Durston X-Mid Professional 1 Tent Evaluation

Backside Line

For the tent that balances efficiency, worth, and weight higher than another, the X-Mid Professional 1 tops our listing of the perfect ultralight tents. We beloved the easy setup, wonderful size, and storm-worthy design that made us assured irrespective of the journey. When testing on the second half of the Pacific Crest Path, it carried out excellently mile after mile, whether or not we arrived at camp early and needed to calm down or needed to set it up at night time in the course of a storm. After lots of of miles, the standard has held up properly, demonstrating nice sturdiness.

The distinctive offset pole geometry supplies ample inside house, leading to a cushty expertise, significantly for tall people. That is one in all our favourite shelters for these over 6’0”, and we discovered we had loads of headroom each sitting and mendacity down. One disadvantage is that whereas the inside width is first rate, it isn’t huge. This would possibly disappoint those that want to retailer their packs beside them at night time, though we discovered that storing them on the head or foot finish labored properly. Total, the remainder of the options contributed to a considerate and comfy expertise. Wonderful zippers and doorways, nice pockets, and well-designed vestibules ensured we had been by no means left wanting for extra.

Though trekking pole tents may be tough to pitch initially, we should acknowledge that the Professional 1 performs higher than most with its simple four-stake design. The set-up follows a easy rectangular form, and the Lineloc tensioners on the corners make it simple to regulate the pitch if errors are made.

Total, we actually love the X-Mid Professional 1. It saved us snug and dry for lots of of miles at a worth that allow us take pleasure in a couple of extra city beers alongside the way in which. Whereas it is probably not the perfect tent for everybody, we consider it balances the vital elements properly for most individuals, and we’ve got no hesitation in recommending it wholeheartedly.condensation drip out.

Consolation

Whereas some ultralight tents for one individual really feel little greater than a bivy, the X-Mid Professional 1 provides a spacious and comfy expertise. It is among the finest choices for taller people, comfortably accommodating our 5’11” tester with an opulent 20-degree quilt and a 2.5-inch pad, leaving ample head and foot room.

A big a part of this consolation is attributed to the distinctive geometry of the X-Mid, which makes use of two trekking poles in an offset configuration to maximise inside quantity. Durston Gear has printed a complete whitepaper on the volumetric effectivity of tent designs that explores this in nice element, and we’re impressed with the inside quantity of this tent in observe. With a peak peak of 45 inches and a sustained size of the inside, we discovered headroom to be distinctive.

A slight draw back of this tent form is its inside width. Whereas earlier variations of the X-Mid struggled on this space, the present design does a commendable job of offering sufficient width for consolation. Nonetheless, for many who favor bringing their packs inside, there isn’t sufficient room subsequent to the sleeping space. Throughout our testing, we didn’t contemplate this a significant situation, as there was satisfactory house on the head or foot finish to retailer a pack successfully. T

he inside dimensions of 32 inches by 90 inches simply accommodate lengthy, large pads. If the pad is shifted to 1 aspect, it creates enough house on the alternative aspect for frequent gadgets like a ditty bag, battery financial institution, or spare garments. The 2 massive pockets close to the doorways are among the many finest we’ve encountered, providing ample house whereas remaining accessible throughout sleep. We usually place our headlamp and cellphone within the nearer pocket whereas utilizing the farther one to hold damp socks to dry in a single day.

The vestibules are huge. Whereas we hardly ever used each on the identical time, the flexibleness of having the ability to enter by both door or open each for wonderful airflow was improbable. We particularly beloved that when the rain fly was rolled again, the remaining vestibule space was spacious sufficient for each our pack and sneakers, making certain they stayed dry when getting out and in of the tent throughout rain.

Throughout our testing of this tent on the second half of the Pacific Crest Path, consolation emerged as one of many greatest benefits. No matter the kind of night time, we had been in a position to calm down inside our tent and revel in night time’s sleep whereas having ample house for all the pieces.

Though we undoubtedly wouldn’t suggest this for normal use, we almost ended up squeezing two folks into the inside on a very stormy night time, when a fellow hiker struggled to arrange their very own shelter after sunset, because the storm reached its peak. Thirty-two inches of inside width isn’t a lot, however in an emergency state of affairs, it will have saved another person protected.

Total, one of many predominant causes to contemplate the X-Mid Professional 1 is its exceptional consolation at such a low weight. With spacious headroom and size, wonderful vestibules, and nice pockets for storage, we had been impressed at each flip.

