Durston - X-Mid 1

Would definitely be some kind of hot tent for me. I’ve been eyeing up a Naturehike Massif 2 recently. Use a Durston X-mid 1 with the solid inner as my lightweight tent.

I’ve had the Durston X-mid 1p and a set of Durston z folding poles for a couple of years now. I primarily use it moto camping & strongly recommend, it’s quick to erect, and can be done in the rain without ingress into the inner. Has barely felt it in winds that have seen my friends pop up tents collapse. Only downside I’ve seen in it is its fairly large footprint for a 1P.

I’ve always found it quite finickity to pitch on bad/tight sites, more so than any dome/tunnel style tent. It doesn’t play well in my experience if you can’t lay it out as a perfect square (rhomboid?), or if an edge of your site slopes, the sides never taught up right and it flaps & sags a bit. Think this contributes to the feel that the footprint is quite large more than even its actual size. This is a very minor niggling complaint about what is otherwise an absolutely fantastic tent, nothing else I’d rather have. I actually pre-ordered my x-mid 1p solid off the back of Dans technical posts before it was even released.

How is it ‘weird’? The Durston x-dome is 985 g all in, so just barely over 2 lbs. OP is looking for something that’s under 3 lbs, which the x-dome is. And the MSR mesh house (plus a 100% required tarp) that OP mentions would be ~650-700 g and I’m not sure if that weight accounts for all the guylines and stakes you’d need, not to mention the trekking poles. So it’s not like they’re in different worlds of weight class. That being said, x-dome is out of budget. But an x-mid 1 is 875 g (oh no, is that weird??), close to the budget in CAD, and ships from Canada with no duties.

That is a great overnighter, but is too big, heavy, and bulky for someone of your size to through-hike with. Look into a Durston--either an X-Mid 1 if you are comfortable using a trekking pole tent, or the new X-Dome if you prefer the simplicity of a freestanding tent. Each costs less than a couple of the chiropractor appointments that you will be able to avoid.

I had the original X-Mid 1P that Durston put out through Massdrop/Drop.........and now have the X-Mid Pro 2P. Not to sound harsh or argumentative, but I haven't a clue why one would need the pole adapters that you suggest........and am constantly surprised when I see people feel they need to put tips up/handles down. These tents naturally have a pocket/cradle that the trekking pole handles fit nicely and firmly into and you don't need to then worry about a sharp pole tip ruining the tent. Just no need to do that at all. Feel free to waste your money, but those aren't needed.

As someone who owns both a Durston X-Mid 1 and a Pro, you can’t go wrong with either one. The regular is heavier but it’s nice to have the single wall option, the Pro is a super light tent but really spacious. If you want to save money go with the regular, but really you can’t go wrong with either one. I feel like it’s not necessary to go with a 2 person unless you’re really tall, but I find I have plenty of space at my feet and at my head, and keep my pack in the vestibule.

I've had the x-mid 1p and rainbow 1p. The x-mid is a significantly better tent IMO. The only time I would ever choose the rainbow over it, is if getting four stakes in the ground is a problem.

But like that's what ultralight camping literally is. The more you spend the better shit you get that weighs less? I dont expect a shitter sleeping bag to weigh 2lbs and be good for 0F, also i dont understand why people hate buying shit used ESPECIALLY when Ebay buyer protection is so fucking good. I bought my current used zpacks tent on it and before that i found a xmid 1p and it was ripped and was returned zero questions asked and the seller was forced to pay for the return label too

My thoughts: Tarptent Dipole is a strong contender and lines up nicely alongside those tents. I find the xmid 1p is plenty roomy for one. The new xDome is very attractive for its smaller footprint, no fuss setup and apparent (untested by the masses) wind resistance!

Durston X-mid 1 for about $250 is a solid choice. It’s a trekking pole tent that pitches fly first and you can leave the inner attached when packing it. It has dual roof vents and large vestibules. It only takes 4 stakes to pitch but I use 5 to stake out a door. I’m 6’ 1” and have plenty of room. Edit: you can get the pro version which is DCF to save weight but that costs more like $550

Second the X-mid 1

2nd this. At $240 it’s an amazing tent. It’s pretty roomy. Sets up easy fly first. Has big vestibules. Ventilates well and only takes 5 stakes for a standard pitch. Edit: They sell a groundsheet but Durston says it's not required. Not sure why the sell it. I've used my x-mid withought a ground sheet for 2 seasons without issue.

I have a Durston X-Mid 1 and I love it.

With our doublewall tents including the X-Dome the fly can be rolled back as much as you want. You can expose a corner or two (I show this in the pitching video) or the entire interior. So the X-Dome 2 can have any amount of ventilation from fully covered to 100% inner exposed. The regular X-Mid can do this too, but the singlewall Pro version has the fly and inner attached so the versatility is less.

If you are familiar with the gen 1, model, it is quite different than that since the width has grown 5” wider, 4” taller and about 7” longer. The geometry increases the volume out of two trekking poles (eg more space than a more traditional interior shape) so the current version is one of the largest 1P interiors available.

The regular X-Mid has always been tips up, and the Pros have always been handles up. The main reasons for that is that a doublewall tent (regular series) doesn't have a natural pocket for the handle, so the lightest option is a grommet for the tip, whereas the Pro series are singlewall/hybrid tents so the inner wall connecting to the fly creates a natural pocket that we use to go handles up. You can go handles up without adapters in the regular X-Mid too, but it doesn't have that wall there to positively stop the handle from sliding around. It works normally but in high winds the greater security of a grommet or an adapter can be nice.

The X-Dome 1+ interior would not fit in the X-Mid 1. They have similarities, but the shapes are too different to work. What I am interested in doing is creating a 1+ interior for the X-Mid 1. It would be a little bit weird because it would have a pole inside the living space so we probably would not offer this as one of the regular versions (eg listing an X-Mid 1+ in the menu) but we could offer it as an option on the X-Mid 1. I am open to doing that, but can’t promise it at this point or offer a clear timeline.

We do both. Our singlewall tents (X-Mid Pro) pitch handles up (because with a single wall tent the inner wall connects to the fly here to create a natural pocket for the handle). Whereas with our doublewall tents (regular X-Mid) there is no natural pocket so adding grommet to hold the tip is simplest/lightest (lighter than building a whole pocket). In our tips up models, we have a metal grommet, protective webbing above, and then a reinforced cone above that. The cone used to be weaker so if you didn’t put the tip in the grommet it could lead to damage, but about a year ago we changed to a tougher peak cone that is fine even if someone fails to put the tip in the grommet.

I’m an x mid fan and I will say if you ever need it lighter you can go without the inner if you use bugnet bivy or don’t need it at all

I was leery of trekking pole tents myself ("What if I have to set up somewhere I can't get stakes into the ground?" was my worry, "Little rock, big rock" was the answer) but ended up buying the normal Xmid-1p for a recent 160-mi CT section hike due to weight issues. I'm really glad I did. The footprint *is* pretty big for one person, but in the rain I was really glad to have room to stash all my gear in one vestibule and still have space to cook in the other vestibule without feeling cramped. Basically with the regular pitch I'd describe it as a 2p dry space and a 1p bug-free zone. Lots of room for stuff, but less weight on the inner than a fully 2p tent. There was one night I ended up in a tiny improvised campsite and had to do the "narrow pitch" on one side of the tent, but otherwise the size wasn't an issue. At this point, I'd actually go for the trekking pole tent rather than the freestanding one specifically because it is possible to pitch it more narrow if necessary. I don't know if that'll be possible with the freestanding -- Durston is pretty thoughtful about their stuff, though, so it's worth it to wait and see. I talked to a couple people on my trip who had gotten the Xmid Pro, and they both said if they bought again they'd get the regular version. One was a dude who had a tendency to be hard on his gear and missed the durability. The other one was having difficulty with condensation and missed having a fully double-walled tent. As to "What if a pole breaks?" I feel like if you're under a tree, you'd be able to tie the peak guyline to a tree and be more or less fine. Wouldn't be too hard to improvise with a stick either in lieu of the pole or a smaller twig jammed into your broken pole to stabilize it. There's probably also some way to roll up the extra slack and pitch with a single pole that'd be wonky-looking and wobbly but still functional for a night or two if you had to. 

