Durston - X-Mid 1

I have a copper spur 2 person that I’ve taken both my kids in on separate occasions. I didn’t want anything too fragile so stayed away from the platinum models. I’ve since picked up a xmid 1p and obviously use that for solo outings. We are now at the point where we need two 2p shelters and I’m looking to add a xmid 2p+ at some point. We have a 4 person big Agnes tent but it’s a bit heavy and 4 people in a 4 person tent is a little rough when they get older. The best part of the copper spur is pairing it with a two person pad and two person quilt. The entire floor becomes a bed and is very comfortable. The two person quilt keeps the jimmy legs in without having to carry two sleeping bags, so for the person carrying it saves a good bit of weight. If I had to start over I’d probably make the same decisions. A freestanding tent is a bit easier if you aren’t used to trekking pole tents. My first outing with my xmid was on hard packed ground in the desert where it was really difficult to get stakes in the ground. The tent blew over during a thunderstorm that evening. If I were going on the same trip again I’d probably just take the copper spur. So for me it was about having some flexibility and diversity of functions when building out my gear closet.

I’ve liked mine. Echoing what others have said: does take some practice to get a feel for how to set up. Pole height and angle really affects the bathtub floor. Condensation (though it is a single wall tent. Gonna have that with any single wall.). I always use my second trekking pole to pull out the head end and if I’m feeling motivated find a stick to pull out the foot end. Interior space is good for a one person tent. For me it’s my fair-weather tent. If I were going somewhere with a lot of rain and/or wind I’d use something different. I have a xmid 1P but for me it’s too small.

Do you use hiking poles anyways? I have the durston xmid 1 tent and absolutely love it. Comes up a lot for recommendations for thru hikes as well because it's built well, and weighs - ~1.5lbs. A one man Company In Canada makes it (or contracts the factory who makes it) so prices are very reasonable, 350$ cad (250usd) for the one person. Only "drawback" is that you need to use hiking poles to set it up... but I use them anyways so it's no extra weight. https://durstongear.com/products/x-mid-1-tent-ultralight-backpacking I've slept in mine for probably about 30-40 nights now and really can't complain. My regular backpacking buddy even just bought one of his own since he liked mine so much.

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’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.

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 will second this. When I’m using a trekking pole tent, the x-mid 1 is my go to. I use both a free standing Hubba hubba 2 (love that tent) and an x-mid 1 for backpacking. The choice depends on the terrain primarily and a little bit on weather.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The ‘solid’ inners for our X-Mid have a panel of mesh (on the upper part of the doors) that can’t close, but with the X-Dome this mesh panel is accompanied by a second layer of solid material that can be closed to have it ‘full’ solid (no areas of exposed mesh). I don’t have a great photo of it, but [this shot](https://durstongear.com/cdn/shop/files/16_-_Durston_X-Dome_2_Ultraight_Tent_-_Solid_Inner_446.jpg?v=1757631867) shows it when the solid layer is shut behind the mesh

The short answer is that it is a combination of sewn on and zippers, and is included in the weight. The long answer is that the ‘flap’ of solid fabric is a triangle that is sewn along the bottom edge (permanently attached & part of the weight). So the bottom edge is ‘sealed’ such that any snow building up on the solid panel isn’t going to slide down into the tent. Then the other two sides are both sewn for the lowest 4-5” to further prevent wind blown snow from sneaking in, and this creates a pocket that the rest of the flap can be tucked into when it is open. Then above that, the side of the triangle along the main zipper has a zipper to zip shut. The zipper is not vertical, but angling over the flap, so it does a nice job of raising up the flap to cover the mesh. Operating the zipper is what closes the flap. As it does that, the final side near the top is pulled closed and sits shut with a bit of overlap. It is an overlap closure for the upper part of the ‘top’ side, such that the mesh is covered but the edge here is not ‘sealed’. We could’ve put another zipper here (or Velcro etc) but it’s at the top, sits shut nicely now, and is shielded by the fly. If it’s so windy it’s forcing snow through there, it’s probably not the right conditions for this tent anyways, but if a user wanted it would be easy to add a bit of velcro

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.

