Sorry X-Mid! I'm Keeping My Duplex
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- čas přidán 11. 10. 2022
- The X-Mid Pro was one of the most anticipated new tents of the year. Until now the Zpacks Duplex has been the King of ultralight tents. And everyone thinks the X-Mid Pro is going to beat the socks off the Duplex. But is it?
X-Mid Pro 2: geni.us/7y5l
Zpacks Duplex: geni.us/OOhn
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X-Mid Pro 2: geni.us/lchuziJ
Zpacks Duplex: geni.us/Agxnca
I think the X-Mid is just a better tent. The normal or standard version even crushes most budget tents dollar for dollar.
I don't think most people prioritize headroom as much as you do. That's not in any way a judgement, just an observation. In my mind, the amount of time that both people are in the tent and sitting up is minimal. So, I would personally prioritize ease of setup, ease of entry/exit, storm worthiness, and condensation management.
Great points, Bryce. It feels like most of the review and the video's conclusion/title are intentionally mismatched to drive viewer engagement and comments like these.
@@1519Spring I disagree. I'm confident that Steven genuinely believes what he's saying. Certainly, the title and thumbnail are "CZcams-y", but you gotta play the algorithm game these days if you want anyone to see your content. He always talks about headroom when reviewing tents. It's a priority for him, and that's totally fine. Something that I discounted in my original comment is that he is considerably taller than me, so it makes sense that livable space for him (and his wife) is a big deal.
@@brycewalburn3926 Additionally, all his friends that he camps with are taller than him, so it’s even more of an issue during those trips with friends.
"both of these tents provide more than enough headroom" - Steve. Enough said
Right. Only when you undress, go to sleep, wake up and get dressed. So headroom is ONLY a problem when you are inside of the tent. And using it. But the headroom is okay when you are outside of the tent while backpacking or bikepacking. So indeed, headroom is not a valid point for tentpicking.
I choose the X Mid all day. That headroom doesn’t make up for all the other ways that the X mid is way better. The door. The vents. The setup. The bonded seams. Feels great inside even with two people. I absolutely love the X mid pro 2.
The setup alone for me. See my other comment - almost every duplex i've seen in the field has a ridiculously horrible pitch.
I own both and XMid is the best of them both. Hands down !! Period!!!! ❤
Quick question: Are you concerned about the durability of the flooring material in the X Mid Pro?
@@nathandolenc554 not at all because it’s a SilPoly not dynema which is use on the regular XMid which I also own and it completely held up without a ground sheet on the Appalachian Trail
Agreed. And I haven’t noticed any issue with the headroom.
Thanks for the review and kind words. As you say, the X-Mid Pro 2 has a lot of advantages (e.g. no poles in doorways, door zippers, at least as good useable length, bonded construction etc) plus many others like a full coverage fly to block drafts, peak vents, and more floor area.
For headroom, I was surprised that you found the Duplex more spacious because the X-Mid Pro is simply the tent with more headroom. That is a main advantage of the X-Mid geometry and this improvement in headroom has been widely praised by many other review outlets (e.g. BackpackingLight, Section Hiker, Outdoor Gear Lab). More specifically, the X-Mid Pro 2 has 20% more volume in the upper half compared to the Duplex including a longer ridgeline (58" vs 48").
The headroom only appears less here because you are measuring both tents with a methodology that is optimized for the Duplex (e.g. you measure both tents at the location where the Duplex has it's maximum room, instead of measuring the X-Mid where it's headroom is). The X-Mid ultimately has more headroom because both tents have a similar ridgeline height, but the X-Mid ridgeline is 10" longer (58" vs 48") so that is a 10" longer span of headroom - not 25" less. The X-Mid ridgeline runs on an angle, so to capture this headroom you have to measure at that angle. This headroom is very much real, since two people can sit at this same angle an enjoy the full 58" length of the ridgeline (vs 48") that lets you sit 10" further apart than the Duplex. Perhaps you prefer the PLACEMENT of the headroom in the Duplex but I suggest this is because you are used to that tent. It is a small extra step to shift slightly offset for max headroom in the X-Mid but this quickly becomes second nature and gives substantially more headroom as the two occupants move 10" further apart for substantially better personal space like this:
imgur.com/CmhjSLT.png
X-mid Aaaalll the way!!!
Does the regular X-Mid 2 fit 2 25" pads? I thought I read somewhere (maybe drop??) that the floor is actually 52" wide
@@grasshopper33xx yes it does
@@daveenrando1820 Awesome thanks! I think I've found my next tent
I thought the click-baity headline was unfair to X-Mid given the content of the review.
However... I find that when two people are in the tent for an extended time and are not sleeping, they face each other. If my wife and I are rained in and talking, eating or playing a game, we aren't shoulder to shoulder, side by side facing the same way. In those instances the X-Mid is fantastic as the peaks offset and both people have equal (tall!) headroom.
Absolutely this, 100%. I just got my X-mid and got to use if for the first time this past weekend. Wife and I went backpacking together. We tried sleeping the same direction the first night. Quickly figured out it's better to sleep opposite. Did not experience any more foot stink than any other arrangement (let's be honest, there's a lot of stink to go around when you're out on the trail) and the benefits exceed any perceived disadvantage. Like you, I think it's actually an advantage.
The biggest difference, which you don't address, is dealing with wind. I own both tents. When it is windy the wind (and rain ) blow under the vestibule doors of the Duplex no matter how low you pitch it. The XMid Pro can pitch down to the ground around the entire perimeter solving that design issue. I like both tents but prefer the XMid when the forecast is for nasty weather.
True, but other wise it’s a good video I think
Interesting, thanks for sharing!
@@christianb8228 No one is asking if the video was good though?
The door falls to the ground
The trekking pole and the guy line get in the way of the door
Hook and loop system on door is difficult to use and doesn't stay closed very well.
You need 8 stakes and guy lines. X-mid you need 4.
