Great and thorough analysis. Very helpful. One thing I hoped you might touch on, that I saw on another channel, is the practicality of the ‘skinny pitch’ for the Durston, which effectively trims the vestibule portions off the footprint. Non the less, thank you for your insightful content. Happy trails.
Tried the skinny pitch, but too much fiddling for me, plus you lose the vistabul space. Probably will work for others, but not an option for me. Keep Smil'in
I had to raise my eyebrows when I heard you say that you don't want two (excellent) tents. I've got six tents. Four are Hillebergs, including an Enan and find there is no perfect tent, so each is a horse for a different course. I have the Enan with both the groundsheet and the mesh inner and have found it to be the least likely to have condensation of any Tent thus far. I feel that you are correct that a smaller tent is warmer. My Soulo is the warmest tent of any, and makes an appreciable difference in cold weather, but on the other hand it is the tent that has the most condensation. Just today I ordered the Durston X-mid Pro 1, and now can't wait for Christmas in August. And next, partly due to your review, I will order a Durston Kakwa 55 when they are available. I love companies that bother over little details, where it is obvious that the designers actually do a lot of camping. Thanks for the reviews!
I know my wife thinks I have too many tents when she says I'm TWO TENTS. We do live most of the year in a motorhome. So space is an issue. I have had the Akto or Enan for over 25 years and miss the Enan everytime I try to go lighter with something else. I think I'm done experimenting. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Buying a new Enan as soon as possible. Keep Smilin'
Yes. I was trying not to repeat too much from the video I did a few days earlier ruclips.net/video/8udi7gKu-Dk/видео.html. You could buy almost three xmid solids for the price of one enan. Another commenter made a good point also about space for taller hikers. The xmid shines there also with not only more headroom, but it does not taper down at the ends and I believe is 6 inches longer inner tent. Thanks. Keep Smil'in
@@packtoter Sorry, I had missed the earlier video but watched it now and you indeed mention the relative costs early on. Most "backpacking channels" are by people in the 30s-50s and so I'm very glad I found you; being a bit older myself (I'm 66) you encourage me greatly! Given that you already have the Enan, and you love it, it's probably a no-brainer to stick with it as the extra cost of it is irrelevant to you. My new X Mid 1p solid arrived a couple of days ago, haven't even put it up yet - cold, wet and windy outside, it might get dirty, can't have that. Here in the UK, the Enan/X Mid price ratio is more like 1.7:1 after paying import duty and shipping from the USA so the X-Mid is relatively more expensive here. I'm looking forward to the extra headroom compared with my old tent (which had about 36 inches) as I'm not as flexible as I once was, and also the two vestibules. Whether the large footprint will be a problem, I'll have to wait and see. My main worry is something you don't mention, whether the X Mid flaps in the wind - the tension the Enan fly is under presumably stops any flapping. A flapping tent at 2am is no fun when you can't sleep, one reason for ditching my old tent...
@@nickwinter991 Depending on conditions I think they all flap. I have been in the Enan on the PCT when it felt like I was sleeping in a flag during a hurricane. The important thing is the tent is still there in the morning, and your still in it. Keep Smil'in
It would be helpful to know your height and torso length to put headroom into perspective. I’m 6’1” with a 21”+ torso and I suspect the Hille would be a hovel for me.
Good point. Yes, I agree. I'm 5'9" and it fits me well, but at your height it might be a bit tight. I will try to pass that kind of info on in a future video. Keep Smil'in
I just discovered your channel. I'm in my 60s facing retirement and hoping to live a lot like you. What would you sell me your Durston X-Mid for? I really need to lighten my gear :-). Love your content
Not positive, but I think you can buy this tent now directly from Durston. Not sure what the status is on the Solid inventory. I am trying to get close to what I paid for it, which was $269 US. I have it listed on Ebay for $322 because they take 13% of price and shipping. I would sell it for $250+22.00 priority shipping in US. Again, I would check out Dan's site first. If I can't get my money out of it I plan to play with it some more. Keep Smil'in
Great and thorough analysis. Very helpful. One thing I hoped you might touch on, that I saw on another channel, is the practicality of the ‘skinny pitch’ for the Durston, which effectively trims the vestibule portions off the footprint. Non the less, thank you for your insightful content. Happy trails.
