Durston - X-Mid 2

Durston X-Mid for the win!

I've had a naturehike for years and love it. Just upgrade to a Durston 2 Mid X. It was a hard decision upgrading because the naturehike has just worked so well for so long.

X-Mid 2 footprint is 7.67 feet/2.34m long and 52"/132cm wide. It can fit two wide large 25" x 77" rectangular pads. Please explain to me how this is only meant for dwarfs.

I've not heard a single report of anyone having a problem with *any* 15D floor treated appropriately.

Unless you’re all small a 2P tent will be too small. I’d recommend a 3P tent or a 2P tent that is really a 2+ like the X-Mid 2 which has space at the ends to fit a medium sized dog and has space for two wide mats. You could even go for a 4P tent like the TarpTent Hogback and still come out lighter (and more durable) than the Sierra Lite tent.

The X-mid is a sturdy tent. I’ve used my 1P for years, no issues. It’s also very popular with folks newer to UL and lightweight backpacking.

Buy once, cry once. I'd go for the x-mid 2. It is a super solid and useable tent which can't be said for many on that list.

I use a Tarptent Rainbow which is kind of a 1+ tent with my St Bernard, and that's about as tight as I'd be willing to go. I also have a triplex but obviously that's plenty (and too much) room/footprint for a lot of sites. I think a 2 person is the right size, especially if they get wet and you don't want them snuggling your nice down quilt and would lean towards the xmid 2 for that reason, and it has double doors so they can get in and out without stepping on your inflatable pad. A good dog trick is to put their pad in first, then give them their "go to your bed" command, and then set your stuff up. I find doing it in this order he doesn't try to step on or steal my pad.

2 person tents are only big enough for one person. 2 Pygmy’s at best I like the Durston XMid. 2 person. 

I'm late 50's backpacker. You want to go as light as possible. Your knees may be fine now, but maybe not in 3 years. I have problems with my knees, and hip, my lower weight really helps. You should consider weight for everything you buy. You don't need to go full ultralight (r/ultralight), but you should pay attention. The durston xmid is a very popular light tent (treking pole tent). They make a 1 person and a two person tent. Many hikers already carry poles, if not you should consider it. Many skip the footprint, it isn't needed. If you really want one, buy a piece of tivex from Amazon and cut it so that it is a little SMALLER than the floor of your tent. You can buy small pieces of tivex on Amazon for ~$20. Many hike the entirety of the PCT or AT without a footprint.

I got a solid inner with my x-mid because it was what was available at the time (they were still doing the drops, no stock on hand). No appreciable difference in condensation that I've noticed. Even if there's some on the fly, the inner stays dry. Since the inner has nothing to do with stormproof that's a wash for me. I might get the mesh inner at some point to have the option. I've also used it without the inner to have all the space inside, which is nice, I sat inside in the rain using my stove because floorless tents are cool that way. I have tyvek for use as a groundsheet under the pad.