The only positive thing you said about the duplex was the perceived head room and it's availability. Those two things do not, in my opinion, outweigh the positives you said about the x-mid.
Yeah. I used follow this guy for good advice but ........ 🤷♂️
The X-mid is a hot item at the moment and everyone is raving about it. An opinion against everyone else is so far out there that it guarantees views and more so comments so increases CZcams revenue. The Xmid is the better tent, availability is sorted pending the next deliveries from November - February and the headroom issue isn't a problem as you're supposed to lie down opposite each other in the 2p Xmids.
@@paulkeeley1905 there is size differences between the regular and pro 2P in floor space. The pro will do better with mummy style pads that aren’t wide - which gram counting ultralight users likely already use. I think the two versions are very dialed in for their intended user base. Pro has 48x90, reg has 52x92. Reg is double-wall, pro is single-wall. A reg xmid would absolutely accommodate 2P waaaaaay better than this reviewer is claiming - staggering sleeping pads slightly (still head to head) with its generous length would work. I agree with you - the video strikes me as click-bait - sure, everyone has their own deal breakers, but I think he’s just being controversial to kick up dust/clicks/comments. And it worked - here I am replying to you lol.
But, it I also unsubscribed from this channel, too 🤷🏻♂️ - I think his conclusion is irrational - and that’s not what I’m looking for in a reviewer.
You can also get the X-Mid in a non-dyneema fabric and its less than $300 for a sub 2.5 lb tent. Also the X-Mid stands up to wind and intense storms WAYYYY better with premium waterproof zippers and massive vestibules. honestly an odd choice I feel to choose the Duplex for stuff like freestanding ability if you shell out another few hundred dollars.
Agreed. I did something radical and asked my sons what they thought was best. They voted for the X-Mid 2P Gen 2 Solid over the Pro. They thought it would be nice to have for fall-winter while using our "legacy" Gen 1 2P for spring-summer.
Yeah when he said the price for the X mid it caught me off guard for a second!
The X-Mid is not even slightly better, let along “WAYYYY” better in windy conditions and storms.
Both tents are good; however, this dude manifestly hasn’t used both tents in windy conditions and we have a fake new alert bulletin!
@@Y2J3469 I was looking to buy the xmid, until l saw a couple of videos, and written reviews saying its total garbage in rough weather, the sides blew in concave. There's a site selling glue on patches to attach extra guy lines.
@@Chris66able those reviews were most likely written by people who didnt set up the tent right i own and xmid 2 and it held up in 4 and a half inches of snow without me needing to smack it off cause it doesnt build up on the walls if set up tight. i have no idea about needing guy lines cause i havent brought it into heavy winds without tree cover but it has several point to anchor so i doubt it would be a problem
Very nice video! I’ve had the Duplex for 5 years and become very familiar with it as a one and two person tent. Using stick struts on the sidewall lines, one can achieve a little more headroom. It’s flexible and forgiving when it comes to pitch too. The rainbow door with centered pole was awkward but I got used to it. Pockets and clothesline loops were a nice touch. Now I also have the XMid Pro 2. More room for two…massive for one. The headroom seemed bigger for me and my wife and we had more room for stuff inside. Better one hand zip doors and less stakes to pitch. Glued seams. And a ton of optional tie outs and anchor loops for all kinds of flexible pitching. Our Pro was also lighter than the Duplex by a little bit and packs smaller. I wanted to like the Duplex better…it’s my “1st love” and don’t want to betray it…and yet here I am, liking the XMid better.
I agree that using sticks to prop up the side walls of the duplex makes a nice difference when it comes to headroom...love the duplex, especially for leaving the doors open at night and having great sunrise views. The XMid also looks great!
The REAL lesson here, is that we have some choices. We didn’t used to have the many choices that we have now. Any one of nearly any other of the tents out there are pretty darned nice. When we have to use small comparison points between Exhibit A and Exhibit B, we are in a privileged group.
Just my thoughts. But, they’re pretty much true.
Courtesy of Half Vast Flying
Wow, the fact that Zpacks doors are one of the worst designs in tents today. To think you need to skirt your way around a tent door when entering and exiting is crazy. You have no choice but to have this in mind or you will gouge a hole in the mesh door and even get it dirty if it hits a soggy ground...Also Zpacks tend to get splash back in heavy rain inside the mesh vents that protects against condensation. The Xmid can literally pitch to the ground to prevent this from happening. Glad you mentioned the pole in the middle of the Zpack tents, this i might be able to live with, but Dan and his team has addressed all the points I mention. I would call the Xmid a Zpacks killer. I appreciate the video keep em coming. So after hearing your comments as I was typing away, you hit all my points why the Zpack is not better........lol. Oh, Head room is important, but the simplicity of setting up, less stakes is worth getting the Xmid.
I guess the question is, do you sleep with a partner or solo?
The fact that you compromise on every single advantage the x-mid has over the duplex just for a little more "conventional headroom" really says something...
It says … that’s what’s important to him.
The regular Xmid is double walled and is 50 inches of floor space side to side.
Steven you should do a comparison of the regular Xmid and the new outdoor vitals forties tent.
The new V2 model is 52" wide
The ease of setup, weather protected vestibules, actual zippers, even the bath tub floor that holds its shape all make the X-Mid the tent for me. But I also tried a 25” wide pad and honestly didn’t see why everyone loves them so much more that a standard 20”. But I guess I’m weird like that. Excellent video as always! Thank you.
Calling 50 cm (20") the standard is quite a stretch. In my opinion it was only the standard for thin foam pads. Because on a thin 50 cm foam pad your arms will rest on the ground, which will probably not be noticed. On a thick inflatable pad with only 50 cm width your arms will fall of the sides and due to the thickness result in a very uncomfortable sleeping position. Therefore, I think wider pads in the 60 - 65 cm range should be the standard for inflatable pads.
