Durston X-Mid 1 Solid: Is It the Best Backpacking Tent for 2023? 

I just got this tent delivered to me 7 hours ago haha! Loved the review, helped me a lot regarding the short lines, i'll replace them to longer dyneema ones so that I can do the "small rock big rock" to anchor in granit, snow... Hope to see more of your reviews, thank you!

Hi. one possible solution to the rectangle pitch is to add a small piece of guy line to the corner, forming sort of a Y, plus an extra peg. The bottom of the Y is the guy coming from the tent. The top part of the Y is the new added guy (meeting the tent one attaching it half way the extra guy) then pinning both end of that new guy (the top of the Y) with 2 pegs. Sorry for the lack of a better explanation... The corner may have a little play, so might end up find whats best: loss of the rectangle or the play added by the Y in a corner (or two).. ATB.

@@michelstronguin6974 haha that is class. All the best of luck with your new tent 🍀

@@ipedros7 you explained it pretty well to be fair, I got the gist of it 😁 I'll play around with a few ideas and see how they go. Cheers for the help🍀

@@michelstronguin6974 I found there's always going to be that rock or branch too big or too far away, so I just leave it as is. Then chuck in a few extra lengths of dynema in the pack for the occasional need. Use the spare(s) to go around the anchor (rock/tree/fallen branch). T,hen attach the tent guy to it using a toggle & loop joint (supports hammocks, will be fine for a tent) or a non jamming bend knot. Done that in the distant past with a Vango banshee when I couldn't peg any corner down. Maybe the first ever freestanding banshee... if you ignore the mUassive branches and rocks used 😂.

It is a beautiful looking tent

Just try getting that perfect pitch off trail on the side of a mountain…. The footprint is enormous. Great for preassigned tent sites with a level tent pad…

Thanks a mill 🍀

I have no intentions of ever selling it anyway so no worries there 🙌

Thanks very much, I shall do my best 🍀

Thanks very much, have a good one 🍀

I've used Lanshans with much longer corner guy lines with no issues. I don't think you would have any bother extended the corner guys a sensible amount. Even adding 12cm in length would give you a lot more pegging options in rocky soil. I haven't change mine out yet so so far so good

I think I'd prefer the Solid for the conditions here in Ireland. The PRO version is a cracking tent, I have no doubt about it. It would be interesting to compare both 🤔

Cheers Lee, it's great to see cottage companies doing well. Have a good one 🙌

Ah savage and you avoid the customs charges. Even better 😁🙌 That is class, I reckon the two person version will class for those nights where you are confined to the tent. Add in a chair that you can use inside a tent and you are golden. I'd say August can't come quick enough 😄⛺

You're gonna love your new tent!

@@dontall71 Can't wait!

Cheers for watching Jay 🍀

😂 Tent joy, I love it. I've gotten so used to using one person tents. I'd rather spend most of my time outside the tent looking at the views if I can but I know that you love being inside the tent. It makes sense having the extra space inside and like you said there is only a small weight penalty. At least you have some options and each of your tent's will have their pro's and con's. I love your MSR, that colour is just class. Someday I will have one myself 😁⛺

I don't reckon the ex mid 2 would perform as well in the wind though miriam

@haydenwalton2766 ah I know! The trade offs and compromises for any tent. I have stronger tents for the wind though so I’d probably just like the X-Mid 2 in addition to my other tents and still keep the X-Mid 1 for exactly the reason you mentioned! The X-Mid 1 is still a great tent - just a bit narrow in the inner for my liking, it’s perfectly fine but I’ve been a bit spoilt and more familiar with the space in two person tents in recent years - that’s all 😉 I still want to to keep my X-Mid 1 though!!

