X Mid - Dan Durston

[north-north-west]

Looking for a cheap, light set of adjustable poles to use with it.

Oxymoron?

Probably. Lightest I've found in the trekking pole group is from Anaconda at around 450g. Maybe I need to work out the optimum height for a flush pitch and get some folding poles; can always bung rocks under them for lift if I want the extra ventilation. Not using my walking pole as I have a bad habit of breaking/losing it.

Hmmm, found a folding carbon fibre pole, 10mm external, 8mm tip, 125mm length, 80g each, less than $80 for a pair. That will do if they're strong enough for Tassie wind.

[Tortoise]

Looking for a cheap, light set of adjustable poles to use with it.

Oxymoron?

Probably. Lightest I've found in the trekking pole group is from Anaconda at around 450g. Maybe I need to work out the optimum height for a flush pitch and get some folding poles; can always bung rocks under them for lift if I want the extra ventilation. Not using my walking pole as I have a bad habit of breaking/losing it.

Hmmm, found a folding carbon fibre pole, 10mm external, 8mm tip, 125mm length, 80g each, less than $80 for a pair. That will do if they're strong enough for Tassie wind.

Goodness me! They sound too good to be true. I'll let you try them out in a gale first.

I'd decided I'd need dedicated poles, too. I thought folding poles would be almost infallible, but no. I've had sleeves stuck inside other bits, that makes the pole impossible to put together. Wouldn't want my shelter dependent on that, especially above the treeline.

[Petew]

I'd look for 11mm CF poles. Generally a little stiffer than 10mm.

There is this place in NZ that sells a few different lengths:

https://www.intentsoutdoors.co.nz/produ ... t-pole-85g

I bought some, seem well made. Now just waiting for my Bonfus tent to clear customs........

[north-north-west]

I'd look for 11mm CF poles. Generally a little stiffer than 10mm.
There is this place in NZ that sells a few different lengths:

https://www.intentsoutdoors.co.nz/produ ... t-pole-85g

Yeah, they have a 120mm pole that would be perfect, except there's no little nipple bit at one end to go into the grommet thingy on the tent.

[Ms_Mudd]

My XMid just processed through Sydney, so should have it tomorrow or Tuesday. Crikey, could have done with it the last two days. I had 5kg (!) of tents in and on my pack.

[Petew]

Hopefully you'll have better luck than me. Ive had a tent in customs for three weeks being scanned every day. Not a xmid and sent by UPS.

[tazzi]

My XMid just processed through Sydney

As did mine - but I will be lucky to see it before next week. Not that it matters as I will be away until Friday.

[north-north-west]

Yes, hit Sydney customs at 12:57pm local time (love the precision on the timing), so they were all obviously on the same flight. Now they just have to get past the bureaucrats and lost by AustPost.

We get limited freight flights down here due to the border closure, so it will probably take a week longer for mine to arrive than the others.

[Zapruda]

My Xmid 2P arrived this morning. Just like my 1P I am very impressed. I did change the cord to 2mm Lawson Ironwire and I strongly suggest people do the same. I had a lot of slippage with the standard cord on my 1P. I’ll hopefully use the fly on a ski tour this weekend.

Some pics.

[Petew]

Hi Zapruda,

Did your xmid clear customs straight away?

[Zapruda]

Hi Zapruda,

Did your xmid clear customs straight away?

It took less than 24hrs. I wonder why your Bonfus was caught up for so long.

[Petew]

Maybe because it's from Mexico?

What shipping method did your xmid come by?

I'm starting to get worried about my fancy tent...

[Zapruda]

Maybe because it's from Mexico?

What shipping method did your xmid come by?

I'm starting to get worried about my fancy tent...

DHL.

It’s very strange. I’ve never had anything from OS spend that long in customs. I’m sure it’s fine but it’s *&%$#! annoying for you.

[Petew]

Sure is. Maybe it's a UPS thing? I'm sure it will be worth the wait.

Ta.

[tazzi]

Woohoo. Mine just arrived also. In time for me to take camping with me to have a go setting it up.

[Ms_Mudd]

Mine here too!
I cant believe that tiny cardboard box contains a 2p tent!!!!
Trekking poles still in the boot of my car so heading out to the front lawn pronto

[north-north-west]

*sulks in living on small island at the *&%$#! end of nowhere*

Oh well, at least we have Australia''s best bushwalking down here.