Hiking pole tents (rather than freestanding) and 100% the way to go. I’ve used the Ultrapack DW from IntentsOutdoors and found it great, if a little cramped. Can find them second hand for super cheap on trademe/FB marketplace. I bought an Xmid 1p for $450 (pretty much brand new) off marketplace so there are some incredible deals out there, just have to be patient. Can’t get better for weight + comfort at that price. I’d highly recommend any Durston tent (maybe stick to the two wall ones if you don’t like condensation). FWIW I’ve used both the Xmid and Ultrapack DW in fairly high winds and have found them sweet as. All depends on how good your pitch is!

I carried the OG X-Mid 1P for 700 miles on the PCT. Space wasn't an issue when I used it, but I eventually swapped it out for a tarp because I was cowboy camping most of the time. I now have a 2P Pro and it's also great. I think the only benefit I could think of to not get the Pro version would be if you wanted to setup the inner-only for stargazing on a buggy night. Otherwise, lighter is better for a hike that long. If I had to do it over again and wanted more protection than the tarp, I would look into the Tarp Tent Rainbow Li. Seems to strike the right balance of weight, protection, ease of use and smaller footprint size. I didn't really care for the larger tent so I have more room mentality. You're only sleeping in it, not hosting dinner parties.

A one person and a two person. I would never carry a bigger tent than that. It’s too hard to find bug flat spots. It’s nice to have two vestibules for a two person but not at all mandatory. Especially if you don’t deal with much rain. The actual features of your tent depend on when and where you use it. For me the deciding factors are cost, weight, and whether I expect rain and storms. I just buy the lightest and most sturdy tent I can but. Right now that is a durston xmid 1P. I like the tarp tent dipole for a two person tent as well.

I use my Xmid 1 with no inner and a 5x7 sheet of tyvek. I love it

Same height. The Xmid 1P fits me no problem. 

Worst with this was a September High Sierra thunderstorm with hail. I had one vestibule collapsed with a “skinny pitch” because of site constraints. No issues. (Regular non-pro 1P)

The Xmid1 mesh inner is narrow, about the width if a wide pad. You can sit up in it, but your ability to stretch or orient to the side are restricted. The vestibules hold a lot. I like it better without the inner. 

I had no problems with the xmid 1p at 193cm. But need to see if this tent will work for me if I go for DCF.

I have a Durston X-mid 1p but want to make a switch regarding shelter systems. I weighed it, and it's just shy of 2 lbs. However, I am trying to lower my base weight. Here is my lighter pack if you are interested. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Also trying to trade my quilt for a 20F short length 850fp if anyone is interested. [https://lighterpack.com/r/h9xltz](https://lighterpack.com/r/h9xltz) I need advice on what tarp, bivy, guyline, groundsheet, guylines/stakes, and anything else in between to get as I have trouble with choosing. Links are appreciated! And if you are selling please send me a DM! * Usage: Mainly for 1 person and rarely 2. Also I will likely use 2 trekking poles * Location: Sierras and Southern California (LA/OC) * Budget: $100-$225. I am planning on getting these items used or will purchase them directly. * Tarp Size: 7x9? I'm only 5'3" so is it overkill? I tend to go backpacking with groups so finding a site that offers enough space for my tent can be hard. * Tarp Shape: I don't know which shape but I'm leaning towards a catenary shape for A-pitch for general setups. I hear that a flat shape is more versatile but, it tends to be less taught when the guylines are cinched down. * Tarp Material: Silpoly. Can't afford DCF. * Bivy or Groundsheet: I don't know if I should go with a head net/groundsheet first, or a bivy, or both. * Groundsheet: What size? Tyvek may weigh too much so Polycryo might be the way to go. * Bathtub: Sounds nice but do I need it? * Guylines: What should I pick? Do I need liner lockers or should I learn how to tie knots?

I forget how wind is a big factor. I don't really pay much attention to site selection with the x-mid because of it's stormworthiness.

I have an og Drop 1p and after I learned to pitch the tent with taut mesh inner, there was plenty room. Square a tight rectangle, then tension the corners tighter, then raise poles.*

I have three of these: the Lunar Solo, X-mid 1, and Rainbow Solo. Lunar Solo is ok. Bit finicky to pitch sometimes but not horrible. I have to make sure to use my second trekking pole to lift the head end of the tent to give me enough room. XMid 1 for me is too small. (I’m 6’2” and about 230 lbs). No extra usable internal space. Feels tight. Of the three the Rainbow Solo hits a pretty nice sweet spot of price, size, and weight. I have the aluminum pole which I recommend. As you know it is single wall so probably better for dryer climates. I’ll probably pick up an Xdome 1 at some point. Maybe next year. The Lanshan tents over on Ali Express seem popular as inexpensive options. IMO the XMid Pro 2 is the perfect solo tent but is way more $$$ than your criteria.

But there’s more to it than just being able to place a long wide pad on the floor. I have a Xmid 1P (not the Pro though) and at 32” wide it’s tight for someone my size. But I’ll concede the proof is in the trying.

Yeah, even the non-pro version I have that’s double-walled clips the inner to the rainfly and you pitch everything at once (after the first time - clip them together and leave them together). The single-walled pro models definitely have no way to pitch sewn-together pieces separately.

Try the Durston X-Mid 1, which is currently $234.00 USD. It's a hiking pole tent, so you'll need a pair of those, but I highly recommend backpacking with hiking poles anyway. Alternatively, you can buy their Z-Flick Tent Pole for $35. I also recommend using a groundsheet with this tent. They sell one for $43, but a piece of polycryo or Tyvek cut to fit works great for just $10-$20. The X-Mid is very well thought out. It requires just 4 stakes, but 5 stakes lets you open a door one-handed, and 8-10+ stakes are good if high winds and/or poor soil conditions are present. The tent can be set up and taken down under the rain fly, which is amazing, especially if there's heavy rain. The tent weighs just 28 oz (795 g), it has two vestibules, the doors have magnets to hold them open, the inner tent can't touch the rain fly (so condensation-induced wet sleeping bags foot boxes are much less likely), the inside pockets are well-placed, and Dan Durston provides top-tier customer support. I thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail with a Gossamer Gear The Two, but I wouldn't recommend it for most use cases. The Two is only 667 g and is SUPER roomy, but it sags with condensation/rain, it's a single-wall tent (so if it rains you have to dry it all out), it has a massive footprint, and it has about half the hydrostatic head of the X-Mid. The X-Mid is a good tent. I'm taking it to hike at least 800 miles of Te Araroa in New Zealand starting in December, and I think it'll work well. Happy trails!