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.

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.

I am a new hiker, got their cheapest x mid 1 and it’s been a total game changer for me. It’s such a good tent. It’s not super UL at 800grams but I think you get so many comfort features that makes it worth it. Especially for the price.

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.

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.

Seconded. Loved the xmid for my 2023 thru and it's still going strong.

I got a Durston X-mid 1P tent last year. It's a massive improvement over the Lanshan. No more soggy walls, easier to pitch, actual headroom, and plenty of airflow. Highly recommend.

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

Lanshan 1, is a good cheap entry point, although I would suggest just getting the 2. XMid 1P perhaps the most popular one and surprisingly affordable. But there are many other options too.

As mentioned, this is a subreddit focused on lighweight gear, not a generic hiking/backpacking sub, so my answer will come from that perspective. You admit to being a beginner, and there are several experienced posters here, so I encourage you to listen to those challenging your assumptions. First, any tent is durable if you treat it well and choose good campsites. I have a single wall DCF tent that's almost seven years old and is still in excellent shape. Second, buying a 2P tent when most of your nights are solo is not something I'd recommend from a weight perspective. (I'm also biased against sharing a tent with anyone other than my spouse.) I suggest buying a quality 1P tent and making a decision about hiking with friends if that time arrives. (Again, 2 1P tents would be my recommendation.) We have a [wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/lightweight/wiki/index/) for tent recommendations. As a Canadian, I'd suggest looking at the [Durston X-Mid 1P](https://durstongear.com/products/x-mid-1-tent-ultralight-backpacking). It's double wall, adjustable poles are available if you don't hike with trekking poles, and it's reasonably priced. It's almost certainly a better, lighter, and lower priced tent than the tents you mentioned. Depending on the conditions you may encounter, the single wall [Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo](https://www.sixmoondesigns.com/products/lunar-solo-tent) could also be a good choice. Keep an eye on r/ulgeartrade for gently used bargains if price is an issue.

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

Durston X-Mid 1p, X-Mid Pro 1p with the nylon floor. If you want a free standing get the X-Dome 1p+ with the shorter bike pack poles. For the X-Mid if you don't travel with trekking poles you could use the Durston zFlicks carbon fiber support poles. Tarptent, Zpacks, Six Moon Designs and 3F UL Gear's trekking poles tents also have small pack sizes.

X-Mid is not very light if you can select any non-DCF tent. But it’s light for what it can do. Looking at both the structure and the fabrics on the Hornet, it really doesn’t seem like the storm-worthy tent OP is looking for. 

Enan is only Hilleberg yellow label tent and thus not significantly better than X-Mid in performance. Also, it’s 20cm lower than X-Mid rendering it super small.  I think this goes to say that X-Mid 1, even with poles, is both lighter and more livable than other designs on the market with similar wind and snow performance.

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

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've been using the X-Mid 1P since it was released (pre-Durston Gear) in 2018 and it checks a lot of boxes, though since you say "mountaineering" I might suggest the MLD Solomid XL instead as it's a bit more stable in storms.

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

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 have a Durston X-Mid 1p (solid), two North Face Storm Breaks (1 and 2 person), and an inexpensive Underwood Aggregator 1 person trekking pole tent I got for $50 on Amazon. It's even less now - $40\~. A friend and I did a 50\~ mile section hike last year, and he had a 6# Eureka tent. I lent him my Aggregator, which requires 1 trekking pole and 5 stakes, and he \*loved\* it! It's a single-wall, but thicker sil-poly, 2.5#, and I seam sealed every possible seam on that tent, AND sprayed it with Kiwi Camp-Dry. There's a guy who did a great comprehensive YouTube video on the Aggregator, noting that it is an inexpensive tent, but still a good value and tents like this have a valid place in the backpacking world.

24oz is close! Thanks for commenting, I wasn't aware of this tent before.

Thanks for sharing, I wasn't aware of that. I'm trying to limit stakes as much as possible -- and because I always use two trekking poles, I'd probably go with an X-Mid 1p fly at that point.

Yeah for sure, definitely a big reason why I like the X-Mid.