@@MiriamKennedy ha, as long as you keep saying you 'want' another tent rather than 'need'. '-)

@@haydenwalton2766 I definitely don’t need an X-Mid 2, you’re right though, my language may need to change if I want to be a more permanent (for now) happy camper!! 😂

I've high hopes that it will do well, we shall see anyway. I'm fortunate enough to get consistently bad weather when I go camping so there will be plenty of opportunities to test it 😆

Hopefully the video was helpful 🍀

Hi George, ah yes you can't go too far wrong with a lanshan. I'm hoping to take my lanshan out soon. You were probably better to hold off on the Xmid, they are continually being refined and tweaked with each new generation so that can only be a good thing. My health is shocking at the moment, I got the aul covid now 👍😆 Talk about kicking a man while he is down. I have two videos recorded so I'll be able to edit those and hopefully I will be back in action then. The video for next week is going to be the longest I have done. Nothing fancy, just a chat really. I hope all is good with you, take her handy man 🍀

I found a solution for the doors. I use a small carabiner on a bit of bungee cord tied around the magnet tab. The carabiner then clips over the side guy line, it does a fantastic job. You'll see it in next weeks video. Delighted to hear that it is serving you well, it's not a bad looking tent either which is no harm 😄

🤣 here's a little video I made about the chair ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-XMmN5JOqx8Q.htmlsi=B2C8p26YUeScM_dI

I'm hoping to use this tent on a lot of trips this year so I have no doubt that I will get a chance to give it a proper test in the wind. I'd be pretty confident with it to be honest but who knows how it will hold up. I think that in high wind, having decent trekking poles and solid tent pegs are essential, especially in a trekking pole tent. My large red pegs that you may have seen in previous videos are solid ground anchors and they make all the difference. I won't argue with you there. I've always wanted to try out the V4a, it looks like a cracking tent. I've seen them up for sale second hand so they are even more affordable. I like the look of them too, it's a tent that will serve you well for years

@@RamblingOn Agree with everything you said. Will be nice to see more videos camping in your tent in bad weather too haha. Im doing John Muir Way from 1st May so will test my Hex Peak properly too for many days ;)

@Gregory Outdoors that will be class. I'd love to get in some multi day hikes this year, we'll see what happens 😉

I actually bought this tent today on ebay haha Will be fun testing and playing with x mid! Cannot wait to get it outside etc haha

@@gregoryoutdoors lovely find. The very best of luck with it 🙌

I could have sworn I replied to you, I must not have hit the reply button The best I have come up with so far is a clothes peg 😆 If you come up with anything better let me know. The backs is on the mend, I have covid now. Never a dull moment 🤔😂 Cheers Wayne, have a good one 🍀

Clothes peg. Always love the high tech gear saving the day! 😂

@RamblingOn Amazon sells little clips with a good magnet on each end....works perfectly and has many other uses! 8 PCS Silicone Magnetic Cable Ties, Cable Clips Cord Organizer [1S] Management cable Cords, Reusable Magnet Cable Organizer, Phone Cord Holder for Org

Cheers Craig, yep I have some high hopes for it to be fair

I'd say that was class up there. I think that the Solid version is better suited to the Irish weather conditions than either of the other two. You are definitely getting more for you money with it. If you figure out a solution for the groundsheet let me know, it would be much appreciated 🙌

Cheers Bren 🍀

Cheers Derrick 🍀

Cheers 🙌

​@@RamblingOnI think I'll get the imitation "Yuan Chuan 2". Unfortunately the original is too expensive for my budget! Many greetings from the Krauts! 😜✌️

That has to be the first time that I have ever been compared to Brad Pitt so I'll take it as a compliment 🤣 Plus I love that movie, take her handy 🍀

@@RamblingOn Dude,.. hilarious movie, and yes you're carrying on the Brad Pitt Persona! ...and again,.. great review,..my next shelter will be the Xmid 1p or DiPole 1 and you've offered some fantastic data points to help me with that decision. Cheers from California and the lofty Sierra Nevada Mtns. 😎

The Sierra Nevada Mtns look class, cheers from an unusually dry day here in Ireland 😄🍀

Yeah I ordered direct, as far as I remember I had worked out that the import duties and customs fees came to approx 30% of the total value.

