Durston - X-Mid 2+ Solid

I upgraded to an UL tent (Durston Gear X-Mid Solid 2P). I have zero regrets.

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.

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

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

Durston X Mid 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.

I have an xmid 2p solid which is great! Just would like something free standing and a bit sturdier in the wind

I have an x mid solid for 3 season use which I think is great for that! Just want something a bit more specialised for really exposed camping or camping in the winter months over here

I have the Brice 2 and xmid 2 solid. Both are great, the Brice is hard to beat with its price but my solid is slightly lighter and I actually like using tracking polls when I hike. I guess it boils down to what style tent you’re looking for.

I recommend the Durston XMid Solid. I’ve the 1p and have had other versions without solid inner. The solid inner makes a huge difference with heat retention.

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

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.

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

I’ve been through the shittest weather in Nova Scotia with an Xmid Solid, which is plenty Winter, but not high altitude nor rocky. Fantastic tent.

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.)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I've had a naturehike for years and love it. Just upgrade to a Durston 2 Mid X. It was a hard decision upgrading because the naturehike has just worked so well for so long.

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 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.

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).

The xmid 2 is pretty solid if you use all guy points. If you want something sturdier that you can take into the mountains, look at sling fin.

I think it really depends on how big the two people are and how big your tent is. My husband is 6'4 and he takes up his entire side of the tent, but I'm 5'4 and I sleep on my side comfortably with our 37 lb dog at my head. We're planning to get another 20 lb dog without upgrading our tent. As others mention, check your dimensions and find one that works for you! We have an xmid 2 and it works well for us.

My two suggestions are basically more about the companies. The less budget suggestion is Durston. Though, not all of their tents are actually that expensive. Some of them are pretty affordable. When you get into the dyneema tents that's where it's expensive. The X-Men Pro 2 plus is going to be expensive. But it's lightweight. It's easier setup you just have to learn how to do it right to get a tight pitch. However, an XMid 2 it's still pretty light. Both of these options are trekking pole tents. If you were going to use trekking poles anyway, you could look at these to save weight. But they also sell polls for these tents which are not that heavy if you didn't want to use trekking poles. There's also the Durston X Dome 2. That's freestanding ish. If you want a more budget option, look at Naturehike. They're pretty affordable. And review well. My understanding is that because Durston sells direct, they aren't likely to be on sale. I don't know that Naturehike will be on sale. But you may keep an eye out for a Black Friday special on them. Be aware of where you are ordering them from and if there are any tariffs on them. Amazon should tell you if there is one.

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.

If you are Canadian and want to support a Canadian company buy a durston gear tent. Depending on your budget for two people I would go with the x mid 2 or the x mid 2+ pro. The floor on the 2+ pro allows for two wide pads. If you don't care about the Canadian aspect of it look at the tarptent stratospire models or the new mesospire models. Z packs also makes good light tents but I have always felt their two person tents are a little small for two people.

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 a lanshan 2 Pro and an Xmid 2. I've had them both out in heavy weather and they both work fine but the Xmid is definitely a better tent. The lanshan sylnylon sags a lot and condensation is a big problem, but if you seal the seams properly it will keep you dry in high wind and heavy rain. The Xmid is way more flexible, you can set it up without the inner to get out of the weather in a hurry and the sylpoly doesn't sag as much. Also a much more solid pitch and way less flappy in the wind.

2 vestibule tent is ideal. Single (top) entry works too but isn't as convenient... And in a 2p tent the 2 vestibules will be helpful for stowing gear. A 3p tent will be more comfortable for most folks, but it depends on the model. My wife and I have used both, and we prefer a 3p tent for the extra room... That being said we love our Xmid 2. It has more interior room than most 2p tents and we use it nearly all the time. We changed to separate sleep pads and individual quilts a few years ago and it not only improved comfort but also lowered the weight we carry. We each have our own cook pots and stoves as well, but generally only use one. The other tends to be a backup. We also carry a separate coffee cup so we can boil water for 2 cups in a pot and use the cups to drink it. But YMMV, you'll figure out what works for you and what doesn't over time... Eventually things wear out or you just want to upgrade ... So you will have opportunities to change up your kit down the road.