The Xmid 1 is the 1p tent that made me love 1p tents in practice and not just in theory.

If he's a trekking pole user, then the Durston X-mid 1 or 2 are pretty great for tall people. Not cheap at all, but high quality gear for sure. And there are pro versions of both that use a dyneema upper that is makes the tent very light for its size. These are serious tents for serious hikers.

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.

Durston X Mid 1P. 26 oz trekking pole tent for $260. My tent. There is the X Mid Pro 1P, which is better and lighter and a better tent overall but more expensive. Still a good and affordable value proposition when compared to others in this expensive space.

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

The Durston X-mid 1 at $240 is a good choice. Plenty roomy for one person. It pitches fly first, has good ventilation, you can leave the inner attached when packing, good size vestibules, it’s very light and only takes 5 stakes for a standard pitch without guy lines.

I've had a Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 MtnGLO for about 8 years (i did NOT pay full price), never used a footprint for it in the High Sierra, nice and lightweight but good material, easy setup, no issues with the tent itself at all although i opened it up in the wilderness last weekend and found the shock cording had hardened and yellowed. I got it to work but just contacted BA this morning and within minutes they replied and they'll restring it for free. So BA stands behind their product. Take a look at their cheaper tents if you need to like the Blacktail, etc. I just tried my first generation Durston X-Mid 1 on the same trip, which i bought new years ago... i'm pretty impressed and it worked great though i think the 1-person is too small for my wishes; i already have plans to get an X-Mid 2. You can use trekking poles or buy separate carbon fiber poles. It's double wall unlike most ultra lightweight tents and the material seems tough enough for me with 15D polyester. The thing is it's not that expensive! and for what you mentioned, its design addresses high winds and snow. we're talking $289 new. How crazy is that? I read how some people had issues with setup but it's really easy. I had no trouble on the first test run in my backyard. I also have a Nemo 3-person tent but haven't used it in years, the quality is good but it was NOT a backpacking tent. They might offer something you'd prefer. Otherwise you can check out REI's used gear/returns selection, as well as the sub here for used gear.

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?

Why not get the highly rated Durstan X-mid 1P. I paid $240 for mine and I can attest it is as good as every says it is.

I got mine within two weeks. Don’t remember exactly when I ordered it but it didn’t take that long to get to me

Only thing similar I personally own is a Featherstone 2p granite Looks like it's around $130 on Amazon. I bought mine years ago and use it as my car camping tent as it's over 4 lbs, but it's a decent budget tent For backpacking I use Durston x-mid 1 or x-dome 1+

A budget would be helpful. I’ll give you some recommendations in a range: Overall, I believe Durston tents represent the best all around value on the market. You could go X-Mid 2 if you are comfortable with a trekking pole tent or X-Dome if not. Check the specs but I believe the x-mid 2 is 52” wide so it can hold two wide pads. It is storm worthy, durable, has some nice features like the magnetic door toggles, etc. It is a premium quality tent at a lower price. My go to if solo (I have the x-mid 1). I think the X-Mid 2 is around $300. Unsure if the x-dome 2 is actually on the market yet but price should be around $400. EDIT: X-dome 2 is out and is $469. Big Agnes Copper spur is a mainstay that is widely used. It’s a nice blend of light and durable but it isn’t cheap. Nemo Hornet is another option similar to the Copper Spur. I think these are generally $400+ but are a very nice tent intended to stand up to regular use for a decade or more. The REI half dome is very popular and is a good value if you buy it on sale. There are better tents out there but this one is a good entry level option that is durable, just light enough to backpack, and won’t break your wallet. I have one and use it when freestanding is the best option. You can find one under $250 during REI sales. I’ve heard great things about Tarptent double rainbow. You can customize it a bit with the poles in carbon fiber or aluminum. It falls at a mid price point, $300-400, something like that. On the cheaper end, I’ve heard good things about the naturehike and featherstone tents but know little about them. I think they are around $150 or so IIRC.

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.

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

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.

I’m 6’2” and I fit but just barely. I keep my pack in the vestibule portion. You could look at the Xmid-2 or the Xdome 1+ maybe but both weigh a bit more of course.