Another vote for the Durston. Best tent I’ve ever owned. Does have a fairly large footprint though with the dual vestibules.

Check out the Durston X mid 1p and 2p. Fantastic tents. Get one before the tariffs kick in!

MLD Duomid or Solomid XL is probably a great choice. I used a Duomid in Alaska's Brooks Range in 2015 and Wrangell St. Elias in 2017 and they held up great. I also have an X-Mid 1P and have used it in the Tetons, Wind River Range, Sierra, etc and it's been great, though I'd say the MLD is more stormworthy. Locus Gear and HMG also have mids that would be worthy alternitives to the MLD Mids. If you really want UL wind-worthyness the MLD Trailstar is the best, though it does have some other drawbacks.

I've actually owned both (though the Solomid XL I had was the older non offset pole version) and I don't think it makes much difference. I used both in some pretty nasty weather - both have been to Wind River Range and Alaska with me on trips and I preferred the Duomid, though the newer offset pole Solomid XL looks really nice too - I think either would do great. I mostly use an X-Mid 1P now, but it doesn't seem nearly as stout as my Duomid in high winds. I have sold the Solomid, but use the Solomid XL inner with the Duomid as a 1P shelter. Also - though I typically like the Easton stakes and use a mix of the 6" blue and 8" gold (when needed), in the soft tundra of Alaska, I've found that MSR Snow Stakes work really well - I'm not sure if Iceland has similar soft tundra that doesn't hold stakes well or not.

If you're open to non - freestanding shelters I'd recommend the MLD Trailstar for that particular trip as it's bomb proof in the wind for such a light shelter. For something a little more well rounded a small mid is great - the MLD Solomid XL or Duomid, the HMG Ultamid 2, or Locus Gear. I've got a Duomid and have used it twice in Alaska - once above the Artic Circle and in all sorts of exposed campsites. Typically I use an X-Mid 1P now, but it wouldn't be my first choice for Patagonia winds, I'd rather use my Duomid in those conditions. If you want something heavier, the Tarptent Scarp is very popular choice in the UK where they get similar type winds.

I think 5 pounds is a bit heavy for a tent. Look into trekking pole tents. The Gossamer Gear The One and the Durston X-Mid 1 are both a decent size for pretty cheap. I had the Durston and never felt cramped (i’m a 5’6” female). You can store your stuff in the vestibules, and I never really had a problem with my stuff getting wet unless I chose a bad tent spot. I even was able to fit 2 people in the Durston at some points and when it rained and my friends were cowboy camping I took down the middle and we all fit under the fly.

Should be noted that this pitches with your trekking poles, which is what you want, but make sure you bring some. Additionally, you only need minimum 4 not 5

Just finished my first trip out with my new Durston X-Mid 1 and I can throw out a thumbs up for that one. Never used any other trekking pole tent so I can't compare but the X-Mid was great and easy to use. It does seem to have a bigger footprint than other 1p trekking pole tents but the vestibules are very spacious and it doesn't feel cramped on the inside. Had plenty of room to use a wide pad. Also nice that the poles are staggered and don't block the doors, making it pretty easy to get in and out of. Would definitely recommend doing a few practice pitches before you head out with it but all in all I'm happy with it.

I run my x mid without the liner. I have a square tarp too and the x mid is just so easy to set up. I don’t run a bivy with it. If it was horribly buggy I’d just bring the inner.

If you don’t want to carry unnecessary weight one of the best things you can do is look at trekking poles tents. The duration x mid standard is what I would say is on the high end of budget tents.

Durston X-Mid 1 (not pro version) all the way. Durable, affordable, tons of excellent reviews on YT.

I would go XMid 1p, should have enough room for you at 6 foot plus gear in vestilubes even in bad weather

I beleive the non Pro version is slightly larger… but you will have the inner mesh taking up more space too

For around $100 it is about as good as it is going to get, and is plenty to hit some overnighters where you hike 5-6 miles out. Design is solid, but it is quite heavy and will be felt if the trails you are hitting have a lot of up/downhill or high mileage. For under $200 you can get Lanshan 1 pro, and for around $250 you can get a Durston X-Mid 1. Both are of course fair bit more expensive, but also \*much\* lighter, which depending on exact backpacking plans you have may be a significant advantage.

I love my Xmid One. For people who aren’t aware they are trekking pole tents so they don’t come with poles, made from dyneema a recycled plastic four times stronger than steel but like tissue paper. It weighs under 400gms and has made tramping such a light experience. Lots of space for a one person tent. The two person would be a stretch for two but great if you want a lot more space on your own. It’s not my winter tent though.

I own this tent and it’s amazing.

If you're open to using trekking pole tents, a great well-designed option that is often recommended by many redditors but that is slightly over your budget would be the Durston X-Mid. For something that's within your budget, the Lanshan tent (made by various companies including 3F UL and MIER) comes to mind as a solid affordable option.

I have the standard silpoly X-Mid and it's an awesome tent for $240 retail - its main drawback is how much ground space it takes up: https://durstongear.com/products/x-mid-1-tent-ultralight-backpacking At about $140, the Lanshan is surprisingly good and robust for the price point: https://3fulgear.com/product/ultralight-tent/lanshan-1 Hope you have an awesome time out there! Solo camping and backpacking are some of my most favorite experiences as a human being haha

This is one of the most popular tents in /r/ultralight for good reason: https://durstongear.com/products/x-mid-1-tent-ultralight-backpacking It's holds up well in most weather, it's big, comfy, good ventilation, affordable (by most standards), and light. If that's too expensive for you, try something from lanshan or naturehike. The potential downsides of the x-mid are that you need trekking poles to pitch it, and it's footprint is sort of big meaning it can be hard to fit in smaller pitching spots.

I just thru hiked the Appalachian Trail with this tent, served me great but is a little bit tight inside. Il be switching to a Durston x-mid 1 for my next big hike.

Durston is my vote! I got two tents from them, was thinking to resell one but thinking to keep it if my son starts hiking on his own, so he can keep it. I want to buy the nylon one (two wall tent) next. It would be better for the winter than the one wall tent (XMidPro) that I have I think. But, the quality of their products is great! If the shipping/fees isn't too bad, consider it.

the xmid-1 will fit you but not any other animal or human. The area under the xmid tarp is huge, even for the 1, but if you only care about the part that is inside the inner, it's about average size.

If you could spend a bit more this seems like a good deal. I was originally looking at this company but ended up going with the durston xmid 1 https://www.pariaoutdoorproducts.com/collections/camping-tents-backpacking-tent/products/arches-1p-and-2p-backpacking-tent

Only 5 reviews is a bit sus. Id check out https://www.pariaoutdoorproducts.com/collections/camping-tents-backpacking-tent They seem to be well liked and affordable. I almost went with theirs but decided to spend a bit more and go with theirs durston xmid 1

X-Mid 1 is right on your budget. Sell your Fjällräven off and you got budget to go full ul with that money :D!

The main tent that comes to mind as stronger, cheaper, and lighter that doesn't make large compromises to usability is the durston x-mid. And it still makes some compromises in that it isn't freestanding. For 3 season backpacking in Colorado/rocky mountain US the copper.spur is solid.

