Durston - X-Mid 2+ Solid

The build quality on the Durston X-Mid is phenomenal as is their company support. I had the X-Mid 2+ And it's nothing shorter will built tent. The one issue I had with it was promptly addressed by the company and to more than my satisfaction. However, I just don't think the Durston is a good fit for the AT. The walls of the fly are so low to the ground and the vents at the top are just not sufficient enough to get air flowing through the tent to remove humidity effectively in a high humidity environment like the Eastern United States. I personally carried mine from Harpers ferry West Virginia to Kent Connecticut and found myself rapidly switching back to my Z-Packs triplex - The 2+ and the Triplex we're bigger because I was hiking with my daughter so we could share a tent. The zpacks triplex has a lot more ventilation and let a lot more air through so I didn't have to worry about it raining inside with condensation on the inner tent walls compared to the Durston. If I did hiking out west like the Colorado Trail or the PCT or the CDT or fill in the blank where there's less ambient humidity I would without hesitation take the Durston back out there. But my opinion take it for what it's worth or feel free to ignore it is the Durston just does not breathe well enough in the Eastern United States to keep interior humidity under control. Too many mornings I woke up with a wet sleeping bag because it was raining inside the tent... And that's not because there was any sort of leak or poor construction.

I upgraded to an UL tent (Durston Gear X-Mid Solid 2P). I have zero regrets.

Yeah if you handle weight well then that's good. In general as a 2.8kg backpacking tent it's considered very heavy though, especially if you're taking days of food and other gear. I swapped for the Durston X-Mid 2 Solid, 1.12kg including poles. However I'm not convinced it's a great tent, contrary to popular belief. I don't think I'll get another trekking pole tent because it's so hard to pitch on soft ground.

Durston X Mid 2 Solid would be my first choice at that budget. Plenty spacious inside for two, loads of head height, two large vestibules, lightweight and a doddle to pitch. Another option is the Lanshan 2 which ticks many of the boxes of the Durston at half the price. It has to obviously compromise to achieve this but it's arguably the best 2 person lightweight tent on Earth for the money. Full disclosure, I am biased as hell, I have a Lanshan 2 and absolutely adore it. That being said if I had £300 to spend on a tent it would be the Durston.

Solid has the sturdier fly, in material and with some of reinforcements (at least in earlier versions) and still has the YKK5 zip (versus the YKK3) which I personally prefer. X-Mid is A LOT better in the wind than the GG.

Just to point out that wild camping isn't illegal in Scotland, I have camped below the tree line quite a bit. We have significantly different access rights up here. I have a Lanshan 2 with the mesh inner and I have the x-mid two solid. The Lanshan seems fairly solid but to pluck an arbitrary figure out of my backside I would suggest that I would be wary of it in anything above 25 miles an hour. My x-mid 2 recently dealt with 25 miles an hour gusts like a boss. Although it is perhaps a bit unfair to judge them ike this I am a tactile person and I would say that the x-mid feels much better made (because it is). Having said that if you are out in okay-ish conditions then a Lanshan will probably be perfectly okay for you. I have used mine in the Cairngorms albeit in settled conditions. One last thing, I accepted a while ago that I am going to struggle to get anything below a 16 kilogram total weight. I don't have the budget to be buying all ultralight gear and I like my comfort. 15 kg would be a target for a multi-day. 14 kg would be a dream. 13 kg would be a fantasy 😂 So twice this year I lugged 16 kilograms over multiple Munros and I'm still alive to tell the tale.

Set up on the X-Mid is by far the easiest of the tracking pole tents, but in reality it’s only slightly lighter than a Big Agnes Copper Spur. I know trekking pole tents are the big rage, but if you’ve never used one, there are conditions where it’s more difficult. Rocky or sandy conditions make it difficult at times.

I’ve tried both. The Durston is the best trekking pole tent of the 8-10 I’ve tried. I really wanted to love the GG one, but just didn’t.

I have an xmid 2p solid which is great! Just would like something free standing and a bit sturdier in the wind

I have an x mid solid for 3 season use which I think is great for that! Just want something a bit more specialised for really exposed camping or camping in the winter months over here

I have the Brice 2 and xmid 2 solid. Both are great, the Brice is hard to beat with its price but my solid is slightly lighter and I actually like using tracking polls when I hike. I guess it boils down to what style tent you’re looking for.

I recommend the Durston XMid Solid. I’ve the 1p and have had other versions without solid inner. The solid inner makes a huge difference with heat retention.