X Mid - Dan Durston

[DuskyBay]

Duskyboy,
My X-Mid 1p Solid packs down into a 2.5lt dcf stuff sack easily.
Sure it weighs more, but I won't have the condensation issues And I can simply un click the inner out and pack up inside the tent whilst its raining, then just stuff the outer in the outer pocket of my Kakwa. It's the practical use like that, that means more to me than a few hundred grams, although it's always good to save where you can. :}

The volume figures I provided for the 1P and Pro 1P were calculated based on the published packed size dimensions (1P: 30cm x 13cm, Pro 1P: 30cm x 10cm, and assuming they were referring to a cylinder of quoted length and diameter - as you'd expect for packing inside a stuff sack). I don't own a Pro 1P so just wanted a simple way of comparing the two and I thought that volume in litres was probably more useful than physical dimensions for this purpose.

I attempted to make my comparison of the two tents objective and relatively neutral. I own a 1P and a 1P Solid and am very happy with both of them. Personally, I don't see value in purchasing a Pro 1P at a premium price for what is a fairly small weight saving. However, I'm currently not walking 50+ km a day for 6 months at a time or doing something else like that for which every gram of weight saving is important. Horses for courses.

[WestcoastPete]

Here's my first gen XMid 2 on the tent platform at Waterfall Valley in TAS. It went up very easily with the 4 corner points lining up really well with the nails in the platform. The short side ground guy out points lined up pretty well too. The zip guy points didn't so I used a couple of cup hooks for them.

It was only my 2nd time erecting the tent, and my first night sleeping in it. I shared it with my 7yo son. It rained overnight and we were nice and dry.







I learnt a few things. Although we stayed dry and comfortable, I can certainly see benefits to adjustable poles rather than the fixed length SMD ones I used. Next time I'll use some trekking poles I got just for the purpose. I don't walk with them, but I'll take them to see what happens. Also, I need to sort out the guy out points. I'll add some proper ones to the mid points and the apexes. One of the corner ones slipped too. Maybe it was a good thing as a tension release threshold? I think I'll add some thicker guy lines to the corners anyway.

Seems like a pretty good tent! I'd be interested in a solid inner, and I'd be keen to add mid panel tie outs. It's tempting to use the toggle point for the door, but I know that'll be asking for trouble

[DuskyBay]

The nice thing about pitching the X-Mid on tent platforms is that it’s often easier to get a perfectly rectangular pitch, Pete, by aligning the fly with the boards.

I’ve recently added mid-panel tie outs to my OG 1P - using some grosgrain tape as per the V2s, but I haven’t used them yet.

[WestcoastPete]

Yeah it went up very easily.

I'm interested in hearing more about your mid panel guy points. How did you fit them? Got a pic?

[DuskyBay]

I'm interested in hearing more about your mid panel guy points. How did you fit them? Got a pic?

I measured the distance from the perimeter (hem) of the fly along the seam to the top of the grosgrain tape on my 1P Solid (= 1.445m), cut some spare tape that I had to size (slightly wider than that on the Solid 1P, so theoretically will be stronger), marked the upper and lower positions of the tape on the seam, cut both rows of stitching between those positions, slid the tape in (the inner seam sealing tape helped to locate the grosgrain tap perfectly), temporarily held the outer part of the grosgrain in place with sticky tape and then my wife sewed it in place. Finally sealed all the new needle holes with seam sealer on both the inside and outside.

I don't think that I've owned a tent that I haven't made mods to, so par for the course.

[WestcoastPete]

Great work. That's very helpful. Thanks

[stry]

My early model 1P guys also slipped slipped a little.

The current models use a slightly thicker and less stretchy cord that resembles iron wire, but I don't think it is Iron Wire. Seems pretty well slip proof and the only reason at this stage for me to replace it would be for the increased visibility of the orange IW that I have v. the supplied black.

But then I'd have no excuse for tripping over guys.

[Ms_Mudd]

Pulled a trigger on a 1p pro.
My original Xmid still going strong and the one shelter that I have held on to (have bought/sold Protrail Li Hexamud Pocket Tarp, Altaplex etc in last few years)
May the pro serve me as well as its predecessor

[stry]

You were quick off the mark MsMudd. Well done.

I applaud your honesty in being the first of us to own up to being seduced by the 1P Pro.

[Ms_Mudd]

I was strong in the face of seduction initially, but caved, couldn't resist its 455g charms any longer.