The X-Mid (non-Pro) has the advantage of being a double-wall tent, so even if you brush against the walls, you won’t get wet. However, when it comes to height support, I find that Durston tends to overestimate. I'm 198 cm tall, and only X-Mid Pro 2+ is usable for solo use. I definitely wouldn’t go for the one-person X-Mid 1 if you're around 193 cm or taller. As for solo tents, the now-discontinued Zpacks Offset Solo was the only one that really works for me. A friend of mine, who’s 195 cm, uses the Tarptent Dipole 1 and says he can sleep comfortably in it, but considering the weight, I’d personally lean toward the Zpacks Offset Duo, X-Mid Pro 2+, or even the standard X-Mid 2 for solo use. If you want a tent for two people that can fit a tall person, get Zpacks Offset Trio.

The X-Mid (non-Pro) has the advantage of being a double-wall tent, so even if you brush against the walls, you won’t get wet. However, when it comes to height support, I find that Durston tends to overestimate. I'm 198 cm tall, and only X-Mid Pro 2+ is usable for solo use. I definitely wouldn’t go for the one-person X-Mid 1 if you're around 193 cm or taller. As for solo tents, the now-discontinued Zpacks Offset Solo was the only one that really works for me. A friend of mine, who’s 195 cm, uses the Tarptent Dipole 1 and says he can sleep comfortably in it, but considering the weight, I’d personally lean toward the Zpacks Offset Duo, X-Mid Pro 2+, or even the standard X-Mid 2 for solo use. If you want a tent for two people that can fit a tall person, get Zpacks Offset Trio.

Just buy the Mongar. It's a much better tent if you're looking at the lower price points. If you can stretch budget then the Durston XMid's better suited to backpacking given the weight savings but that doesn't sound like the issue for you in which case the 20D Mongar's a great choice.

We downsized the tent we take on kayak trips to save on space and a bit of weight. Our 3 person marmot is almost 8 lbs vs my Durston XMid but if I didn't also want something for backpacking a Naturehike Mongar 2 would be a good balance between size, weight and costs.

Those Stormbreaker tents are solid choices....for car camping. You don't want to carry that much weight on your back though. Durston X-Mids are excellent value. Look up the Youtube videos on how to set them up...they're not difficult so don't let the trekking pole issue scare you. Also trekking poles can be purchased for reasonable prices as well...Costco for example. Freestanding tent options are plentiful. There's a couple of things to consider, namely weight and entry style. Personally I vastly prefer dual side entry vs just a single head end door but that's a personal preference. The Naturehike Mongar 2P is well under $200, about 4lbs trail weight and is a big 2P. If you're willing to spend more you can lower the weight with similar models from MSR, Big Agnes, Nemo etc

For my solo shelter in 2024 I used an X-mid 1 fly that I modified by sewing on perimeter mesh. I still enjoy using it so I wanted to share why I chose this option, how I did it, and a brief “review”. Most of us who've seen copious X-mid photos should be able to visualize this, but [here are photos.](https://www.onland.us/gear-review/x-mid-perimeter-mesh) # Why: I cowboy camp often, and have an Xmid 2 for trips with partners. I use a 1p shelter for all my summer guiding in mountain ecosystems (\~30 nights), and for other trips where it's cold/rainy. Here are the other shelters I used/considered: * **Gossamer Gear The One**: I used this tent for two summers guiding in Wyoming (75 nights), and am a big fan the weight:price ratio, the simplicity of the single wall design, and the packability. I found its durability and stormworthinwss fully adequate. I stopped using it mostly because at 6’2” I needed to use the end timeouts (extra fuss) and my feet would still touch the fly. A secondary issue is the silnylon fabric does indeed sag when wet. * **Normal Xmid (with inner)**: Obviously a good option, but I am looking for my 1p shelter to save more weight over my Xmid 2 than this would. Also, I have used one and found the decrease in length due to the inner undesirable (it compresses my footbox). Buying only the fly is also cheaper. * **Tarptent Notch, Protrail, Dipole**: All great tents, but like the Normal Xmid they are heavier than I prefer. They are also all more fussy than the Xmid in one way or another. * **SMD Deschutes Plus**: Light and silpoly. I tried this but it was way too small, so I returned it. * **Xmid Pro**: Truly seems like a great tent, and I would prefer to use this if the cost felt worth it to me. The other cons of DCF wouldn't bother me too much. * **Gossamer Gear Whisper**: Lightest option. I don't actually have a strong preference for a floorless design, so if I wanted to pay for DCF it would be the Xmid Pro. * **Flat/Shaped tarp**: I love “communing with nature” so I cowboy camp extremely often. When I want a shelter, I want easy, effective protection from rain/wind/mosquitoes. What I actually want is a silpoly Xmid Pro. I like single wall shelters for my 1p, and I like integrated floors. Basically this would be like a perfected GG The One. But this isn't available and I don't want to make one. # How to: The first step is to acquire an Xmid fly. Sometimes they are available from Durston Gear on the “Spare tent parts” page, otherwise you could just modify the fly from an Xmid you already own. This is one of the easiest sewing projects one can do. It is way easier than the popular make-your-own synthetic quilt, and is very low consequence because it can be removed and the functionality of the Xmid should be uncompromised. Super fine mesh like this can be a little hard to sew, and you have to use a delicate machine. Any portable/domestic/home machine should be fine. I ordered the lightest possible possible noseeum mesh (.5osy) from Ripstop by the Roll because I wasn't very concerned about durability issues. I cut the mesh into 8" strips and then sewed each strip together end-to-end so I had at least 340" of 8" wide mesh. Then I sewed that to the base of the tent, starting from one door and leaving a extra mesh around the doors. If I did this again I would make my mesh wider than 8", maybe 12-16" would be ideal. It is nice to have plenty so it can hug the ground and you can put weight on top of it. # Review: The Xmid has enough reputation that I won't rehash it all, but for the unique use without an inner I find it amazing. I like the 1p geometry better than the 2p because the walls are steeper, which is awesome for liveability but less good for wind (just pitch it with the ridgeline in the wind direction). Inside it's really awesome how much space there is. One can choose a slender human-sized groundsheet to save weight or use a big groundsheet to have more clean space. I cook group meals while guiding and I can comfortable do that inside the shelter if needed. At 6’2” I often sleep on a large Xtherm and have a lofty 20°F bag, in which I'm not even close to touching the ends, even with an overquilt. I have used this with another person and it is remarkably comfortable. The poles can be angled towards the middle and there is adequate length and width. It would be a phenomenal 2p fastpacking shelter for short trips or any trip where you can dry out during the day, because with 2 people you will probably touch the walls a little. The mesh that I added weighs about 1oz. I also replaced all four corner guy lines with 24” cords so that I can more easily use natural anchors (highly recommended for rocky landscapes). In total my shelter weighs 21oz and packs to the size of a grapefruit. “But how is a tent without a floor good enough?” - there are many opinions out there on this. My favorite is from renowned Alaskan adventure Roman Dial, who basically said on a podcast that sleeping in a tent with a floor is for noobs. I'm not that extreme, I'm more comfortable with integrated floors, but floorless tents are fine. The first thing I'll assert is that floorless tents are fine in rain. If you are camped in a spot where water will pool, a bathtub floor won't magically make things pleasant. Tarp campers know this - just think of a floorless mid as a more protective tarp. My edition is 98% effective against flying insects and a version with a longer mesh skirt would be even better. It's not totally effective against creepy crawlies. In mountain environments this is fine. I once found a slug inside and once had a mouse come in and get stuck for 30 seconds.  In desert environments with venomous snakes and scorpions - if you're not comfortable cowboy camping, this probably isn't the shelter for you. I usually use a 6oz bivy as my only shelter in these conditions, because it usually doesn't rain. You could use a bivy inside this Xmid PM but then the weight is approaching a normal Xmid.