Tried the skinny pitch, but too much fiddling for me, plus you lose the vistabul space. Probably will work for others, but not an option for me. Keep Smil'in
I had to raise my eyebrows when I heard you say that you don't want two (excellent) tents. I've got six tents. Four are Hillebergs, including an Enan and find there is no perfect tent, so each is a horse for a different course. I have the Enan with both the groundsheet and the mesh inner and have found it to be the least likely to have condensation of any Tent thus far. I feel that you are correct that a smaller tent is warmer. My Soulo is the warmest tent of any, and makes an appreciable difference in cold weather, but on the other hand it is the tent that has the most condensation. Just today I ordered the Durston X-mid Pro 1, and now can't wait for Christmas in August. And next, partly due to your review, I will order a Durston Kakwa 55 when they are available. I love companies that bother over little details, where it is obvious that the designers actually do a lot of camping. Thanks for the reviews!
I know my wife thinks I have too many tents when she says I'm TWO TENTS. We do live most of the year in a motorhome. So space is an issue. I have had the Akto or Enan for over 25 years and miss the Enan everytime I try to go lighter with something else. I think I'm done experimenting. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Buying a new Enan as soon as possible. Keep Smilin'
Great review, thanks! One thing you don't mention, though, is that the Enan costs around twice as much as the X-Mid Ip Solid.
Yes. I was trying not to repeat too much from the video I did a few days earlier ruclips.net/video/8udi7gKu-Dk/видео.html. You could buy almost three xmid solids for the price of one enan. Another commenter made a good point also about space for taller hikers. The xmid shines there also with not only more headroom, but it does not taper down at the ends and I believe is 6 inches longer inner tent. Thanks. Keep Smil'in
@@packtoter Sorry, I had missed the earlier video but watched it now and you indeed mention the relative costs early on. Most "backpacking channels" are by people in the 30s-50s and so I'm very glad I found you; being a bit older myself (I'm 66) you encourage me greatly! Given that you already have the Enan, and you love it, it's probably a no-brainer to stick with it as the extra cost of it is irrelevant to you. My new X Mid 1p solid arrived a couple of days ago, haven't even put it up yet - cold, wet and windy outside, it might get dirty, can't have that. Here in the UK, the Enan/X Mid price ratio is more like 1.7:1 after paying import duty and shipping from the USA so the X-Mid is relatively more expensive here. I'm looking forward to the extra headroom compared with my old tent (which had about 36 inches) as I'm not as flexible as I once was, and also the two vestibules. Whether the large footprint will be a problem, I'll have to wait and see. My main worry is something you don't mention, whether the X Mid flaps in the wind - the tension the Enan fly is under presumably stops any flapping. A flapping tent at 2am is no fun when you can't sleep, one reason for ditching my old tent...
@@nickwinter991 Depending on conditions I think they all flap. I have been in the Enan on the PCT when it felt like I was sleeping in a flag during a hurricane. The important thing is the tent is still there in the morning, and your still in it. Keep Smil'in
@@packtoter love the "flag in a hurricane" analogy! Yes, you and the tent still being there in the morning, is good.
It would be helpful to know your height and torso length to put headroom into perspective. I’m 6’1” with a 21”+ torso and I suspect the Hille would be a hovel for me.
Good point. Yes, I agree. I'm 5'9" and it fits me well, but at your height it might be a bit tight. I will try to pass that kind of info on in a future video. Keep Smil'in
I just discovered your channel. I'm in my 60s facing retirement and hoping to live a lot like you. What would you sell me your Durston X-Mid for? I really need to lighten my gear :-). Love your content
Not positive, but I think you can buy this tent now directly from Durston. Not sure what the status is on the Solid inventory. I am trying to get close to what I paid for it, which was $269 US. I have it listed on Ebay for $322 because they take 13% of price and shipping. I would sell it for $250+22.00 priority shipping in US. Again, I would check out Dan's site first. If I can't get my money out of it I plan to play with it some more. Keep Smil'in
@@packtoter Thanks for the quick response. I'll check, as I wander through a bunch of your channel offering
A really good video, thank you!
Thanks. Keep Smil'in
Wonderful
Keep Smil'in