Durston - X-Mid 2+ Solid

I have done the w trek and other routes in the area. Encountered very windy conditions. Didn't use the tents you own, instead I used big agnes, but I do own an x mid 2 solid now. I think with proper pitch the x mid should be good. Stakes should be fully underground. The wind can be strong enough to blow sand and dirt through the mesh into your tent. I got a bunch of soil on my face when lying in the tent. That's actually why I got an x mid solid instead of xmid.

Yeah if you handle weight well then that's good. In general as a 2.8kg backpacking tent it's considered very heavy though, especially if you're taking days of food and other gear. I swapped for the Durston X-Mid 2 Solid, 1.12kg including poles. However I'm not convinced it's a great tent, contrary to popular belief. I don't think I'll get another trekking pole tent because it's so hard to pitch on soft ground.

The X-Mid 2p Solid can be pitched all at once with the inner and outer. Scandanavia might be better with a solid walled tent due to colder weather, higher winds etc. u/dandurston is very active on Reddit and has lots of historic posts to reference. His exceptional customer service is one of the reasons ehy I have so many of his products.

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

Nice! Floorless shelters are pretty cool, but there aren't that many on the market. I have an old non-pro XMid 2p from 2019 that I'm thinking of modding as a floorless shelter. I may sew a bug skirt around the perimeter. It should weigh about the same as a Preamble, and save me $$ over replacing it outright with a DCF tent

I've had my X Mid 2 Solid in 30mph winds with no issue. If you set your guylines right and pitch it well (watch a video on extra tips) into the wind it feels just as solid if not more than any freestanding tent I have had. Trekking poles are a lot more robust than most freestanding tent poles anyway.

Durston X Mid 2 Solid would be my first choice at that budget. Plenty spacious inside for two, loads of head height, two large vestibules, lightweight and a doddle to pitch. Another option is the Lanshan 2 which ticks many of the boxes of the Durston at half the price. It has to obviously compromise to achieve this but it's arguably the best 2 person lightweight tent on Earth for the money. Full disclosure, I am biased as hell, I have a Lanshan 2 and absolutely adore it. That being said if I had £300 to spend on a tent it would be the Durston.

Lists the requirements, then lists a bunch of tents where literally only one (CS2) nearly fits the requirements! Hubba Hubba ( or similar design), plus tarp sounds ideal for your needs. Modified door porches are pretty limited for rain protection in any sort of wind. We are in the often wet n windy UK. These tents don't fit your freestanding criteria , but are roomy and light for lots of space and protection. As a couple we have got on well with Tarptent Stratospire 2 (solid inner) and the Durston Xmid2p solid. Used 100s of nights between them. The SS2 has very protective porches in particular Not done a huge amount of woodland camping, but have pitched on sand and shingle beaches ok.

The Xmid is great in my opinion. The Solid version especially if you are camping in windy conditions. It's got a 5mm zipper on the doors too,not sure about the DR.

Xmid 2 is perfect for camping with a dog as well , plenty of ventilation if needed too

I have an xmid 2 as well as the scarp1 ...personally I prefer the xmid for the space and space saved in my pack , that said if it is looking windy or that I'm gonna be tent bound all night I'll take the scarp ( sounds odd I know but I can get the scarp cosier ) I'm awaiting delivery of an xdome though which may be the best of both worlds( lighter and smaller pack than the scarp and stronger than the xmid )

Yeah you're not getting the scarp any shorter than those struts... no issue in the winter with my 65l but a squeeze in summer with a 36. I used the xmid2 on a 4 night trip to Skye and it was great, held up to the wind better than I expected and was great to have to space to stretch out and do my personal admin. But if it's looking rough or cold the scarp wins everytime