@@jimihenrik11 I’m just using industry terms (at least in the USA). 20” is regular or standard, and 25” is wide…also know as not standard. That’s all. I’ve used a 25” pad for about 15 nights on various trips and I never found it a whole lot better than a 20”. I know that’s not typical, just my personal experience is all.
@@BeedeeEx I guess it wouldn't be that terrible if you don't have wide shoulders or hips, & you're not a particularly mobile sleeper.
@@mysterylovescompany2657 I'm not a tiny guy, but I guess I don't move much at night. I know that I am the minority though.
I'm 6'1". I have decently broad shoulders and a 76 inch wing span. I sleep on my back and every time my elbow slips off the pad, and touches the cold ground, it wakes me up. For me, a 25" pad is a necessity for good sleep. Everyone does not have the same body that you have.
This kinda feels like a click bait video. The X-mid is so clearly superior in practically every way. Very odd conclusion.
Completely! Like who wants a pole in their way! Who wants hooks holding the vestibule closed instead of a waterproof zipper! I’m going for the regular XMid 2, still under 2 pounds and 280$. ❤
I use the xmid pro for solo backpacking, and after 15-20 miles in a day I don't usually do much sitting up in the tent, if at all. As such, I find the xmid's benefits (faster pitch, less stakes, zipper, out of the way poles) far outweigh any perceived negatives the xmid may have. It really bugs me to have to crawl around the trekking poles and unzip the door all the way in the middle of the night just to go pee! I really dislike the awkward clip system for the tent fly as well. Thanks for the video!
I would choose the X-mid all day and everyday over the duplex for the exact reasons you mentioned in your video. And the supply issues will be a thing of the past starting in February.
But if you wanted to backpack with the X-mid this Summer/Fall, you couldn’t purchase it. I understand supply issues, but it was frustrating that it was unavailable after the many stellar reviews. Husband hiking the Long Trail ended up buying the duplex for his October hike. It will be interesting to see if supply issues are resolved…
@@dianawright9624 easy to buy on eBay.
Chose the X-mid. As a 6'3 guy, getting in and out of the tent without having to contort around an obstacle right in the middle of my way, while being concerned whether I'm damaging or wetting my door is a clear win!
@Straight & Narrow I'm also 6'3". How's the headroom for you when you lie down? Length and headroom for those of us that are taller is rarely mentioned. Thanks for your thoughts.
@@ericlane2954 I have the Xmid 2 Pro and I'm 6'2". I fell like I could be at least another 6 inches taller and still would have plenty of room length wise and I had no problem with the height.
@@ericlane2954 Hi. Take a look at the Side Trail Adventure channel. Search his X-mid 2 John Muir Trail video. Skip to chapter- "Take a look inside" it's about 8:45 min into the video.
Also see video by Brian Albus X-mid 2p for tall sleepers. He is 6'4
@@nelistheron83 Thanks for these resources. I'll check them out!
I can’t believe someone would prefer the Duplex’s garbage doors over the. X-Mid.
X-Mid. Flat out, easy decision for me. Zippered doors, more stable, not tripping on the poles or guy lines, easy 4 stake setup.
Interesting. I have both tents and I love the X-Mid specifically because I don’t hit my head in it like I do with the Duplex. As a 6’1” solo user, I feel that my x-Mid has so much more functional headroom than my Duplex.
I've had a duplex for 3 years now. I love the flex pole kit and often opt to bring it when I believe bad weather and rain are highly likely. Now, with ZPacks offering an XL version for very little weight difference, the duplex XL is a wonderful choice. I appreciate the xmid pro uses fewer stakes, but this is only when the flex pole kit is not used. I do believe I'd like a zipper and better door system, but not enough to switch from the duplex at this time. All of that said, I have an XMid 1P Solid on order as a winter tent. I'm looking forward to using the double walled Durston tent above treeline when conditions are grim and possible very large hail is expected that would damage dcf. Also, there is the option of using the fly or inner by themselves for a bit of weight savings. Both tents, in and of themselves, are nice options, but I'm not going to rush out to purchase one as a replacement for the other. There are too many other unique designs and options to look for a tent that is more distinguished. My Duplex serves me well and will go with me on many more adventures. Now if Dan were to come up with a really nice one pole trekking tent that outperforms the Altaplex and Plex Solo, I'd give it a look. I REALLY don't like my Altaplex.
Solo hiker here. Love my X-Mid. It just feels more stable in weather and every little detail is perfect.
Oh. It’s not a “Pro” but it still rules. It actually has FOUR pockets and they’re actually above ground.
I purchased the XMid 1 after my first attempt of the AT in 2020, because I was looking for a tent that had more headroom than the Sierra Designs High Side (lightweight and inexpensive but, more like a coffin than a tent.) I was really impressed with the X-Mids design. I would like to see a little wider version of the pro (similar to the xmid 2 solid) before pulling the trigger though. I’m wondering if I couldn’t sew in a tie out for an extra guyline similar to the sides of the duplex to solve the headroom issue.
For me it's not even close. My last tent had the trekking poles in the middle of the door. So annoying when getting in or out! X-Mid solves that problem perfectly. The mesh door hangs down without touching the ground, and the trekking poles provide a place to lean your pack and hang a towel, without getting in the way. It's easy to reach the zipper on the fly too.
With a few nights under our belt, I can confirm the X-Mid Pro 2 has plenty of room for two people to sit up at the same time, whether facing in the same or opposite directions. It handles rain well when pitched low to the ground. Ventilation is decent and it's easy to reach everywhere to wipe off condensation. My only challenge so far is getting the 4 corners square for a perfect pitch, but I have a few ideas.
I HAD a duplex, used it for the entire PCT. However, last month I had the safety pins one of the doors shut because the cheap low quality zipper had failed. ( Like you mentioned it lays on the ground and the dirt and sand). Before I finish my journey both zippers failed . Their customer service isn't what I'd expect. Sure they mailed me replacement zippers and told me how to fix it under warranty. Ultimately ended up causing more damage to the tent trying to fix it because I'm not a seamstress, so I sold it, & haven't been happier.
