Durston - X-Mid 2

How wonderful! It’s much easier at that age as it basically gets them used to it before they have a say in it 😂 I’ve put some recommendations below but let me know if I can give you more; clothes, tips etc Sleeping bags - highly recommend either the Morrison outdoors or mount store bags. We have used both and they’ve been invaluable in comfort & warmth for our little mainly due to the full sack layout, so they’re constantly covering your child. They are pricy, but they last a good amount of time to justify in my opinion. I’d go the Morrisons over mount though as they have options for bigger bags for older ages too, and they’re bigger sized so last longer. If they’re out of your price range, even say from fb or vinted, you can get good normal child sized ones like the vango atlas but bare in mind they are probably too big for your child’s age, they likely won’t keep him as warm and they pack down pretty large. But a good option non the less! Sleeping mats - the one thing I’d recommend not going cheap on tbh, your child will always need a sleeping mat so you’re as well buying to last rather than what fits now. You can get half sized ones (vango aotrom short, also have used) which are fine but usually aren’t highly r rated. I just got my daughter the same as what I had at the time, the vango aotrom thermo, and she never complained and slept perfectly. We’ve now upgraded but she still has her own full sized one. You can get double mats which I know a lot of American parents use, but I’ve never used to be able to give my opinion on. The ones I’ve heard of are are klymit double and big Agnes double. Tents - really a mindfield and total personal preference if I’m honest. I’ve had 5 different wild camping tents before I happily settled on the x mid 2 for my daughter and I. You might prefer a dome over a tunnel, or a trekking pole over a standard pole so recommendations are always hard. The only thing I’d recommend is don’t go for a 4 man like you’ve said in other comments due to considering another child, it likely won’t be enough room for the weight of a 4 man. Opt for 2 good 2 man’s, one for each parent and child. I could go into a lot more detail but I don’t want to overload you without asking first?! I have (shameless plug) written this basic starter wild camping with childs guide if it’s any use. It at least has a gear list! https://www.annahardie.co.uk/wildcampingwithkidschecklist/

I bought the Durston X-mid 2(the trekking pole one not the dome) and have been very satisfied with it. Its tricky to learn the setup but the quality is good so I would assume the X-dome would be just as nice without the trekking pole rigamarole. Only complaint would be that the website claims you shouldnt need a ground tarp but a few small holes appeared in mine after some use. I dont see this as a durston thing though. Shouldve just listened to my gut and brought the $10 walmart tarp.

I’ve used both and I don’t like the A-frame design or the nylon fabric on the GG One. The Durston tents have more useable space and better materials IMO. If those trade-offs work for you then the One is a great tent and very light and inexpensive comparatively. I’m 6’4” so that’s definitely a factor for me.

This would be my choice too. It’s reasonably priced, well supported by the company, and a bomber tent. I’ve had the x-mid 2 for five years and it has never let me down.

I use a Tarptent Rainbow which is kind of a 1+ tent with my St Bernard, and that's about as tight as I'd be willing to go. I also have a triplex but obviously that's plenty (and too much) room/footprint for a lot of sites. I think a 2 person is the right size, especially if they get wet and you don't want them snuggling your nice down quilt and would lean towards the xmid 2 for that reason, and it has double doors so they can get in and out without stepping on your inflatable pad. A good dog trick is to put their pad in first, then give them their "go to your bed" command, and then set your stuff up. I find doing it in this order he doesn't try to step on or steal my pad.

🧡🧡 x-mid 2. It packs light and small and has a remarkably discreet footprint. And it's tough enough that a big dog doing dog things won't shred it to pieces.

If you can stretch the budget just a llittle or do some sales hunting, consider the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 OR MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2 OR Durston X-Mid 2. [11 Best 2-Persons Tent for Camping and Backpacking](https://alaskanarrows.com/11-best-2-person-tent-camping-and-backpacking/) can help with the others. They’re are all 3-season tents with better fabrics, stronger pole architecture, roomier vestibules and more thoughtful details (doors, vents, zips) than budget models. They’ll be heavier and cost more than the Cloud-Up versions but they’re way more durable and comfortable long term, take it from me, I’ve gone on countless trips with various types of tents so yeah! If $300 is a hard cap, watch for sales or used tents online, you’ll find something!

I got a Xmid 2 for me and my medium size dog too. I also considered the lunar solo and was looking at the 1p Stratospire. I haven’t had issues with the footprint being big, but that might just be luck/locality. I’m glad I got a double wall tent - the condensation from a panting dog+regular environmental concerns is intense even in a double wall. I do use it when I’m solo (and it’s overkill), but have considered picking up a one person tent for the weight savings.

I also use a Xmid 2 with a dog. I like chilling on warm evenings with both vestibules rolled back, but net zipped closed. Lots of space for me and the dog and gear.