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 have a Durston Xmid and love it - I also considered Six Moons Lunar Solo and Tarptent Stratospire and rainbow. They have some other tents in your budget too. Gossamer Gear has affordable single wall tents.

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

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

I’ve had one for about 5 years. It might take a little practice to pitch well if you haven’t used trekking poles tents before, but I don’t think it’s very hard. I ended up switching to an xmid1 just because my head and quilt foot box would touch the sides if I didn’t use the extra tie out points (I’m 6’1” for reference). The only other downside I noticed is that ventilation wasn’t great with the door closed, so condensation built up easily in wetter conditions.

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.

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

Considering a Nemo hornet elite 1p is 687 grams all in, while a xmid 1 is 720 grams *without poles*, it’s hard to legitimately consider the xmid as UL.

Big Agnes specs 53oz for the copper spur ul3 at trail weight. The copper spur 1p is 32oz. Durston really shines with it's space for value, the xmid 1 has the same footprint as many lightweight 2 person shelters. Which is good and bad. You'd be hard pressed to find a comparable combination of weight/price/living space.

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)

Durston XMid 1 weighs 750g. No guy lines needed. Yes I'm biased

Seen some recent reviews on that one, and it seems to have some issues with water getting in. If I recall correctly it's partly the height of the vestibule walls (too high off the ground), and partly that it's super easy to push the bathtub floor past the rainfly, causing rain to run off directly into the tent. My suggestion would be an X-mid 1. Lower price, more room, and amazing customer service.

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

For mainstream tents I really gravitate toward the Big Agnes Copper Spur, tents from Nemo Equipment, or from Durston Gear. Most of these are well outside your price range. Here are my budget recommendations. Some of these are based on positive reviews/mentions I've seen elsewhere rather than first-hand experience, but I use and own a Durston XMid 1 when I'm going solo. FeatherStone Obsidian UL 1 - free standing. Budget. Not the lightest FeatherStone Backbone 1P - a trekking pole tent. Pretty light. Durston Gear Xmid-1. Requires your trekking poles. Lightweight. VERY highly regarded and popular. A bit out of your price range. Pariah OutDoors Bryce 1P - another freestanding tent. Front entry instead of side entry. A bit lighter than the Obsidian 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!

I have a durston X mid 1 and due to the material and the set up after doing it a couple of times was putting it up faster than my big Agnes UL HV

Do you have trekking poles? If so, I’d highly recommend a xmid 1. If you order the whole tent it’s closer to £300 but you can do two separate orders for the fly and inner separately, which I think should be in your budget. It’s only 720g and incredibly spacious.

I started with a six moon designs scout and switched over to the xmid-1. Both have served me VERY WELL and I can't recommend them enough.

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.

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.

Get a used durston 1 or 2 “I need an X-Mid” facebook group. Can def get one under 200 for 1 man.

I think the xmid should be fine, I go in the spring with the xmid non solid version or a hammock (with a rainfly). Just do a little snow building, use the guy lines, all that.

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've used mine probably 40+ nights now and never had an issue with water apart from the standard condensation. I've used it 30 nights in the desert in the PCT, 5 or so nights in Colorado, and 5 or so nights in WA (during winter). The X-Mid is also a great tent however!

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.

I have the Lanshan and the X-Mid. Both 2 Pro. Both are terrific tents. The Lanshan is perhaps the better value because of its low price. The X-Mid is the better performer because of its lighter weight and clever design. Both are fine 2 person tents with excellent materials and well performing layouts; although both are cramped for two people.

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. 

So if you would after all be open to the idea of a trekking pole tent i would definitely get the X-Mid, ordered one to finland and even with all duties and customs it was still around 400€ and i’m not going to find anything better at that price point. They have the X-Dome now, which is a freestanding version, slightly pricier but it could still fit in your budget. I’d check it out. Ships from Canada though. Alternatives you should check out: Tarp tent Scarp 2 (this is quite wind resistant too especially if you get the extra crossover poles) Marmot superalloy 2p Hope this helps!

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’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

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 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.

