Thanks - that was really interesting. Glad you are giving the X-Mid a second look. I finally managed to use my X-Mid 1p solid for the first time a few weeks ago, in Scotland. (Only had it since Christmas...) It performed really well, the wind was gusty but the tent was fine and I had plenty of room in the inner plus the two large porches. Only problem was I couldn't find a flat pitch. Or, rather, it was flat in the sense of being a plane surface but it was very slightly inclined, so I pitched the tent so my head would be "uphill". I always seem to have teething problems with any new gear, this time it wasn't the tent itself but the groundsheet. I have a Tyvek groundsheet for just the reasons you say; problem was it is slippery. When I got into the tent, the inner started sliding downhill like a toboggan on ice. As the outer was fixed to the ground, something had to give and it was the inner attachment points, where the line pulled out from the uphill D clips. Luckily, they didn't actually break. Having already got into my sleeping bag I was a bit reluctant to get out again and take the tent down to remove the groundsheet, but I managed to slide the groundsheet out from under the inner and things were OK then, except I inevitably woke up at the downhill end of the tent. At least the inner stayed put on the grass. So I'm not sure about Tyvek as a groundsheet unless you are on an almost perfectly horizontal surface and that's not always easy. Any groundsheet with a grippier surface though would probably be heavier.
I use tyvek 1443r. It has a different texture to it. Not sure if it would react the same way in the conditions you describe, but might be worth a shot. Keep Smilin'
I’m interested in this tent so pleased to see the review. Like you I much prefer double walled tents and solid walls. In Scotland it doesn’t get dark till midnight in summer and solid walls help you sleep as well as being warmer in winter. As for Dyneema I also don’t like the see through nature (or its price!) but silpoly has the non-sag advantage with only minor weight penalty. Thanks again.
I still like the tent, but I have gone back to my Hilleberg Enan. It was backordered this summer when I did the Colorado Trail, so I used the Durston. Worked out great, but have been using Hilleberg for 25 years. Hard to switch. Keep Smilin'
Tarptent sells a pair of trekking pole handle adapters for $4 that makes the pitch handles up. Find them under tent components. I used them on my Notch LI. Thanks for the great review.
Thanks. I had a Notch Li and a set. Also, made a set for my last xmid, sent it to new buyer. Decided this time around I would try a different approach. Always experimenting. Thanks. KEEP SMILIN'
@@packtoter I see what you did to your trekking poles and certainly that would seem to work great BUT is it really necessary? I have a new xmid2 and have set up a number of times with tips down / handles up and no problem.
@@davidreeves7969 I'm more concerned what happens in a strong wind. I had a 60 mph, 5 inch blizzard in the desert, below 4,000 feet in March this year on the AZT. I wasn't expecting anything like that. I just like to have everything in place when Mother Nature sneaks up on me. Keep Smilin'
I have the Pro 2 version and am loving it so far. Works well with the dogs, and has been very impressive in West Texas wind even with only 4 stakes. Absolutely brilliant design. What I’m kinda hoping for in the near future is a double wall version like the solid except with a DCF fly to keep it lighter. I would love to have the option to set it up “fly only” sometimes. Great video as always.
Yes, used my first one in Palo Duro last fall in stiff wind for 1st time. It was impressive. I might be inclined to use a dyneems fly only, double wall myself. Is that on the drawing board? Keep Smilin'
@@packtoter I haven’t heard that it’s actually on the drawing board, and there may be reasons it wouldn’t work (Dan Durston is no doubt much smarter than me about such things), but it seems like it’d be a nice compromise between lightweight and double wall without going single wall and having to deal with all the condensation.
@@packtoter I believe it is on the drawing board. When I went to order a 55 pack in large in April, I found they were out of stock so sent Dan an email asking if he was expecting them soon. I had heard from Dan Becker's video that double wall dyneema might be on the drawing board and asked to add one more request for that too. He replied, "I am going to take a serious look at a DCF doublewall this year, and hopefully be able to do mix and match X-Mid's in 2024 (e.g. pick your fly, pick your inner)" He also said it was going to be fall before the 55s were back in stock in large. With that I went ahead and bought two 40s and a standard 2p tent. A couple of months after I bought two I now I see they have a $50 off on the 40s. Oh well.