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

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

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

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

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

I also camp in the Cdn shield (Nopiming) out of our kayaks and we recently switched to the XMid 2. You can get poles from Costco that are under $50 (they were on sale recently for $38) and will work well for what you need them to do. Also note that the old Copper tent's floor is tapered so you can't use two 25" pads. That may not matter for you but it's something they addressed in the new version which is why the old one is now on sale. The XMid is much larger inside. If you do buy the Copper Spur, GearTrade might be cheaper as you'll only pay GST and not provincial tax. [https://geartrade.ca/products/big-agnes-copper-spur-hv-ul-2?variant=44376691245351](https://geartrade.ca/products/big-agnes-copper-spur-hv-ul-2?variant=44376691245351)

I just got an X-Mid 2P that’ll be used solo and for my wife and I

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

I've used my Xmid 2p with two adults comfortably. Fits your price range.

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

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

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

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

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

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

We had to pitch our xmid 2P with gusts arround 19m/s which was pretty terrifying, but I definetly learned that it can hold much more than I would have expected. I think with good ground conditions for stakes it is still doing fine in wind but I would never choose to sleep in it when conditions are like that. I am pretty happy with it still but it was a bit of a bummer to realise I did not think of this downside when choosing a hiking pole tend. Good luck finding another good tend might check in to see what to get next.

Pro 2 + fo sho

I mean, it’s a pretty large footprint, but having two wide pads side by side is killer. The vestibules are one of the best parts. No regrets on purchasing mine at all. Probably 10 nights on trail and haven’t been constrained by smaller campsites.

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.

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

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

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

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

I take my xmid solid into the mountains and it's good for most conditions. If you really want a bomb proof tent then you have to look at hilleberg soulo, terranova southern cross, big sky Chinook, nortent Vern 1 but all these cost £500 or above. Personally I don't go out in gale force winds so can't justify spending £900 on a hilleberg

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

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

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

The xmid is easy to set up. I just got a tiger wall UL1 and it takes me longer to put up than the xmid. If you want a two person shelter that’s lighter you can check out the Gossamer Gear The Two. You lose floor space and double walls though. That’s kinda the tradeoff you’ll find most often.

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

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

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

Durston Gear X-Mid all the way, baby!

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.

We’ll be announcing an update to the X-Mid 2 in a week or so. The 2025 model is now lighter.

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)

The Xmid is pretty easy to set up by all accounts, and the only way you can get something lighter is to 1. spend a *lot* more and get a Dyneema tent such as the xmid pro or the zpacks duplex, or 2. use a tarp, which isn't good for bugs.

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

The Nemo is however more expensive then a much roomier X-Mid 2p. Which also pitches in around 3 mins with outer on. So ideal for random and often wet UK weather. Packs into my 5L cargo pack too \[just\]. Not freestanding though which was the \[minor\] compromise I made.

My wife and I used the pro 2+ on the first 400 miles of the PCT this year. It's big and doesn't quite fit in all spots but skinny pitching isn't hard and we never struggled too much finding a good spot. Definitely the way to go for light and very roomy, I love that tent.

We're each 2" shorter than you two but we had plenty of space. You might have to have the two pads slightly offset to optimize head space but should still be enough. What was huge for me was that we could both sit up and get changed inside the tent without feeling crowded. We have the silnylon floor and it worked great, no complaints. In hindsight I wish we had spent the extra $ to drop some more weight but beyond that I'm happy with it.

I only used Durston but it is not free standing (the one I used) and in very windy Utah wild areas and by the California beach winds, it was untouchable. But I have used a hammer and stronger stakes than the ones they offer (the lightweight ones bend). I have XMidPro2 and 2+ (but it is one piece), here is the two part - XMid 2 - they updated it even more, not much more heavier than the pro2, but again they use trekking poles and I used rocks on the flaps during very heavy storms. Lol. I don't know how to use the storm lines yet. They send them with tent but I never learned how to use it. Though, at 300 price tag and below 2.5 pounds and the space inside, you may wanna check, got my comment removed for link, so had to remove the link. For hammer in hard soils, I used MSR mountaineering one, the link doesn't go through, sorry!

