Durston X-Mid 2p Review: Is It Worth the Hype?
If you’re one of the genuinely adventurous spirits, you won’t let your otherwise packed schedule stop you. You’ll make a window and go on your adventure, no matter how small that may look (or sound). Traveling or going on trips is the closest thing we have to adventures now. That explains why a lot of people are so interested in tent camping.
Tent camping destinations are usually pretty far away from convenience. Most people pack everything they need before they leave, so they don’t have to worry about something essential and ruin the whole experience. And what would be the number 1 indispensable item for a tent camping trip? The tent, of course. A bad tent will ruin the whole trip with its mosquito gateway, poor structure, and weak tent walls if you’re too unlucky.
It is why a good tent is essential. The Durston X-mid tent is a pretty popular tent option. But is it worth it?
There’s only one way to know the answer to that: reviews. Reviews will tell you how good a product is. So if you’re contemplating buying this tent, here is a Durston x-mid 2p review to help you. Spoiler alert: what you’ve heard about the tent might be true.
Table of Contents
How to Choose the Best Camping Tent for Your Trip
Camping tents come in so many sizes and shapes. With all those options, it is easy to get confused. Whatever camping tent catches your eyes, you’ll have to consider multiple factors before finally getting one.
Most people think tents are all the same, but that isn’t true. Material, size, shape– there are lots of differences between tents. There are three popular camping tent types. They are–
- Ridge/A-shape Tent
- Dome-shaped tent
- Tunnel tent
Pros and Cons
Before we choose the best tent type for your trip, let’s see the pros and cons of each tent type.
1. Ridge/A-shape Tent
Pros | Cons |
Easy to put up | Putting up properly takes work |
Good in handling bad weather | Less headroom |
Good for rainy weather | Heavier than other tents |
2. Dome-shaped tent
Pros | Cons |
Affordable | Less durable |
Lightweight | Doesn’t do well in windy weather |
Better headroom | Larger sizes are unstable |
3. Tunnel tent
Pros | Cons |
Spacious | It only works for car trunk camping |
Pretty stable for its size | Doesn’t do well in the rain |
Good for large groups | Putting up takes work |
Things to Consider When Buying a Tent
With so many options, what should you consider when getting a tent? Three things.
1. What you need it for
Before you get your camping tent, consider what you’ll need it for. Is it for family picnics? For solo travels? Or is there another specific use for it? Your choice will depend on your answer because you can’t use a small tent you bought for your solo travels on a family outing trip. It will simply be too small and may not have enough headspace for everyone.
So before you buy a tent, think about what you’ll use it for. Use the answer to narrow down the choices.
2. Material and Durability
Tents come in a lot of different materials. You have everything from polyester to more durable and winter-friendly materials. What material you pick will depend on factors like the general weather of your living place, how often you go to places with different climates, and durability.
If your camping is limited to your campsites in your living place, you’ll just have to look for a tent material that goes with the general weather. If you go to many places for camping and have to be in different weather, you’ll have to be more careful in choosing your tent material. You can’t get a thin and lightweight summer-friendly tent and take it for camping in areas where rain is a given.
If you’re more into casual campings, you won’t have to look for durable tent materials specifically. But if you go camping in rougher places, make sure to pick a material that is known to be durable.
3. Weight and Structure
Your tent’s weight is significant if you’re into backpack camping. You can’t carry it around if it is too heavy. Heavy tents are also harder to fold and convert into a portable package, so you’ll have to avoid heavy tents if you’re a backpack camping enthusiast. If you know you won’t have to carry your tent around, you can go for more heavy tent options.
The structure is another critical point of a tent. Some tents have less durable structures, so they can’t hold up well against windy or generally unfavorable weather. You’ll have to ensure the tent you choose is strong enough to withstand different weather.
Durston X-mid 2p Review: A Tent that Does It All
Durston X-mid 2P is a ridge tent with double wall protection. It is a 3+ season tent with a strong structure. The best part about this is the weight. Durston X-mid is surprisingly lightweight for a ridge tent. It only weighs 1.09 kg, so that you can carry this around easily.