I have this tent and like it a lot. However, I was thinking that it would be great to have the option to pitch it with the mesh insert in warm weather. 🧐hmmmm…
Love your videos sir, you're a straight shooter, and I've learned a ton from your experience. One thought on the duel zippers for vestibule venting -since you have the fastex buckle at the bottom, does that allow you to zip open from the bottom with the buckle clipped to get the venting you're looking for? Keep smil'n.
There's 2 reasons why I put handles up for my poles: 1. It seems counterintuitive to put your handles on the ground. I like to keep them clean. 2. The pole pick ends go nicely into the stabilizer tie on the ground next to the tub, and acts as a good anchor point. Another great video! Thx
It's interesting that you find the X-Mid 1P "really big on the inside." I bought one late last year and when I set it up earlier this year, I realized that I should have bought the 2P version. I don't see how it would be possible to fit my pack inside the tent with me. I used a Lanshan 2-person tent when I took my Scouts to Philmont in 2021 and wanted to lighten my load for the Colorado Trial this year late August through September, so I bought the Durston. Now I need to decide if I want to spring for the Durston X-Mid 2 or just use the Lanshan tent I already have. They weigh about the same by the time you include the stakes and ground cloth, and they are similar in size. I used the Lanshan tent this past weekend during a Scout camp out and it rained. The Lanshan tent is sil-nylon so it "absorbs" the water and stretches, and it also seems to take a longer time to dry. It's my understanding that the sil-poly material of the Durstons does not have that same issue, so I am leaning towards buying the X-Mid 2. Thanks for another great video and I hope to run into you on the Colorado Trail!
It is tight, but most of my pack is emptied out in various places around me and the mostly empty pack resides next to my 20 inch pad where I can grab it if I need something out of the hip pockets. I thought of a 2 also, but that footprint was just way out of bounds for me. See you on the trail. Keep Smilin'
It will be hotter, but personally I don't have a problem. I have always had solid inner. Just bought another with my new Hilleberg. Can't imagine a problem with two vestibule doors to work with on the xmid. The reason to go with the solid would be cold and wind protection. If you think you will just be using it in hot weather trips a mesh would probably be a better choice. Good luck. Keep Smilin'
you are a quite cool guy even at your age. I am looking for more of your videos :) i have subscribef your channel! I still can t decide between the 1 vs the 2 p version 😬 Is it possible with some creativity to put in the 1p version a pair of shoes or a backpack?
I've been watching various UA-cam pitching videos and trying all kinds of methods. They all work fine, I just want to figure out the quickest pitch for me then do it that way every time. Thanks. Keep Smilin'
Respect an old man in a young man's game
As I have said before I have this same tent and love it. I am going to experiment with those handle inserts.
Haven't used the inserts in a strong wind yet, but can't imagine they won't do the job. Keep Smilin'
Thanks - that was really interesting. Glad you are giving the X-Mid a second look. I finally managed to use my X-Mid 1p solid for the first time a few weeks ago, in Scotland. (Only had it since Christmas...)
It performed really well, the wind was gusty but the tent was fine and I had plenty of room in the inner plus the two large porches. Only problem was I couldn't find a flat pitch. Or, rather, it was flat in the sense of being a plane surface but it was very slightly inclined, so I pitched the tent so my head would be "uphill".
I always seem to have teething problems with any new gear, this time it wasn't the tent itself but the groundsheet. I have a Tyvek groundsheet for just the reasons you say; problem was it is slippery. When I got into the tent, the inner started sliding downhill like a toboggan on ice. As the outer was fixed to the ground, something had to give and it was the inner attachment points, where the line pulled out from the uphill D clips. Luckily, they didn't actually break.
Having already got into my sleeping bag I was a bit reluctant to get out again and take the tent down to remove the groundsheet, but I managed to slide the groundsheet out from under the inner and things were OK then, except I inevitably woke up at the downhill end of the tent. At least the inner stayed put on the grass.
So I'm not sure about Tyvek as a groundsheet unless you are on an almost perfectly horizontal surface and that's not always easy. Any groundsheet with a grippier surface though would probably be heavier.