The 2p was a small weight penalty for a bigger tent, so verrrry nearly went that option over the 1p, but remembered I had owned the original 2p and found it far too large for my needs,off-track pitches etc and sold it after a few trips. Decision made- 1p pro it is.

The outlay is stinging a bit, but hopefully well worth it.

I wonder what the floor material will be like though. Love the images of the packed size I have seen so far, just hope it's not a slip in slide type affair to sleep in

[Ms_Mudd]

It's arrived. Already.
I wasn't even beginning to stalk the postie. Of course it is pitched right now, am messaging from inside it.
Packed size is kinda same same as my ye olde Xmid, although my original Xmid was stuffed and pro came rolled.
Weight savings about 360grams in stuff sacks.

[johnrs]

And will be waiting for a series of reviews now Ms_M!

[Ms_Mudd]

Will have to do a bit more with it, other than nap on my front lawn.

Initial impressions, is it feels very spacious due to the single wall design and near vertical end walls. I found the original Xmid inner roomy enough, so the pro feel luxuriously big in comparison. I am only 5ft 2, so have crazy amounts of extra head,foot and height space. Pics don't really illustrate it

Can't wait to start using it for real.

Edited to add: yes, hat unnecessary inside a tent, but hair needs a wash and was about go clean stables so hatted up- spared you all looking at my smatty hair and sunscreen for my chores!

[Orbita_Serenitatem]

I still have the MassDrop Xmid 1p and ordered the 1P Pro yesterday - I've enjoyed the design and the 'old' SilPoly version Gen 1 has been tested extensively and is brilliant.

Kim and I did a 6 night Nelson to Cape Nelson section on the GSSW and she also fell in love with the 'old' DD 1p and now has current ownership - so it was very unfortunate that I had to buy the DFC upgrade... well done Dan Durston.

[Ms_Mudd]

Haha, gosh, what a challenge for you to *have to* buy the pro. Such a shame....not!
Nice that you have walking company, with good taste in shelters to boot!

I will definitely keep my original Drop version,to use as a 2p without the inner and really, because I love the thing. Snow, gales,floods- she has seen me right through all sorts of conditions. I feel quite sentimental about my tent. Weird alert!

[dandurston]

A quick update: It has been neat to see all the interest in our tents here in Australia - it's actually our 3rd largest market after USA and Canada and I love seeing the pictures on Instagram (Bibbulmun Track!).

My original partnership with Massdrop/Drop/Kaviso has been a good way to get them over the last 5 years (e.g. tax free to Australia) but that is coming to completion. Over the next few weeks sales of all of my tents will be moving in house to DurstonGear.com and we will actually have lower cost shipping ($40 -> $19 USD) and slightly lower prices (e.g. $240 -> $230 USD for the X-Mid 1) so the total price will end up about $45 AUD less, plus the tents can be ordered in the same spot as other items like the groundsheets and they remain tax free to Australia. The X-Mid 1 has moved to my site this week, and the other models will follow over the coming weeks.

As always, don't hesitant to ask any questions.
- Dan Durston

[Moondog55]

I've heard rumours about an X-dome, what's happening there?
Not that I'm in the market for another tent unless you have a wheelchair model in the pipeline

[Tortoise]

G'day Dan. Thanks for the update. I'm also very keen to hear more about the X-Dome as it's development progresses. (Yes, I've signed up to be notified.) I've had to accept that I'm not a great pitcher non-free-standing tents, especially on less than ideal sites. It looks from your website that you'll be bringing out the 2 person version first. Any vague time line on a 1P?

[dandurston]

For the first time, I am working on 1P and 2P models fairly concurrently. They will be a few months apart but not too different.

The design is essentially done and I am very excited about it. I don't want to share details about it yet as we have other companies closely following us, but for a tent this light I don't think any other shelter approaches it for the amount of space, stormworthiness, and simplicity.

As you mention, we have a notification list. That on the page below for others and is a good way to be notified when I am ready to release the info:
https://durstongear.com/products/x-dome ... light-tent

[Tortoise]

[norts]

I am in the market for a free standing tent for my next bikepack trip in the USA It would be nice if the x dome was available before I leave in June. I may just have to stick with XMid and work around pitching in picnic shelters etc.

[Jack Doolan]

I am in the market for a free standing tent for my next bikepack trip in the USA It would be nice if the x dome was available before I leave in June. I may just have to stick with XMid and work around pitching in picnic shelters etc.