The back is on the mend, I caught it early this time so it's not so bad. I have recorded the giveaway and I am editing the video which will be up this weekend I reckon unless I get it sorted sooner

Oh no, that is torture. I'm sure you've been doing what I usually do when I can't get out with new gear. I tend to keep taking it out, holding it, looking at it, inspecting it. Basically just fondling it to be fair 😂

Cheers Ross.. Import tax and customs charges are about 30% of the value so you have to take that into consideration. Hopefully in the future there will be stockists of this tent in Europe 🤞 I have two of the 3f UL Gear lanshan tents, a lanshan 1 Pro and a Lanshan 2. The Xmid is a much better tent. I have learned to love my little lanshan 1 pro even with the condensation issues but I could easily sell all of my other tents and just have this one. I'd be happy for a while before I got notions to buy another tent 😄

😄 I get that from time to time. Cheers for sticking around🍀 Hopefully you can get your hands on the X-mid sooner rather than later 🤞

As do I 😁

I thought it would be darker too

Hey John, sometimes there are just too many options. Keep it as easy as you can. The Xmid is a great tent but it's going to set you back about €245 + 30% of that it customs and import tax. There's also a lead time with it as far as I know so it might not be dispatched for a few weeks. Chances are that you wouldn't have it in time for your trip. What are you looking for in a tent? There's no point me adding fuel to the fire by listing out a load of tents 😄 What tents have you liked the look of?

@@RamblingOn i was thinking of a free standing tent for time being,just to get me into it,i do alot of hiking so really dont want to be carrying to much weight,sure i know ill just have to make a decision and with being off work tomorrow i was going to head to charles camping and pick there brains as well i suppose

@john dennehy they have the Vango helium f10 which only weights 1.2kg I think which is the same as my Lanshan 2. Pretty sure the vestibule is quite small though but it would be a great tent in the wind. They have a two person version which isn't much more expensive. I think it's around €400. Going lightweight usually means spending a little more. There's a company in Europe called Liteway. They make very similar tents to the Mld duomid. Their version is called the paramo duo if memory serves me right. I've been eyeballing their stuff for a while, it would definitely be worth checking out if you really want to get a trekking pole tent. They are a cottage company but their prices are pretty decent, and there would be no import charges because they're in Europe.

@john dennehy sorry I made a balls of that, it's called the Pyraomm Duo here is a link liteway.equipment/shelters/pyraomm-duo/pyraomm-duo-tarp That's just the outer fly sheet so the inner is extra. A free standing tent would definitely be easier for starting out and that vango helium tent has a tiny packsize. Worth a look if you head over to Charles camping

@@RamblingOn thanks very much pal,your a star jason,much appreciated for taking time out to reply 😀 😊 👍

The groundsheet hangs down when you try to pack away the tent, It just creates more hassle than it's worth. I have even stopped using mine but saying that, it isn't a big issue just a little annoyance. If you are in Ireland I know that there is a two person version on Adverts.ie for sale, here I found the link www.adverts.ie/tents/durston-x-mid-2p-tent-groundsheet/31487159

@@RamblingOn cheers, much appreciated. Afraid I'm not in Ireland, but I'll save up and buy direct from Durston. Thanks for clarifying too; doesn't sound like this is enough to put me off.

@Hooman666 no the poles are not included. You can use trekking poles or you can buy poles separately from Durston if you don't use trekking poles

Thanks a mill, I just ordered the iron wire when I ordered the tent. It's a Durston product too. Best of luck with your new tent 👍

@@RamblingOn Ah! Thanks! I didn’t realise it was made by Durston.

I would say that the solid is a better option than the normal version. As far as I can remember, there are improvements made to the high stress points to allow it to handle the wind better. I can't remember each one off the top of my head unfortunately but there are a few differences. I reckon the solid version will serve you best in most situations

Class, thank you very much. I was worried it might be too quick. Enjoy the rest of your weekend🍀

I have asked Dan Durston about the position of the vents and he told me that they will all have the vents on the ends going forward. He said that with the vents in the doors they are slightly easier to operate from inside but also harder to roll the door nicely. He also said that he wanted them the same as the 2P and that it’s a cleaner look with them on the ends. Cheers Jeremy 🍀

@@RamblingOn Awesome, thank you for the fast answer ! Yeah it makes sense, and perhaps a little a bit more efficient in practice, because we generally try to orientate one end to face the wind . I guess the resulting airflow on the inside would be facilitated like this. The only downside I see is that in case of rain + wind, some droplets could enter and fall into the inner space more easily, rather than over the door, it would simply fall into the vestibule. This is perhaps something to consider more on a tarp mode. Anyway, enjoy your X-mid ! Awesome tent :)