I use tyvek 1443r. It has a different texture to it. Not sure if it would react the same way in the conditions you describe, but might be worth a shot. Keep Smilin'
I’m interested in this tent so pleased to see the review. Like you I much prefer double walled tents and solid walls. In Scotland it doesn’t get dark till midnight in summer and solid walls help you sleep as well as being warmer in winter. As for Dyneema I also don’t like the see through nature (or its price!) but silpoly has the non-sag advantage with only minor weight penalty. Thanks again.
I still like the tent, but I have gone back to my Hilleberg Enan. It was backordered this summer when I did the Colorado Trail, so I used the Durston. Worked out great, but have been using Hilleberg for 25 years. Hard to switch. Keep Smilin'
Tarptent sells a pair of trekking pole handle adapters for $4 that makes the pitch handles up. Find them under tent components. I used them on my Notch LI. Thanks for the great review.
Thanks. I had a Notch Li and a set. Also, made a set for my last xmid, sent it to new buyer. Decided this time around I would try a different approach. Always experimenting. Thanks. KEEP SMILIN'
@@packtoter I see what you did to your trekking poles and certainly that would seem to work great BUT is it really necessary? I have a new xmid2 and have set up a number of times with tips down / handles up and no problem.
@@davidreeves7969 I'm more concerned what happens in a strong wind. I had a 60 mph, 5 inch blizzard in the desert, below 4,000 feet in March this year on the AZT. I wasn't expecting anything like that. I just like to have everything in place when Mother Nature sneaks up on me. Keep Smilin'
Amazon has silicone and magnetic cable clips that work great to keep that door held in multiple spots. Super easy and super light!
Great idea. Thanks. Keep Smilin'
I have the Pro 2 version and am loving it so far. Works well with the dogs, and has been very impressive in West Texas wind even with only 4 stakes. Absolutely brilliant design. What I’m kinda hoping for in the near future is a double wall version like the solid except with a DCF fly to keep it lighter. I would love to have the option to set it up “fly only” sometimes. Great video as always.
Yes, used my first one in Palo Duro last fall in stiff wind for 1st time. It was impressive. I might be inclined to use a dyneems fly only, double wall myself. Is that on the drawing board? Keep Smilin'
@@packtoter I haven’t heard that it’s actually on the drawing board, and there may be reasons it wouldn’t work (Dan Durston is no doubt much smarter than me about such things), but it seems like it’d be a nice compromise between lightweight and double wall without going single wall and having to deal with all the condensation.
@@packtoter I believe it is on the drawing board. When I went to order a 55 pack in large in April, I found they were out of stock so sent Dan an email asking if he was expecting them soon. I had heard from Dan Becker's video that double wall dyneema might be on the drawing board and asked to add one more request for that too. He replied, "I am going to take a serious look at a DCF doublewall this year, and hopefully be able to do mix and match X-Mid's in 2024 (e.g. pick your fly, pick your inner)" He also said it was going to be fall before the 55s were back in stock in large. With that I went ahead and bought two 40s and a standard 2p tent. A couple of months after I bought two I now I see they have a $50 off on the 40s. Oh well.
I have this tent and like it a lot. However, I was thinking that it would be great to have the option to pitch it with the mesh insert in warm weather. 🧐hmmmm…
@@davidreeves7969 That's great news about the DCF double wall. I think that would be my ideal tent setup.
Love your videos sir, you're a straight shooter, and I've learned a ton from your experience. One thought on the duel zippers for vestibule venting -since you have the fastex buckle at the bottom, does that allow you to zip open from the bottom with the buckle clipped to get the venting you're looking for? Keep smil'n.
Yes, that works to some degree. But heat rises, so a upper vent is much more effecient. Keep Smilin'
Good stuff
There's 2 reasons why I put handles up for my poles: 1. It seems counterintuitive to put your handles on the ground. I like to keep them clean.
2. The pole pick ends go nicely into the stabilizer tie on the ground next to the tub, and acts as a good anchor point. Another great video! Thx
3rd reason would be it keeps the rodents from chewing the straps for the salt.
Agreed, and keeps handles out of reach of little furball chewing machines. Keep Smilin"
I had a mouse eat my handle last weekend in Yosemite. Hard lesson but I am tips down from now on.