There are some pretty good clearance deals right now as the big brands are changing their lines over for spring. Big Agnes and Nemo have a few left on Amazon and REI still, I think. I snagged a ba fly Creek ul 2 for 200ish on Amazon that's going to serve as a backup/summer tent, and a 3p nemo tent (that isn't ultralight) for family trips with 2 people and dogs. If you can't find an amenable deal on sale, get an x-mid. It's the best value overall.

I got the xmid having never used another tent before other than ones my family had for car camping when I was younger. Can't say I've really found anything I dislike about it tbh. My only gripe is maybe there's not much "living space" with the inner clipped in, but tbh that isnt something that really bothers me and it can be worked around, but ive not had it out in the middle of a serious downpour yet, just odd showers here and there.

I also highly recommend this tent, I love that thing. Super easy to set up. If you dont want to spend for the "pro" the regular xmid is the same design just heavier.

I used the X-Mid this year and it was awesome. Highly recommend

In reading responses here OP and others should consider that this sub is US/North American-centric, has a lot of Durston fans, and occasionally displays negative bias towards Chinese products. I'm happy to correct some misinformation and give my opinion from inclement Northern Europe as I own both the X-Mid 1 (but not the solid - it wasn't available at the time) and the Lanshan 1 (the non-Pro with separate fly and inner, both 3 season mesh and 4 season solid). No affiliations to either maker. They are both great tents OP. Cost - The Lanshan range definitely has risen in price and new variants (e.g. 2024 T-door) carry a slight premium, but looking on Aliexpress today the Lanshan 1 can still be shipped to the US or Europe for around $100. That is an absolutely sensational price! The X-Mid Solid is going to cost at least two or two-and-a-half times that depending on your location. That is still a great price IMO, but if you are budget conscious let's be honest that these are not comparable outlays. This is the key factor that should then determine how you view these tents, and the Lanshan in particular, on the price-performance axes. Seam sealing - The Lanshan 1 does NOT need seam sealing. It is seamed taped from the factory. The Lanshan Pro (1 or 2) is the one that has to be seam sealed because it has double sided silicon coating. Storm worthiness - The Lanshan 1 is great in the wind and bad weather, especially pitched side on or tail into the wind. It is a half-mid and presents considerably less fabric to the wind than the X-Mid. The downside is in internal usable space but you can't have it all. Modding - The Lanshan 1 does NOT need to be modded to be usable! I'm an inveterate modder of most of my tents and gear, but other than swapping out stakes as usual, I haven't modded my Lanshan 1 at all or felt the need. Fabric - The Lanshan uses silnylon (specifically silicon coated on the outside, PU on the inside) compared to the X-Mid's silpoly (but still with PU on the inside I think to allow factory seam taping). Having got a selection of tents and tarps in both materials, I think the outdoor industry is making a much bigger deal out of silpoly vs silnylon than the in-field reality. After all, we were happily using silnylon for our tents for decades without fearing the dreaded 'sag' until another reason to upgrade came along. Silpoly's hydrophobic qualities are nice, sure, but I've found I also really value silnylon's strength and stretch under tension for taut pitches in non freestanding tents. Silpoly just doesn't feel the same. Footprint - Maybe if you factor in the spread of the guy lines on the Lanshan 1 compared to the minimal 4 point staking of the X-Mid, someone will tell me the Lanshan 1 needs more space, but I know on a practical level that finding somewhere to pitch the Lanshan 1 is much easier than the X-Mid 1. When I lay out the X-Mid 1, it still feels like a huge footprint. 2 trekking poles vs 1 - You'll need two trekking poles (or equivalent) for the X-Mid vs only 1 for the Lanshan 1. Most people carry two, but if you carry none or one, this is worth considering. I also always have a slight worry about lack of redundancy when needing two poles should I break one on trail. Admittedly, not a concern limited to my X-Mid as lots of my other shelters also use two poles. Internal space - the X-Mid 1 feels very spacious compared to the Lanshan 1. Having the longer ridge of two supporting poles helps before you even get the benefit of the diagonal arrangement. For anyone 6 foot or over, you're not going to have the best time in the Lanshan 1 and are going to need to pitch it well to keep the inner out of your face. The X-Mid 1 also has 2 huge vestibules, while the Lanshan 1 only has the one vestibule, but it is a decent usable space. The person who compared the Lanshan 1 to the GG One and made reference to condensation issues - poor comparison. The Lanshan 1 is a single trekking pole double wall half-'mid'. The GG One is a single skin, two trekking pole tent. The respondent was probably thinking of the Lanshan 2 Pro which is a closer match. Finally, I wanted to comment on the choice of solid or mesh inners, since most are recommending the OP takes the non-solid route on the grounds of better breathability leading to less condensation. Since the OP doesn't mention where they are located, a contrary view may be useful. In Northern Europe where I am based, solid inners are much more popular. They are warmer and protect better from wind and driven rain, but the other reason is simply to protect the occupant from being rained on by condensation on the fly. The usual advice to pitch high, open doors and allow plenty of ventilation is only relevant if the moisture one is trying to free is produced by inside by the tent occupant. When the air everywhere is totally saturated and the temps drop below the dew point, everything is left drenched inside and outside the tent, regardless. The fly keeps off rain and the inner keeps off condensation. This is also why a solid roof on the inner is so important here and any mesh ventilation should be at the top of the inner side panel not in the roof.

2 xmids and a UL tarp is my setup for our family of four, with kids age 6 and 9, plus our 50lb dog! It works great. My kids love having their own tent (and so do mom and dad…). Hanging the tarp between the tents sounds super cool but I’m not sure you’ll always find campsites to accommodate. When it rains, we usually end up putting the tents in “porch mode” and getting them as close to the tarp as we can. Everyone in our group carries a pack, even the dog. ULA makes child size UL backpacks that adjust with them as they grow. They’re spendy but my kids love them. My 9 year old can carry his whole kit other than his food and the items we share as a family, like cookware, toiletries, water filter, and med kit. The 6 year old carries only his sleep system and clothes. I think offloading even a little weight to the kids and pets will help a lot. Plus my kids love wearing their own (lightweight) backpacks and using their own trekking poles. Makes it seem more adventurous.

Set up on the X-Mid is by far the easiest of the tracking pole tents, but in reality it’s only slightly lighter than a Big Agnes Copper Spur. I know trekking pole tents are the big rage, but if you’ve never used one, there are conditions where it’s more difficult. Rocky or sandy conditions make it difficult at times.

The XMid is probably the most common tent this year. What annoys me about the regular versions is that it's trekking pole tip up. I tend to be hard on my tips and break them easily. After wearing the tip down quite a bit, it didn't fit anymore. (This wasn't a problem for me as my partner is mucj gentler and didn't break their tip)

I'd go for the x-mid 1. I did notice a lot of people breaking their poles on the PCT. One of mine did. But I just taped the hell out of it, and you could probably put like a splint on one if necessary if it snaps. You can also get a dedicated pole from the Durston website if you don't want to commit to two trekking poles, and it'll work as a pole for more than just the x-mid. I feel like the weight would still be under the new freestanding one coming out soon.

