Durston X-Mid Pro 2 tent: Tested
For those making their first foray into the world of ultralight tents, a quick Google search might reveal some well-known brands, such as Hyperlite and Zpacks. Dig a little further, and you’ll discover Durston Gear, a family-run Canadian company whose mission is to design the best ultralight hiking gear, and which is quickly growing a dedicated global fan base. In an industry where the term ‘ultralight’ is being thrown around, well, lightly, the X-Mid Pro 2 tent has truly earned that accolade without compromising on functionality, mainly through some incredibly thoughtful design features.
Design
The X-Mid Pro 2 tent is genuinely ultralight, so let’s start with the weight. My configuration of this tent tips the scales at 790g. This includes the optional footprint (135g), stuff sack, eight stakes and extra guy lines, so it’s possible to run a minimal setup below 600g. For a two-person tent this is phenomenally light – the result of some smart design choices.
No tent poles are required, but the trekking pole design means you will need to hike with 2 adjustable hiking poles to pitch the tent. The tent fly and floor tub use DCF (Dyneema Composite Fabric), a featherweight yet incredibly strong and waterproof material. As a hybrid single-wall design, the floor, fly and inner mesh doors are all connected, helping to shave more grams by ditching excess materials.
Durston’s greatest achievement is not just the low weight. It’s an ultralight tent which is more spacious and functional than any tent I’ve ever used.
In the field
Pitching is an absolute breeze – it’s without a doubt the easiest tent I’ve set up, and the interior will stay dry if you have to set up in the rain.
And let’s talk about space. In short, overall dimensions are impressive. The tent interior measures 2250mm long and 1150mm wide. Add in the two 1.07 square-metre vestibules – plus the high roof – and you’ve got a palatial experience for two. Those ample vestibules are very welcome for stashing gear inside, protected from inclement (read: wet) weather, and nothing is more appreciated than dual doors; not having to crawl over your tent buddy in the middle of the night when nature calls is always a good thing.
I also love the small details, such as the magnetic ties to hold the fly open – only one hand required. Two peak vents, plus the doors and adjustable pitch height allow for excellent ventilation control. The clever design also ensures the poles don’t obstruct the doorways.
One downside of the DCF fabric is that it doesn’t pack down as small as nylon, so the packed tent may be a little bulkier than you’d expect.
The final word on the Durston X-Mid Pro 2
The Durston X-Mid Pro 2 tent is by far the lightest and most thoughtfully designed tent I’ve owned. At $1074 (including the optional footprint) it’s not cheap, however it’s about the same price (or marginally cheaper) than competing models, and in my opinion Durston’s clever design makes for a more enjoyable experience out in the wild. So, while this tent is quite an investment, it represents exceptional value and is well worth the asking price.
RRP: $1004 (optional footprint $70)
See Durston for more info.
