Jump to: Our Verdict / Features / Specifications
We're working out what we think - we'll add our view here!
Durston says:
The X-Mid Pro 1 is the ideal tent for the ultralight backpacker. It combines our maximally weight efficient X-Mid geometry with Dyneema® fabrics and a hybrid/singlewall design to create one of the most spacious, simple, and stormworthy one person tents on the market - and yet it weighs under 1 pound (just 15.5 oz / 440 g for the lightest version).
SPACIOUS
The X-Mid Pro 1 is a seriously spacious tent with more interior volume than any other 1P trekking pole tent. The X-Mid Pro 1 accomplishes this with its space efficient geometry that moves the two poles further apart to create more useable length, headroom, and shoulder room.
The floor length is a generous 90″ which is combined with steep end walls to create excellent useable length (suitable for hikers up to 6’8″), while the 32″ floor width easily accommodates the widest pads. Uniquely, the longer ridgeline means you can comfortably sit up anywhere throughout the length of the tent and two people can easily sit in the tent together.
In addition, there are dual vestibules which are located beside the doors instead of blocking them, and generously sized to easily hold packs and other gear.
USER FRIENDLY
The X-Mid Pro design was formed in tough real world conditions where you need a shelter that just works - simple and elegant.
The thoughtful design includes an maximally simple 4 stake rectangular pitch, magnetic door toggles for one handed operation, doorways that aren’t blocked by poles, and large vestibules that put the main area beside the doorway instead of blocking it. There is also a tensioned floor which is unheard of at this weight, and lies taut and wrinkle free. Further contributing to the ease of use are the dual interior pockets, and square cornered design for the interior zippers which ensures they easily operate one handed and the zipper pulls are always in the same spot for easy locating in the dark.
The X-Mid Pro 1 also packs smaller than other Dyneema® tents at just 4.5″ x 10″ due to the absence of poles and struts, and low bulk floor fabric. It’s’ short shape easily packs horizontally in your pack.
STORMWORTHY
More than just a fair weather tent, the X-Mid Pro 1 stands out as a robust shelter for harsh conditions. It uses ultra strong Dyneema® fabrics and combines that with the highly regarded X-Mid shape which optimizes wind and snow shedding.
Unlike other tents near the 1 pound mark, the X-Mid Pro 1 is liveable in rough weather because it doesn’t trim away the lower part of the fly for weight savings but instead has a full coverage fly to block drafts and rain splatter (while also having the option of raising it higher). Other features found in the X-Mid Pro 1 – but otherwise unheard of below the 1 lb mark – are dual peak vents (important to minimize condensation) and zippered doorways (blocks drafts, increases structural integrity).
The X-Mid Pro 1 also features protected doorways that prevent rain from falling I when open, attachments for peak and side panel guylines, and the ability to add up to 12 stakes around the base.
QUALITY
In addition to the highest performance design, the X-Mid Pro has industry leading quality. That starts by using premium materials like Dyneema®, and assembling them at the most experienced tent factory in the world for Dyneema® fabrics.
We use hot bonded construction to create Dyneema® seams that are stronger, cleaner looking, and better retain their strength in extreme temperatures compared to sewn or cold taped seams. We also use a proprietary pre-shrinking process so the shape is more stable over time and won't deform or shrink to create wavy zippers. Lastly, we use thoughtful design and reinforcements to avoid stressing the fabric diagonally (on the 'bias') which adds costs but prevents premature degradation.
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.
That includes 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.
With best in-class space, stormworthiness, and simplicity, the X-Mid Pro 1 is the ideal ultralight tent for everything from thruhiking the Pacific Crest Trail, to crossing Icelands’ wind-swept tundra, to remote adventures on Australia’s Bibbulmun Track.
Our Verdict
We're working out what we think about Durston's X-Mid Pro 1 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 excellent headroom, living space, stormworthiness, and ease of pitching.
- Spacious - More interior volume and useable length than almost all other 1P shelters. It has 50% more volume than its closest rivals including 90" of length even 12" off the ground, make it suitable for hikers up to 6'8".
- Dyneema® Fabric - Dyneema® Composite Fabric is extremely strong and highly waterproof (15,000mm).
- Hot Bonded - Premium hot bonded construction is a more costly production method than sewing or cold taping but provides stronger seams.
- Pre-Shrunk DCF - We use a proprietary pre-shrinking process to create a Dyneema® shelter that doesn't deform over time or shrink to create wavy zippers.
- Reinforced Bias - We align all stress lines with the Dyneema fibers and/or add Dyneema® tape reinforcement so that the panels are never stressed diagonally (on the 'bias'). Other Dyneema® shelters often put major stress lines diagonally across the fabric to save costs but this deteriorates the material and shortens the tents lifespan.
- Simple Pitch - Ultra-simple pitch uses just four stakes in an intuitive rectangle shape. There is no measuring, odd angles, or mandatory struts and guylines. Competing tents require 6-10 stakes, sometimes mandatory struts and guylines, and measuring or estimating odd angles and pole heights.
- Full Coverage Fly - Full coverage fly extends low to block drafts and rain splatter, but can also be pitched higher for more ventilation. Other tents trim away the bottom of the fly to save weight but this leaves you more exposed to drafts and rain splatter.
- Optional Guyouts - Optional peak and side panel guyouts plus up to 12 stakes around the base can be used for harsh conditions.
- Protected Setup - Fly first setup keeps the interior dry during setup in the rain.
- Compact Footprint - Compact 63" x 98" footprint plus the vestibules can be collapsed to fit into even smaller sites.
- Magnetic Door Toggles - Magnetic door toggle system allows the fly doors to be quickly secured.
- Small Packed Size - Tiny 4.5 x 10″ packed size can store horizontally in any pack.
- Dual Doorways - Dual doorways are zippered, not blocked by trekking poles, and keep rain off the floor even when open.
- Dual Vestibules - Dual vestibules are large, tall and put the main area beside the door instead of blocking it.
- Dual Vents - Dual adjustable peak vents minimize condensation yet can close during harsh conditions.
- Dual Pockets - Dual interior pockets provide convenient storage.
Specifications
Woven -
- Flysheet + Inner weighs: 490g
- Total weight: 490g(excludes pegs & bags)
Dyneema -
- Flysheet + Inner weighs: Not available yet
- Total weight: Not available yet (excludes pegs & bags)
Durston Specs
- Tent: 15.5 oz / 440 g (Dyneema® floor) or 17.1 oz / 485 g (Silnylon floor)
- Stuff Sack: 0.3oz / 8g (Dyneema®) or 0.4 oz / 11 g (Silnylon)
- Stakes (Included) 8 DAC J Stakes: (4 x 6" @ 7 g; 4 x 8" @ 16 g)
Dimensions
- Floor Length: 90 in / 2.3 m
- Floor Width: 32 in / 0.81 m
- Floor Area: 20 sq ft / 1.9 sq m
- Peak Height: 45 in / 1.14 m
- Fly Footprint: 63 x 98 in / 1.60 x 2.49 m
- Vestibule Area: 22 sq ft (11 x 2) / 2 sq m (1 sq m x 2)
- Packed Size: 10 x 4.5 in / 25 x 12 cm
Material & Construction
- Canopy Fabric: Dyneema Composite Fabric 0.55 in Spruce Green
- Floor Fabric: 15D Sil/PEU nylon (grey) or Dyneema Composite Fabric 0.66 (white)
- Fly Zippers: YKK #3 AquaGuard
- Inner Zippers: YKK #3
