Durston X Mid 2 Solid How To: My Tent For The Appalachian Trail

Рет қаралды 18,349

Жыл бұрын

How easy is it to set up a Durston Gear X-Mid 2 Solid tent for the first time? What if you've never set up a hiking pole tent before?
Finding a tent can be a challenge but months of research, and a little luck, led me to the ‪@durstongear‬ X-Mid 2 Solid. This is the tent that I plan on using for my 2023 Appalachian Trail thru-hike. Having no experience, and never setting up a trekking pole tent, meant that the process was a bit slow for me. Overall though, it's a very simple process and one that should get easier with practice.
Is this the best tent for the Appalachian Trail? That's impossible to say. What I am going to find out is if this is the best tent for me.
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Пікірлер: 110

@undefeatedgaul3201 9 ай бұрын

cool down to earth family man big dude with a sweet beard. subscribed. most of the people in these type of videos are insufferable

@TrackingHopper 9 ай бұрын

You’ve provided the greatest comment in the history of comments. Thank you!!

@durstongear Жыл бұрын

Awesome stuff! Thanks for the support and good luck on the AT! - Dan

@TrackingHopper Жыл бұрын

Thank you Dan, I really appreciate it!

@TheNewGreenIsBlue 8 ай бұрын

Agreed! This is a GREAT video for anyone setting up for the first time.

@janmariolle Жыл бұрын

This was a very useful review. Thanks so much. Hopefully, my tent will arrive this spring. Well done!

@TrackingHopper Жыл бұрын

Thank you! It’s hard to wait but hopefully you’ll like your tent as much as I like mine. Very impressed with it. Thank you for watching.

@thewhexperience3901 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video man and good luck on your journey this spring!

@TrackingHopper Жыл бұрын

Thank you!!

@sofreshsofree Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the nicely done video and good luck on your trails! Cheers from Switzeland

@TrackingHopper Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the kind words. You have some beautiful trails offer there and I hope we are able to hike them one day!

@lindasolka8156 Жыл бұрын

I’m excited to follow your hike. I followed 2 hikers NOBO started last February. Great hike fun to watch. I’m trackin

@TrackingHopper Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much! I enjoy watching other thru hikers as well but it makes it harder to not be going until next year. Ha ha

@hikingmovie Жыл бұрын

I have the Xmid Pro. Love it! Hiking the Foothills Trail with it next week. Its’ first thru hike. Good luck on your hike.

@TrackingHopper Жыл бұрын

Good luck out there!

@LionessHiker Жыл бұрын

Nice video and great job of setting your new tent up for the first time. I have the X Mid Pro 2. It will be cooler in the summer but yours is going to be less chilly 🥶 in the winter! I am loving this tent regardless! I am only 5’6” but my dog is coming with me. This tent gives us plenty of room for me, my dog, his gear, my gear, and I still had room to cook in the vestibule. Super easy set up!

@TrackingHopper Жыл бұрын

So after weighing (literally) the options I’m taking the X-Mid pro 2. The weight is such a factor and I’ve got a great sleep system so I should be good. They’re both awesome and I love the room as well. Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment!

@redshepherdoutdoors7201 Жыл бұрын

Love the tent toss set up! We have the same tent and really like it so far. My wife and I used it last week on a trip and it has ample room for two so you should have plenty of space. Easy set no fuss set up. Got down to 34° one night and no condensation issues with good ventilation. Stayed warm, slept like a baby. Liked and subbed. Looking forward to tracking

@TrackingHopper Жыл бұрын

That’s great to hear! I had a 37 degree night with it a few nights ago and stayed warm and dry. Thank you for the comment and I’m happy to have you along for the journey!!

@SomyLomy Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing 👍 looks good

@TrackingHopper Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING Жыл бұрын

Great video Hopper. Best of luck on your AT hike. That is a great tent. New follower here. Crow✌️

@TrackingHopper Жыл бұрын

Thanks Crow!

@esthercoey4603 Жыл бұрын

I love this tent. Hiking the AT in '24 so I've been sleeping in My X-Mid2 solid once a week. Got a little chilly out a couple nights but stayed warm and comfy. Can not wait to have it out on the trail 😊

@TrackingHopper Жыл бұрын

I've only had it out once overnight in the cold and it did great. My sleep system kept me very warm too.

@texmexia49 Жыл бұрын

I’ll be there in 2024 and looking at either this tent, the XMid Pro 2, or the new REI Flash 1. See you out there!!

@CraigNiesenPhotography Жыл бұрын

Cool looking tent. I hope that works. I love the tent at the beginning. Peace and Safe Travels

@TrackingHopper Жыл бұрын

Thank you, I hope it works out too!