RE: the Dan durston snippet vid relatd to your comment about him at the beginning - His enthusiasm won me over, I bought a dozen of them!
I feel that I can do an educated comparison of the Durston X-Mid design vs the Zpacks Duplex as I have both. I own both of the original Durston SilPoly X-Mids, the 1P and the 2 P. I also own the Zpacks DupleXL, which I took when I did the AT this year. I chose the DupleXL for the AT strictly due to the weight benefit vs the X-Mid 2P. (The 1P was a bit coffin like for a long through hike). After returning from the AT I did a couple of nights out with the X-Mid and I have to say that the experience only pointed out how terrible the doors and vestibules are on the Zpacks in comparison. I enjoyed being able to open the screen and fly zippers with only one hand with the X-Mid, along with not dealing with the door dropping into the mud or on the floor of the tent like with the DupleXL. The fully zippered fly of the X-Mid was also much more wind/rain resistant than the poor door design of the DupleXL. Zpacks tries to walk the fine line between ultralight and stupid light, and the doors are an example of where they’ve strayed across into stupid light. If the X-Mid 2 Pro had been available when I was making my final tent decision for my AT through hike, I would have happily gone with it.
Edit - I didn’t use the pockets in the DupleXL after the novelty of the first couple of nights as their location only made sure that anything in them was in the way of entering or exiting the tent, or got rained on due to the lousy doors. Didn’t use them, didn’t see any advantage to them.
I was going to get the original SilPoly x-mid 2. For not only future possibility of camping with a partner, but the added floor space and head space inside the tent. My biggest worry as a side sleeper is that I would kick my leg off the side of my pad and push the mesh of the 1P tent into the dirt and get my quilt or knee (plus the bug netting) dirty or wet, however I'm starting to learn toward the 1P for weight, smaller footprint meaning more possible locations to pitch it, and price difference. My question to you is, do you use a 25" wide pad? have you ever experienced the SilPoly-1P being too narrow in the netting and or running into the netting while tossing and turning in your sleep?
Thanks in advance!
@@Algorythmfpv I use a 25” rectangular Nemo Tensor, the long wide version, without any trouble in my 1P. I haven’t run into any problems with pushing the inner tent into the dirt or mud at all, and actually with the amount of room between the inner tent, and the fly there is little risk of bumping against the fly. As far as tossing and turning, I sleep like a rotisserie chicken, turning all night long and had no problems. I did suspect that using the 1P on a 5-6 month through hike might feel a bit tight, but with the design changes with the current version, I think that would be less of an issue. I’ve used mine on multi-day backing trips and was quite comfortable. This weekend I’m going to give my 2P Pro a try.
I gotta say this is likely a groupie kind of choice for some. To me, XMid2 has the bells and whistles I care about. Clip closures in sideways wind???? That turns your tent's bathtub into a real bathtub... from a place with real rain, XMid ALL the way... just ordered my 2nd. Why? I didn't need it, but I just could not help myself. I had to see the gen2 with side walls, more interior space, and an even steeper pitch for shedding the weather.
I thought this was a fantastic review. I've owned a duplex for about 5 years and really like it. I thought your points regarding the trekking pole obstructing access, the awkward toggle to close the vestibule area, and the outward pull on the vestibule tensioner string were totally valid. That said, I have not had any issue with the rainbow shaped doors. The Durston Xmid 2 Pro looks like it is extremely well thought out. I like the 4 stake pitch, the zipper vestibule, the offset pole not impeding access, the hanging doors and the larger vestibule storage space. Very, very well done. My biggest issue with the Durston's design is the amount of space required to pitch it. Reminds me of the days when i used a Trailstar and was never able to find adequate space to pitch my shelter when hiking with friends. Overall, the differences are minor based on my use of the duplex. I'm also a gram weanie so i hate to say it but 2 or 2.5 oz of weight difference also makes a difference. That's just me, however. Net-net, my guess is people will love either of these tents and i love to see someone giving zpacks a run for the money.
Another great video. Being solo in my tent always, your Vid has convinced that waiting to get an X-Mid Pro is the better long term option. You make good stuff. Super Thanks.
I currently use a Lanshan 2 Pro, which I generally like, but it is more space than I need and either of these would be a POUND less weight in my pack, which would be quite welcome. A single person trekking pole tent from either manufacturer would be even better in that regard, but I'm not really sure how small is too small, and the expense makes the idea of trying one out pretty daunting.
I totally agree with your assessment about the duplex over the x-mid. I initially bought the duplex and loved it for myself only (and personally felt like it was large enough for my husband and I), but realized that we had significant humidity build up on the inside for a single walled tent, so I purchased the x-mid 2 (double walled) and after setting it up in the living room (in the winter), I'm so disappointed at the headroom. I feel claustrophobic in it and can't understand why the head room doesn't bother other people. So I've been on a search to find the next best thing to my duplex that is double walled, so that we don't have the condensation issue - which seems to be super significant with the two of us in the tent at the same time - enough to drip down on our heads while we sleep. Maybe we just exhale a lot of moisture, IDK - but if you have any better ideas on the next lightest, roomiest double walled tent for two, let me know! 🙂. Thanks!
I've seen the Duplex on the trail and would love to own one, but having bought the X-Mid Pro 2 I'm super happy with it. For me, the ease and speed of 4-stake pitching are paramount. I don't think there's any other tent out there where you can lay the tent down in a driving rainstorm, pitch four stakes, insert two trekking poles through vents, and finish setting up the tent with the interior and bottom of the tent being totally dry. Also, the incredible ventilation of the X-Mid is an added plus.
Been rocking the X-mid 1 since it’s Drop days and have never regretted it. Best $200 I’ve ever spent on a tent. Eventually will move to the Pro, but not yet.