That's a great idea.  I've used the x-mid a few times without the inner in the snow and in low-bug situations and really liked it.  I also contemplated buying the deschutes + with the bug netting some years ago.   An x-mid with a bug skirt sounds brilliant. 

I run a 1p and 2p mids with netting in settings similar to u/0n_land They're definately fiddly and when bug pressure is high, you'd be suprised how much stuff you have to stack on the netting to make it work. Plenty of bugs get in the meantime. If you want a minimal shelter quiver or a good do-it-all shelter for a thru, the sewn on netting is great when you factor in the low weight and cowboy camping flexibility.

Xmid-1. It's great! Used it on the GR54 and it was fantastic.

An incredible trail through the French Alps. We did it in 10 days and the ease of setup and takedown of the X-mid 1 as well as packability and, incredibly, the price, was enough to make me a Durston fan for life. Like the first place I will ever look for new gear is there. I've used the X Mid in the Alps a lot and there are a ton of reviews on it that can say anything better than I can but it's a legit piece of gear and I'm happy tongive his company my business. I didn't have the inner since it was summer and at altitude, so bugs weren't an issue luckily. Lived it and will look into an X Dome as well. https://www.ultimatefrance.com/hiking/french-alps/tour-des-ecrins-gr54

If you have a bot more the spend the Durston Xmid 1 is incredible. You can buy the Fly and Inner separately from Canada and not pay import duties. 750g

Ok so if you order the full tent from Durston direct it go over the £135 limit. Which means you pay import tariffs (It's only around £22 for the mesh Xmid1) but you can order the inner and outer separately which gets you around the limit. I made a post about it here if you want more info. They are amazing tents so fast to put up and no guy lines to trip over. [FYI UK Buyers, Successful Duties Claim 🫡 : r/DurstonGearheads](https://www.reddit.com/r/DurstonGearheads/comments/1js70h7/fyi_uk_buyers_successful_duties_claim/)

Durston Xmid1! 750g and if you buy the inner and fly separately you don't pay duties from Canada.

If pitched correctly it is very sturdy. No poles bending as all the force goes straight down.

X Mid 1 + Z Flick poles (or trekking poles) 750grams tent. It's incredible

No they are separate and don't fit in the Xmid 1 stuff sack. Its too small! haha I carry them in my side pouch on my bag :)

Honestly is just an incredible tent. You can pitch with 4 pegs and no guylines at all. I went with the mesh inner over the solid as the fly colour is more discreet Watch this [https://youtu.be/mqRMawjBB90?si=mhkEDtksogZgTO05](https://youtu.be/mqRMawjBB90?si=mhkEDtksogZgTO05)

The xmid is one of the most popular trekking pole tents on the market. If you aren’t a trekking pole user, you can get adjustable poles for ~$25-35 each. There are some drawbacks to non-freestanding tents but for me the positives outweigh the negatives. The xmid 1 is 2 pounds (1000g.) internally it’s bigger than any other 1 person tent out there. The tent material is great. It’s extremely storm worthy. It’s the fastest set up and take down of any tent I’ve used. Downsides are it’s huge, tent sites can be hard to find. That’s a double edge sword. Since it’s non freestanding you either need 4 stakes or 4 large rocks. This can take some getting used to. Your poles are now used as tent poles. If you want to peak bag or day hike from a base camp, you’ll need to break down your site every day. If you have any interest in non-freestanding tents I’d highly recommend this tent.

Hey, good for you! My kids are teenagers and finally able to carry gear and actually have fun on extended self powered trips. Air mattresses have become much better per ounce (also more expensive). Quilts might also be your answer for getting more coverage and more longevity out of gear. Kids outgrow sleeping bags fast, but quilts are useful forever. Tents have gotten lighter too, check out the Durston semi-frestanding tents. More than gear, I'd say the main thing is planning fun trips. Good food, friends, things to do (slingshots eventually became a big motivator for getting my kids out). Also, patience, they may/probably won't like the same things you do. I went years dragging my kids out backpacking more or less against their will until somehow the switch flipped and now they are planning thier summer trips here in march. For a few years there I just took them on canoe/car camping/rafting trips, and that was fine. Type 2 fun doesn't turn on until kids are a bit older. Do a couple of short simple trips first, before dropping a ton of $ on gear.

bug mesh is annoying and unnecessary in the snow. xmid is fine but a true mid will offer more protection and stability

works just fine. pitch is similar to a mid, other than one more pole.

I loved my xmid (earlier version) on my 2022 thru. If you're hiking with trekking poles, get it. A handful of times I wished I had freestanding but not a big issue. Most people I hiked with still carried poles, but barely used them by the end, myself included. If I did it again I'd consider shipping home after the sierras/any major snow/water crossings. If I had a freestanding tent that is, I'd carry poles specifically for the xmid because it's so good. I'm not familiar with the pro, but being double walled is specifically why I bought it. Being able to use it without the inner net rules. Double walls is essential hiking in wet Appalachia where I'm at so I can use it at home too. I'd opt for the standard xmid over the pro. The weight difference isn't a big concern, but durability is. Maybe if you're good at being gentle with your gear. Similarly I'd opt for tyvek over polycro by the same reasoning, but I'm sure many will disagree. For 150ish days of use I'm glad I had the more durable option and weight was never a problem as long as your big 3 are moderately reasonable.

I don't know much about it but it looks ok, I have seen on you tube on an American channel and it looks ok. Terra nova do 4 season tents like the southern cross 1 or 2, bombproof and not too heavy. You can usually pick them up for £500. Or there's Nortent Vern 1 or 2 at the same price but heavier, really good reviews on YouTube. I use my x-mid all year round unless I'm expecting really bad weather then I use the Terra nova Southern cross. Hope that helps

The biggest backpacking tents are usually 2 people. The best backpacking tent on the market right now for beginners and experienced backpackers is the Dan Durston Xmid. Get a 1 or 2 person.

I have the copper spur and my brother has the dan durston xmid. The xmid is better. It has more room inside and it’s lighter

I second the Durston. If you’re hesitant to get a non-freestanding tent, don’t be. I had mine staked down in packed sand during a rainstorm that dropped 1.5”-2” per hour for 3 hours according to a ranger station nearby and it took it like a champ.

You can find big brands on sale generally between $200 and $350 depending on the tent. For cottage brands you're generally going to pay MSRP with maybe the occasional 10% discount, and they range from $250-$700 depending on materials. I kinda gauge tents by the Durston Xmid for non-free standing and use the Big Agnes Tiger Wall or similar tent for free standing. The Xmid is under $300 and the Tiger Wall is about $400 (but you can find discounts) iirc.

If you live somewhere damp, you can’t go wrong with the X-Mid.  If you live somewhere dry, consider the single-wall The Two from Gossamer. It’s a tad harder to set up but quite a lot lighter. 

I have an X-Mid 1 and an X-Mid 2 Solid. In my experience, the solid is best suited for cold and windy environments where condensation is less of a problem. The standard breathes substantially better.

The biggest two problem of Lanshan: 1. It uses nylon 2. It’s not factory sealed, and they’ll charge you $35 if you want them to do it for you. Just go ahead with X-mid, they are not comparable at all.

Durston Gear X-Mid all the way, baby!

Buy once cry once. If you get the xmid you are getting one of the best trekking pole tents, if not the best, and it'll last you a long time. 