The tent has double-wall material protection. It is what makes it a 3+ season tent. You can use this for most of the year except winter. Winter isn’t entirely off limits; you can use it in winter but only during the earlier days when the temperature hasn’t dived yet.
The structure of this tent is something you should take seriously. It is spacious (32 sq ft) enough for two persons, and you’ll still have space to store your gears. The dual doors & vestibules make it strong enough for stormy areas too. The shape of this tent stops rainwater from pooling, so you won’t have to worry about waking up half soaked. The price is a bit high but pays off in the long run.
Key Specifications of the Durston x-mid 2p
The Durston X-mid 2p Tent is a popular backpacking tent that is designed for two people. Here are some of its key specifications:
- Weight: The tent weighs 1.14 kg (2.5 lbs) with the included stakes and guylines.
- Dimensions: The tent has a floor area of 2.8 square meters (30 square feet) and a peak height of 1.27 meters (50 inches).
- Material: The Durston X-mid 2p Tent is made from a 20-denier ripstop silnylon fabric with a silicone and polyurethane coating. The floor is made from a 30-denier silnylon fabric with a polyurethane coating.
- Design: The tent is a two-pole pyramid design with a single door and vestibule. It has a fully enclosed bathtub floor to keep out moisture and insects.
- Ventilation: Durston X-mid 2p Tent features two vents at the peak and two vents at the base to provide ample airflow and reduce condensation.
- Packed size: The tent packs down to a compact size of 17 x 5 inches, making it easy to carry in a backpack.
- Ease of setup: Durston X-mid 2p is designed to be easy to set up with just two trekking poles and eight stakes. It comes with a stuff sack, stakes, guylines, and a repair kit.
How to set up the Durston X-mid 2p
Setting up the Durston X-Mid 2 tent is a relatively straightforward process that can be done in a few steps:
-
Find a flat and clear area to set up your tent. Clear away any debris or sharp objects that may damage the tent floor.
-
Unpack the tent and lay out the rainfly, inner tent, and tent poles separately on the ground.
-
Connect the two tent poles to create a single long pole, and then insert the pole into the pole sleeves on the rainfly. The pole will create an X-shape that gives the tent its name.
-
Stake out the four corners of the rainfly, making sure that the tent is taut and the corners are evenly spaced.
-
Attach the inner tent to the rainfly using the color-coded clips. Make sure that the tent is centered and aligned with the rainfly.
-
Stake out the corners of the inner tent, making sure that it is taut and evenly spaced.
-
Finally, attach the guy lines to the designated attachment points on the rainfly and stake them out to provide additional stability and wind resistance.
That’s it! Your Durston X-Mid 2 tent is now set up and ready for use. Always make sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions and practice setting up your tent at home before heading out on a trip.
Pros and Cons of the Durston X-mid 2p
Pros
- Lightweight: The tent is relatively lightweight for a two-person tent, making it easy to carry on backpacking trips.
- Spacious: The tent has a generous floor area and peak height, providing ample space for two people and their gear.
- Durable: The tent is made from high-quality materials that are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions and regular use.
- Easy to set up: The tent is designed to be easy to set up with just two trekking poles and eight stakes, which is convenient for backpackers.
- Good ventilation: The tent features multiple vents that provide good airflow and reduce condensation, making for a comfortable interior.
Cons
Limited vestibule space: The tent’s vestibule is relatively small, which can make it challenging to store gear and cook in inclement weather.
No internal pockets: The tent does not have any internal pockets or gear loft, which can make it challenging to keep small items organized and within easy reach.
Requires trekking poles: The tent requires trekking poles to set up, which may be an issue for hikers who prefer not to use them.
Higher cost: The tent is relatively expensive compared to some other backpacking tents on the market, which may be a barrier to entry for some buyers.