With the Duplex, the door possibly not closing so it might rain on you, and not having the air vents to keep it raining from you on the inside are enough to make the X-Mid the obvious choice. As you even say if you stagger the pads then when your lying down it doesn't matter. And how often are two people sitting up? I'm personally up and running away way before my boyfriend so it never be a problem.
The regular (non-pro) Xmid fits two 25" pads, better zippers, better seams, better door, just over 2# and has an option to get ultralight poles so you don't "need" to use trekking poles. All for $300!!! Clear winner!
I just bought the Durston X-mid Pro 2P. I think it arrived in Sept and I just took it backpacking this weekend. We were only out 2 nights (hey, fall break is fall break; you only get so many days). First night we slept same direction. Second night we slept opposite and it worked much better. Both had our own vestibule. Both had the advantage of the tall area on our head end of the tent. And we actually slid around less on a more sloped spot than the night before. My big complaint would apply to any single-wall design and that's condensation. But the weight trade-off made it well worth that small sacrifice.
Having used both, I much prefer the xmid. I have the solid inner. Much better tent for how I use it. Great review though, thanks
I have two Zpack solo tents and getting in and particularly out of them (center pole, two hand zipper open wide, fiddling with outer door hooks) a couple times a night is a royal pain. All these issues are none existent in my Xmid pro. So Xmid pro for me and my wife.
Bought a non dcf x-mid as my first trekking pole tent. Received it today and super excited to try it out.
is it a 1P or 2? If the 1P have you had any issues with running into the netting on either side while sleeping or an arm or leg rolling off your pad and pushing the netting to the ground?
I'll choose the tent that doesn't have the trekking pole directly in the middle of its doorway, the pole that's the only thing holding the tent upright. When you're getting up in the middle of the night to pee, I can foresee plenty of people knocking the trekking pole down trying to get out in the dark, collapsing the entire tent. Seems like a pretty big flaw to me.
Thanks for doing this review! Great atrention to details.
I really like some of the Xmid improvements over the Duplex. But, yeah, that side to side headroom can make all the difference. The last thing I want, is water on my face first thing sitting up in the morning, from bumping up against a humid ceiling. And, while I personally need to either sleep flat or with my feet higher than my head, no thanks on the stinky trail feet in my face. So, sticking with my Duplex. Really wishing it had a few of those other features though!
I love my X-mid 2P (not the pro), but recently I took a trip where I was challenged to find space big enough for the large footprint of the tent. I was seriously considering buying the X-Mid1 Pro in the future. Any thoughts on how this tent would compare to the Plex solo? I mostly do solo trips, but the one time I used X-mid2 with my spouse, we had a level site and slept head-to-foot so many of the issues you described were not problems for us on that trip.
I suspect you have the original X-Mid 2. We have reduced the footprint for the v2 that we launched this year, so it is now 83" x 100" instead of 88" x 102". That makes it much more 'average' instead of above average for a 2P tent while keeping the interior space the same.
The X-Mid Pro 2 is smaller yes (only 80" wide) and then of course the Pro 1 will be quite a bit smaller yet. The X-Mid Pro 1 will be a slightly heavier than the Plex Solo, but much more spacious, peak vents, door zippers, full coverage fly to block wind, no guy lines, fewer stakes.
@@durstongear I appreciate the insight! Thanks for the reply. I purchased my X-Mid 2 when it became available in January of this year. Whether that's the original or the V2, I can't say. I plan to attempt a long through-hike in the coming years and if I had to decide today, the X-Mid Pro 1 would be my first choice. Thanks for the info. It helps.
Thank You! Been trying to figure out if the Xmid 2 would work with a double pad setup. The answer is no, since you cannot stagger a double pad. Neither of us are going to want tent in the face, already lived that and we're out. Not only does that look uncomfortable to have 2 people in the tent, the condensation from being just a few inches from the wall will be worse. Looks like the Duplex XL or triplex is really the way to go for 2p.
The regular Xmid 2 has 52 inch floors, and it’s only 2.5 lbs….
I really dig your videos. Keep up the good work!
Honestly, it looks like either tent is a win, especially if you're using it by yourself, unless you really want that free standing option on your back pocket
yes!! We did some thinking on this one and glad we didn't pull the trigger and get one. We have the Zpack TriPlex and we're sticking to it. We'll see how the Xmid progresses in a few more years. For two married hikers my wife and I couldn't do the head to foot sleeping with this design. they need a XMid pro3 for two+ gear 60" wide on floor width. and raise that other wall the falls in one persons face. I could overlook that but would be a nice fix
Great video, both tents are excellent! I chose the X-mid. I'm super short so the headroom isn't an issue for me, but it is for my husband who is super tall. So in our case it is perfect. For a super rainy night when we are hanging out in the tent I like that we can sit facing each other rather than side by side. But the ease of setup is what actually sold me. I struggle so much, but this one is easy for me and makes ALL the difference. The stakes are garbage though, we use our old stakes.
The X Mid 2 Pro got my purchase due to ease of setup, weight, door design, bonded seams, vents and zippers. The X Mids are the best tent(s) that I have used. I have a 1P, 2P and 2P Pro. They just make sense. If you need pockets, you can buy them from Zpacks! I don't quite get the whole headroom issue but then I use the tent mostly solo and it is a friggin' palace. Seems to me the reason they are hard to get while production ramps up is that the design does a great job of addressing most backpackers use cases, regardless of if you are an ultralight thru hiker or a weekend warrior, there is an XMid version for you and/or your budget.
The xmid is more storm worthy. Period. The huge vestibule gaps on the duplex leads to rain splatter, lack of privacy, and decreased wind shedding. Sleeping head to toe is no big deal if necessary. Duplex owners constantly complain about toe box wetness because of the wall slope. The more vertical walls on the xmid help it perform better. Objectively these two are a wash. Campers that are concerned about a freestanding tent after spending $700, usually will have a great freestanding tent for the job. There are plenty of areas where the xmid outperforms, but it seems like you focused on your personal checklist which is fine.
