Drop + Dan Durston X-Mid 1P Tent

Designed to be the best double-wall solo shelter supported by trekking poles, the X-Mid is the brainchild of Dan Durston, an experienced thru-hiker and established member of the ultralight community. It aims to solve the common issues seen in trekking-pole-supported tents: Most are single-trekking-pole pyramids, which lack headroom, or overly complex multi-pole designs, which are tedious to pitch. The X-Mid, on the other hand, offers a generous living space with dual doors and an easy setup using four stakes and no guylines. All told, it’s simpler, roomier, and more functional than its competitors—and at just 28 ounces, it’s lighter, too.

The X-Mid achieves its impressive specs through an innovative design with a diagonal inner inside a rectangular-based fly. This allows the poles and peaks to be moved inwards from the edges without interfering with doors and living space, eliminating vertical, wind-catching walls and the need for peak guyouts. The tent is made of 20d 420T 100-percent polyester with a 2000mm sil/PU coating. Tested under extreme lab conditions simulating 1.5 months of continuous high winds and heavy rains, the fabric still came out above 1500mm.

The peak features 210d black nylon used to form a reinforcing cone, along with a quarter-inch grommet for the trekking pole tip. Vents above each door consist of overlapping panels of fabric that can be propped apart with a strut. In tough conditions, the peak guylines can be deployed, along with extra stakes at the eight additional stake points around the perimeter. The inner uses a unique parallelogram shape to take full advantage of the area inside the fly. In addition to accommodating even tall hikers, this shape provides protected area for gear storage at both ends. It also features a ridgeline pocket, which conveniently holds a headlamp for reading, provides a secure area for valuable gear, and keeps important items in close reach during the night. Finally, the fly uses tough #5 zippers to ensure a long life, even in tough conditions.

Pitching the X-Mid is similar to pitching a single-pole mid tent. Stake out the rectangle with just one 90-degree angle to guess for the third stake, then insert the two poles. There’s no guesswork with pole locations or pole lengths, because the fly naturally limits the length of the poles. Simply insert them into the grommets and extend until taut.

The X-Mid is made in Vietnam, the epicenter of high-quality outdoor product manufacturing, home to factories that produce tents and apparel for the top brands in the world. The factory that produces the X-Mid also produces some of its top competitors from well-known companies, maintaining the highest level of materials sourcing, construction techniques, and testing with all of the tents it produces.

Canadian-based thru-hiker Dan Durston hiked the Pacific Crest Trail in 2014 and, with his wife, recently completed the first yo-yo thru-hike (1,500 miles) of the Great Divide Trail in the Canadian Rockies. When he’s not on the move, he blogs at IntoCascadia.com, provides gear feedback for small brands, and reviews gear for Backpacking Light. He’s a well-known member of r/Ultralight, Backpacking Light forums, and many other ultralight hiking communities. 

• Double-wall design provides full protection from condensation
• Twin pole structure provides generous headroom and living space
• Ultra-simple pitch with just four stakes (eight in harsh conditions)
• Polyester fabric won't sag in the rain
• Dual doors and dual vestibules provide easy access and ample gear space
• Tent pitches fly first so the inner stays dry even during setup in the rain
• Inner is fully protected from falling rain during entry and exit
• Interior ridgeline pocket provides handy storage
• Large vents provide excellent ventilation and close solidly for harsh conditions
• Vents and doors are easy to operate from inside or outside the tent
• Includes peak guylines and eight stake points for harsh conditions
• Packs into a short 12" x 5" package that stores horizontally inside a pack
• Fully seam taped

Made in collaboration with Fizan, an Italian pole maker that’s been in business since 1947, these are among the lightest collapsible, fully adjustable trekking poles on the market. They feature the 7001 aluminum construction and super-strong locking system of Fizan’s original Compact poles, plus a few improvements to help you out on the trail. The EVA foam grip has a new ergonomic, cushioned design with a rounded plastic top for a more comfortable under-palm feel during descents. The straps are wider, smoother, and more pliable, which makes them more breathable and less likely to cause chafing. And to ensure you’re ready for varying terrain, the poles come with a pair of durable, grippy tip covers and three sets of hiking baskets.