Durston X-Mid Professional 1 Tent Evaluation

Backside Line

For the tent that balances efficiency, value, and weight higher than another, the X-Mid Professional 1 tops our record of the most effective ultralight tents. We beloved the easy setup, glorious 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 wished to chill out or needed to set it up at night time in the course of a storm. After tons of of miles, the standard has held up effectively, demonstrating nice sturdiness.

The distinctive offset pole geometry gives ample inside house, leading to a snug expertise, significantly for tall people. That is considered one of our favourite shelters for these over 6’0”, and we discovered we had loads of headroom each sitting and mendacity down. One downside is that whereas the inside width is first rate, it isn’t huge. This may 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 effectively. General, the remainder of the options contributed to a considerate and comfy expertise. Glorious zippers and doorways, nice pockets, and well-designed vestibules ensured we had been by no means left wanting for extra.

Though trekking pole tents will be difficult 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 straightforward to regulate the pitch if errors are made.

General, we really love the X-Mid Professional 1. It saved us snug and dry for tons of of miles at a value that permit us bask in a couple of extra city beers alongside the way in which. Whereas it might not be the most effective tent for everybody, we imagine it balances the necessary features effectively for most individuals, and now we have no hesitation in recommending it wholeheartedly.condensation drip out.

Consolation

Whereas some ultralight tents for one particular person 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 major 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 apply. With a peak top 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 individuals 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 serious subject, as there was sufficient 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 at least one facet, it creates ample house on the alternative facet for widespread objects 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 sometimes place our headlamp and telephone within the nearer pocket whereas utilizing the farther one to hold damp socks to dry in a single day.

The vestibules are monumental. Whereas we not often used each on the identical time, the pliability of with the ability to enter via both door or open each for glorious airflow was unbelievable. We particularly beloved that when the rain fly was rolled again, the remaining vestibule space was spacious sufficient for each our pack and footwear, guaranteeing 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 chill out inside our tent and luxuriate in night time’s sleep whereas having ample house for all the pieces.

Though we positively wouldn’t suggest this for normal use, we practically 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 might have saved another person secure.

General, one of many primary causes to think about the X-Mid Professional 1 is its exceptional consolation at such a low weight. With spacious headroom and size, glorious 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 ground, the X-Mid Professional 1 stands out as one of many lightest fully-featured tents obtainable. Though the DCF ground choice reduces the load additional to fifteen.5 ounces, we imagine that the silnylon ground is a extra appropriate selection for many customers, because it minimizes packed measurement (the DCF is inherently bulkier) and is obtainable at a lower cost.

One characteristic that reduces weight greater than different shelters is that the X-Mid design solely requires 4 stakes for setup. Not like different shelters that want a minimal of six or eight stakes, the X-Mid saves weight by needing much less. In apply, we carried a complete of seven stakes in varied sizes: 4 for the corners, one shepherd hook for the door, and two for peak man traces if it turned stormy.

If you happen to 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 for those who let go. This comfort simplifies the setup course of and makes it a breeze. One downside of the setup is that it could actually change into difficult when the bottom isn’t degree. This subject 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 will be considerably of an artwork, and a few customers will discover it simpler than others. The easy geometry of the X-Mid each helps and hinders its efficiency at occasions. So long as that rectangle is pitched appropriately, the complete construction feels stable and safe. Nonetheless, if the rectangle is misaligned, it may be difficult to find out which nook requires adjustment.

This can be a widespread subject with all trekking pole tents, however we imagine the X-Mid performs higher than most on this regard. Adjusting the corners is easy because of Linelocs on every nook stake, so we sometimes didn’t spend a lot time reaching pitch. When website house is restricted, the X-Mid will be arrange in a “skinny pitch” mode by utilizing the height guylines as an alternative 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 selection obtainable.

A novel trick the X-Mid can carry out is that when organising within the rain, the trekking poles will be inserted via 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. Water resistant #3 zippers remove the necessity for a rain flap. The height vents are massive and embrace a small kickstand to maintain them open. An ideal characteristic is that they are often adjusted from the inside, so that you don’t must step exterior within the rain to shut or open them. The doorways are additionally value 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 a wide range of stormy circumstances 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 effectively and was the one tent, except for a completely freestanding design, that remained standing. Whereas testing the professional design on the Pacific Crest Path, the DCF fly withstood rain and wind with out subject.

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 shall 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 will be pitched snugly to the bottom, we discovered this characteristic to be glorious. Our inside and vestibule stayed good and dry all through rainstorms.

Sturdiness

With a DCF fly and silnylon ground, 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 pains of over 1,000 miles of mountain climbing exceptionally effectively.

There have been no rips, tears, punctures, zipper jams, or wire failures. The one signal of injury we seen occurred once we by accident arrange on a granite rock underneath the shoulder space, leading to impressions – however no punctures – within the ground cloth. For tons 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 at all times prioritize low weight over bombproof design decisions, and it’s important to make use of these kinds of shelters as supposed.

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 energetic and engaged member of the ultralight group who personally addresses product points.

Ought to You Purchase the X-Mid Professional 1?

Few tents stability value, efficiency, and weight as deftly because the X-Mid Professional 1. Any vital enchancment in a single class typically leads to notable drawbacks in others, giving an total impression that the Professional 1 has achieved a candy spot in tent design that ought to entice many customers. Throughout testing, we discovered it received out of our method, permitting us to benefit from the outdoor; 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 straightforward setup, different fashions could also be extra appropriate. Moreover, for those who want your pack beside you at night time, this isn’t the best tent for you. Nonetheless, for many backpackers searching for the lightest weight shelter, we imagine the design decisions made listed here are smart and can yield advantages in the long term.

On the earth of premium DCF tents, the Professional 1 is extra reasonably priced than most, making it a wonderful worth for what it provides. The inclusion of a silnylon ground to scale back prices and hold packed measurement down is a superb choice, and we imagine it’s value it for the small enhance in weight. In the end, 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 subsequent journey.

What Different Ultralight Tents Ought to You Think about?

If the Durston X-Mid Professional 1 Tent is the proper match, there are a lot of different choices in our finest ultralight tents information.

Zpacks Pivot Solo Evaluation: For an additional tent that balances weight and livability effectively, the Pivot Solo completely charmed us. The primary motive somebody may contemplate this over the X-Mid Professional 1 is the extra ground width the design provides. Each shelters have roughly the identical sq. footage, however whereas the Professional 1 gives 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 imagine it balances value, weight, and efficiency a bit higher for our type of backpacking. Nonetheless, the Pivot Solo approaches these challenges with a barely totally different mindset that may enchantment to you. Both tent is unbelievable; you actually can’t go flawed right here.

Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo Evaluation: A superb funds king of backpacking tents gives another if the value and design of the Professional 1 don’t fit your type. 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 straightforward to see why the Lunar Solo is so well-loved. Whereas it received’t provide the identical headroom because the Professional 1, nor some great benefits of a twin door and 4 stake setup, it’s nonetheless an important 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 leads to a bigger footprint, staking and setup stay straightforward to handle.

Durston X-Mid 1: If all the pieces in regards to the X-Mid Professional 1 seems superior aside from the value, then the common silpoly model remains to be a wonderful shelter at an important value, 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 occurring a thru-hike, the Professional mannequin nonetheless makes extra sense, but it surely’s straightforward to see why the common X-Mid has been so fashionable whatever the path.