Great comparison video. The XMID can be set up without the rain fly if you get the StarGazer Kit. I cannot speak on the ZPacks Duplex it looks like a nice and capable tent. I love my XMID 2, especially the ease of setup with four stakes. I am 6’2” and have plenty of room above and all around. The tent has held up very well to heavy rain and wind. I treat the XMID 2 as a one person tent and keep my backpack inside. 🙏
This is true for the double wall poly tents, not the pro which is what he's comparing to. Still the xmid (I have both) is a far better tent. Not sure why MLO is suggesting otherwise,
I just bought my first ultra lite tent and thought heavily about whether to buy the xmid or zpacks. I can see your points about the duplex having more head room and can fit inside the xmid but I like the idea of having more room in the vestibules to keep out of poor weather better and as far as head room if I have my wife with me we can always sit in front of each other instead of side to side. I think the xmid handles rain and wet better. I went ahead and bought the xmid pro 2.
While not a comparison to the Duplex, I did just spend my first 2 nights in the X-Mid Pro 2 instead of my Stratospire Li. The Strat has some benefits- true double wall, pockets and interior loops to hang things, but otherwise, I like the X-Mid better. Mostly because it's easier to set up. It does feel a lot bigger than the Strat but that is because without the true double wall, you lose the layer between you and the top of the tent. Time will tell if condensation is an issue. Since it's just me and my dog, both are palaces and headroom is not as much of a consideration.
I got the X-Mid Pro 2. My wife and I sleep on 2 wide pads in it and it seems fine, doesn't put any pressure on the zippers or overly tension the floor that I've noticed. I shared my friend's triplex last week for a 4 day trip and the only thing that I thought was better was that it was 60" wide instead of 48". Those doors on the triplex make me feel like I'm going to break it every time I get out, plus slightly worse headroom. Now if there was a 60" wide X-Mid Pro 3 I'd be all over it. Worth the extra grams!
Nice review and informative, thank you! I have a duplex and just ordered a x-mid pro 2. I plan to use the tent on my PCT thru-hike in the spring. I really like my duplex and hate the toggle on the vestibule doors and want zippered doors. I've used the duplex in enough rain to know that I'm not a fan of what it takes to get out in the cold morning to go to the bathroom and deal with the mesh and flaps. Hopefully, the Durston tent will be a bit better. If so, then the duplex is going up for sale. Either way, I think your review was solid.
I've owned both the Duplex and Triplex. After 2000+ PCT miles I sold my Duplex, because the Triplex was a better fit after I got a new canine companion.
I was able to score the X-Mid Pro 2 last month. Honestly, when I first set it up, it felt super narrow. Narrower than what I remembered the Duplex feeling. Then again, I sold that 2 years ago and spent this summer on the Colorado Trail in the Triplex with my pup. The Triplex is a palace.
I've since taken the X-Mid Pro out twice, on single night trips, with my pup. I use a 25" pad and a 20" inflatable short pad for my pup. It's tight for sure, but is sufficient and feeling a bit larger than when I first set it up without putting in the pads.
So far I like the X-Mid Pro. I would rather have a 1oz dyneema floor, like the Zpacks tent. Yes, I know the Sil nylon packs down smaller, but the dyneema is bombproof. I've ordered the Durston footprint, because the floor feels rather flimsy compared to Zpacks. This, of course, adds more weight.
I'm planning on swapping out the guylines with the cord Zpacks uses, because the Durston guyline is a bit rough and sticky sometimes in the lineloc.
Also, don't waste $10 on the stakes Durston offers. Get something more durable. I have a mix of titanium Shepard hooks and 2 mini groundhogs to anker down the windward side of the tent.
I don't understand tent manufactures not offering quality stakes, but instead offer stakes that are heavy or bend when you look at them.
There's so much to like about the Durston design: the setup, doors, vents, steeper walls to shed condensation and the zippers. My biggest concern is the floor material. Time will tell.
I had planned on selling the Triplex once I received the X-Mid Pro, but think I will hold on to it for a while to see if I miss the extra space for me and my pup.
I always size up my tent when backpacking or canod tripping. I always take a 2P tent when going solo and 3P tent when going tandem. So, headroom isn't the issue for me. The idea is to have space for my gears - things I don't want to get wet. To this end, I will still prefer the X-Mid over Duplex... both are great tents in term of quality but the pole and guideline at the middle of the doorway of duplex is my primary reason to go with the X-Mid.
Great video! I Don’t have a Dynema tent, but I’ll get the X-Mid Pro 1P for myself when it comes out. I live in the blustery Eastern Sierra and the Zpacks can’t compare to DD products when it comes to random unpredictable perfect-then-not-perfect weather. The x-mid looks like it will take care of me better ;)
Did you buy it? It released today.
@@NikhilShahi yes I did :)
@@elr05 makes two of us.
The x mid has a much better design, full stop. The duplex with the free standing kit is good. X mid has 1 person and 3 person sizes, plus different materials with inner mesh tent and no condensation issues. I'll go with the better design even with slight more weight as I'm not a weeny, but I'll fine with ultralight. My goal isn't to compromise by going as light as possible. My goal is to have my kit highly tuned while being light or "ultra light" without compromise.
Very nice review. I purchased my X-Mid when they first were offered (my 2p version was nowhere near $700). I love the tent. I can't say I would have chosen the Duplex over the x-mid based on your review. I like the fact the pole isn't in the door; the door hangs from the top. also, we were caught in a windstorm and the tent didn't budge, flapped but held up.
I also find it interesting that most other commenters seem to like the x-mid and don't seem to worry about head room. I'll say that when you have two people in the tent, it makes a HUGE difference and when one person has the tent roof or the inside netting in their face - it's definitely enough to feel claustrophobic! I wish more tent companies considered (and tested) their tents with two people inside a two-person tent. I will say that I do appreciate the extra vestibule room of the x-mid and the fact that the outer walls go all the way down to the ground (and have the vent up at the top of the pitch). The pole out of the way is nice, but I guess it never bothered me to have the pole in the middle, but I do dislike the rainbow door that falls to the floor in the duplex, so the x-mid wins there. Anyway, both great tents, but the headroom is a real thing with two adults. Just say'n.
