Initial comparisons from 6,000-miler! Xmid pro 2 vs Duplex 

Thanks for putting this together and giving the X-Mid a try. I didn't have time to watch the whole video, but two tips for the pitch are: 1) The door stake is helping to anchor the peaks from that side, but the 2022 version has shockcord there that is stretchy so the tent is less solid. If you swap this out for static cord is makes things more solid. 2) Depending on how the tent is staked (accurate rectangle or not) and how the ground is sloped, as you extend the poles the tent will probably pull tight on ridgeline before it pulls tight perpendicular to the ridgeline or vice versa (e.g. it probably won't pull tight in all directly at the same moment). This means that once the pole is extended firmly it'll likely be able to wiggle either front/back (loose ridgeline) or side to side (loose perpendicular to the ridgeline). Once you recognize this, it's easy to adjust for. You just loosen the two corners that are pulling tight earlier which allows you pull the other two corners tighter and thus everything pulls tight more at the same time. When you do this it will also enable the poles to extend slightly taller. The pitching tab on my site has a diagram that explains this if you want to geek out. For the clothesline loops, Zpacks has some stick on loops that can be used to add a clothesline.

Just got the tent can't wait to get outdoors

Ive watched your videos from the start and it is somewhat surreal to see what you have accomplished and the content you have produced along the way. Keep on pushing bro! -HusH

Thx for the thoughts/differences of the two tents. Lots of great features on Xmid but still love my Duplex. This video helped confirm my plan to spend my $s on a couple of other items instead of tent. Keep us updated on add'l learnings. Take care!

What a great review, bravo!

I really enjoyed this review; lots of good thoughts and conclusions. I have 2 observations to offer based on my experience. First, I thru-hiked the Colorado Trail in 2022 with a Tarptent Stratospire 2 Li, which also uses the same type of magnet setup to hold back the vestibule flaps. My experience with these magnets was the same as you described in this review. While really cool, and pretty good in calm dry weather, I found them to be almost useless when wet or in any kind of wind where they quickly lost their grip and slid apart, dropping the vestibule flap. Keeping the flaps open in conditions of heavy dew or light rain didn't work very well because the magnets just didn't hold very well. So, my conclusion about the magnets was that although cool and functional in calm dry weather they lost most of their functionality in any kind of adverse weather, especially wet or windy conditions. Second, I did a few sections of the PCT in 2021 in a Durston X-mid 2 (non-DCF version), However, I ended up switching out the X-mid 2, back to my long and well-used Zpacks Duplex, because the X-mid footprint was comparatively HUGE, resulting in having to pass by many campsites suitable for the Duplex but the X-mid 2 footprint was too big to fit well in the site. This, unfortunately, resulted in fewer camping options while carrying the X-mid 2. This problem was especially noticeable when looking for campsites later in the evening because the first sites to be occupied are usually the sites with the largest footprint and the X-mid 2 just needs more room to get a good pitch and take advantage of its unique design features, many of which I really LOVE. Consequently, I ended up switching back to my Duplex, but I then really missed some of the great design features that inspired me to buy the X-mid 2 in the first place. So, great review of a really neat tent. Thanks for posting, and Happy Trails!

Love the video! For what it’s worth, I have a regular xmid 1p and the magnets have given me no problems in the wind. Held secure just fine. It is a little different pitching it that other trekking pole tents for sure, but once you get the hang of it, it is pretty quick.

Thanks for the review. I also use a duplex camouflage. Spot on its pains with the doors.

You can absolutely pitch the tent on inclines and unlevel ground. you just have to adjust the pole heights, and potentially move a corner or 2. Just survived the worst wind storm of my life in a Durston do exactly this.

Great new tent. New is always nice!

Outstanding review!!! I was looking really hard at the Xmid!!🥾🥾❤️

Great interesting review, thank you 😎👍

Lookin real familiar over there. I wonder where you wound up eating. Hoping Big Bear was good to you. Our cabin would not have been convenient, being all the way over on the other side of the lake. Enjoying your adventures. Thanks so much for sharing!

Backpackers underestimate the importance of a small footprint. Love my freestanding Marmot UL 1P. It’s bombproof and fits into the tightest of places. That being said, I do own a ZPacks Plex Solo for trips demanding the lightest of weights. It’s growing on me. Love the weight and the fact it does have a relatively small footprint. But, I hate dealing with the condensation issues. Trade-offs!

If you stake the 2 doors out you’d solve your loose pitch problem 15:20 Some for your first pitch when you said it takes more than one hand to unzip the door. Durston sent 8 stakes to me. I always use 4 corners and 2 door stakes and the tent pitches very well. Cheers.

Solid review!

