I carried two tents to go camping - DURSTON X - Mid Solid | Hilleberg AKTO 

Nice test. Thanks for putting this together. Good luck with the channel.

Spot on Tom, a decent test, shows that the xmid could handle some pretty high winds, but I wouldn’t take mine out knowing it’s gonna be 30mph+, in fact I probably wouldn’t go out at all in any tent knowing it’s really strong wind, good to know if wind did get worse then it should be relatively ok, keep up the great content mate, atb Mick 👍

Great vid Tom. Next time please compare the AKTO with a brick shelter, or maybe a cave! Love to hear your thoughts on that.

Excellent as always!

Another brilliant video, thanks. Watched to the end BTW!

camping in North USA I see your point...but I sold my Akto as it collapses inward with a foot of snow....not a tent for heavy wet snow loads...not at all...tried it 3 times in snow....had to get up several times in the night to clear it off....I can't take that..xmid solid handled the snow much, much better....otherwise Akto great tent...lol

I enjoyed this video. I have a tent that is amazing and wind, but it is so heavy. I may still end up hauling it if I get to do my bike tour.

Very good review. Thx so much.

It’s a nice looking tent! But I’m always worried about the tip up pitch with the poles as a good gust could potentially pop them out and make a mess out of things. I try to pitch my hiking pole tents and tarps handle up if possible. Tarptent sells some “adapters” that will help secure the handles even more.

Thanks Tom. Once you climbed into the Akto the sound quality was superb - no sign of the wind at all, big contrast to X Mid despite the outside photos showing the Akto getting buffeted. One question about water from ponds - I’m always leery about using it (risks from algae or birds) so I carry water from streams lower down. Any thoughts?

Thanks for your review!

Another great review! I'll need to watch again to understand better some of the nuances, but this aligns with my experience. As you said, this is a great tent, but also doesn't align well with my use cases when I like to camp. I posted on another video that I have a Duplex XL dyneema tent and the use cases for it for me are not in alignment with my actual camping style. I have a few Western Mountaineering Gore sleeping bags and bring one of those and a backup emergency tarp when I don't need the Hilliberg. However, this sleeping bag only "cowboy camping" set-up also has disadvantages other than rain. One of them is that dust/snow blows on me, and inside the bag all night, and it's difficult to keep the sleeping bag from moving along the ground when it's a 30+mph wind - and of course, marmots and other animals in the high country. But, those are similar disadvantages as a very light tent, arguably - just not ideal. So, unfortunately, it's a 6lb Soulo BL for me whenever there could be the smallest chance of inclement weather. The "net" difference is not 6 pounds, perhaps 4.2 pounds and I could perhaps bring a little lighter sleeping bag for the BL Hilleberg to make up one of those pounds...so then they become similar in weight.

Excellent review

This is great. Have had the akto for years and very happy with it. Just bought the durston 1p and today pitched it for the first time. Because I am so used to the Akto it felt a bit..unsure.. Not flimsy , certainly not, but less secure. Will take some getting used to and mostly some positive experiences. I will be walking the pennineway in july. The durston should work considering the season. However it can still be pretty gnarly on the high moors I think. You still have to a bit lucky I guess, taking the Durston. But the 800 gram weight save..

Great video…thx! Was intrigued by your pronunciation of ‘vestibule’ though…is that the usual pronunciation in Northern Ireland?

Is this X-mid 1 or 2 Solid? I believe Pro version has better ground sheet. Thanks for doing this, Tom.

Have a job to beat an Akto in those conditions

Chill about youtube algorithm stuff they make people with 400k daily views depressed. I get your putting in a lot of time but youtibe just is very hard to get back what you put in.

Wow Tom good stuff. I'm OLD man from USA and will never camp wild or otherwise. BUT I really enjoy your vlogs and the subject. I live vicariously thru your vlogs. Thank you so much!!!

Great comparison but my thoughts are tents for different outings. The x mid is a lightweight back packing tent ideal for long distance hikes and camping in the lower ground but higher with better weather. Impressed by the hilleberg though and what it handles. Your putting out some great original thought provoking stuff keep it up and thank you 😊 Dave

Really good video, thanks Tom. You give solid, objective observations of the tents you test and always seem super-calm in extreme conditions! 😅

Thank you, Tom. My experience with the X-Mid is that it is good with constant 20 MPH winds, but if there are intermittent gusts beyond that, I go with Hilleberg confidently.