Weight

Weighing simply 17.1 ounces with the DCF fly and silnylon flooring, the X-Mid Professional 1 stands out as one of many lightest fully-featured tents obtainable. Though the DCF flooring choice reduces the burden additional to fifteen.5 ounces, we consider that the silnylon flooring is a extra appropriate selection for many customers, because it minimizes packed measurement (the DCF is inherently bulkier) and is obtainable at a cheaper price.

One characteristic that reduces weight greater than different shelters is that the X-Mid design solely requires 4 stakes for setup. In contrast to different shelters that want a minimal of six or eight stakes, the X-Mid saves weight by needing much less. In observe, we carried a complete of seven stakes in numerous sizes: 4 for the corners, one shepherd hook for the door, and two for peak man traces if it turned stormy.

When you don’t hike with trekking poles, Durston Gear provides adjustable carbon fiber poles at 3.1 ounces every, however customary fixed-length carbon fiber poles would save much more weight.

Ease of Use

Trekking pole tents take some getting used to, however the X-Mid Professional 1 is among the many best to arrange and use. First, stake out a rectangle utilizing the 4 stakes, then insert the 2 trekking poles. A standout characteristic is that while you place one trekking pole, the tent’s design ensures that the pole received’t fall over should you let go. This comfort simplifies the setup course of and makes it a breeze. One disadvantage of the setup is that it might turn out to be tough when the bottom isn’t degree. This situation isn’t particular to the Professional 1; many trekking pole tents face challenges on uneven floor. Nonetheless, the truth that there are solely 4 foundational stakes means much less to handle when that state of affairs arises.

In our expertise, pitching trekking pole tents may be considerably of an artwork, and a few customers will discover it simpler than others. The straightforward geometry of the X-Mid each helps and hinders its efficiency at occasions. So long as that rectangle is pitched accurately, all the construction feels stable and safe. Nonetheless, if the rectangle is misaligned, it may be difficult to find out which nook requires adjustment.

It is a frequent situation with all trekking pole tents, however we consider the X-Mid performs higher than most on this regard. Adjusting the corners is easy because of Linelocs on every nook stake, so we usually didn’t spend a lot time attaining pitch. When website house is proscribed, the X-Mid may be arrange in a “skinny pitch” mode by utilizing the height guylines as a substitute of two of the nook stakes to considerably scale back the footprint measurement, though this does require a little bit of effort. Nonetheless, we’re happy to see this feature obtainable.

A novel trick the X-Mid can carry out is that when organising within the rain, the trekking poles may be inserted by the height vents. This eliminates the necessity to unzip the rain fly and retains the inside dry till you’re prepared to leap in. Moreover, this trick additionally decreases zipper utilization, which is essential within the desert the place sand can harm zipper coils.

The door zippers are easy and straightforward to make use of. When staked down, they’re easy to open with one hand. Waterproof #3 zippers remove the necessity for a rain flap. The height vents are massive and embrace a small kickstand to maintain them open. An important characteristic is that they are often adjusted from the inside, so that you don’t must step outdoors within the rain to shut or open them. The doorways are additionally price mentioning; they’re spacious and permit for simple entry and exit.

Climate Resistance

With a fly that extends all the way in which to the bottom and a wind shedding double pyramid design, the X-Mid Professional 1 is among the extra stormworthy tents we examined. In our testing, we’ve used X-Mid tents – each professional and non-pro designs – in quite a lot of stormy situations and have been impressed with how they dealt with storms.

Within the Swiss Alps throughout a summer season storm whereas testing the non-pro design, the X-Mid held up properly and was the one tent, apart from a totally freestanding design, that remained standing. Whereas testing the professional design on the Pacific Crest Path, the DCF fly withstood rain and wind with out situation.

Like most tents, the X-Mid design has a selected directionality, making it stronger towards wind from sure angles. Positioning the peaks into the wind will assist, and staking down the included peak guylines in that very same path can be much more efficient.

One small space the place the X-Mid excels is in its resistance to splashback, which happens when rain hitting the bottom splashes again into your tent. As a result of the rainfly may be pitched snugly to the bottom, we discovered this characteristic to be wonderful. Our inside and vestibule stayed good and dry all through rainstorms.

Sturdiness

With a DCF fly and silnylon flooring, the X-Mid Professional 1 is constructed from premium supplies designed to endure many nights of use. Though we are able to’t take a look at each tent on a thru-hike, we used this one on the second half of the Pacific Crest Path and located it withstood the trials of over 1,000 miles of mountain climbing exceptionally properly.