Had an x mid for a while personally I’d use 6 stakes but I also liked to guy out the peak so 8 stakes. You have to pull out the tent taught before you put in the trekking poles to get a proper pitch. I don’t like how the floor isn’t straight so it’s hard to figure out to get it on a flat spot I picked out. Overall I prefer the duplex for single wall, but the x mid solid for weather is the ultimate shelter. It’s super warm and can take all night rain storms without a drop of water inside.

Nice vid bro!

Great review Wish my duplex was due for retirement. Although I wonder about the pitch. As a 6 ft person, I love placement of pole to enable getting in and out

Great review, but just to note, almost all "2 person" tents are really glorified 1 person tents. I did a ton of research before purchasing and you'll find that the tent canopy will extend well over the tent floor, perhaps it has to do with setup? Not sure...Durston, covers all the points that Zpacks refuses to address with the door flapping on the floor, the toggels that keep the doors closed will fail in sever windy conditions, just ask Dixie, you need a boat load of stakes to setup the Duplex, you do get splash back from heavy rain into the tent and the Zpack zipper, you'll need 2 hands for sure. Zpacks makes great products but the common issues mentioned above stopped me from getting that tent. Also not sure but the new tents do have pockets in the inner mesh, strong magnets and a pinch light. The tent can pitch very close to the ground to prevent splash back....There are a few vlogs out there that show a config setup using on vestibule. Ah most importantly Subscribed!

Great review of the Xmid Pro 2; I recently picked one up and have similar thoughts on the tent. I am considering taking it out for the summer (PCT) and seeing what the floor can take; I have heard different opinions. One issue I have with the ultralight tents is that if you need to add the extra weight and space of a ground sheet, why not make the floor a bit tougher? I was supposed to be in Campo this week, but, you probably know of the current conditions, I've decided to wait for a SOBO later in the year. I was hiking in the 82-83 record snow year, and it was not fun, to say the least; considering the mountains are currently above those levels, id rather wait it out a bit. Anyway, thanks again for the great review, and I always enjoy hearing your perspective on trail life.

Travelinbeat, I was looking for reviews of the tent which I also purchased and realized you were in my neck of the woods as I live only about 20 minutes from there. Hope you enjoyed the area and NOT everybody plays a banjo around here. LOL

Regarding clothes line...I haven't tried this but I've seen posts where people tied a line to the top of one trekking pole, and then ran it through the top of the door zippers to the other pole.

Great review Beats! I'm still debating. Not sure about that 15d nylon floor. Any deeper thoughts on it? I've had rivers of water flowing under my tent during downpours, never had to worry about it with a dyneema floor. Also, the translucency is crazy compared to my other dyneema tents. 🤔🤘🕓

Good review. I look forward to hearing more as you use the tent more. By the way any plans to do the PCT?

02:10 The tent is symmetrical, so if you aren't sleeping with a lover then you would be head to foot anyway and both have the same amount of headroom.

Just stumbled on your channel, looking for Xmid pro reviews. Best review I’ve seen yet ! Maybe you’d like to buy and review the Xmid Pro 1…. LOL New subscriber, great video, thank you .

I just ordered the X-MidPro 2 for less weight on longer trips. I already have the X-Mid 2 and love it because of the stargazer capability. I've heard comments about the lack of the "ceiling" loops in the the X-Mid Pro 2 but most like Dan Becker talk about using it for hanging a light. You are the first one I've seen talk about clothesline capability inside the tent. I'm going to order stick on loops from Zpacks. Would you recommend the regular loop, molle loop or flat loop? They all weigh 0.7 to 0.8 grams each. Do you think these Zpacks stick on loops will hold a clothesline?

16:00 would you have the door opened, rolled up, and for a long enough period of time to need the use of the magnet during inclement weather? or even gusty winds (maybe at the beach)

You need more time with this tent and to use the advice already given. This tent is 10X better than the Zpacks and not having to deal with the trekking pole in the middle of the door is a major plus. Hands down best tent on the market

NICE! Two comments from a #DANFAN who has three XMIDs, including this exact one... First, I believe the new versions (2023) of the Pro2 will have pockets where the first-gen run did not. I can make pockets if you need them. Second, you dropped the sticker man!, that's more important than the tent!! ...ha! Thanks, good review!

Couldn’t hear your review over the music

The 2023 version has dual interior mesh pockets next to the door. When did you get it?

Did you see the blatant disregard for the sticker!?! 😳 #itisnotacult #notacult 😅🤣😂

Cranberry Wilderness is beautiful. Just stay away from campgrounds with RV's. Plenty of trails to hike in to camp.

Let me guess, your favorite color is orange! 😜

The whole tent seems to be quite sheer, I wouldn't fancy getting undressed in it, everyone would see you, obviously not clearly, but I would want more privacy.

I had to stop watching, got to sea sick…