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

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

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

Yes, that's very true; I thought about it myself. However, the XMid 2P has a larger footprint and sometimes I tent in small spaces so I decided to go with the 1P over the 2P. But I did seriously think about the 2P!

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

I’m 6’3”. My wife and I recently used the X-mid 2P (non-pro) on our thru-hike of the Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls trails in Iceland. I never had issues with my feet touching the sides (even with the crazy wind we encountered). You can stick your pack liner or rain jacket at the end of your bag/quilt if you’re worried about wetting out your foot box. As others have said, the skinny pitch is super easy to do.

The terrain variability is always tricky with trekking pole tents, but packing a variety of stakes (e.g., 6” and 7” groundhogs, Easton 8” nails, titanium hooks) and knowing things like how to double stake (e.g., using the titaniums with a groundhog at one point), big rock / little rock, and how to bury an anchor stake can make a big difference in bad weather. As far as the X-mid goes, I never felt like the poles were at risk of collapsing when properly staked out. Granted, I used our longer tent stakes for the peaks to help prevent this.

Depends on what you like to do, for car camping I have a Coleman 6 man & for backpacking I have a 2 person Xmid from durston. I’ve never had any issue with either, the Coleman was about 1/3rd the price of the xmid and it comes in very handy when a friend or two wants to tag along on a weekend

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

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

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

The xmid 2 (not pro) is roomy enough for me (5'3) my partner (6') and our kid (3' I think?). Approx 350 lbs all up in there. It's snug with the 3 of us. If we were to just use the fly, it would be very spacious.

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

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

Have Durston xmid2 - the product is unbeatable at this price point and they struck the ideal value proposition for UL gear. Sure, a few extra hundred dollars might get you 1oz lighter from a premium brand, but it's not usually as good in terms of practicality.  Durston hit the exact point of maximizing quality, features, and weight before diminishing returns on price

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

For me the difference between the one entrance at the head end to two entrances (one on each side) would be the big selling point. I’ve hiked with a naturehike tent once, while sharing the tent. And found that one entrance to be a dealbreaker for me, while I’ve shared tents with two side entrances no problem as that allows you that little bit of freedom to comfortably exit without bothering the other person. Might be less important when it’s your partner, but I know it really matters for me. So I would definitely think the upgrade to a xmid 2 is worth the price even if it’s not that much weight (already significant enough with the v3 I’d say).

To much weight for me personally ,I prefer the durstin trekking pole tent,no poles just use straight sticks,it's only like 20 ounces or so.

WFIW, I really like my helm 2. I'm 6'3 and it's fine for me size wise. I also use an xmid2. Different tents for different jobs.

Hey Dan. It’s a great tent, no question. I have the v2 (and a Kakwa 55, not that that matters). I just don’t see it as a great fit for OP’s use case spending extended time in the tent. Xmid2 would be the better fit. 

I'd second this. I had my Xmid 2 solid out in the cairngorms last summer. Winds we hit were pretty consistent at 30mph through. The tent outer deforms a little and it does flap, but inside I was fine. I only bought mine a year ago so I'm still getting used to how I should guy it out in those conditions. Size would be perfect for you though - myself and my partner have been out in it several times with our kit and our collie. If you're only occasionally trekking out in those conditions the xmid could be a good call

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

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

Buy once, cry once. I'd go for the x-mid 2. It is a super solid and useable tent which can't be said for many on that list.

X-Mid 2. Ridiculously good value (even being the most expensive on the list) and lighter than the other options. I got the Pro 2 for the AT later this year and the amount of room, ease of setup etc. is awesome, though the Pro is... not cheap. It hurt... but it won't hurt my back!

I have the Xmid2 (cheapest one) and it's SO easy and fits both me and my husband great. I actually picked up a Copper Spur for another trip where I was afraid my XMid would be too big and found it such a pain to set up compared to the XMid.

