Durston – X-Mid 1 – Tent

We have the first X-mid that came out in the massdrop collaboration and it is still one of our absolute favourite tents (and that is just because the pro version came out 😉). The whole concept is just superb, light enough to carry, small enough to pack, easy to pitch (remember it’s just a square) and incredibly spacious.

The X-Mid 1 is the brainchild of Dan Durston and has been developed from the first principles of geometry. And thus the design creates  the most weight efficient, simple to use, and stormworthy design for a trekking pole shelter. The X-mid is a double wall tent that is incredibly user friendly, capable and spacious while weighing just 795 g (without poles).

The X-Mid geometry optimizes space by using a diagonal ridgeline that positions the two poles further apart (seams odd the first time you set it up, but is is truly a clever design), enhancing stability and maximizing interior room without compromising wind performance. This design creates a spacious 1 person tent with exceptional headroom, allowing you to sit up comfortably anywhere inside without touching the ceiling.

The tent’s floor offers a generous 230 cm length and steep end walls, providing ample space for hikers up to 193 cm tall. With a 81 cm width, it comfortably fits the widest sleeping pads. Additionally, the dual vestibules are spacious and tall, easily accommodating large packs, dirty shoes and other gear.

X-mid: clever design, simple to use & attention to details

Simplicity and ease of use are central to the design of the X-Mid tent. After a long day or in bad weather, the last thing anyone needs is a tent that’s complicated to set up. The X-Mid prioritizes straightforward design principles, meticulous attention to detail, and extensive real-world testing to ensure a hassle-free experience.Unlike most trekking pole tents, the X-Mid features a rectangular base that allows for a quick, four-stake setup. There’s no need for mandatory guylines, cumbersome struts, or tricky pole height measurements. With just four stakes and two extendable poles, the tent can be pitched in no time.

The ease of use continues once the tent is up. The X-Mid is designed with large, unobstructed doorways, vestibules that position the main area conveniently beside the door, magnetic door toggles (love this as a gear nerd 🤓 they are super handy!!!), intuitive pockets, and zippers that can be operated with one hand. Additionally, the X-Mid’s fly is made from polyester, which resists sagging and water absorption better than nylon, ensuring the tent remains taut and dries quickly. When polyester was introduced with the X-Mid in 2018, it was a bold move, but this choice has since influenced many other companies to follow suit.

Bad weather, no issue for the X-mid

We had some nasty nights in this tent in extreme weather but it always held up perfectly. Unlike other ultralight tents that are designed more as fair weather shelters, and thus compromise stormworthiness, the Durston X-mid is a very capable tent in good and bad weather conditions, even in high winds. The X-Mid excels in rough weather with its fly first pitch, full doublewall design, non-sag poly fabric, large adjustable vents, factory waterproof seams, full-coverage fly (blocks rain splatter and drafts), stormworthy shape, and protected entryways that avoid rain falling inside. No other tent can tick all these boxes!

Don’t just trust our optinion: it has become one of the most awarded tents in recent years including awards for best tent from The Trek, Outdoor GearLab, Section Hiker and numerous other respected outlets.

Specifications Durston X-mid 1 person tent

• Weight:
  • Fly: 490 gr
  • Inner Tent: 305 gr
  • Complete Tent: 795 gr
  • Stuff Sack: 12 gr
  • Normal set-up: 875 g (tent, stuff sacks, 6 stakes)
• Dimensions:
  • Floor length: 2.3 m
  • Floor width: 81 cm
  • Height: 117 cm
  • Fly footprint: 170 x 254 cm
  • Packed size: 30 x 13 cm
• Materials:
  • Fly fabric: 20D Sil/PE Polyester 3500mm HH in Sage
  • Floor fabric: 20D Sil/PE Polyester 3500mm HH in Grey
  • YKK #3 AquaGuard with buckle
• When you buy you get:
  • Outer rain fly
  • Inner tent
  • 6 DAC stakes (4 normal, 2 small)
  • NO POLES, you can use your own trekking poles or get the Durson Z-flick poles

Read all about it on: https://durstongear.com/products/x-mid-1-tent-ultralight-backpacking