The Durston Gear X-Mid Solid tent is the newest member of the Award-winning X-Mid lineup from Durston Gear. The X-Mid Solid builds on the success of the original, now outfitted for use in more challenging environments with a 15D woven fabric instead of mesh for most of the inner. For adventurers who get out in any conditions, this is your tent. The Solid version of the X-Mid tent shares the same key advantages as the regular X-Mid: spacious, simple pitch, robust weather protections, et al. Where the Solid differs is the use of 15D woven fabric in place of mesh for most of the inner, providing even more protection against tough weather – blocking drafts, snow, sand, and heavy downpours. But the solid wall is only part of the material upgrades. Buckles added to the base of the fly zippers to relieve strain in high winds Reinforcements added to the stake points around hem of the tent Peak guyline material switched to stronger, low stretch cord All improvements add a minor 1 oz / 30 g weight increase Mesh panels remain on the upper half of the tent doors for airflow and outward visibility 20d polyester Alpine Sage fly DESIGN Designed to be the best double-wall shelter supported by trekking poles, the X-Mid achieves its impressive specs through an innovative design with a diagonal inner inside a rectangular-based fly. This allows the poles (not included with X-Mid purchase) 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 polyester with a 2500mm sil/PEU 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 unique shape solves the common issues seen in trekking-pole-supported tents: Most are single-trekking-pole pyramids, which lack headroom, or overly complex 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 36.5 ounces, it’s lighter, too. The peak features 210d black nylon used to form a reinforcing cone, along with a quarter-inch grommet for the trekking pole tip. Vents on each side wall consist of overlapping panels of fabric that can be propped apart with a strut. In tough conditions, the peak and side panel guylines can be deployed, along with eight additional reinforced 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 dual ridgeline pockets, which conveniently hold a headlamp for reading, provide a secure area for valuables, and keep important items in close reach during the night. Finally, the fly uses tough #5 AquaGuard zippers to ensure a long life, even in tough conditions.