[Ms_Mudd]

*sulks in living on small island at the *&%$#! end of nowhere*

Oh well, at least we have Australia''s best bushwalking down here.

True.

All for your own enjoyment at the moment too!

[onward]

hmmm mine arrived at customs at the same time...but hasn't moved...harder to get to Victoria than Tassie (guessing no one want to bring it here!). But the good bit is we can't use them anyway! Oh hang on that is not the good bit

[Mookie]

Hi folks!
I'm new to this forum and have been looking over posts for lightweight 2p tent suggestions.
I'm wondering what it is that seems to make the x-mid so popular amongst some of the forum members?

Is it price, weight, function, size?

I Love the look of the x-mid 2P, looks like there is heaps of room, sturdy, not too heavy. Price is fantastic!
I love the look of the tarptent stratospire Li also, although it is much more expensive.

Would love to know what it is you love about this tent! Thanks

[north-north-west]

I'm wondering what it is that seems to make the x-mid so popular amongst some of the forum members?

Is it price, weight, function, size?

It's a bit of everything, including the design features and the thought and effort Dan has put into it. It makes a big difference having the designer come here in person to explain why it is the way it is. What's not to love about that tent (apart from it not being here yet GRRRRRRRRR).

[Mookie]

I spent quite a while backtracking through many many comments on this thread last night and the tent seems to be exactly what I’m after! So... I just went ahead and ordered one!
Can’t wait to hear more on the arrivals of everyone else’s tents and see more pics!

No doubt a longer wait for those to n Vic! The post has been shocking! (I ordered a Father’s Day gift online from a store about 20 km from where I live.... it ended up in Sydney before making its way back to me two weeks later!)

[Lamont]

2 Xmids nust turned up at my joint! Adressed to someone named Tutiose and Norwesterly I think it says. Looks like the packages went via Ulan Bator and Alaska.
Wow.
Nice tents.

[Tortoise]

2 Xmids nust turned up at my joint! Adressed to someone named Tutiose and Norwesterly I think it says. Looks like the packages went via Ulan Bator and Alaska.
Wow.
Nice tents.

You're a rum 'un, Lament. Tutoise is waiting for the partial solid inner. Maybe that will be available separately for some nice versatility.

[Tortoise]

What's not to love about that tent (apart from it not being here yet GRRRRRRRRR).

All mesh. Spindrift, fresh breeze, too chilllly for this little wimp.

[north-north-west]

Well, yeah, but I'm going to fix that.

[Zapruda]

Ive used plenty of solid inner tents and mesh inner tents in windy and snowy conditions. I can't say I've ever had a problem with spindrift or cold wind in the mesh inners as long as I've been able to pitch the fly to the ground. One of the best things about the Xmid is the ability to pitch the fly to the ground unlike many other ultralight tents. As for temperature loss, sure, you may lose a couple of degrees from the mesh but I always bring a sleeping bag with an appropriate temp raining anyway.

This isn't a Tas vs the world thing. I am up on the Main Range and the alps here on the mainland and our weather is snowy and windy as well with plenty of exposure and elevation. Mesh works for me. In fact mesh inners seem to handle condensation better than a lot of solid inner tents I've used in this cold and humid environment.

Give them a try before you totally make up your minds.

[north-north-west]

The first modification I will do is simply putting a solid top on the inner, to prevent getting dripped on. That may be as far as it goes.

Zapruda: I thought they were supposed to be putting heavier guys on this than the earlier 1p models. Yet you still think they need to be changed?

[Zapruda]

The first modification I will do is simply putting a solid top on the inner, to prevent getting dripped on. That may be as far as it goes.

Zapruda: I thought they were supposed to be putting heavier guys on this than the earlier 1p models. Yet you still think they need to be changed?

A solid top will work well. Id love to see pics when it's done. There are those rare still nights where condensation forms followed by windy mornings causing it all to rain down on you.

My 2P arrived with the same cord as my 1P. It's absolute junk. It has far too much stretch and slips in a breeze. Once I changed it on my 1P I was completely satifised with the tent. 2mm has worked well for me. Simon at Tier Gear should have plenty of options. Luckily you don't need much cord to do the 2 apex guys and 4 corners. I left the original cord on the doors.

2mm VS 1.5mm

[surly 17]

Hi Zapruda does the 2mm Ironwire work ok or would 3mm be better?