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We're working out what we think - we'll add our view here!
Durston says:
The X-Mid 2 has been developed from the first principles of geometry to be the most weight efficient and functional design for a trekking pole shelter. Its innovative and patented geometry makes the X-Mid 2 exceptionally stormworthy, spacious, and simple at the lowest weight. No other tent offers this level of space and protection for just 1.9 lbs (890 g / 31 oz), which is why the X-Mid 2 has become one of the most popular tents on demanding trails and one of the most highly awarded tents in recent years including top awards from BackpackingLight, The Trek, and Section Hiker.
STORMWORTHY
Most ultralight tents achieve their low weights by shrinking the size and trading durability and stormworthiness for weight savings. In contrast, the X-Mid 2 saves weight through efficient design such as a trekking pole structure that is both stronger and lighter than traditional tent poles, and a geometry that maximizes the volume possible from the fabric area. In doing so, the X-Mid 2 achieves its low weight while also being a robust shelter for tough conditions.
X-Mid 2's long list of protections include a doublewall design, full coverage fly (extends low to the ground to blocks drafts and splatter), fly first pitch (keeps the inner dry during setup in the rain), polyester fabric (doesn't sag and loosen like nylon), large adjustable vents, robust waterproof coatings, durable fabrics, factory waterproofed seams, and protected doorways that keep rain out even when open. No other tent offers this full list.
In addition to this set of protections, the X-Mid shape is well suited for windy and snowy conditions because every panel is at a consistently moderate slope. Other tents have flatter roof panels that catch snow and flatter sidewalls that catch wind, while the X-Mid 2 puts every panel at a balanced 50-55 degrees to deliver strong all around performance.
USER FRIENDLY
In tough conditions you want a tent that just works, which is why obsessive attention to detail has gone into making the X-Mid 2 simple and intuitive.
That starts with the simple pitch that goes up quickly with only 4 required stakes. There are no mandatory guylines, odd angles, measurements, and struts, which is a stark contrast to most trekking pole tents.
The ease of use continues when the tent is pitched with large doorways that are not blocked by trekking poles, roomy vestibules that are located beside the doors instead of blocking them, magnetic door toggles, handy pockets, and one handed operated zippers. Even the packed size of the tent has been carefully considered where it's short stuff sack can store horizontally in any pack.
Notably, the X-Mid 2 uses polyester fabric for the fly which doesn't sag and absorb water like nylon so your pitch stays tight and the tent stays light and dries quicker, with less time spent adjusting your pitch and drying your tent. Polyester was controversial when we launched the X-Mid with it in 2018 but our passionate advocacy for polyester has led to an industry wide switch with many other companies now following our lead.
SPACIOUS
The patented X-Mid geometry is the most space and weight efficient architecture possible for a trekking pole tent. It accomplishes this with an innovative double diagonal design that puts the floor on one diagonal while the ridgeline is on the opposite diagonal. In doing so, the two poles are set further apart to increase volume without requiring struts, yet remain setback from the edges to avoid a boxy shape that would be less stormworthy and require more fabric.
The result is a 'real' 2P tent that provides comfortable space for two occupants. That includes a generous 52" wide floor and a long 92" length that accommodates hikers up to 6'4". The diagonal ridgeline increases headroom and allows the two occupants to move further apart for greater personal space.
Additionally, the dual vestibules are generously sized and easily accommodate packs and other items without blocking the doorway or creating a long reach to close the fly doors.
QUALITY
The X-Mid 2 is built at the most experienced premium tent factory in the world who have been building nothing but tents for nearly 70 years. Here, we go beyond normal standards to specify premium components and robust construction methods including full double stitching, double folded edges, high precision narrow seams and seam taping, and generous bartacking. We know of no other tent that matches this build quality.
This focus on quality gives the X-Mid 2 a higher cost of production than competing tents, yet the X-Mid 2 is priced affordably. This is possible because we sell directly to you with no retailer markup and only a modest markup ourselves.
PATENTED GEOMETRY
The X-Mid shape has been developed from the first principles of geometry to be as weight efficient, simple, and functional as possible.
Our unique design has been successful in avoiding all the common pitfalls of trekking pole shelters such as a complicated pitch, mandatory guylines, poles blocking the doorways, and a lack of interior volume.