For less than $200, the Lanshan 2 or the pro 2 is a good option. It's popular as a budget trekking pole tent. If you don't already have poles, I use $30 cascade aluminum trekking poles from amazon and they're solid and reasonably light if I'm carrying them instead of using them. For a little more money, I really like my Durston Xmid 2, but it's \~$260.

That’s a long lead time! It’s a solid tent tho, I’m really happy with mine. You could check r/ulgeartrade - I feel like I see someone selling a xmid every week.

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.

I love my Xmid 2. I use it in humid places and the desert. It’s not hard to stake out with big rock small rock, just make sure you have the extra cordage before you leave, the stock guys are too short for that method. I do find the footprint kinda big, and I’d probably get the 1p if I was doing it again since I haven’t actually shared it with another person since getting it. If you’re looking at single wall tents, you might like the six moons design lunar solo or Tarptent options.

I just spent a night that was 15°, sleeting, and windy. Did it in a zpacks Altaplex. The weight savings over my Durston X-mid was not worth it. If I had to have one tent it would be the x-mid.

Single wall was not ideal due to the frozen condensation. The lack of space in the vestibule was seriously missed. I can’t prove this but I swear the sleet was louder hitting the zpacks 🤣 Sont get me wrong, I love my Altaplex but I think the x-mid is more versatile and a better design

Durston X-Mid 2 has been great and their service/Dan provides immeasurable value.

You don't need a 3 person tent, you need a Durston X-mid 2. It's SO SPACIOUS for a 2-p tent. Our sleeping pads don't touch each other's, and there's room at the foot of the tent for our clothes and my camera and anything else we want to bring inside. Big vestibules, and very lightweight.  It's a hiking pole tent, so you do need poles.

Hi all, First ever post on Reddit, so bear with me. :) I'm looking for advice on tents. I currently have the Lanshan 1 (3 season). It's my first ever light weight tent and I bought it because it's relatively cheap (EU, €150/$165) and I wasn't sure how much I was actually gonna use it (new to multi-day hiking). I've used it for a few short trips over the past year and I like it: easy to set up, weight etc. The thing is that I (will) use the tent in bad weather. I'm based in the Netherlands (rains a lot) and plan on hiking the West Highland Way (Scotland, 96 miles/154 km) en Kungsleden (Swedish Lapland, 273 miles/450 km) this year. I'm not a 'hike all day, go straight to bed' person and prefer to wait out really bad weather in my tent. For just sleeping, the lanshan 1 is fine. But when spending more time inside in bad weather, it’s too small. I can’t comfortably sit up straight without touching the inner. Also, because the open space between floor and vestibules is quite high, my bag (mariposa 60) only stays dry if I keep it in the middle of the vestibule. Having only 1 vestibule, this is a bit annoying going in and out (especially in the middle of the night when it’s raining). So I’m thinking of upgrading to a new tent. Things to consider: - Will use the tent for 1p and I'm 6 feet tall. I use a wide rectangular sleeping pad ((I keep falling of mummy shaped pads) my pad is 183 x 65 cm / 72 x 25.6 in). - Tent will be used in humid/wet/stormy climate like Swedish Lapland and Scotland. - I always hike with poles, so free standing doesn't really make sense for me. - Tarp not an option, I don't like mosquito's and mud/water inside :) - I like the idea of two doors/vestibules: more storage space, my stuff not begin in the way when getting in and out and the option to open both vestibules when chilling inside. - Budget: I don't mind spending a bit of money since I will use it quite a lot, but a tent like the Bonfus 2p just feels like too much (€700/$760) compared to the lanshan and durston tents. I'm based in the EU and many cheaper US options are not so cheap over here. I'm now considering the - 3 season Lanshan PRO 2 (price in EU: €230/$250 & 1060 gr/37 oz) - Durston x mid 1 (price in EU: €345/$377 & 795gr/25 oz) - Durston x mid 2 (price in EU: €395/$429 & 880 g/31 oz). Wondering if people can say something about spaciousnes of these tents when spending some time inside? Can you sit up comfortably etc? Advice on other tents/options also very welcome! :) EDIT: Hi everyone! Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and ideas, really appreciate it! I decided to go for the x mid 2 and while looking for EU vendors, I found a second hand x mid pro 2 on an online marketplace in my country. So I now have the extra space of the 2p for less weight than the regular 1p (although I am spending more than initially planned tho, oh well). I expect the condensation will be manageable since I’ll be sleeping alone in the 2p and won’t touch the walls. We’ll see :) thanks again!

Thanks! I decided to go for the x mid 2 :)

Thank you! Great points. The sagging fabric of the Lanshan is a bit annoying, especially when hiding out from the rain and I feel the tent becoming smaller and keep reorganizing my stuff so nothing touches the inner. Decided to go for the xmid 2! I’m keeping the Lanshan 1, nice to have an extra option.

Can confirm. I started out with the Lanshan only to buy the Durston a year later. The Lanshan isn’t bad per se, the Durston is just so much better :) I got the Durston on an online marketplace in the Netherlands, maybe you can find something similar in your country.