There have been no rips, tears, punctures, zipper jams, or wire failures. The one signal of injury we observed occurred after we by chance arrange on a granite rock below the shoulder space, leading to impressions – however no punctures – within the flooring material. For lots of of miles afterward, the spot confirmed no indicators of worsening.

DCF and silnylon are time-tested and sturdy supplies when handled with correct care. Ultralight tents will all the time prioritize low weight over bombproof design decisions, and it’s important to make use of a lot of these shelters as meant.

To reinforce total sturdiness, the X-Mid makes use of hot-bonded seams, that are superior to stitched or cold-taped seams. If something does occur, Durston Gear provides a 2-year guarantee on their merchandise, and the designer is acknowledged as an lively and engaged member of the ultralight neighborhood who personally addresses product points.

Ought to You Purchase the X-Mid Professional 1?

Few tents steadiness worth, efficiency, and weight as deftly because the X-Mid Professional 1. Any important enchancment in a single class typically ends in notable drawbacks in others, giving an total impression that the Professional 1 has achieved a candy spot in tent design that ought to appeal to many customers. Throughout testing, we discovered it received out of our manner, permitting us to benefit from the outside; each half labored easily, enabling us to spend much less time annoyed with our pitch and extra time stress-free. 

Nonetheless, it’s not a magic best-tent-ever. For individuals who don’t require headroom, storm safety, ample size, or simple setup, different fashions could also be extra appropriate. Moreover, should you want your pack beside you at night time, this isn’t the appropriate tent for you. Nonetheless, for many backpackers searching for the lightest weight shelter, we consider the design decisions made listed here are clever and can yield advantages in the long term.

On this planet of premium DCF tents, the Professional 1 is extra reasonably priced than most, making it a superb worth for what it provides. The inclusion of a silnylon flooring to cut back prices and maintain packed measurement down is a good choice, and we consider it’s price it for the small improve in weight. Finally, the Professional 1 emerges as a reliable jack of all trades that excels in every class, leading to an total efficiency that leaves us excited to take it on the following journey.

What Different Ultralight Tents Ought to You Take into account?

If the Durston X-Mid Professional 1 Tent is the right match, there are various different choices in our finest ultralight tents information.

Zpacks Pivot Solo Evaluation: For an additional tent that balances weight and livability properly, the Pivot Solo completely charmed us. The principle purpose somebody would possibly contemplate this over the X-Mid Professional 1 is the extra flooring width the design provides. Each shelters have roughly the identical sq. footage, however whereas the Professional 1 supplies ample head and foot room, the Pivot Solo shifts that barely, making it simpler to retailer a backpack at night time. We nonetheless give the sting to the Professional 1 for most individuals; we consider it balances worth, weight, and efficiency a bit higher for our fashion of backpacking. Nonetheless, the Pivot Solo approaches these challenges with a barely totally different mindset which may enchantment to you. Both tent is improbable; you actually can’t go unsuitable right here.

Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo Evaluation: A superb funds king of backpacking tents supplies an alternate if the worth and design of the Professional 1 don’t fit your fashion. With ample inside house  – sufficient to suit two folks in a pinch – and high-quality supplies that ought to final a very long time, it’s simple to see why the Lunar Solo is so well-loved. Whereas it received’t provide the identical headroom because the Professional 1, nor the benefits of a twin door and 4 stake setup, it’s nonetheless an amazing shelter irrespective of what number of years you’ve spent on the path.

Durston X-Mid Professional 2+ Evaluation: The Professional 2+ retains the qualities that made the Professional 1 distinctive, however expands upon them to create a backcountry palace for 2. The 2 doorways and vestibules now make much more sense, and the huge inside house makes it our best choice when not touring solo. Though that house ends in a bigger footprint, staking and setup stay simple to handle.

Durston X-Mid 1: If all the pieces concerning the X-Mid Professional 1 appears to be like superior apart from the worth, then the common silpoly model remains to be a superb shelter at an amazing worth, and it even comes with some benefits over the DCF model. The identical environment friendly design is at work right here, however you get a double-wall design, stronger #5 exterior zippers, and the flexibility to utterly take away the interior for stargazing mode, fly-only mode, or to dry each out individually. For these happening a thru-hike, the Professional mannequin nonetheless makes extra sense, nevertheless it’s simple to see why the common X-Mid has been so standard whatever the path.