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.

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!

Same here I have a xmid2 and a gossamer gear the two for backpacking.  How does the Amazon basic hold up in the rain does it need wp on the seams?

I disagree with the people saying that your question isn't suitable for the UL sub. Ultralight isn't about being below five kilos in pack weight. It's about removing any needless weight for the job you are doing. If you're in 17 miles an hour of course you're going to need a stronger tent than if you're in five miles an hour. And if it's -30 C then your clothes are going to be heavier than if you're in 10C in order to keep you warm. On the topic of the tent question the only genuinely lightweight tent that you will find for four season will be a pyramid or tarp style tent. The MLD Trailstar is exceptional against wind but awful against snow so you need a more classical pyramid shape like the MLD Supermid. A classic pyramid shape will be very good against snow loading as they are so steep the snow can't reach thick enough to cause a collapse and they are still pretty good in wind provided you have a strong enough pole in the center and they came with enough guidelines because some like the hyperlite ultra-mid apparently underperform quite a bit in wind compared to something like the super mid (please will everyone stop calling their tents something mid). Quite a few people sleep on the pyramid 10 ignoring how strong they can be if designed for strength. Designed puts all of the force onto the pole but through compression instead of bending which is the force a pole will be strongest in and so they can survive lots of pressure put on that pole which comes from the wind and due to their fairly aerodynamic shape the wind will also not be applying that much force onto the pole to begin with. But pyramid tents do still have an upper limit, morso in wind than anything else. If you need a stronger tent then you need to ask what exactly you will be camping in to determine what type of tent. A geodesic dome like the Soulo or abisko dome will perform best under snow loading and wind particularly from any direction so if you're in places where wind speed might change often they are very good choice. Tunnel tents however are more weight efficient for the amount of strength and space they give. In the lengthway they might even be slightly stronger than 4 geodesic Dome as they are that little bit more streamline although from the side they will be worse but still pretty strong. The biggest factor of a tunnel 10 however is that the snow loading will be less than a dome tent. But there is a reason tunnel tents are the favorite for expeditions. But also what is your pack size because if you are cross-country skiing because the snow is that deep and pulling everything on a pulk to make it a lot easier to carry the weight you need then having the extra space in a tunnel tent will be very helpful. If the snow isn't all that deep and so you're able to just walk with boots or snowshoes and stick everything in a pack then a dome will probably be the best as for the same way you can get a lot stronger and so take it out in even worse conditions then you are planning. And lastly if there's just going to be high wind instead of very high wind then a pyramid tent will be more than adequate. The scarp is a strong tent, I'm not really sure how you're getting it to double the price unless hillerberg offers Swedish discounts because in most places they are half the price of a hillberg. The Xmid2 isn't really cut out for Swedish winters. It's fine under snow loading because of the steep angles and can reach surprisingly high winds for a two pole tracking pole tent particularly with all the guidelines but is ok up to 45mph (reports of higher but even Dan himself said he doubted those reports). For through hikes and what most people will be doing in ultralight that is more than strong enough but Scandinavia and the UK receive very high winds in winter and you will normally assume you will experience at least a 40mph and if the weather becomes worse than expected it won't be unrealistic to say that you might experience 60mph on any large hill or mountain at least once a week and quite often not all that predictable for when it will happen. A couple other brands you should look at are Fjallraven, Nortent and the Nordisk Seiland. All are Scandinavian manufacturers. Terranova makes some strong four season tents such as the Southern cross which might be the lightest weight four season tent you will be able to find that is a classic tent instead of a pyramid tent. But you really need to ask yourself what you will actually be doing on these hikes. If you are summit camping then you will need something like a nallo, Seiland or abisko dome because nothing else could be strong enough for the wins that you might get. If you are camping in the forest however the trees will massively reduce the wind you receive and so even an X-mid could be strong enough and a pyramid tent will definitely be strong enough.