Limited color options: The tent is only available in one color (gray), which may not appeal to all buyers
Competitor Tents of Durston x-mid 2p
Here’s a table comparing the Durston X-Mid 2 tent to some of its competitors in terms of features, price, and weight:
Tent Model | Features | Price | Weight |
---|---|---|---|
Durston X-Mid 2 | Two doors and vestibules, freestanding, double-wall, 20D silpoly fabric, 29 oz trail weight | $299 | 1.82 kg (4 lb) |
NEMO Dragonfly 2 | Two doors and vestibules, semi-freestanding, double-wall, 20D ripstop nylon fabric, 41 oz trail weight | $389.95 | 1.84 kg (4 lb 1 oz) |
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 | Two doors and vestibules, semi-freestanding, double-wall, 20D ripstop nylon fabric, 45 oz trail weight | $449.95 | 1.36 kg (3 lb) |
MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2 | Two doors and vestibules, freestanding, double-wall, 20D ripstop nylon fabric, 51 oz trail weight | $449.95 | 1.72 kg (3 lb 13 oz) |
REI Co-op Quarter Dome SL 2 | Two doors and vestibules, semi-freestanding, double-wall, 15D ripstop nylon fabric, 35 oz trail weight | $349 | 1.2 kg (2 lb 10 oz) |
- NEMO Dragonfly 2: The NEMO Dragonfly 2 is a lightweight and spacious two-person tent with two doors and vestibules for easy entry and storage. It has a semi-freestanding design, meaning it requires some stakes to set up, and features a double-wall construction with 20D ripstop nylon fabric. The trail weight of the tent is 41 oz, making it slightly heavier than the Durston X-Mid 2, but it offers more livable space.
- Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2: The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 is a popular and versatile tent with a freestanding design, two doors and vestibules, and a double-wall construction with 20D ripstop nylon fabric. It has a spacious interior and a trail weight of only 45 oz, making it one of the lightest tents in its class. However, it’s also one of the most expensive tents on the market.
- MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2: The MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2 is another well-known two-person tent with a freestanding design, two doors and vestibules, and a double-wall construction with 20D ripstop nylon fabric. It’s slightly heavier than some of its competitors, with a trail weight of 51 oz, but it offers excellent ventilation and weather protection. It also comes with a unique rainfly that allows for more customization depending on the weather.
- REI Co-op Quarter Dome SL 2: The REI Co-op Quarter Dome SL 2 is a lightweight and affordable two-person tent with a semi-freestanding design, two doors and vestibules, and a double-wall construction with 15D ripstop nylon fabric. It has a trail weight of only 35 oz, making it one of the lightest tents in its class, and is highly packable. However, it may not be as durable as some of the other tents listed here, especially in harsh weather conditions.
When it comes to choosing a tent, it’s important to consider the specific features, price, and weight that will best suit your needs. While the Durston X-Mid 2 is a highly-regarded tent for its balance of these factors, there are a number of other tents on the market that may also be worth considering. The NEMO Dragonfly 2, Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2, MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2, and REI Co-op Quarter Dome SL 2 are all popular options with their own strengths and weaknesses. Ultimately, it’s up to each individual hiker or camper to determine which tent will be the best fit for their budget, preferences, and intended use.
Conclusion
And here you have your Durston x-mid 2p review. It is one of the most versatile tents on the market. It is durable, spacious, and pretty easy to put up. Is it worth the hype? Well, that comes down to your personal preference. But if you ask us, we’d say it is 100% worth the hype.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much is the Durston X-mid 2?
2. How do I set up X-MID 2p?
3. Where are Durston tents made?
4.How much does the Durston X-Mid 2 weigh?
5. Is the Durston X-Mid 2 freestanding?
6. Is the Durston X-Mid 2 suitable for winter camping?
7. What is the difference between Durston XMID 2 and solid?
You can also read: Nemo Aurora 2P Review
Meet Sarah, a passionate traveler and camping enthusiast who loves to explore the great outdoors. With years of exploring, she has become an expert in testing and reviewing the best tents on the market which got her to start mytravelingtents.com. Her insightful reviews provide valuable information to fellow adventurers looking for the perfect tent for their next camping trip.