Drop X-Mid 2P Tent Designed by Dan Durston

The brainchild of Dan Durston, an experienced thru-hiker and established member of the ultralight community, the X-Mid 2P tent keeps everything you loved about our one-person tent, while providing additional room for a partner and more gear. With an innovative design that cuts down on setup time, it eliminates many of the pitfalls of single-trekking-pole pyramid tents, like a lack of headroom and overly complex multi-pole designs that are tedious to pitch. Thanks to the easy-access dual doors, simple four-stake setup, and ultralight materials weighing just 36 ounces, the X-Mid 2P makes it easier than ever to enjoy all that mother nature has to offer.

Just like the original one-person tent, the X-Mid 2P achieves its impressive specs thanks to the innovative diagonal rectangular-based fly. This allows the poles and peaks to be moved inwards from the edges without interfering with doors and living space, thus eliminating vertical wind-catching walls and the need for peak guyouts. To help it stand up to brutal conditions, the body is made of 20d 420T 100-percent polyester with a 2000mm sil/PU coating. And because failures can happen during extended trips, it’s been tested under extreme lab conditions simulating a month and a half of continuous high winds and heavy rains.

The peak uses 210d black nylon that forms a reinforcing cone to support the quarter-inch grommets for trekking pole tips. Vents above each door consist of overlapping panels of fabric that can be propped apart with a strut for convenience. The strut consists of a 4.5-inch piece of plastic sewn inside Grosgrain and then sewn to the upper edge of the lower panel of the vent. In tough conditions, the peak guylines can be deployed, along with extra stakes at the eight additional stake points around the perimeter. Additionally, the fly uses #5 zippers that won’t snag and are built to hold up season after season.

Pitching the X-Mid 2P 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.

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. 

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.