Seconding the X-Mid. I have the 2P. Double wall, VERY light for a non-ultralight tent (silpoly rainfly and bathtub, mesh inner walls), TONS of room, huge vestibules. It IS a trekking pole tent. Not sure if that's a deal-breaker for OP. My X-Mid 2P, without the stakes, is 36.2 ounces (1025 grams). I don't include stakes here cause everyone has their own preferences. I use eight inch Big Sky Intl. Tube Stakes (yeah yeah, good joke). Same structure and strength as Easton Nano stakes, but waaaaay more available.

I have an Xmid 2 that I like really well. Folks say you don't need a footprint but I'm huge and heavy and put a  tiny hole in the floor last time I was out from a rock I did not see when pitching. Live and learn, I guess.  If you do get the Xmid, practice pitching until you get it right BEFORE going out with it. It's not hard to do but you will get a bad pitch if you don't follow the intended procedure. The company has a pitching guide video on their YouTube. Also, bring extra guylines. This said, it's a fantastic tent, and well worth the money. 

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.

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

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.

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.

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

I own the Xmid 2 and love it. You can get cheap but good trekking poles from Walmart for $28 or Carbon Fiber ones for $35.

Two vestibules, easy & quick setup, both of us can sit up without touching condensation, plenty of room, only need 4 stakes most of the time, and under 700 grams including stakes. They also have a 2+ version ([link](https://durstongear.com/products/x-mid-pro-plus-tent-ultralight-thruhiking?srsltid=AfmBOorJkEz2XUdJeNxCUj26AGVdqUjbsrcm35ElWu85BKvKXRHfGnDK&variant=46399423807779)).

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.

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. 

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’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.

I love my X-Mid 2 Solid. Used it on mountain ridges in awful weather.

Durston X mid 2 It’s a great tent

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.

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.

Unless you’re all small a 2P tent will be too small. I’d recommend a 3P tent or a 2P tent that is really a 2+ like the X-Mid 2 which has space at the ends to fit a medium sized dog and has space for two wide mats. You could even go for a 4P tent like the TarpTent Hogback and still come out lighter (and more durable) than the Sierra Lite tent.

The X-mid is a sturdy tent. I’ve used my 1P for years, no issues. It’s also very popular with folks newer to UL and lightweight backpacking.

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.

We have an X-Mid 2, she carries that while I carry all the food. Separate pads and bags - but we can zip them together if we want.

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!

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.

People do the JMT with a lot more weight than that even if you do carry the Copper Spur solo. A good option is an Xmid 2p, you really shouldn't be carrying the weight of a poleset when you have 4 trekking poles between the two of you (and if you don't carry trekking poles then you're trolling and you should start, it will make the trail a lot easier and safer).

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

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

Some of the things you would be getting with the X-Mid are a simpler pitch, non-sag and fast dry fabric, higher end build quality, and it’s more spacious.

Really like my xmid 2P. Roomy for 1 and light.

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

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 🤷

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

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.

If you’re comfortable with a trekking pole tent, get the xmid 2. It is a fantastic tent for the money and you won’t feel like you need to upgrade later.

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.

+1 for the x-mid 2P. I’m 6’5” and was able to share it with my 2 pre-teen boys. Pretty much the only 2 person tent that I don’t consider a 1 person.

Have used the Xmid 2p and Gossomer Gears "the two". Both solid trekking pole tents which are easy to set up after a trial run. I'll be running "the two" on my upcoming solo trip. Haven't used zpacks, but im sure its comparable. Trekking pole tents are a great way to save weight.

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.

Separate tents is usually best for thru hiking, but for shorter trips like you’d probably start with more couples seem to like sharing. You’ll often hear that you need to switch to a 3-person tent to be comfortable, but I think you should be fine with a comfort-minded 2-person tent, eg two side entry doors with generous vestibules and 50+” wide interior to accommodate 2 wide pads (eg X-Mid 2P, Pro 2+ or X-Dome 2).

