Durston - X-Mid 1

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.

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.

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 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’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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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!

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

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!

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. 

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)

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.

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!

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.

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.

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 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

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.

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

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 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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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)

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.

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!

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

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.

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 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?

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)

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.

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.

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. 

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 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

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

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. 

Durston Gear X-Mid all the way, baby!

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

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

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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