I'm currently using the non-dynema Durston 1P (v1) tent. Perfectly enough for me and its only 841g with the inner. In colder weather I use only the fly which weighs only 554g! So thank you, I keep my money and be lighter! :) Also, if Dan Durston drops a 1P tent with dynema fabric in the future, I would probably buy that one over these two! :)
Dan I have my x mid pro. Didn’t get a chance to use it yet but I am ready to by a 1 person whenever it’s available for sale. Willing to wait as long as needed to have it delivered.
@@durstongear Please, please, please.. if at all possible, make the bathtub floor in a triangular/hexagonal shape as in the zpacks Plex Solo and SMD Lunar Solo. Your current layout in the non-pro won't allow overnight storage of pack and gear next to the sleeper. This is an enormous benefit to 1-person tents as opposed to vestibule storage. 1 person tents don't need 2 doors... Right now the only tent with the non-rectangular floorplan at the sub 1lb range is the Plex Solo.
@@dashx5494 There are some benefits to two doors like enabling cross airflow, having an extra vestibule to dump extra gear or wet gear, and not having to worry about which side you orient your tent, but I agree that sometimes 2 vestibules can be overkill and more interior space instead might be preferred. With the X-Mid that is hard to do though because if we filled one vestibule with the floor then there would be a pole sitting on top of the floor which people find weird and worry about knocking over.
However, the parallelogram shaped floor gives triangles at either end that are handy for gear storage so you can easily empty your pack into the tent. The pack itself is too big to fit at either end (unless it is frameless or runs under the pad) but it works very well to leave the pack in the vestibule and empty the contents inside.
Cannot beat the xmid pro imo. Sets up perfectly in under 2 minutes with 4 stakes. Just spent 2 nights in heavy rain and not a single drop inside. If you don’t get your duplex just right, you’ll have puddles inside.
For me living and playing in the windy mingfest that is the Scottish Highlands the X-Mid Pro is the clear winner due to the door closure, its just way more secure when its blowing a hoolie with that Scottish horizontal rain. The Duplex is a great tent and I did use it for years but it used to rip my knitting with the doors flapping around like a burst couch. Simple.
I’d still choose the X Mid over the duplex, the ease of setup and storm readiness is simply superior to the duplex. While these are “2 person tents” as someone like me who uses 2p tents as 1p tent I would 100% pick the X Mid.
I am a non backpacker who loves these videos. This vid makes me happy I am a mere camper and hubby and I we have the Big Agnes 4 person mtnGLO!
when it comes to condensation and gettin up in the morning with two people. head space is honestly so crucial for comfort. a lot of people are bashing that decision but its pretty solid reasoning for comfort.
What do you think about adding a patch that would let you add a tie out for the sides? Do you think there is enough tent to pull out/up on the sides?
My 1st night in my Duplex a huge thunderstorm hit just after I got in it. I sat cross-legged watching the light show, and laughed out loud I was so happy with the front row seat at a awesome performance! I stayed bone dry except for a teaspoon of water in one corner. So worth the price of admission.
But how did it do on condensation inside from your breathing all night? I just got the X-mid. Had lots of condensation in a humid, rainy environment, and I figured that's just the cost of having a tent that weighs about as much as my shoes.
@@normpeterson7767 I haven't had it in the worst conditions yet, but coming from a SMD Lunar Solo which would rain condensation on me I'm thrilled! I just did the FHT with it and loved the room to spread all my junk out in there, and sit up without rubbing the roof.
I have over 1500 miles in my Duplex-- mostly solo or solo with a dog. When I go with my spouse we have had such issues fitting in the Duplex that we end up taking two tents (the Duplex, which in my opinion is really a nice one person tent, and my Tarptent Aeon). A full 25" pad and 25" tapered pad do not fit in the Duplex and getting the door shut and the floating floor centered underneath is quite a feat and 20" pads just don't cut it for me.
However, after much research, I did not pull the trigger on the X Mid Pro 2 for the sole reason that it won't fit two 25" pads. I look forward to this option hopefully in the future, and will not hesitate to spend the money on that tent.
I opted instead to buy the heavier X Mid 2 in the poly. It just arrived yesterday!!! We got 6 inches of snow yesterday as well so I haven't set it up yet.
Anyway, I do like my Duplex as a solo option and it has served me well, but I am thrilled to have the X Mid for the rich feature set and increased interior space. I am 6'3 and even with the end panels pulled out my feet and head are awfully close to both ends in the duplex. Even at 36 oz (before stake weight) for the non-pro Xmid 2, that is lighter and less hassle than the 40 oz, plus two sets of stakes, I have to do when backpacking with my spouse and dog (2 tents because the Duplex is not really a 2 person tent in my opinion).
Thanks for the review. Guess it's time to go play in the snow and set up this much anticipated X Mid! So glad availability for these tents is catching up to demand.
how do you prevent of getting holes in a tent so thin? how do you clear the ground?
Actually, I've had a DCF tent (ZPacks Hexamid Plus) for years and the DCF, after 8 years, has now started ripping at the tie outs in multiple places on my last hike. I've repaired it but it's obvious it's at its end life. I never babied the tent, just minimally cleared my campsites of the obvious sticks, pine cones and rocks. Only had 1 small puncture in DCF floor about 5 years ago which I just taped over in the field with duct tape...easiest repair ever and still holding. Probably have 1500 miles over maybe 8 years in my DCF tent, 8 hailstorms, etc. I know they seem fragile, but they aren't. However, they do have a some aging effects (probably UV). Loved that tent. But need to replace it and have zero qualms about getting another DCF tent. And for some us with older backs, and physician mandated weight limits, every pound matters.