Agreed. Handles down seems so foreign to me. I get a much more stable pitch with handles up. The camera mount makes it so simple. Keep Smilin'
It's interesting that you find the X-Mid 1P "really big on the inside." I bought one late last year and when I set it up earlier this year, I realized that I should have bought the 2P version. I don't see how it would be possible to fit my pack inside the tent with me.
I used a Lanshan 2-person tent when I took my Scouts to Philmont in 2021 and wanted to lighten my load for the Colorado Trial this year late August through September, so I bought the Durston. Now I need to decide if I want to spring for the Durston X-Mid 2 or just use the Lanshan tent I already have. They weigh about the same by the time you include the stakes and ground cloth, and they are similar in size.
I used the Lanshan tent this past weekend during a Scout camp out and it rained. The Lanshan tent is sil-nylon so it "absorbs" the water and stretches, and it also seems to take a longer time to dry. It's my understanding that the sil-poly material of the Durstons does not have that same issue, so I am leaning towards buying the X-Mid 2.
Thanks for another great video and I hope to run into you on the Colorado Trail!
It is tight, but most of my pack is emptied out in various places around me and the mostly empty pack resides next to my 20 inch pad where I can grab it if I need something out of the hip pockets. I thought of a 2 also, but that footprint was just way out of bounds for me. See you on the trail. Keep Smilin'
I suppose you could open the zipper and clip or stake the bottom of the door for ventilation as a workaround for the double zippers on the door.
Very true. Great idea. I'll try that. Thanks. Keep Smilin'
Thanks for another thurough review! Just wondering how you feel the solid does in the summer? Does it still ventilate well? Not too hot?
It will be hotter, but personally I don't have a problem. I have always had solid inner. Just bought another with my new Hilleberg. Can't imagine a problem with two vestibule doors to work with on the xmid. The reason to go with the solid would be cold and wind protection. If you think you will just be using it in hot weather trips a mesh would probably be a better choice. Good luck. Keep Smilin'
I’ve got the gen 2 version of xmid solid and love it. What are you using for the ground sheet in this video ? Where do I pick one up?
It's called 1443R Tyvek. Kite makers use it. I buy it on Ebay. Softens quickly. Just as strong as regular Tyvek. Keep Smilin'
What height do you set your poles to… terrific review by the way and thanks for posting
I set them at 48 inches. Not using this tent presently, but still think it's a great tent. Keep Smilin'
You don’t need 2 way zippers on the door. That’s what the buckle is for. You do the buckle up then unzip the door fully. That allows for more airflow.
Good to know. Thanks. Keep Smilin'
Great video - what's the name of that Montbell shirt you have on
It's a Cool Hoodie. If it looks cool and feels cool, it must be cool. Keep Smilin
Thanks - found it on their website 😀
you are a quite cool guy even at your age. I am looking for more of your videos :) i have subscribef your channel!
I still can t decide between the 1 vs the 2 p version 😬 Is it possible with some creativity to put in the 1p version a pair of shoes or a backpack?
Pretty tight depending on your size. Could go at head or feet. Wish one vistabul was more inner tent. Good luck. Thanks. Keep Smilin'
Just use your rubber pads for tips to help protect.
Like this idea. Actually found some discarded poles at the Post Office in Frisco, CO. and parts out the rubber tips. Keep Smilin'
You put tips on the non-tip, so you can have non tip tips 🚀
Does that make me a non tipper or a big tipper?
@@packtoter hahaha probably both!
What made you decide on the solid over the regular?
Have always preferred solid. Much warmer, more protection from condensation issues. That's my take anyway. Keep Smilin'
I don’t understand why more tents don’t use silpoly. It seems a good middle ground between dyneema and silnylon, but I imagine there is a good reason.
Durston seems to prefer it with his product lines. I had the xmid and likes the material. Keep Smilin'
I usually just pitch corner to opposite corner first. Then do the other one. Kiddy corner.
I've been watching various UA-cam pitching videos and trying all kinds of methods. They all work fine, I just want to figure out the quickest pitch for me then do it that way every time. Thanks. Keep Smilin'