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. 

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.

Durston Gear X-Mid all the way, baby!

"Camping gear" is so broad as to be almost meaningless.... I love camping, I've camped all my life, but it's impossible to reccomend anything with such a wide remit. My lightest backpacking tent (Xmid) weighs less than 700g and is fabulous for what it does. My heaviest 'tent' is our family folding camper (a Pennine Pathfinder) at 1000kg. That's also fabulous, but completely incomparable. Then there's a whole range of tents in between. The same applies to all my other camping gear, from pans and stoves to sleeping solutions and chairs... it's such a massive case of fitting the item to the purpose. And some certainly is BIFL worthy, while other stuff may compromise durability for lightness or some other priority. Tell us a little more about what you want to do? - car camping, backpacking, trailer camping - and in what terrain/environment and you might get something more useful.

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

I've never heard of them but products from their parent company, DAC are ubiquitous in high end backpacking gear. I'd give a design like the sololite a try. The vestibule comes separately adding a lot of cost. I see two big problems with this tent; * Shipping stuff overseas to Canada can be a big PITA. I'm not sure where you are purchasing it but but "Bigtent Explore" option may largely avoid shipping being a PITA and that store seems to be the main place to buy them. * If you decide to sell this tent it will be difficult due to the lack of name recognition. Durston's a Canadian company that manufacturers extremely popular tents and if you want a high end option they are worth a look. I'd recommend starting with a freestanding tent like the X-Mid. I primarily use a different tent but I've been extremely impressed by one of their trekking pole tents I own. Another option is more budget oriented tents. NatureHike makes a bunch of fairly light tents (CloudUP, Mongar) and imho they are more durable than the extreme ultralight tents. If you do get serious about backpacking, you can later upgrade from a budget tent. Personally I use less expensive tents when camping close to vehicles as weight isn't a major concern and I'm less worried about damaging them. If you later decide to get a ultralight 1 person tent, the extra space of a two person will be greatly appreciated when weight isn't a concern. Go to MEC or another outdoor store (Not Atmosphere / Sportchek) and start trying on packs and find one that fits well. Keep a few in mind and purchase one that will fit the rest of your great and aim for a 60L or smaller pack. As long as you have a sleeping bag designed for backpacking that uses down and / or synthetic materials and has an appropriate comfort temperature rating its hard to go wrong.

From north of Europe here. After getting winds through an MSR tent once I woved to stay with local brands, of whom you have several.  Hilleberg, Fjellreven, Helsport and Barents Outdoor are all made for rough conditions. But not ultralight, even if lighter versions.  A few years ago we went above the arctic cirkle with a local brand dome tent, and a Durston Mid trekking tent. We got really strong gusts that hit the camp, and the local brand poles snapped straight off, while the Durston stood firm. I was really impressed.   Personally I prefer dome tents, as they are easy to move about, and can stand without any plugs if fair weather. Also can pitch anywhere, unlike those that rely on plugs.  If I was in the market I would try the Durston Dome now. The lay out off outer vs inner tent gives the greatest length and height on the market, by far. Get the 2p and you can lie even more diagonally inside. 

In addition to the durston tents as already suggested (I have the x mid and while its very light because it’s a trekking pole tent, the fabric feels quite durable), I want to suggest the marmot tungsten 1 person tent. Less than 4lbs, durable, comfortable, less than $300. It’s the first backpacking tent I bought and it’s still the one I reach for on shorter trips where I’m not worried about weight. It’s so easy to set up, stays stable in wind and rain, and fits it pretty small spots without feeling claustrophobic inside. Others have suggested big Agnes — while I love the big Agnes fly creek 1p I have I would not describe it as very durable. I do a lot more patching of holes on that tent than the other two I mentioned. Still a great tent and I’m not getting rid of it anytime soon, but I don’t think it’s what you are looking for.

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

I think it's part of the appeal of the X-Mid series, only 4 stakes really needed is kind of nice. But realistically I often pitch the two vestibules too because why not, so... There's also the Ounce Designs Bunny and Abodi V2, both requiring only 4 stakes and very light (less than 200g). And then the classic mids which need 4-5 stakes.