@@jeremysenouillet3472 I thought the same, having good airflow is important so the new position should work better. Cheers Jeremy, have a good one 🍀

I'm in Ireland so the customs and import taxes are most likely different than in the UK. I bought it and it was shipped from the US. I don't believe that there are any stockists in the UK or Europe but I have heard of some popping up second hand on Ebay so that could be worth keeping an eye on

@@RamblingOn thank you very much for this information

It's €245 + I reckon about 30% of that in customs and import tax. It's a pity there are no stockists in Europe. I really should have mentioned that in the video as one of the cons😄

@Rambling On yano in the grand scheme of things it's not unreasonable. I'm a Banshee 200 man as the likes of hillberg etc are outrageous in my opinion and the banshee has never let me down but that tent is appealing I'm not gonna lie

@@Karlosdjackle it's very fairly priced especially in comparison to the likes of hilleberg tents. I reckon I would only buy one of them if I could find it second hand. The Banshee is another tent I would like to try, it has to be up there as one of the most popular tents. There are three versions of the Xmid but I reckon the Solid version is the best value especial for the conditions in Ireland

😄 Fair play, hopefully it was worth it 😆

@@RamblingOn O yes, very nice tent. I have two tents, only got them last summer. So won't be buying another for a while. If I was, I'd be very interested in this one. I like the idea of using the hiking poles. Just finished looking at the video now. Great presentation as always. Great to see you back in action.

@@HillHyker using the trekking poles really helps to save on weight. I have recently upgraded my poles because I use them all the time and most of my tents a trekking pole tents. Thanks very much, I'm keeping things easy for now. Hopefully get back up on the hills soon 🤞Enjoy the rest of the weekend

The floor on mine is grey

@@RamblingOn thanks. From what I've on their website it should be black. But i hope mine will be of the same color as yours as i don't really like such dark colors in my tent(should arrive in two weeks). Perhaps it just seems black in their pictures. Thanks for the reply

Also,did you have any more chances to try out the Light tour pad,share some more thoughts on it?

@Bima Zivanovic yep I had it out in the mountains the other night. It doesn't have much support. I could feel the little bumps underneath and I could feel the cold ground at my hips. I wasn't impressed to be fair

@Bima Zivanovic I hope you get the same tent and have the Vents on the ends. As far as I'm aware they will all be like that going forward. It's a sexy looking tent to be fair 😄

Thank you very much for the kind words and for subscribing to the channel. Have a good one 🍀

Whatever the current price is, slap on another 30% That will give you a good idea of what to expect

I'm not sure about the UK but in Ireland you could tag on 30% of the value to get a fair idea of the import tax and customs charges. I haven't had any dealings with their customer service but Dan Durston himself seems very approachable and helpful

The tent pegs are one of the most important bits for a trekking pole tent. Nice modification, definitely handy for those cold wet mornings. Sounds like an exciting camp 👍🍀

Oh I must check those out, I was just going to use a clothes peg 😄 I hope that some day there is a European stockist. I wouldn't mind trying out the Durston kakwa backpack but the customs is a killer. Cheers man, I'll hopefully be back to the hills soon

😂 That's one way to acquire some tents. We'll see how it goes, I have some really good tent pegs that are solid anchors and I've upgraded my trekking poles so that will make a difference to the performance in the wind. I'd love to try it in snow next winter too. Cheers Alan, enjoy the rest of your weekend 🍀

Ah savage, they are a lovely tent. Loads of room especially for a one person tent 👍

I find trekking pole tents easier and faster to pitch. Any freestanding tent that I have tried has taken me longer to set up and in harsh conditions, those few minutes make a big difference. The pack size is also generally smaller, which makes things easier when you are packing your backpack. Free standing tents might fare better in harsh conditions but if you look at the Xmid or the MLD Duomid, they have been holding up very well so far at least. I've never had any issues. The footprint on the Xmid is pretty big for a one person tent. That has the upside of giving more protected space for your gear but also the downside of limiting your options that little bit more as to where you can pitch it. For three seasons I'd use a trekking pole tent, and for those deep winter months, I might consider the heavier weight of a freestanding tent. That's just a few thoughts off the top of my head. Hopefully this helps, cheers Dave 🍀

@@RamblingOn thanks for the reply! I am in Colorado and there is a lot granite up in the mountains, which can sometimes make it a challenge to stake out a tent. Another reason why a free standing tent seems to have an edge I think.