Very good Tom.I would like to own that tent myself for 3 season camping, but I think the feeling of security you get in a hilleberg would get me to sleep easier in strong winds. Thanks for the interesting content as always 👍

Just seen your video with the lanshan, and commented on your thoughts comparing the two. On the lanshan you say you loved it, 30mph winds and all. But you seem reticent on the Durston. Would be good a comparison. Cheers.

Once again a great video, Tom. Nice to see a tent that I really admire tested in this way. I know that Mr. Durston's Geometry teacher would be very proud of the tent design he has come up with. Keep up the great work. I always look forward to your testing tents under such conditions videos.

Great video. Such sensible and balanced perspectives without all the hype. Keep it going!

Another quality vid and a test that few would consider making. Like you say, if the manufacturer says the tent performs well in storm like conditions, then they should prove it.

Hi Tom, still love watching your videos. RU-vid is definitely getting harder, hang in there! 👍

Great video Tom. Proper test once again. Thanks.

Awesome test mate. You certainly did a much better job getting it pitched in wind than me 😂. Really nice to see the side and side comparison with the Hilleberg. It actually didn't look too bad once pitched, but I know what you mean about it looking uncomfortable. My main concern, based on previous experience, would be trying to pitch it in pretty windy conditions. I had it out in Snowdonia this weekend and it was superb, however there was hardly any wind at all. Look forward to the next video.

Great comparison on two top of the line tents, each within it's own niche. I've got the X-Mid 1P pro in dyneema, though I have had bad luck with dyneema in the past, and several Hillebergs including the Enan. For high wind conditions there are no better tents that the Hillebergs, but for where I live in the South-East coast of the USA the Durston comes into it's own. It is well ventilated and deals with the high heat and humidity of my region and of course I've never had winds over 30 mph except on the coast right on the beach one time. So I guess it's horses for courses, and if I had to choose just one - Well, who am I kidding, that would never work out. There is no such thing in this world as owning too many great tents.

Man its fascinating to me how the heck people choose to live in places with miserable conditions almost year around.

I just recently am considering the purchase of this tent had thought to myself, let me check and see if Tom has put it up on his hills and whether it blew off into the North Atlantic or not.. I knew I could count on you Tom! I think it did surprisingly well considering that it's an ultralight tent designed for through hikers on long trails.

Nice review, I do like the Xmid for a light reasonable weather tent! Ahh maybe one day…

I’ve seen other reactions to this tent and many claimed it was a “4 season tent” …. I commented that it wasn’t then the nasty comments started flying..

There’s only Tom Heaney who would take 2 tents up a mountain to wind test 👍

I hate wind so knowing it can handle 30mph if I had to makes me feel secure. Sure, I might have a rough night, but we'd live

Just out of interest Tom what was that double hooped tent you showed briefly but without explanation as that looked like a proper heavy expedition tent. Akto is a single hooped tent. My friend has just bought the x mid and has an Akto and is fed up of the 2 kg weight on his back. I m an ultra lighter doing big mileages and use the Dyneema X mid Pro which is under 500 grms without poles ( i use Durston very light Z flik poles ) .Dyneema is much stronger than Silpoly used in the Xmid so maybe you d have been more confident in that tent . Another big drawback with the heavy Akto is its poor on condensation and next day its adds half a kilo to the weight and if its not hot enough to dry out you re stuck with a heavy fly .With the Dyneema version it does not suck up any moisture at all and water can just be shaken off . Akto is overkill in late spring , summer and Autumn . I ve had my old tents stand up in a lot more wind than that 30 mph one such as a amber warning in 2018 to get off the hills on North York Moors in August using a cheap 1Kg Vango in 60 mph and more .The moral of the story is don t camp up directly on a peak with strong winds forecast. Find a sheltered spot in the lee of the wind

Hi Tom Another interesting test I have been considering the x mid but really for the Cheviot hills prob not the best choice, I have yet to find a tent that suits my height and manages wind while being light !!!! Tarp and bivy seem most spacious Cheers Adrian

Another thing you can ask people to do is download the video. One download gives you a "complete" view. Great review though too!

Awesome test and the tent looked very good even though it’s clearly made for a milder conditions. Thank you.

Looked to do ok I’m the wind but maybe just drop the poles slightly and guy out wider and lower as looked to be getting under the fly to much, easy to say though when not there and dealing with 30mph winds 😂.

I guess they're designed for different things, the durston x mid pro1 is 465g compared to 1.7kg for the Akto

Hello. I enjoyed the video and information gleaned. May I ask what inflatable mattress you are using?