You won’t be getting any lighter than the XMID2 without spending a few hundred more dollars to save a few ounces. Ultralight gear has exponentially diminishing returns past a certain pricepoint. Xmid is extremely easy to set up; I taught a 9 year old how to set it up with basic instructions, no intervention. >>> being older, generally out of shape, less practiced Best thing you can do besides buying lighter gear is to train your body. A few overnights on free weekends (even if you’re hiking in just 3-5 miles) can help you dial in your equipment, prepare your body, and learn its needs in the outdoors. Happy trails & your kid is lucky :) PS in my experience, kids in the wilderness take on the mentality you have toward it, and if you show seriousness and respect to the outdoors, they’ll do the same. Hunger takes a back seat when I explain the tent and equipment has to be set up before dinner. Maybe I’ve been lucky with the children my friends have brought along on our trips, they’re resilient lil fellas.

As someone who has exclusively used X-Mids for years now (OG, Pro 1, Pro 2+) I'd recommend going with none of them. The Lunar Solo is going to provide you with enough space for your dog, and save you $400. I love my Pro 1 but it will not fit a dog comfortably, and the Pro 2 is too big for the PCT.

X-Mid 2 footprint is 7.67 feet/2.34m long and 52"/132cm wide. It can fit two wide large 25" x 77" rectangular pads. Please explain to me how this is only meant for dwarfs.

I've not heard a single report of anyone having a problem with *any* 15D floor treated appropriately.

X-Mid Pro 2 weighs 509g and Duplex weighs 507g according to their websites. I have an X-Mid Pro 2+, with my mods (clothesline, extended guy lines, mesh patches) it weighs 669 grams.

If we're talking about ease of setup, I want to throw something out that's not freestanding. I'm no Durston Gear evangelist, but the XMid 2P is fucking dead simple to set up. The inner/outer stay together always, so just stake it out in a rectangle, and pop it up with the [poles](https://durstongear.com/products/z-flick-tent-pole). Stake out the fly's doors and you're done. So simple, and the setup is perfect almost every time. Easier to setup than EVERY other tent/shelter I've used. Loads easier than any other pyramid or tarp-like shelter. Medium spacious for a 2P tent (which means still cramped, but not obnoxious). As you probably know sometimes ground conditions can be a PITA for non-freestanding. But I would still prefer a well-staked non-freestanding tent in a storm.

Being a shortie with a shortie partner is always surreal when reading this sub and other ultralight resources. "A 2 person is really a 1 person tent" "for me personally the X-Mid 2 is simply unusable for two people with position head to head" meanwhile me and my partner both fit into a X-Mid Pro **1** lmao

The X-Mid 2 is fine for me to fit a large and a regular S2S inflatable pad head-to-head and not touch the pads against each other or jammed into a corner of the tent. Yes, the person on the side with the more sloped wall is not going to have a ton of headroom, but you're not even close to actually touching the tent wall if you're positioned properly. This is with a pillow and sleeping on the back. Not that it'll matter anyways once you put your sleep mask on 🤷

Hello friends: I am planning some trips for this winter here in the Pacific northwest. Last year I relied on a Durston X-Mid Solid which was fine, but after that experience I'd prefer to get a freestanding tent to give me more pitching location options. As I am based in the pacific northwest, and we get all four seasons plus serious rain and strong winds, I have narrowed my tent search down to two tents that seem like they will do the best in continuous rain: the Durston X-Dome (Solid) and the NEMO Dragonfly OSMO. My thinking on these two is the fabrics used for their respective rainflys do not stretch when wet. Owning a Durston X-Mid, which also uses a polyester fabric on the rainfly, is kept pretty taut during rainstorms and doesn't require me to cinch down the corners. I've also used a NEMO Dagger OSMO, which has a rainfly that uses a mixed nylon-polyester fabric, that works pretty similar in my experience, and doesn't sag when wet. I've experienced tent failures and pole snaps in years past during overnight rainstorms with wind due to flapping saggy rainflys. Has anyone here yet used both a Durston X-Dome and a NEMO Dragonfly OSMO that can compare or recommend one over the other? (I've also previously used both the Sea to Summit Alto and Telos, which are fantastic tents which I highly recommend! They're just not great for serious rainstorms here, in my experience.)