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.

Nice, great you have an open mind to it! A lot of us will never go back. Durston Xmid is a great tent, and it would serve you well. But it's also pretty hyped, and there are comparable tents that go more under the radar. If you're trying to avoid DCF (which is expensive), then some other options that weigh no more than the xmid are - Gossamer Gear The Two (single wall) - Tarptent Preamble (single wall, floorless, bring your own groundsheet) - Six Moon Designs Heaven UL (double wall, full-enclosed) - Six Moon Designs Owyhee (single wall, technically a tarp, with a bathtubfloor and perimeter bug netting, so basically fully-enclosed) - Outdoor Vitals Fortius (double wall, fully enclosed) If you were only considering the fully enclosed, double-wall options, probably the xmid is the way to go. But the other options here are cool too

Durston X-Mid. The 2 person felt like a personal palace and I’m 6’5”. $240 for 2.5 pounds is also a great price point relative to weight, only “downside” is that you need to carry trekking poles

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

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

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.

The Durston comes in two flavors the mesh inner, would definitely let spindrift and snow into the tent, and the solid inner would prevent a lot of that. The other thing about the Durston X mid is it’s a pyramid-esc tent, which would not have to carry a snow load. The weather on Shasta is pretty fickle, but for most cases the Durston would probably be fine. What I’d do is bring extra guy lines in case the wind is really bad. My climbing partner is pretty set on renting a 4 season tent/mountaineering tent from the local university outdoor program when we do Rainer this year, I’m a bit skeptical of that, but I’ll go with it. The problem as I see it, is even the Hilleberg “ultralight” four season tents are 5 to 6 pounds, and that’s more to carry up the mountain. But I suppose with two people that could be divided up.

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.

I know I’ll get downvoted but I tend to agree with this. I own an x-mid so don’t at me universe. But I think durston is a bit over-hyped. There are lots of quality issues - especially with the x dome series - just peep the gear heads sub.  Durston makes good tents imo, not great ones. They seem to do a lot of r&d with paying customers which I’m not a huge fan of - especially if you’re paying tariffs.  My x mid is fine - suitable for certain trips, while my freestanding tent (big Agnes) is great. Both have great customer service imo. But I’ll take the Xmid when I really have to count ounces and I’ll take my big Agnes into the desert where a trekking pole tent would just be a nightmare to fiddle with - weight penalty be damned. 

I really like the Durston mid

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.

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.

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.

I have a 6.5lb two person free standing tent but I only paid 130 for it. Free standing tents are heavier and 2 person also adds weight. Umder 200 there are options for tents but most are going to be over 4lbs for a two person and over 2lbs for a 1 person. If you bump up to 250 the durston xmid is a great tent but it uses trekking poles. You can really dive into the weeds when it comes to backpacking tents. When it comes to tarp camping remember you are sleeping on the ground with nothing between you and the bugs unless you get a screen tent but the why not just buy an actual tent.

Durston X-mid if you use trekking poles. Huge vestibule if you want your pup outside but still next to you (depending on behavior), pretty light, and cost effective. You can also look for used gear on /r/ULgeartrade

You might want to check out the Big Agnes Copper Spur in either 2xl or 3 person versions. Will likely go on sale on Black Friday. If you buy the groundsheet, you can set the tent up fly first if it’s raining. If you want light and already use trekking poles, check out the Durston Xmids. It’s sort of a tight squeeze for two if you have wide sleeping pads, but my wife and I just did 23 nights in the xmid two and were totally fine. Feel free to DM me if you have any questions.

Yep x-dome is an option too, would be a bit lighter (half a pound I’m guessing) than the Copper Spur 3 but a lot less roomy. Haven’t been in one personally but I have a couple clients who have told me that it’s a tight squeeze for two 25inch pads. The 1+ really interests me but I typically stick with trekking pole shelters to save weight and bulk. But there are definitely times when freestanding shelters are nice to have.

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.

You should consider asking this on /r/ultralight. It depends on your budget, but I really like the Durston X-mid tents if you always have trekking poles anyway. 

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

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.

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