OMG those pockets make a world of difference why did you wait till the end?!?!
If the tent site is sloped so that 2 people need to sleep head-to-head, sleep that way, but one person flip head-to-foot at other times. It's easy and each person has full advantage of the x-mid design for head and shoulder room.
Steve, thanks for that. Considering both, but also the BA Scout 2 Carbon. Any thoughts how that compares to these two?
Should have added a side by side of setting up each tent and tearing down and putting away with a timer.... X-mid 2mins duplex 5+ mins
No mention of the primary reason why I chose my XMid 1: storm worthiness.
You went backpacking with Dan Becker and his X-Mid did great in the 40 mph winds. How did your tent do again?
Touché
😂
Condensation may turn-out to be the key determining factor?
And if you're a couple that uses a 2-person pad and quilt, staggering pads is not an option. I upgraded my Duplex to the DupleXL, and the difference is huuuggge.
Great videos 🤙 especially on big questions like this one!
Thanks for all the great reviews
Probably should have mentioned that the x mid offers a cheap option that the duplex doesnt. A 389$ savings I might add. Yeah it's a different material and 16oz heavier but it justifies the cost savings.
Love your channel but you messed up here... watch the video again, based on your head to head, pretty sure the x-mid came out ahead
From the websites, it looks like the Tarptent Double Rainbow Li is a bit lighter than the Zpacks duplex with Freestanding kit.
whats the best budget 2 person tent? i have the River Country 2V, its great and really light, but its just a lil too tight for me + my gf + our dog.
I have a Duplex and it’s a great tent… but my biggest gripe is the lack of vertical clearance at the head and foot. I’m 6’1” and winter quilts will draw condensation from the low sloping ceiling. I also didn’t love the Duplex door and the fact that you must unzip the entire arch in order to enter or exit. Always seemed to have a lot of tension at the top of the zipper.
I really debated the XMid, but I came across the Tarptent Dipole Li. It’s heavier than either of these, but it’s a true 2 person tent and has vertical struts that vastly improve head and foot room. I’m also impressed with the head and foot windows on the Dipole. So for anyone debating the Duplex vs XMid: I’d like to confabulate you by adding yet another fantastic option.
XMid all the way, but the double walls. I own XMid 2 original and XMid 1 v2 solid. Love them both. Got both for price of one Duplex.
I have the original X MID 2. Headroom is not an issue for me when I’m sleeping. I love the large vestibules, and doors that stay off the floor. My original version has two pockets on each side.
Simple solution. X mid pro 1. Less snoring. Better sleep. The floor of the xmid feels very thin. Wondering if footprint is a must compare to duplex.
Great video as always, Steven, but I feel like the title of the video doesn't properly reflect the content.
After watching a couple of these comparison videos: I'd say the Durston tents are better except with one major caveat, they require more space. I see some people claiming that its only 13% larger but that can be an issue depending on camp-site. We're buying two-person tents for the ability to have a second person's worth of space for a reason. We aren't looking for that extra space for a cathedral at a campsite.
Durston excels in providing cheaper options and alternatives like double-walled tents whereas Z-packs is only building tents at a price point/options for dedicated thru-hikers.
I think the supply issues are going to disappear soon. I wanted to order the tent today on backorder, but wasn't sure if I could receive it before I started an AT thru hike the first week of March. I emailed asking about the backorder delivery time window and Dan responded almost immediately and offered to prioritize my order. Dan will get the tent to me in two weeks, which gives me plenty of time to do shakedowns with the XMid Pro 2 in February before I hit the trail in March. Fantastic service - I think Dan really appreciates his customers; even though demand is high, supply is currently low (which is temporary!), there's been no price gouging or ignoring needy customers (aka me lol). Even if I couldn't get the Pro version, I would have went with the regular version (on sale now, available!) - both are excellent tents, but I'll definitely appreciate the extreme weight savings of the Pro version on a thru hike.
Tarptent Protrail for solo backpacking or bikepacking. Fast and easy setup, takes less space to set up, great in wind and rain. Very well made with excellent construction.
Thanks!
Thank you.
Not having a pole in the middle of the door and having the inner door drop would be a big plus for me. The vestibule storage not blocking the door is another plus.
If I were looking for a tent for two people, I wouldn't want either of them.
The Xmid Pro now has pockets as of 2024. The only thing I can't argue with is the freestanding you get with zpack but Ive yet to need that in all my years of camping but its nice to have it as a backup. All the other issues are for sure not enough to pick the zpack IMO.
You're alone on this my dude. Crazy but everyone has their preference and opinions.The X-mid is the only tent I bought Twice cause its so good. (OG 1 Person from Drop, New Xmid-2) Great video but wild to think you would prefer Zpacks over X-mid after using both.
I have a Tarptent Stratospire 2 (similar pole setup as the XMid) and I say that you CAN sleep head to foot in these type of tents. I’ve probably slept 30 nights in it and always slept head / foot which makes these tents feel like a palace on the inside.
I’m gonna need the X-Mid to come with a Dynema floor and some stronger guy-lines. The floor ripped and lines snapped after maybe 5-6 uses. Otherwise, we loved the huge vestibules and extra length (for storage and dog) and roof pockets! It’s a super unique footprint. I’d order another but ^ Just ordered a free duo, let’s see what happens with a freestanding/dynema 👍
You can have the X-Mid Pro and the Zpack's Duplex. I will keep and use my Original X-Mid 1 ( 1st ones available on Drop ). There are more advantages to the X-mid family of tents then any others. Unlike other tents , The X-Mid has a four stake pitch without any guide lines unless you want them and then it's only 2 lines. With the X-mid you can disconnect the inner tent and have the outer tent as a Tarp set up. It's simple and quick to set up and take down. From the long waiting list for a new X-mid I would say that others think it's a much better tent. Just my opinion and no one else's.