Starting with a lighter pack is great. Also, where/when you're camping, how long, budget, etc.  Maybe a sling/fanny/bag for the kids to carry their water bottle and snacks. If you're carrying all the gear, it might be lighter/easier to do a double pad, like the exped duo large (3r/5r) -- you can sometimes find them cheap (saw one at REI for ~$80 once). I think that'd fit in a x-mid 2, which is a great tent that can be found for ~$200 shipped usually. Things seem really on the cusp if you'd be able to fit everyone on that pad, in that tent, but once you step up cost/weight gets much higher (3p tent + 3 pads). And in the long run, you could also have the kids use/split the tent while you upgrade to another solo setup (the tent/pad weigh about 2lbs each, so once they can sleep more alone, they'd be able to handle the weight). You can also fairly easily MYOG a couple apex quilts that snaps in the middle to make a big double quilt, for way cheaper than anything you'd buy.

I love my Durston Xmid 2p it’s roomy and super lightweight and not a bad price.

I'd recommend the x mid 2 or 3 from durston equipment. Great value trekking pole tents. I love mine!

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

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

pioneer a 1.5 person tent, i found the helm 2 too tight for 2 and personally i think it is overrated, saggy inner and unless you are under 6 foot too short either side of the centre. I have a hubbahubba clone and we find it fine for 2. Our main tent is an X-Mid 2 and that appears to tick all your boxes. Easily best 2 person tent we have used.

All those tents are water resistant. What’s the point of having a tent otherwise? Both the X-Mid and the Stratospire are not freestanding. The idea that the Stratospire is more complicated to pitch is a myth in my eyes. I’ve owned both. I still own the Stratospire, just because I favor some aspects of it over the X-Mid. They both are great tents for what they are. Why is freestanding so important to you? And if you don’t plan to be out in bad weather why not just use a (large) tarp, just in case weather is worse than expected? [Edit] Some more words on X-Mid vs Stratospire. The Stratospire has a larger footprint, especially the 2p version. That could be something to consider since in the alps sometimes you might want to squeeze into smaller places. The Stratospire on the other hand has much larger vestibules.

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

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

Checkout r/ultralight. They have the best recommendations for lightweight tents. Duston 2 is great if you want a trekking pole tent. A cheaper option is the Paria Aches which I personally like a lot. For free standing i have enjoyed my naturehike vik but it does condensate a good amount so a double wall might work better for you like the Paria Zion 2 person.

The Stratospire and X mid 2 are your best bet - just get a couple of CCF pads to protect the floor.

I have two X-mid 2 to accommodate the fam and it is excellent! Recommendation - buy the [Tarp Tent Pole Adapters](https://www.tarptent.com/product/trekking-pole-handle-adapter/). When putting my poles handle down, pack rats ate my handles. These allow you to put the tips down.

I got the X-Mid Solid a few months back (I got the solid version as I plan to use it in more variable conditions), and so far I really like it. It was a bit different and tricky to get a really solid pitch at first, coming from a freestanding (MSR HubbaHubba) - but once I got the hang of it, I really appreciated that it does the basics very well. And it's nice and light, packs down small. I'm taking it on the JMT in august, so I guess that will be a more rigorous test!

Own the pro 2 and xmid2. Both are really big tents, and great tents. You'll be able to sit up easily and get changed in both. They have big footprints. So keeping hold of your lanshan 1 is a good shout. The xmid2 has two advantages. The fabric does not sag and the walls by the feet and head are steeper. At 6ft, you'll just about be fine with the lanshan. I'm a bit taller and if the ground is sloped (so im sliding down the floor) and rain has caused the fabric to sag, then the my footbox or head could touch the fabric. This isn't an issue with the xmid. There is a bonus advantage in that the xmid2 is easier to pitch (needs less stakes) The lanshans advantage is the price. At your height both are viable, but the nonsag fabric of the xmid is a huge plus in rainy climates that you'll be hiking in.

