybackpacker I struggled with gathered end hammocks and found bridge hammocks worked for me but for sure, not for everyone. I've always been more tarp camper over tents as I like the open air, however, my hammock also acts as a bug bivy if I have to sleep on the ground above the treeline.
Really like my Xmid 2P! Used it on the AT last year during my 600 mile section hike. My only concern was the real estate it needs to set up. I never had a problem with finding an adequate site, but it does limit where you can pitch it. Hope you enjoy it, and welcome to the cult!
Yes, it will be interesting to see how it works, out west here it can be tight sometimes haha.
There are a few videos on doing a skinny pitch on here which are great, also a stargazing setup without the stargazing accessories that are out of stock anyways!
This is a great first look! I also wanted to not like the x mid because of the hype, ha ha but my pro is incredible!
Thanks so much! That means a lot coming from you. I’m always skeptical a out hype, but when I started seeing people I really trusted liking it, that was enough for me. Thank you so much for watching!
Yep , there ain't no perfect tent but in my 79 years the X-MID 1 is the best. It could take 79 more for a better tent by then who cares ? I got my X-MID 1 back when they were 1st available on the DROP Program. One thing I did was to add a ground cloth.
I used the 3m (3.2 yards ) of Tyvek 43gsm 1443R Kite Making Material , Durable , Strong , Lightweight and Breathable from Amazon. It's softer and quieter than the Tyvek used in home building. I cut it to shape for use as a ground cloth without or with the inner tent. 2 sides to it , the soft side is up and the slick side is down.
So true of all gear, nothing is perfect and nothing is wrong. Everyone has different needs and thus different gear that will work for them. As an outdoor retailer I spend time asking people what they are using the gear for and their goals to match them with gear. 79 years is one heck of a good run! Great job on still getting out there. I will look into the tyvek material for sure. Thanks for watching!
Nice tent, thank you for sharing 👍
Thank you so very much for your kind and caring support and encouragement. You have no idea how much it means.
Nice review! Go with the two MSR groundhogs for the vestibules and four mini-groundhogs for each corner.
Thanks for the heads up! I have four groundhog stakes for the corners.
I do opposite of that lol
Great review here! Only 709 subs…no way!
Thanks for watching and for the kind words!
i took mine out and a thunderstorm hit. harsh winds, heavy rain, thunder and lightening. i was using rocks as stakes so i had get out and adjust a few times but other than that i stayed dry as a bone. i was really impressed with how it held up in the harsh winds/rains.
That is great to hear! I’m excited to try it out in the field!
I’ve gotten soaked 2 times now. I’m currently hiking the AT
@Chris Clark got proper pitch going on?
@@drthunder8841 i think so. Seems like the smallest bit of wind makes the walls touch, then I get wet
@Chris Clark there are adjusters on the inner where it connects to the fly that you can lower to create more space between the 2. Did you stake out the storm lines on the top?
After watching lots of vids about the xmid, I purchased some groundhog minis just after it arrived. Still have used the stakes that came with the tent. They are emergency backups. Tent is soooo roomy and the vestibules are huge. Actually thinking of getting the 1p for my through hike so I can fit the tent in more spaces since I won’t need to keep much gear inside👍
Great to hear it has worked out well for you! What thru hike are you getting ready for?
@@Everydaybackpacker Te Araroa. So looking forward to it 👍
@@kerrywilliams8100 that will be amazing! I hope you have a great hike!
Great honest review,I’ve an Msr hubba Nx 1 for bike packing,do you think that it’s a good upgrade to this for backpacking? I live in Ireland & we get a fair bit of rain & wind.
I think it’s a good tent and I definitely love it so far. It will definitely have a larger footprint in camp so if you camp in tight places that could be an issue. As for rain and wind, so far it has done well in both. It did take me some practice to get it truly well set up and having extra stakes for guylines is key. Also, I would invest in a hand-full of MSR groundhog stakes.
Also, I have always wanted to visit Ireland!
I have a new tent that has been delivered today and I plan on using it on The Appalachian Trail mid March!
Awesome! I hope you have a great hike! Are you doing the whole thing or section hiking?
It depends on the doctors as I had a stroke 5/22 but I’m hoping to be good to go.
Excellent review.
Thank you!
I never understood why some choose an end entry tent over a side entry tent. Getting in and out of an end entry tent is ridiculous and when you're laying in it all you see is tent. When you're laying in it In a side entry tent you see the great outdoors.
Well, it made sense to me when I bought it. I justified the weight and size savings at the time. Over time my needs and wants changed and so I changed. I think that everyone has a different list of what they are looking for in a tent, want’s versus must and so on. That is why I listed mine. Every hiker has different goals and needs with gear. For me, it was great at the time, now not so much haha. Thanks for watching and for your comment!
@@Everydaybackpacker Thanks!
Shared to Durston Gearheads. Nice overview
Thank you!
Nice looking tent (not sure if they're available here in Spain or Europe) Not sure they are for 4 seasons but my main issue wih trekking pole tents is they have a tendency to fail in high winds. Have you much experience of strong winds with this tent?
The tent I have is a three season one, but they do make a version called the solid I think that os more 4 season. I have not used it yet in wind as it’s a new tent for me, but I friend said it does well in wind.
@@Everydaybackpacker yeah noticed they sell a solid. Shame nowhere in Europe sells this brand, from what I can see.
I’m simply put off by the colour……..It’s a shame it doesn’t come in a darker material as it’s just too light up here in the Arctic in summer. Mostly use Vango and OEX tents.
I had an MSR Hubba Hubba NX that I abused for almost 3 years, wonderful tent. When it died, I started looking. Found an exact replica of the NX, minus about 4 inches of peak height, the Nature Hike Monger 2. Over $200 cheaper and if I have to I'll buy it again.
That’s awesome that you found a great tent!
Yeah, it's a good tent. My tent requirements - free standing 2 person, rain fly that goes to the ground.
Looks great!!😻
Thanks for watching!
Why is the base black coloured? Mines like a light silver grey?
That is a good question. I do know that early on they were updating often so there were several variations. Also, they use different denier count fabric in different styles so if you have the dyneema version there may be some color differences. I’m honestly not 100% sure.
I would love to have an Xmid-2 but still not enough to get yet .... Still waiting for a big pay day ...
I hope you get to make one happen soon!
get a gatewood poncho tarp....covers you, your pack and is a shelter......11 ozs....
Great video
Thank you!
Weigh both tents wet and dry. See if the nylon soaks up more water.
That would be an interesting test.
@@Everydaybackpacker My lightweight tent is really heavy. It absorbs so much water, it's gonna save the planet from rising sea levels.
@@driewiel 😂
I tried to look up the exact tent and could not find it....
durstongear.com/product/x-mid-2p
Dislocate limbs 😂you are funny.
Thanks, I try! Haha