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We're working out what we think - we'll add our view here!
Durston says:
The X-Mid Pro 2+ is the ideal tent for partners who want a superlight yet stormworthy backcountry palace. It expands our award winning X-Mid Pro design into a larger 2+ size that accommodates two wide pads while weighing just 19.2 oz (545 g). More than just an amazingly light and spacious tent, the X-Mid Pro 2+ is also impressively capable thanks to the Dyneema® fabrics and X-Mid geometry which provide greater strength and protection for the weight, while retaining the simplicity our X-Mid tents are revered for.
SPACIOUS
The X-Mid Pro 2+ takes the X-Mid geometry (which naturally boosts interior volume) into a larger form factor to create an oversized 2P tent that is palatial for two people and optimized for sleeping two people in the same direction (head to head).
Compared to the regular X-Mid Pro 2, the floor has been widened from 46" to 52" (1.32m) to accommodate all wide (25" / 64 cm) pads. This makes it the world's lightest tent that can fit two wide pads (based on the tent weight + minimum number of stakes). The already excellent headroom has also been increased with a taller 49" (1.24 m) peak height. This adds headroom and also steepens the end walls to increase the useable length for hikers up to 6'6". We also reduced the rotation of the diagonal ridgeline to create more even headroom on both sides to optimize the tent for two people sleeping in the same direction. Compared to competing A-frame style tents, both sides of the X-Mid Pro 2+ have substantially more head clearance.
What hasn't changed are the dual generous vestibules, which are large enough to fit the biggest packs and conveniently place the main area beside the door instead of blocking it. No other tent provides this combination of simplicity and space at such a low weight.
STORMWORTHY
The X-Mid Pro 2+ is a hybrid/singlewall tent that provides the excellent stormworthiness the X-Mid tents are highly regarded for. It combines ultra strong Dyneema® Composite Fabric with an ideal shape for handling wind and snow loads because the geometry gives all of the panels a consistently moderate slope. There are no horizontal roof panels to catch snow, nor vertical side panels to catch wind. The tent has a robust structure with 2 poles that makes it stronger than similar pyramid style tents, yet still pitches solidly with as few as 4 stakes. In stormy conditions, the tent can be reinforced with peak and side panel guyouts and up to 12 stakes along the base.
More than just surviving tough weather, the X-Mid Pro 2+ is designed to provide a more comfortable experience in tough conditions. It does that via a long list of protections including protected doorways (to keep falling rain out), a fly first pitch (to keep the floor dry), and a wind stable pitch (not vulnerable to collapse at any steps). Unlike other tents in this class, the X-Mid Pro 2+ still has a full coverage fly that extends low to the ground to block drafts, spindrift, and rain splatter - yet can also be lifted higher for increased ventilation. Competing tents trim away the lower part of the fly to save weight but this leaves you most exposed.
The X-Mid Pro 2+ further makes tough conditions more liveable with its spacious interior, large practical vestibules for storing wet gear, and dual peak vents that minimize condensation.
USER FRIENDLY
The X-Mid Pro 2+ has a focus on simplicity and ease of use because when conditions are tough you want a tent that works effortlessly.
Most notably, the X-Mid Pro 2+ has the same simple pitch the X-Mid tents are highly regarded for. The rectangular base is intuitive to stake out and the tent can be pitched with as few as 4 stakes. There are no odd angles or distances to estimate, no struts to complicate the process, and no need to measure the pole heights because the fly will naturally limit them to the correct height.
Once pitched, the ease-of-use continues with magnetic door toggles on the fly, along with magnetic door toggles on the inner doors (an industry first). Entry is easy with large doorways that are not blocked by trekking poles (like most competing tents). Instead, the X-Mid puts the vestibules beside the door in an easy to reach spot which also creates a shorter reach to close the fly. The X-Mid Pro 2+ also provides a tensioned floor that lies taut and wrinkle free, dual doorways, dual vestibules, and premium zippers that operate one handed.
QUALITY
In addition to the highest performance design, the X-Mid Pro has higher quality than any other Dyneema tent. We build these tents at the most experienced tent factory in the world for Dyneema Composite Fabrics using hot bonded technology that gives stronger seams than quicker cold taping or sewing methods. Our production process also includes a proprietary pre-shrinking process for Dyneema® so the shape is more stable over time and avoids shrinkage which affects other Dyneema Composite Fabrics tents. Additionally, we use thoughtful design and reinforcements to avoid stressing the fabric diagonally (on the 'bias') which adds costs but prevents premature degradation.
We also go a step further in many other ways including tighter tolerances for panel dimensions than other brands, a long list of additional requirements and checks, and pitching each tent twice for quality inspections before it ships to you. This premium quality gives the X-Mid Pro 2+ a substantially higher cost of production than competing tents.
PATENTED GEOMETRY
The X-Mid shape has been developed from the first principles of geometry to be as weight efficient, user friendly, and functional as possible.
The result is a tent that is a joy to use because it avoids all the common pitfalls of trekking pole shelters such as a complicated pitch, mandatory guylines, numerous required stakes, poles blocking the doorways, struts that make it awkward to pack up, vestibules that put the main area in front of the door, and an awkwardly long reach to close the fly doors.
The palatial X-Mid Pro 2+ is the world's lightest tent that can accommodate two wide rectangular pads, while also being highly stormworthy and user friendly. It is the ideal tent for everything from a thru hike of National Scenic Trail to a traverse of Alaska's Brooks Range.
Our Verdict
We're working out what we think about Durston's X-Mid Pro 2+ Tent, we'll add our comments here in due course.
- Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear
Features
- Generous Space - The X-Mid Pro 2+ is the worlds lightest tent that can fit two wide rectangular pads. It has a generous 52" wide floor with a long length and best in class headroom thanks to the patented X-Mid geometry that creates more volume from two poles.
- Dyneema® Fabric - Dyneema® Composite Fabrics are 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 Composite Fabrics shelter that doesn't deform over time or shrink to create wavy zippers. Dyneema® shelters from most other brands gradually shrink and deform which means they don't pitch as well over time.
- 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.
- Magnetic Door Toggles - Dual magnetic door toggle system allows both the fly doors and inner doors to be quickly secured.
- Optional Guyouts - Optional peak and side guyouts can be used for harsh conditions along with up to 12 stakes around the base.
- Collapsable Vestibules - Vestibules can be collapsed to fit into smaller tent sites.
- 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: 623g
- Total weight: 623g(excludes pegs & bags)
Dyneema -
- Flysheet + Inner weighs: 552g
- Total weight: 552g(excludes pegs & bags)
Durston Specs
- Tent: 19.2 oz / 545 g (Dyneema® floor) or 21.5 oz / 610 g (Silnylon floor)
- Stuff Sack: 0.3oz / 8g (Dyneema®) or 0.4 oz / 12 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: 52 in / 1.32 m
- Floor Area: 32.5 sq ft / 3.0 sq m
- Peak Height: 49 in / 1.24 m
- Fly Footprint: 85 x 100 in / 2.15 x 2.54 m
- Vestibule Area: 23 sq ft (11.6 x 2) / 2 sq m (1 sq m x 2)
- Packed Size: 11 x 5.5 in / 27 x 13 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