I was thinking of using a decent quality clothes peg to put over the magnet as a way to reinforce it for the outer door. Just so that I can hold it in the position that I prefer. You could do the same for the inner door too. I haven't had any issues with the tie back on the inner but if you are not a fan then that's a good enough reason to change it to suit you. Maybe tie a loop on one side and thread a toggle of some kind over the other side which will feed through the loop and hold the door?

@@RamblingOn both good ideas that I will try, thank you.

I'd love to get my hands on one of those Cloud up 2s, I actually mentioned it in my next video that I'm editing at the moment. I should have bought that instead of the cloud peak I reckon 🤔

Would definitely recommend Jason. Hard to beat based on the price, weight, colour (stealthy green), space, freestanding nature and reliability. Patrick

I can't wait to get back out in it, hopefully there will be some nice weather for a change 😄

The Xmid is a more versatile tent which will suit a wider range of weather conditions. Much better headroom, two doors and two vestibules so there is more useable space. The sil poly means that it won't sag in the wet weather. The inner is more taut too which makes a big difference for interior comfort on longer nights. Slightly heavier than the Lanshan 1 if I am not mistaken. I have the lanshan 1 pro and it's stood up to some serious wind. I love how easy they are to pitch once you get the swing of it and I've got mine settled down on some very thin slivers of flat ground where other tents would struggle. The Xmid is also easy to pitch but with the inner on a diagonal it just makes it slightly trickier at times. I'm quickly learning that in the grand scheme of things, once a tent keeps you safe and dry, that's all you need really. Both tents will allow you to see and experience things that a lot of people miss out on. Long story short, the Lanshan 1's are a great shelter but If I had to choose between buying one or the other, I would choose the Xmid.

@@RamblingOn Thanks mate for that. Appreciate it. Or just keep buying tents because I love doing it 🤣🤣🤣👍

@@grahamscothern4319 🤣 that's what I do too

@@RamblingOn 👍🤣🤣👍

You can only buy them from the US at the moment so there is customs and import taxes to consider. I have no idea if there will ever be stockists in Europe or the UK but I have seen them pop up second hand on ebay if you keep an eye you could grab one there

It's in around the €245 mark but you then get stung with customs and import charges which in Ireland at least is approx 30% of the value. How do you find the Nevis?

The Nevis is good, my first trekking tent.

@@MichaelB-pf8xx it looks like a good tent, I'd say it does well in the wind too

Ya it a tunnel tent and have tension band system.

😄 Great minds think alike. The magnet performs pretty well but of course I like to be awkward 😂

@@RamblingOn Haha..It's part of what they call.."Buyer's Remorse!" That niggling, have I done the right thing/made a good decision..in this purchase! Do they do a set of poles for this bad boy..if you don't want to carry trekking poles?

@@timporter8886 I've no regrets, I could easily sell all of my other tents and just have this one. I won't because I'm not crazy, but I could 😄 Yeah they do I think they are called the Zlock poles. Miriam Kennedy has those if you check out her channel. She creates some stunning videos so it's no harm having a gander

@@RamblingOn I was only teasing about Buyers Remorse..haha..think if you're anything like most guys who like tents; you're always going to look for excuses to buy new tents; not get rid of any..haha! 🤣 Love Miriam's Channel, think I've watched most of her posts..some a couple of views..haha! Miriam was very inspirational in my getting into backpacking again!I'm sure we've spoken about her channel before; didn't you buy her Lanshan 1?

@@timporter8886 I wasn't sure if we had but you are spot on. I bought my Lanshan 1 pro from Miriam. I don't think I will ever sell it, I have such an unhealthy love/hate relationship with that tent 😄

Cheers David 🙌

As far as I know each generation is tweaked and improved on. This one has the vents on the ends instead of on the sides for example. I'd imagine that they will focus in on increasing the production, maybe finding some stockists outside of the US but that is just my guess. It would make it a very affordable tent if we didn't have to pay customs. I also have a lanshan 1 Pro, I have a very unhealthy love/hate relationship with that tent. It's a cracking tent in the wind