The Durston X-Dome 1 is a freestanding double-wall tent appropriate for 4-season use. Weighing simply over 2 lbs 3 oz, it has an exoskeleton pole set with an oblong footprint that enables it to be arrange fly-first in dangerous climate in order that the internal tent stays dry. Regardless of solely having one facet door, the X-Dome has ample entrance vestibule area on account of its distinctive offset internal tent orientation, a signature characteristic of Durston’s tents. Extremely livable and well-made, the Durston X-Dome offers distinctive worth and eclipses common double-wall freestanding tents, together with the Massive Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 1, the NEMO Dragonfly OSMO 1, and the MSR Hubba Hubba LT 1.
- Kind: Freestanding
- Development: Double-wall
- Minimal variety of stakes to pitch: 0
- Capability: 1 Particular person (with further room)
- Complete Weight: 2 lbs 2.7 oz (985g)
- Rainfly weight: 14.7 oz
- Internal tent weight: 10.7 oz
- Pole weight: 9.7 oz
- Seam-sealed: Sure
- Fly First Pitch Possibility: Sure
- Poles: 1 (carbon fiber)
- Door: 1 facet door
- Inside pockets: 2
- Supplies: 15D excessive tenacity siliconized polyester (silpoly)
- Exterior dimensions: 88″ x 56″ x 45″ (l x w x h)
- Inside dimensions: 85″ x 50″ tapering to 27″ x 42″ (l x w x h)
The Durston X-Dome 1 is a double-wall freestanding tent with a single collapsible carbon fiber pole with two hubs and an built-in forehead pole. The rain fly may be arrange first earlier than the internal tent, so the tent may be arrange in dangerous climate whereas conserving the internal tent dry. This functionality is usually solely discovered on tents from European tent producers resembling Hilleberg, Exped, Terra Nova, and so on. however continues to be comparatively uncommon on double-wall tents produced by North American tent producers.
The internal tent connects to buckles contained in the fly: optionally, you’ll be able to hold the 2 hooked up when breaking down the tent and set them up concurrently. You may as well arrange the fly and go away the internal tent at dwelling to avoid wasting weight, which is an efficient choice for snow tenting when diminished weight and pack quantity are desired. The internal tent may also be arrange standalone with the pole set in dry climate for those who solely want insect safety.
The rain fly and internal tent are made with siliconized polyester, which stretches lower than siliconized nylon or PU-coated nylon when it will get moist or is roofed in snow. Whereas there may be some stretch, there may be enough air area between the rain fly and the internal tent, that it has little to no influence on livability. The advantage of siliconized polyester is that the seams may be manufacturing unit seam-sealed, it absorbs much less water when it will get moist, dries shortly, and it retains the X-Dome exceptionally inexpensive at $349 USD, which is a really aggressive worth for a tent of this high quality and utility.
The rain fly, when pitched, has an oblong footprint and hangs under the carbon fiber pole set utilizing plastic hooks. The poles slot into easy aluminum {hardware} within the corners, with webbing and ladder lock buckles for tensioning the corners, as a substitute of linelocs, which may freeze in chilly/winter. In windy circumstances or heavy snow hundreds, you’ll be able to reinforce the pole set and rain fly with trekking poles for added structural assist, a characteristic just like one supplied on the SlingFin Portal 1.
The internal tent has a tapered footprint, 50″ large on the head finish and tapering right down to 27″ on the foot finish. The additional area is sweet for storing gear inside simple attain contained in the tent as a substitute of getting to stash it within the vestibule. The advantage of the tapered foot finish is that it creates extra coated vestibule area for gear storage in addition to a major overhang, so you’ll be able to go away the facet door open in dangerous climate and never get moist.
The X-Dome 1+ is a particularly livable tent that’s perfect when the climate circumstances outdoors are poor. For instance:
- The rainfly drops near the bottom limiting drafts and splashback.
- The doorways roll again and are secured with magnets, so that they’re simple to safe open, and shut with out combating a dowel closure, which is widespread on many typical tents. You’ll recognize the distinction when it’s raining.
- The internal tent has twin mesh pockets set excessive up off the ground to stop breakage of delicate objects like glasses or telephones.
- Whereas the size of the internal tent is 85″, it’s nearer to 90″ for those who place your self on the diagonal, offering extra room for tall backpackers.
- The underside portion of the internal tent is stable material, lowering drafts.
- The door zippers on the fly and internal tent are diagonal making entry and exit simpler.
- The 42″ top of the internal tent and its vertical sidewalls make it simple to alter your garments contained in the tent.
- The depth of the vestibule makes it simple to (rigorously) cook dinner below cowl in dangerous climate.
The eye to element and performance is de facto fairly exceptional – a lot so, that you can substitute a number of tents, for those who personal a number of, with the X-Dome 1+ as a result of it addresses such a broad swath of capabilities.
Comparable Freestanding Tents
Having used many of the tents listed under (we’re about to publish a number of extra evaluations this month), the X-Dome 1+ is superior alongside a number of dimensions, together with its fly-first pitch, inside area/vestibule, and power. Its closest competitor is the Massive Sky Revolution 1 Tent, a double-wall tent with a fly-first pitch and two doorways w/vestibules.
Advice
The Durston X-Dome 1+ is de facto fairly a exceptional light-weight freestanding tent that’s designed for backpackers preferring a double-wall freestanding tent as a result of it’s extra comfy, simpler to pitch on crappy tent websites, and extra climate worthy. Weighing almost twice as a lot as many ultralight trekking pole tents, it’s unlikely to enchantment to backpackers who’re centered on utilizing the lightest weight gear for extra benign climate circumstances. That stated, the X-Dome 1+, with its fly-first pitch, considerate design, and memorable livability options is a greatest purchase and one that you just’ll shortly come to like for those who want a freestanding tent in your adventures.
Disclaimer: Durston Gear donated a tent for overview.
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