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Very good thoughts I had it on Dartmoor is a very mild breeze (vid on hold for mo as Mark says I don't have a decent thumbnail plus I've done loads of videos on it let people breath lol) but yeah the side closest to you will blow in as your right next to the corner due to how it's laid out. It's interesting how you use cooker feet out that way it's OK as you can set it up by pole civered vestibule but I lie in bed cooking and the layout not so convenient for me. Its all laid out wrong for me lol

Great review Tom. Be interesting to see the comparisons between the xmid 1 and the 2 in those conditions. However, my Hilleberg tent is the the go too for harsher weather in exposed conditions. Keep up the good work. Atb

That's an interesting pronunciation of the word vestibule. I've never heard that before.

Yess! The windmeter. You know it will be good if that comes out 😉. Good call to also bring the Akto. Plus a clear conclusion at the end. Appreciated.

Nice video look luck with the channel. I'm really interested in hiking/backpacking/wildcamping in Northern Ireland 👍

Thoughtful planning, campsite management, and overall outing sticking with the moderate side of mild to wild. Well prepared considerations (given the review status of not being your tent) were explained and accounted for. In my view, this practice appeared to be a very good strategy. Having what looked to be just the wind (and dot driving rains, spray, snow, silt sand, endurance etc.) on familiar site made for favorable conditions of playing it relatively conservative vs. risking ransacking exposure. Moderate wind conditions in open alpine environment the evident takeaway (so far for me watching) is the high stress points from guy lines vectored off tie outs at those angels and cordage lengths. Regardless, for whatever the reinforcement material/design... that's a major downside issue for me due to much higher % for greater to catastrophic failures that trend more difficult field expedient repair of lasting integrity. I am of the mindset that 'if' you exceeded the 45-50 knots sustained and gusts in the 65 knots range... wagering game's over in too many scenarios. Especially any remoteness, time duration, uneven ground, plus mix of heavy precipitation (of any sorts/seasons)... likely to get ugly in a hurry.

Im gonna keep this video on in the background for as long as possible mate on a loop hope this helps 😅😎.

Tom, thank you for putting all these tents to the test. As someone on the verge of buying his first tent, I spent the whole afternoon watching your videos. I'm thinking of buying both the Durston X-mid as an UL option for walks in the Dolomites, Pyrennees, Picos etc in summer, and possibly the Akto as an addition for more challenging conditions. I noticed you tested the Xmid 2P version. It seems to me that a 1p version of this type of tent might be sturdier since in the 2p version the wind attacks a much bigger piece of canvas that is essentially supported by the same material (2 trekking poles, lines etc) that the 1p version is. What is your take on this?

Wow! How much more silent the Akto was, that was eye-opening. A good night´s sleep, with comfort and confidence, that should not be underrated. I´ll continune to stick to Hilleberg.

Another great test Tom, good call on moving to the Akto, couldn’t imagine how guilty I would feel if I damaged someone’s tent who hadn’t even had a go in it yet!! 😅

A great review as always.my benchmark for 3 season tents is that it as to cope with 30mph winds I wouldn't head out into it probably with that tent but it's good to know if the forecast is wrong which it can be then the tent will cope.it didn't look the most stable but that's the same for most trekking pole tents.i think it would work best at sheltered spots and not summits unless it's a calm day.ive seen another video of it in windy conditions and the guy couldn't get it pitched.so I'm going to hold off getting 1 as I don't think it will work for me.

Thanks a lot Tom for this great review as usual! It’s a no go for me.

Super content! I appreciate your candid presentation. I’d love to camp Luke Mountain sometime!

Honest review Tom, and kudos for carrying two tents to beef out the review. Thanks for a great film. Phil

Great video. Thanks for making it brother! Much love from Las Vegas Nevada! 🫡

Thanks for a good video

Great video. Subb’ed. Look forward to more!

Nevertheless, the Durston survived the night and it looks to me as if you didn't make use of the extra tie-out points which probably would have reduced flapping. At probably half the price.

Excellent review as always Tom. Thank you so much. Super interesting. Keep em coming. 👏👏👍🏻

HI Tom, another practical and informative video. Think you have shown a fair and comprehensive view of this tent and think i should help many people decide whether or nkt this would be a good choice for the camping they intend to do. Really looking forward to using it although i might skip luke's on the first few camps 😀

Thanks for the review! I'm interested in getting a hiking pole tent for lightweight hiking, and the Durston design looks very practical with the asymmetrical fly, so it's really good to see what type of wind it can handle.