@derekhand7904 Жыл бұрын

Good luck I’ll be following your journey

@TrackingHopper Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@bobrown1160 Жыл бұрын

Loving Trcking Hopper! Great style of video. I’m doing NOBO 23’ in March and still contemplating documenting my journey…

@TrackingHopper Жыл бұрын

Thank you! I say go for it. At the very least you have a record of your journey that you can always look back on.

@theoutdoordogandhikinggirl Жыл бұрын

That's a great tent! You won't regret your decision 😉 I absolutely love mine. 4 stakes work fine and as long as you make sure you have a really tight and square pitch, it really is super easy to set up.

@TrackingHopper Жыл бұрын

That’s awesome to hear. I’m very impressed with it already and will keep testing it out over the coming months. Thank you for taking the time to comment!

@theoutdoordogandhikinggirl Жыл бұрын

@@TrackingHopper you're welcome.

@bryguykayaker6000 Жыл бұрын

I love my X Mid 2 solid. I use it for Kayak camping and am planning a long hike for 2024. Most likely the PCT however it may end up being the AT. I will be 62 and am planning on having fun whether I finish it or not lol! I will be following your adventure for sure. I think this has to be the easiest tent I have ever set up. The first time I set mine up it was pretty windy and still it was easy.

@TrackingHopper Жыл бұрын

Either trail would be an awesome adventure regardless of how far you decide to go. The Durston is so simple and easy, I’ve been very happy with it so far. Good luck on whichever trail you choose and thank you for watching and supporting!

@FourSeasonExposure Жыл бұрын

I’d love to see an updated video of you setting this up with some tips on quicker setup and what you learned to do better. Keep on keeping on!

@TrackingHopper Жыл бұрын

After trying the solid out a few more times and then putting up the X-Mid Pro 2 I’ve decided to go with the Pro. Saves me 20 ounces and it’s one piece instead of two. I’ve just started practicing with that but I may be making some little additions. More guy lines and additional shock cord around the base. Quite a few folks have added the same things so they can quickly add more stakes during more inclement weather.

@FourSeasonExposure Жыл бұрын

Good choice to shed some weight. I just purchased the solid but have been carrying the big Agnes tiger wall ul3. So, the solid shouldn’t be terrible for weight :) plus I love the double wall… Happy trails!

@ibizaamigos 4 ай бұрын

Finally someone who treats there tent right and takes there shoes off when sitting inside!! Great vid

@TrackingHopper 4 ай бұрын

Ha ha. You gotta take your shoes off. Tents are expensive so don’t go dragging your shoes all over them. That and dirt. Ha ha

@lauraevelynashley Жыл бұрын

I’ve never tried this tent before! Thanks for sharing:) love learning more about gear

@TrackingHopper Жыл бұрын

I'm looking forward to getting some real world experience with it but I've set it up a few times now and it's very simple. There is a problem with learning about gear though...it makes you want more. 😂

@lauraevelynashley Жыл бұрын

@@TrackingHopper very true! Hahaha

@TrackingHopper Жыл бұрын

How’s your prep going?

@lauraevelynashley Жыл бұрын

@@TrackingHopper it’s going decent! Starting packing up part me of classroom today to put in storage. Pretty wild to think pretty soon we will be out on trail and no longer working all the time. How about yourself?

@TrackingHopper Жыл бұрын

What a huge life change for you! Has to be hard but also exciting. It’s going well, just did a few day prep hike and it went well.

@CajunMile Жыл бұрын

I had no idea there were tents that use your trekking poles for stakes. What a great way to reduce space and weight in your pack!

@TrackingHopper Жыл бұрын

I didn’t either until I started researching for the journey. Makes things much lighter.

@PlusSizeExplorations Жыл бұрын

I got the Xmid Pro 2, but yours is amazing also! Can't wait to see how it goes for yourself!Also toss was hilarious!

@TrackingHopper Жыл бұрын

How do you like the Pro 2? I'm not saying it...but maybe I have one that I haven't opened up yet. Thanks, finding something to lighten up what can be a boring video can be fun sometimes. Even if it's something as simple as the tent toss. I'm glad to hear someone liked it!

@PlusSizeExplorations Жыл бұрын

@@TrackingHopper Personally I love it, I would state though if money is the worry minus the about pound benefit the sil=-poly is amazing as I have a OG Xmid 1P that was my goto prior. I like the non-Dyneema floor as it keeps crinkle down and makes it roll and stuff easier. Super excited to see the trek and will be around to watch, I'm still learning this camera and footage game one day I will suck it up and post stuff! LOL, keep at it and you do well on camera!

@TrackingHopper Жыл бұрын

Filming and putting something out is like ripping off a bandaid. I sat on stuff for 6-months with our other channel because I thought it wouldn’t be good, and I didn’t know what I was doing. Finally I decided to just start and that’s the best advice I can give. Just start. Tracking Hopper has been a little easier because I feel more comfortable with the camera, but in another sense it’s harder because I’m knew at hiking, gear, etc. it’s been fun though.