The X-Mid 2 is a well rounded ultralight tent that is spacious, simple, and stormworthy. It's the ideal tent for a wide range of conditions including a long thruhike on the Continental Divide Trail (where it is one of the most popular tents) to remote adventures in Alaska's Brooks Range or a circuit of Europe's Tour de Mont Blanc.
Our Verdict
We're working out what we think about Durston's X-Mid 2 Tent, we'll add our comments here in due course.
- Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear
Features
- Optimal Geometry - Patented X-Mid geometry with twin offset poles provides best in class headroom, living space, stormworthiness, and ease of pitching.
- Spacious - The diagonal (offset pole) ridgeline increases headroom and interior volume by 15-35% compared to similar shelters.
- Non Sag Fabric - The X-Mid has been a pioneer of lightweight polyester fabric because it doesn't absorb water and sag like nylon, so the shelter retains its structural integrity in wet conditions. Our passionate advocacy for polyester was initially met with resistance from many established companies using nylon, but has since led to polyester becoming widely recognized as a superior material and with many competitors now following our lead.
- Stormworthy Shape - The X-Mid shape provides consistently moderate panel slopes that balance wind and snow shedding to provide excellent all around performance. All the panels are an ideal 50 - 55 degrees, while most tents contain a less consistent mix of shallower panels (worse for snow shedding) and steeper panels (worse for wind performance).
- Full Coverage Fly - A full coverage fly extends low to the ground to block drafts and rain splatter, but can also be raised higher for increased ventilation.
- Doublewall - Full doublewall design with separate fly and inner components avoids potential contact with fly condensation and allows for modular use, including pitching the inner only in fair weather and using the fly as a tarp shelter for up to 4 occupants (ideal for ski touring).
- Dual Vestibules - The dual vestibules are large, tall and put the main area beside the door instead of blocking it. A backpack fits easily in the main area.
- Dual Doorways - Dual doorways are large, not blocked by trekking poles, allow for cross ventilation, have a protected design to keep rain out when the doors are open, and a easy reach to close the fly doors.
- Dual Vents - Dual adjustable peak vents minimize condensation yet can close during harsh conditions.
- Optional Guyouts - Optional peak and side panel guyouts plus eight additional stake points around the base allow the shelter to be solidly reinforced for harsh conditions.
- Protected Setup - A protected (fly first) setup keeps the floor and inner tent dry during setup in the rain.
- Simple Pitch - Ultra-simple pitch with just four stakes. The inner tent can be added separately or left clipped inside for a quicker setup.
- Small Packed Size - With light fabrics and no tent poles or struts, the X-Mid packs remarkably small including packing short enough to store horizontally in any pack.
- Magnetic Door Toggles - Magnetic toggles allow the fly and interior doors to be closed easily with one hand.
- Four Pockets - Four interior peak pockets including dual sidewall pockets and dual peak pockets allow for storage and provide a convenient way to suspend a headlamp in the tent.
- Collapsible Vestibules - The vestibules can be collapsed to fit the tent into small sites.
- Fully Waterproofed Seams - Unlike many trekking pole shelters, our seams are factory waterproofed so user seam sealing is not required. We use a mix of seam taping and proprietary waterproof seam technology.
- Robust Zippers - More ultralight tents use lighter duty #3 zippers but zippers are the most common failure/wear point on a tent, so the X-Mid uses more robust #5 YKK zippers.
Specifications
- Flysheet + Inner weighs: 964g
- Total weight: 964g(excludes pegs & bags)
Durston Specs
- Fly: 18.8 oz / 535 g
- Inner Tent: 12.5 oz / 355 g
- Complete Tent: 31.3 oz / 890 g
- Stuff Sack: 0.5 oz / 13 g
- Stakes (Included) 8 DAC J Stakes: (4 x 6" @ 7 g; 4 x 8" @ 16 g)
Dimensions
- Floor Length: 92" / 2.34 m
- Floor Width: 52" / 132 cm
- Floor Area: 33.2 sq ft / 3.1 sq m
- Peak Height: 48" / 122 cm
- Fly Footprint: 83 x 100" / 210 x 254 cm
- Vestibule Area: 11.5 sq ft x 2 / 1.1 sq m x 2
- Packed Size: 12 x 6" / 30 x 15 cm
Material & Construction
- Canopy Fabric: 15D Sil/PE Polyester 3500mm HH in Sage
- Floor Fabric: 15D Sil/PE Nylon 3500mm HH in Grey
- Fly Zippers: YKK #5 AquaGuard
- Inner Zippers: YKK #3