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

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)

What is your budget? Do you want a 2 person tent where you can fit two 25 inch wide pads in it, a tent for just him, or a tent for two people and their gear? Some tents will have a space outside the main tent called the vestibule where you can store gear as well. An Xmid 2 person will fit two 25 inch pads, has dual doors with vestibules, and is pretty lightweight at 31 oz/1.9 pounds which is great for backpacking, and costs 310, which is very reasonable. It's a trekking pole tent, which is great for saving weight because you use your trekking poles as the support for the tent. 2 person lightweight freestanding tents will cost much more. I'm a big fan of trekking pole tents.

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.

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.

We have both the SS2 and the xmid 2p. 160 nights on the SS2 and about 60 on the xmid 2. Both are good tents. I would say the SS2 just has the edge in wind and it's slightly easier to find placement for areas which are hard to find a pitch. It also has a tougher ground sheet. It also has a deeper more usable porch space when closed down, all over the door zips are a bit of a pain sometimes due to the distance from the inner and they often curve under tension. Due to the low vents SS2 has better ventilation options. Having said that, the last 2 years, we've only used the xmid due to, it being lighter and slightly more convenient accessibility, and simplicity. It's also slightly easier to pitch, although both tents are pretty easy. Once you get the sequence and understand how to adjust them dialled in. Though if I was planning to do something where I was expecting consistently wet and windy weather every day, I would probably choose the SS2. They are both good tents, just a bit different. The main reason we bought the X-Mid was that it's silpoly, and our ss2 is silnylon, and it got rather heavy when saturated with rain or dew (Which is common here in the UK). However, current SS2s are silpoly these days.

Xmid 2 (or Tarptent Stratospire2 if got at a good price). We've used both extensively in the Pyrenees. They do well and you get a little more ground space and sitting up height than a heavier tent like the Hubba Hubba, though a little less volume at the ends. Lanshan 2 is a good lightweight cheaper option, but not as quick to erect or as protective from wind . My friend has one, and I've had to help her erect it in windy conditions recently, and it's definitely more faff to set up than Xmid or Strat.

Mongar 2 UL will be the best freestanding tent on your list It's a toss-up between the x mid and the 3ful. Depends on if you want the top top quality or saving money. 3f UL isn't bad it just isn't the x mid.  All these UL options are fragile, don't forget. UL great needs to be treated carefully

Love my copper spur for sure but my vote would be for the Xmid.  The 2p Xmid is lighter than most 1p freestanding tents. It can do double duty. I use it as my solo tent.  Got it cuz it’s affordable and easier to justify if you’re doubling up on a 2p system.  I do think you could carry the copper spur - I did that before I snagged a Xmid. It’s totally doable if you’re used to it and in good shape. But if you want peace of mind, the Xmid is a great option and a fraction of the price of a zpacks ETA - I use my Xmid in the mountains or for 1p adventures. I use my trusty copper spur(s) in rugged desert environments where pitching is tougher (not skilled enough with the Xmid yet and the low bathtub kicks a lot of sand into the tent) or if I’m out with my toddler. 

Ya. Just the regular Xmid 2p. Also, another thing that helped me purchase is that the tent is so popular. If I ended up trying it out and not liking it I could sell quickly on a used gear forum/group/sub. Which helps! 

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

The Price is Right and the setup is fairly straightforward. Plenty strong for three season use as well.

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

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.

You're probably not going to like hearing this but I'd suggest saving for the x-mid 2. Speaking from experience its an amazing tent. Yes its pricey but it has lots of room, is already seam sealed (unlike the lanshan), and is very well designed. I've had the tent for about a year and have gone on 10 trips with it and has been an amazing time every time. I would highly recommend to anyone thinking about buying it, definitely worth it if you go backpacking often

The Lanshan really takes some effort to get tight, and you need that in the Pyrenees. But I've seen many hikers using it. Knowing me, it would keep me awake in windy nights, so I imported the x-mid as well. Also the material is not so stretchy, so the mist doesn't make it sag so much. Buying too cheap may ruin the fun before it even started... Maybe borrow or rent for your first experiences? 