Well directly below your question was the right answer in another post. 😁 A Durston X-mid. Unfortunately a bit out of your price range,. Though cheaper/lighter and better designed compared to its competitors. https://preview.redd.it/04q8n421bgue1.png?width=2204&format=png&auto=webp&s=f97bf5397b034706d0032fc991044a0aa840af21

The correct answer is both. A 4p or 6p family camping tent when you are with friends and a smaller 2p backpacking tent (Durston X-Mid, 3F UL Gear LanShan, Naturehike Star River or CloudUP, Marmot Super Alloy etc) for color trips.

Excellent tent and an excellent deal. I'm an Eagle Scout and I would have flipped out if my mom had ever bought me camping gear this nice. I will say, it is a "2" person tent but like most it is tight with 2 people. One person and their gear inside the tent will fit fine. For me, I much prefer ultralight tents nowadays like the Durston Xmid style, which really are around the same price and quite a lot lighter. But. For short scout trips and for a free stranding tent this cannot be beat. It's worth the $500 retail and at less than $300 it's an absolute steal. Also I'm 6'4" so the "long" version would be appreciated. What I'm trying to get at is... I'm 38 yrs old but will you adopt me and get me one too?

TNF Stormbreak 2P is a good tent. It's heavy at 5.5lbs /2.6kilos range. It's quick to set up. Utilizes clips instead of sleeves. Water-resistant bathtub floor with taped seams. It's a decent mesh-to-solid ratio, though I'm not sure why the top of the dome is solid. It's not the best design for stargazing / big open sky. You may want to expand your search and look into trekking pole tents. Trekking pole tents will offer you the most weight savings. There's a bit of a learning curve to trekking pole tents, so you will need to do practice pitches. The Lanshan Pro 2 (3 season) is affordable. You'll have to seam-seal-it yourself, but that's cheap and easy to do. Durston X-mid is a lot nicer than the Lanshan. But it's also more expensive. Alternatively, you could go straight up bushcraft with a tarp and bug net combo. Mountain Laurel Designs' Cricket Pyramid tarp is pretty neat. Though you'll definitely get rained out without a bathtub.

Check out the X-mid by Durston. Two doors on it, loaded with features, ready to go out of the box. My list looked almost identical to yours and then I looked at backpackers subs and the x-mid kept popping up. It’s 30$ more than the Lanshan 1 but man is it worth every penny. You can swap out inners for winter or summer, pitch it without the inner or with the kit you can pitch the mesh inner without the fly.

100% agree with this. I went with a Durston X-Mid tent. At the time, there was only the 1-person, non-freestanding version, but there are other configurations now. All of them are excellent. My guess is that they'll be more challenging to acquire in Europe, but I think for the money they're the best tents around right now.

I use my X-mid or just a bivy+tarp in winter. I've use these things on Volcanoes and in the cascades in winter. If its going to be windy enough that these wont work its not a storm I will be camping in. 4 season mountaineering tents are for waiting out storms when climbing Denali. Not winter backpacking.

I suspect the x-mid 1 would feel bigger but not by much, at least inside the tent, vestibule space would be considerable bigger. A 2 person would certainly give you plenty of space. I have the lanshan 2 and it's a perfectly decent tent for the price, but I think the x-mid could be worth the cost difference for the easier setup and sil poly fly material. The price difference in the US is a bit less than the EU though. Also, you're comparing a single wall tent to a double wall. IMO for your climate a double wall makes more sense.

I think it'll depend on the storm-worthiness of these tents. I have an X-Mid which'll do great for through hiking but for rough conditions, I currently use a Terra Nova Pioneer Compact 2 (double poled) weighing in around 2.5kg, so far from ultralight but in the UK we need to be prepared to face strong winds for summit camping.

Yeah, I think 2 tents are the way to go. If your gf only goes occasionally, do you even need an UL tent? I have a Durston xmid for solo and an REI Quarter dome for the wife. When I go with her the miles are not priority and even with the heavier tent I still carry less than my wife.

My kids are 5 and 7. I’ve been backcountry camping with them since they were babies. I do 2-3 short backcountry trips each year with combos of one kid, both kids, and my family of four. Here are some of my thoughts.  1. My kids’ stamina and pace is the limiting factor. I keep their bags small. I have an Osprey jet 12 and jet 18 for them. They are essentially simple frameless bags around 1lb. No need for a 3lb bag with frame when they can only carry a few pounds.  2. I have a seek outside divide I usually use with them. It’s moderately light (for the volume and load carrying ability) and carries great. I’ve had it pretty loaded down sometimes.  3. My boys have Big Agnes Little Red bags. They’re synthetic and a bit bulky and heavy. Buuuuuttttt… they dry quickly if they get wet or have an accident. And my boys haven’t ever complained of being cold over probably 100+ nights camping in them.  4. I use cut down CCF z-rest style mats for them. They haven’t complained they are uncomfortable and they are pretty light.  5. I’m constantly undecided on shelters. We currently have an x-mid 1p and 2p and a heavy 4 man tent (4kg!). This year I plan to take the 2p and 1p for all four of us. 2x2p would be nice. I might get a 4p pyramid tent for all four of us and for just me and 2 kids.  6. I got my own sleep kit ultralight. It comes on every trip (as I’m on every trip) and I won’t outgrow it (unlike the kids). I’m also quite ruthless about removing my own luxury items.  7. We have a 1.3 L evernew titanium pot. I have some GSI bowls that fit inside it. Allows me to make a light modular cookset that is sturdy and safe enough for kids. I can use it for any combo of 2-4 of us.  8. Keep your food as ultralight as possible too. Bring stuff your kids will eat. I’ve had to pack out a few backpacker dehydrated meals that my kids wouldn’t eat.  9. Bring candy for motivation on the trail.  10. Remember to keep it fun! I struggle with this when I’m feeing anxious about getting a tent spot at camp. But have fun on the trail. My kids like to play hide and seek and sing songs and for me to make up stories. 

I love my nemo switch bc I love the awning, the versatility and the shades of blue. It’s great for the beach and car camping. (This tent displaced my love for my Nemo Aurora.) I love my Durston X mid 1 for backpacking.

Look at the X-Mids. Superb value, superb tents.

I bought the Pro because I hit 60 and decided to way lighten up my gear. Bought my 31 year old son the regular 2P for his birthday. I on the other hand bought a Durston Kakwa 55 pack, the X-Mid and a bunch of other much lighter replacement gear.

I’ve got 3 boys — we rock a Durston X Mid and a Big Agnes Tiger Wall ul3. I carry one tent plus bear can. My wife carries the second tent. Older boys help with cool set, etc., and they all carry their own stuff. Works great!

The newer version was revised with a grommet for the tip, Dan said in an explainer video that it was less likely to slip and allowed for a sturdier setup. So now you need to go handles down. I think pro series still goes handle up but regular and solid are tip up. Edit: hear it direct from Dan at [ 4:22 in this video ](https://youtu.be/fOJ4BKIoKGs?si=hYzemLr8ZoBpXFw1)

I did the same thing! I have been sewing mosquito netting on my tarps since 1983. My primary shelter is now a ZPack 7x9 tarp modified with mosquito netting sewn around the edges. I always pitch A-frame, and as a result, it is not great in windy conditions. For those conditions, I got an X-mid 1p and added the mosquito net around the edges, very similar to your modification. I also extended the corner guy lines in case I want to pitch it higher. As you noted, with this modification, you can fit two people in the 1p shelter by angling the poles to the center. With one person, there is a huge amount of space available. As I noted, my primary shelter is my 7x9 tarp because I can pitch it in non-existent campsites and it is very light. As a result, I haven't used my modified Xmid-1p much. I never completed the modification for the netting over the vents and just close those (I get plenty of ventilation through the perimeter netting). Have you added netting over the vents, and if so, how did you do it?