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.

Its not as easy/roomy to fit two people side by side without one person having a tent wall in their face. Not my video but a good example [https://youtu.be/2l8Hqb8zYD4?si=dSYSbnOw6OY-KNu0](https://youtu.be/2l8Hqb8zYD4?si=dSYSbnOw6OY-KNu0)

I had an XMID 2p on my AT thru hike this year— but I hiked with several Big Agnes users who were very happy with their tents. I think you’ll be fine. You may even enjoy the versatility of a freestanding tent out west— it sounded to me like the PCT and CDT often presented rockier campsites that problematize tarps and trekking pole tents. Chat, please correct me if I’m wrong.

Why not look at Tartpent Dipole 2 Li and Zpacks Offset Duo? Much better space around the head and feet for avoiding condensation. I love my X-Mid Pro 2+, but I’m 6’3” and prefer not to share it with anyone taller than my 5’6” wife.

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.

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.

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

I have used a Durston XMid 2p in Yosemite for years. I also took it in the JMT last year. I have no issues setting up on granite slabs. There has always been a plethora of rocks around for the big rock/Little Rock method. I would leave the freestanding tent at home.

I've pitched my x mid 2 in pretty windy conditions and been fine, maybe you need to work a little on your pitch, the guy lines from the top are pretty crucial, I'd say 6 stakes are about the minimum to have wind resistance with more added as needed

Usually yea, if wind is really bad ill add stakes at the doors, (the loops next to the zippers on the portion of the vestibule that doesn't open.) My way of doing it is Stake out the rectangle, make sure it's really a rectangle (as opposed to a rhombus) and tight, then put in the poles, make sure they are not too tall. Then stake out the guys slightly in front of the long side of the tent but not perpendicular (closer to the corner) Then stake out the doors if needed. Make sure everything's still tight. That's enough 95% of the time. If not then add more stakes on the prevailing wind side. Imo the guy lines are more crucial than the zipper points, they pull directly on the top of the poles and keep them taunt.

You can use it all year round especially in the UK. I use a x-mid solid for most of the year on summits except for winter when I use a 4 season tent. The terra nova is a solid tent and it is knocked down from £700 to £450 and it weighs no more than your mongar. I always use a solid tent in summer because I only sleep in it and because you avoid draughts you can lighten your sleep system.

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

Love my xmid. I was new to backpacking and tried a semi freestanding Sea To Summit Alto for a few years. X mid is way easier to pitch. X mid has huge very usable vestibules. 2 is huge, I'm going to save up for a 1 pro to make it easier to find places to pitch.

I will stick with my X-MId 2 that you can get for $269.

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

Hey Dan, happy holidays. I just sold my Xmid solid tent as I'm a bit frustrated pitching them on soft soil/sand. I went back using BA Tiger Wall UL3 while I'm waiting for your free standing 2p dome tent. Just want to know if 2x regular wide thermarests (64cm Width) will fit inside? Just making sure otherwise we'll continue to use our current tent perfect for 2 people. Thanks mate

The Lanshan 2 Pro is pretty compelling for the price. I don't like the peak vent design, but otherwise I really prefer it over the GG2. It comes in cheaper and lighter than the XMid 2, but the XMid is much more livable and better built and more stormworthy.

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.

XMid2—buy once, cry once. If not, the Lanshan 2 (not the pro version) comes seam-sealed from the factory. If not, the Gossamer 2.

I have the durston x mid solid and love it. It’s the easiest thing I’ve ever pitched

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

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

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

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

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

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

Generally not ideal. A couple that might work all around are the Durston x-mid solid or Slingfin portal 2. Neither is going to be anywhere close to as cozy as a 4 season expedition tent, but should be passably stormworthy and strong against snow loading. And obviously you'll find no shortage of accounts of folks using the megamid in all conditions. But you're venturing into "knowing what you're doing" territory

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.