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.

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!

You cut it in half with a saw…. Seriously though, get a 2 person Dan Durston Xmid. Good price, tons of space, very light. Everyone worries about trekking pole tents at first but there’s nothing to be afraid of. Their great. Backpacking is different than camping. Embrace the differences. Ditching tent poles is one of the best ways to save weight while backpacking.

First off, which Kelty Mummy bag are you looking at? They have different ones with different temp ratings. I'd strongly advise you not to go with the Ampex tent. ITS WHITE. My friend got herself a white decathlon tent and it attracts bugs like CRAZY. Go with a darker shade, optimally green/brown. Since you want lightweight take a look at the lanshan 2. Its a pretty light tent for \~$150. Its a trekking pole tent tho so keep that in mind. 3F UL Gear also makes a freestanding tent but thats gonna cost you about $200. I cant say much about the freestanding one but my friend has the lanshan 1 and once you get the hang of how to pitch it (pretty easy) its a decent tent for the price/weight. But to be fair its not very tall and the doors are pretty high up off the ground so you might get some cold drafts in cooler temps. If you'd spend some more on the tent I can highly recommend the Durston Gear X-Mid 2. Again a trekking pole tent but thats what most people in this sub are going to recommend. I have the X-Mid 2 and its a GREAT tent. Its got loads of space and headroom, is really light at \~900g / 32oz and not that far from your budget at $250. I had to import mine to Germany so it ended up being 350€ /\~$400 but even thats more than worth it. Takes some practice to pitch it but its pretty easy if you try it out a couple of times in your/someones backyard. Its my first trekking pole tent and I didnt have any problems getting it pitched perfectly after the first few times. Loads of videos out there on how to pitch it as well. Cant say anything about the Naturehike backpack. Ive heard pretty good things about their tents so I'd imagine the backpacks to be decent as well. I started out with the Osprey Kestrel 48 and can only recommend you to get something larger. If youre doing anything over 3 days and dont have the super ultralight & compact gear, get something around 60l. But I'll add that the backpack is probably the one thing where you should be "cheap". Having a bad pack can ruin any trip you go on. Osprey is a great brand, tho most of their packs are outside your price range. I havent really invested a lot of time researching budget/beginner backpacks because I'll buy one of the expensive UL packs this winter. If you have any questions lmk, Im always happy to help

Xmid was my first tent. I love it.

I’m selling my xmid 2p used once if anyone wants it 👀👀

A really warm underquilt for my hammock. Worth every penny when it's 25° out and I'm cozy.  My Durston 2p tent and a cozy 2 person sleeping pad allowed us to enjoy the wilderness with our baby until she was old enough for a hammock at 2.5/3. The Morrison baby sleeping bags are a must splurge for baby campers. 

I have a Stratospire 2 and my hiking buddy has the Durston 2P, and we've used both. The Stratospire is a palace, especially when you consider the huge vestibules. It is excellent if you have a dog, for instance, or plan to be inside the tent for longer periods of time. When my 2 boys were young, I fit my 25 inch pad and both of their 20-inch pads in the Stratospire no problem. Setup is fine. The Durston is the one we carry now on our trips. It's lighter and roomy enough for us since we don't stay in it very long.

Not sure that's the case at all, they only recently moved stock to the US due to tarrifs. I shipped my durston to Ireland and it came shipped from Canada via the US. Paid about 25% in vat and fews

No. I just upgraded from a 2 person North Face to a 2 person duration. Saved over 4 pounds. The Durston has tons more room, much simpler to set up, packs in about a third of the space and handle just fine in a thunderstorm and high winds. It’s better in every way so far.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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. 

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

Durston Gear X-Mid all the way, baby!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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

I really like the Durston mid

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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