I’m not sure a tarp is a good suggestion for a beginner, and not all areas work well with tarps - big pressure is wayyy too high most of the year where I’m at (Texas/arkansas/oklahoma). I’m a little irrational about bugs but giant spiders hanging out on the outside of my tent mesh in December has guaranteed I’ll never sleep without a bug net. I second the Lanshan rec - you can get them on Amazon too, they just cost a little more. You might find a Durston X mid 1 in that price range used.

I’ve used a Durston X-mid and a Zpacks Duplex. These are two of the pinnacles of backpacking tents. I also use a Naturehike Cloud Up which is the best budget tent I’ve used

I picked up an X-Mid 1 when I upgraded and I can corroborate this. Trekking pole tents are honestly less hassle for me because you don't have to carry an extra set of poles, and you can pitch it however you like. Sure, it takes a tiny bit more finagling at camp, but once you get the pitch down you'll feel like a pro. I'll probably never go back to a freestanding tent just because I love the X-Mid so much! If you feel like going extra budget, 3F UL Gear makes the Lanshan 1/2, a lightweight trekking pole tent lots of folks swear by. So there are a lot of great options, like the ones the user above mentioned, that I'm sure could make you a happy camper.

My god I can't imagine sleeping in that outdoor coffin in anything other than an emergency. Save a little more money up and get a proper tent. For reference, the one and only tent I have ever used is a Durston X mid 1, which is an absolute palace compared to that contraption.

I’ve used a couple of different trekking pole tents (Zpacks Duplex, Durston Xmid 1P) pretty extensively in the park and never had an issue setting up. They definitely save you weight.

Lots of X-Mids cope fine in NZ condition. Love mine, and its held up great.

I'll second the X-mid. I do not use a ground sheet and it's been fine.

I've also got an X-mid and have really liked it (not dyneema version, didn't want to spend that much). I know a few folks with Zpacks that are also very happy with them. I'd say you can't go wrong with either.

Ultralighters may sound crazy at times but if you think about walking with a backpack every single day for five+ months, you are gonna wanna drop weight wherever you can. As others have said, so many people have completed the AT without a care in the world pertaining to weight, but if you're anything like me (smaller than the average person), then you are gonna wanna get something lighter than 5 pounds. My tent, the durston x mid 1, is 1.75 pounds

I’m in a comparable position as OP, and looking for a wind capable but light and freestanding 2P for camping with my partner. The Slingfin Portal 2 is high on my list but I’ll wait out this year to be able to compare it to the Durston X-Dome 2. I am using an X-Mid 1P and am very happy with it, and I suspect the X-Dome will be considerably cheaper than the Slingfin Portal (but who knows.. not much is known atm but the X-Dome 1+ will be revealed on October 8th).

Of the two you've linked the Indie is the better tent - has more space and headroom. The Ranger is a coffin - might as well get a bivybag. Some other options: [Macpac Sololight](https://www.macpac.co.nz/macpac-sololight-1-person-tent-v3/121720.html?dwvar_121720_color=Citronelle%2FWoodbine&dwvar_121720_clearance=no) [Macpac Microlight](https://www.macpac.co.nz/macpac-microlight-1-person-tent/114084.html?dwvar_114084_color=Kiwi&dwvar_114084_clearance=no) [Macpac Duolight](https://www.macpac.co.nz/macpac-duolight-2-person-tent-v3/121721.html?dwvar_121721_color=Citronelle%2FWoodbine&dwvar_121721_clearance=no) On Aliexpress, search for 3F UL gear lanshan 1 pro or 2 pro [The Durston X-Mid 1 and 2 ](https://durstongear.com/pages/tents)are great tents but need trekking poles or sticks for for support. A 3mx3m square flat tarp is what I use when the sandflies/mosquitoes aren't bad.

Of the two you've linked the Indie is the better tent - has more space and headroom. The Ranger is a coffin - might as well get a bivybag. Some other options: [Macpac Sololight](https://www.macpac.co.nz/macpac-sololight-1-person-tent-v3/121720.html?dwvar_121720_color=Citronelle%2FWoodbine&dwvar_121720_clearance=no) [Macpac Microlight](https://www.macpac.co.nz/macpac-microlight-1-person-tent/114084.html?dwvar_114084_color=Kiwi&dwvar_114084_clearance=no) [Macpac Duolight](https://www.macpac.co.nz/macpac-duolight-2-person-tent-v3/121721.html?dwvar_121721_color=Citronelle%2FWoodbine&dwvar_121721_clearance=no) On Aliexpress, search for 3F UL gear lanshan 1 pro or 2 pro [The Durston X-Mid 1 and 2 ](https://durstongear.com/pages/tents)are great tents but need trekking poles or sticks for for support. A 3mx3m square flat tarp is what I use when the sandflies/mosquitoes aren't bad.

For the same price, you can have a X-mid 2, which is much bigger and lighter. If you want something smaller and less expensive, the X-mid 1 is also a good choice. Polyester is better than nylon (doesn't sag). Durston after sale service is top notch and it's also a canadian company

Wind will push the walls in on X-Mid and it becomes very narrow.

This is spot on, I have a Xmid 1 bloody brilliant tent, i sold my lighter Hilleberg’s (Niak and Solo). Kept an Unna with 10mm poles for the winter if you want bomb proof there’s no better. Southern Cross would be perfect option too especially if there’s a deal

I had one and didn't like it either, struggled with it for a couple years. Hard to get it pitched just right, it seemed to need endless adjustments to get it somewhat taught and even then mine flapped a lot in the breeze. The geometry of mine looked slightly off, I think it wasn't quite sewn correctly. I had a similar issue with condensation. I much prefer the steeper walls of the x-mid. I can also pitch it i much quicker.

I am talking about the hornet Osmo…maybe not elite, not sure, returned it. I had cables and poles snap on me. After that I would never look at the half free standing style again. It’s trekking pole or free standing tents for me. The Durston X-Mid is a great tent. So is the Big Agnes copper spur. I have a 2 person for sale.not in your $400 budget though. Unless you are meaning American dollars

I've had condensation issues in it once. High humidity. Couple. The worst case you wipe it down with a pack towel and rinse it out the door once during the night and once in the morning. It's over exaggerated.

I've used the X-Mid 1 for 4 years, 2000+ miles. It would be a good, light weight choice for under $300.

Thanks to everybody for all the suggestions , much appreciated ! I’ll be going with the Durston X-Mid as I already own a pair of trekking poles and I believe it best suits what I’m aiming for

Thanks for the variety , the durston and lunar solo really look like what I’m looking for in a tent I’ll look into them more

The only negative with the Durston is the amount of real estate needed for a proper pitch.

I’ll second the lanshan. Surprisingly good build quality for the price. I like that the 1p only requires one trekking pole to set up. I have the pro version and it’s like 650g or something… Otherwise I’d also absolutely recommend the X-Mid. Probably the best overall tent on the market and reasonably priced

Standard double wall Xmid with z flick poles (instead of trekking poles) is my setup for bike packing and kayaking (~$300 total). I’m 6’0 and it’s long enough to avoid hitting even the inner mesh. I also like having the option to swap the poles for trekking poles when hiking.