You're the man who was there, I wasn't - but looking at your footage I have to agree the XMid is generally capable, well designed and properly lightweight backpacking tent, but isn't the best option if typical UK exposed mountain conditions are your preferred hiking environment. If trekking-pole-supported is your thing, my Hexpeak V4A deals with wind better, and you've shown us several Hillies which as (heavier) framed options will also prove a more secure place to be inside on a stormy night. Akto just a bit on the small side for me so my choice is my Tarptent Scarp 1 which isn't that different as another central hoop with raised/supported corners.

Hi Tom. Discretion definitely the better part of valour here. As I said on your previous set up video on the x mid, it’s a lovely looking tent. But for low wind use only IMO. Given the locations I tend to pitch, and the unpredictability of the weather, id rather carry more traditional tent with sufficient strength that means I won’t get caught out. Yes it’s heavier, but peace of mind worth the weight penalty to me….

Will make a very good tent for bikepacking

Love your vids👍🏼 Always interesting content.

Hello, just ordered my X-Mid 2 and I have received a text and email stating I need to pay a further £110 in duties,fees and taxes. Has any other owners had this as well??

I love these wind tests ... thank you for filming them. 🙏

I watch all your videos all the way through! I have to say I re-watch them quite often too! Hope it all helps. Even a wee comment like this no doubt helps hence the reason why I left it! Great stuff as always Tom. I hope to see or come across you on the Mournes at some stage. Mind you, I'd probably be star struck!!

The Durston is a great design but you can't get it delivered and go camping. You'll need to seamseal it first. Then you'll need to attach 2 extra guys. Then you'll need to attach some bungy cord to all your tie out points. Then you'll need to get 14 pegs if you want to keep it on the ground in the wind. It's a great design badly executed. It isn't a finished product in my opinion and you need those things above before venturing up any mountain.

Thanks Tom you answered my question on it's wind performance. I think my Soulo is going to stay my all year round goto. Excellent as always

Thank you very much for this comparison.

Yep always look forward to seeing your video’s 👍

Thank you Tom. Which one is the most wind resistant tent among Hilleberg tents?

Thanks Tom, i also have the akto and ordered the x-mid 2. I’ll hope i don,t encounter to high winds. Walking the gr 5. Thx.

Ok the tent is not for world tour ..thanks

What wind speed tester do you use?

Great video as always

Fantastic vid....thanku.😊

Great video. Thanks for the test.

Thanks for the review good job

Thanks for your testing video and your personal thoughts

Great test, thanks for the video 👍

It looks good. Nice and light. Easy to put up as demonstrated. But it’s really not my cup of tea. It’s too expensive and hard to get. But as usual Tom great look over. And good call to not thrash it. 👍

Another stellar video and tent test tom!

Thanks for another brilliant and informative upload Tom.

Great video and I agree with your conclusion. I spent a night in durston xmid solid in a very exposed place on a finnish fjell when a storm hit during the night. Apparently the gusts were over 44 mph. Was a very scary experience and I was certain the tent wouldt last it, but it did, which i think is a small miracle. Never brining xmid to a terrain like that again.

Excellent, comprehensive, analysis as always Tom. I totally understand why you took the X-Mid down, it’s somebody else’s property, someone who kindly lent it to you, it wouldn’t be fair to damage it. That said, I can’t wait for mine to arrive in April. Hilleberg are just the industry standard for foul weather tents everything else is a pale imitation. 😉

That Akto is a legend

Great test. Thinking of picking up an x-mid, great that it can handle that level of wind if your caught out. I wouldn't be buying it for summit camping though, more long distance treks where weight is paramount. Would you have advice on a good 4 season tent that could sleep a couple?

Very interesting vid for me as I've ordered an X-mid and already have an Akto. I'm getting the X-mid with a view to replacing my TN Pioneer 2 as I don't see the X-Mid as a replacement for the Akto as they occupy different niches. Got same boots too!

Great video Tom, huge respect for someone else's gear, I respect that judgement call. I see your point of view on the taller tent not standing up to the wind, but as a 60 year old the ability to sit up comfortably is more important than camping in a " Hurricane " LOL.

thank you for testing these tents. I have UNNA and just bought Akto for MountBlan mountaineering trip. Never used it as we shared NorthFace tent for weight saving purposes. Will test Akto if it's worth reduced weight of my perfect UNNA with 10mm poles.

Why not get an Optimus clip on windshield? It clips on to your canister and will protect the BRS from wind. Plus they weigh very little and sit around your pot so won’t be taking up space?

The durston is a capable shelter in the wind, but it is not bomb proof and is not designed for these kinds of conditions. I had my Durston out in wind exposure, 50 mph wind gusts and rain, and I was pretty concerned. But she held up and I made it through the night.

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