I sold my Xmid and bought the Nemo Hornet 2P. Best decision yet. I did not enjoy using the Xmid and was disappointed about how small it felt inside. The Nemo 2P by comparison is a roomy one person tent and, although technically semi free standing, you can move it around once attached to the poles. Very easy to use on platforms and at just over a kilo it's hard to beat. By far my favourite hiking tent.

[dandurston]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Certainly the X-Mid 1 is small compared to a 2P tent, and perhaps you also had the v1 design (2019-2021) which was smaller than our current v2 design.

A freestanding tent like that Nemo is a joy to use on platforms for sure. Obviously I'm partial to my tents and think our upcoming freestanding tent will have a lot of advantages (e.g. non-sag/fast dry silpoly fabric) but the Nemo is a great tent as well.

[Jack Doolan]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Certainly the X-Mid 1 is small compared to a 2P tent, and perhaps you also had the v1 design (2019-2021) which was smaller than our current v2 design.

A freestanding tent like that Nemo is a joy to use on platforms for sure. Obviously I'm partial to my tents and think our upcoming freestanding tent will have a lot of advantages (e.g. non-sag/fast dry silpoly fabric) but the Nemo is a great tent as well.

No, I had the V2 version. I certainly appreciated the design however, for me the tent was a victim of the hype generated on YouTube and by other reviewers. So many people were saying how roomy it was and I took that at face value. It's a bit like when someone raves about a restaurant you must go to and when you do, you wonder what all the fuss was about.

The Xmid didn't really improve on the Tarptent Moment I was already using so I felt a bit deflated. Always a problem buying things sight unseen of course. Had I bought the 2P I most likely would have kept it. Suffice to say, for me there is no such thing as a one person tent.

[Warin]

I have the Drop 1P, version1 I'd think.
To me it is a most spacious tent ... considering the 2 vestibules as part of the tent. It certainly has more space than my old tent that I have used for many years.

For me the only failings are;
size - I'd like smaller for smaller camp sites ... conflicts with the desire for more space. Where is Dr Who???
free standing - good for rocky or hard soil camp sites as well as platforms... conflicts with weight ... Not found any Sky Hooks.

Be interested to see the next design Dan.

[Aushiker]

No, I had the V2 version. I certainly appreciated the design however, for me the tent was a victim of the hype generated on YouTube and by other reviewers. So many people were saying how roomy it was and I took that at face value. It's a bit like when someone raves about a restaurant you must go to and when you do, you wonder what all the fuss was about.

Interesting you mention this. I have done some preliminary analysis, and the Tarptent Rainbow comes up with more space (based on the numbers) than the Durston, which surprised me, given all the comments about them being more spacious.

I haven't checked the numbers yet but the SplitWing Shelter Bundle has caught my eye. Pricey but.

[dandurston]

The TT Rainbow is unusually large for a "1 person" tent. The floor width is 100 cm, which is about when companies start to call it a 2P tent (since it does fit two regular pads). So yeah that's a super spacious tent but quite different because it's singlewall (vs doublewall) and tent pole supported (versus trekking pole supported). It's hard to even compare them because they are so different but the Rainbow would have the advantages of being more spacious while the X-Mid would be double wall, lighter, dual door, larger vestibules, and sturdier.

The Moment is more comparable since it is a doublewall and I agree the size is more similar, but it's still a tent pole supported shelter so not that comparable. The main X-Mid advantages here are being quite a bit lighter, non-sag poly fabric, no poles/struts to pack, and much larger/useable vestibules.

Our upcoming X-Dome freestanding tent will be much more comparable to both of these tents. I'm very excited about that and looking forward to announcing it in a few months. If you want to be notified when it is released we have a sign up list here:
https://durstongear.com/products/x-dome ... light-tent

[north-north-west]

G'day Dan. Thanks for the update. I'm also very keen to hear more about the X-Dome as its development progresses.

No.
No, no, no, no, no, nononononononono, please, no. I don't need another tent!

[Walk_fat boy_walk]

Assuming the dome will be sil poly? Any chance of a dyneema version (is that even possible for a curved design?)?

Sent from my SM-S906E using Tapatalk

[dandurston]

Yes the first version will be silpoly and available in 1P and 2P sizes. There is plan for a Pro/Dyneema version but it is likely a year behind (late 2025).