@PlusSizeExplorations Жыл бұрын

@@TrackingHopper Well I am glad to watch and see first hand how it goes and all the best, I have 4 years as I am waiting for my daughter to graduate HS before my trek can start. Watching and learning forever!

@Dave_Outside Жыл бұрын

Nice job with the video, thanks. I want to get one of these also but can’t decide on the solid or the regular version. Looks like most tents now are mostly mesh on the inside for ventilation.

@TrackingHopper Жыл бұрын

Thank you. So the solid is very warm and having a double wall is great for the cold and rain but I’ll be switching to a single wall when it gets warmer outside. I may even end up starting out with the Durston X-mid Pro single wall. I’m still debating.

@Dave_Outside Жыл бұрын

@@TrackingHopper it’s a hard choice. I’m still looking lol. The tent needs to be roomy enough case you’re stuck in it all day pouring rain. I like the way the Durston looks but still not sold. With these kinds of tents, it has larger footprint so you have to have to have more space to put it up versus a freestanding tent. And you also have got to be able to put stakes in the ground, some spots that could be difficult.

@TrackingHopper Жыл бұрын

@@Dave_Outside Those are negatives but the stakes on the Durston really aren't going out that far from the tent. Obviously more than a free-standing but still not bad. The headroom in the solid is an inch or two less than in the pro but still enough for me and I'm almost 6'. Size wise I had my large/wide pad in there along with my pack and had room to move around and do stuff. Picking a tent is a hard choice though. I went through a lot of analysis paralysis until I just decided to go for it. Good luck!

@melodyassaro Жыл бұрын

Looks like a great tent.

@TrackingHopper Жыл бұрын

I'm really liking it. Much easier to set up after doing it a few times. ha ha

@melodyassaro Жыл бұрын

@@TrackingHopper practice makes perfect ☺️

@youngAThart Жыл бұрын

Loved the tent toss 😂 also, a man that actually READS the instructions…. Enjoying the videos. See ya on trail!

@TrackingHopper Жыл бұрын

Reading the instructions was a last resort. 😂 Thank you and hope to see you out there.

@janmariolle Жыл бұрын

Yep, pretty original and funny.😂

@LionessHiker Жыл бұрын

I loved the tent toss too! Very clever!

@valsinchak4681 Жыл бұрын

@Tracking Hopper, would love to hear how you thought your tent held up on the AT. Looking at getting this tent for my AT thru-hike in 2024 and would love to hear your review of how it was on trail/feedback on it.

@TrackingHopper Жыл бұрын

Unfortunately I had to come off the trail due to an injury so only have about 115-miles of experience with it out there. Also, I switched to the Durston X-mid 2p Pro. Saved me about 20-ounces. It held up on a few windy and rainy nights but did have a bit more condensation than the X-Mid Solid due to being a single wall tent. I saw a few others out there with the same tents and they all had good things to say. I’ll be taking it out with me when I head back in 2024.

@valsinchak4681 Жыл бұрын

@Tracking Hopper I saw you came off but was hoping to get your feedback with the miles you got with it since there aren't many reviews of the xmid solid. I am leaning towards the solid to avoid the consendation even though it is heavier. Thanks for your input. Sounds like you'll be starting ahead of when I start in 2024. Lookin forward to your videos before hitting the trail again.

@TrackingHopper Жыл бұрын

I don’t think you can go wrong either way. Thanks for the support!

@garysmith7286 Жыл бұрын

Great video. Looking at the same tent. Have you had two people in it? Any issues with condensation?

@TrackingHopper Жыл бұрын

Thank you! I haven’t had 2 people in it but was able to keep my pack inside and spread out quite a bit. There was some condensation but not as much as in the single wall X-Mid pro 2 that I took on the AT with me.

@snowrabbit9558 6 ай бұрын

You need walking sticks for it😅 I never use those 😢 are their flex poles for in your bag?

@TrackingHopper 6 ай бұрын

No, no flex poles in the bag but Durston does sell collapsible poles you can use instead. durstongear.com/products/z-flick-tent-pole

@MariaSimpson-rp1os 2 ай бұрын

I've just purchased one of these tents. My question is, once I have the inside section in place, can I leave it set up like this for packing?

@TrackingHopper 2 ай бұрын

Yes, you can! It makes it a lot easier to pack up and setup each day. Then when you need to clean things you can just separate them again.

@LeoSnyder-ef1bl Ай бұрын

If I go and do the Appalachian trail, and I not a particularly large person, is the extra weight and cost of a 2 person tent make up for the extra room over a 1 person?

@TrackingHopper Ай бұрын

I think of you can get away with a 1 person tent go for it. I will say that having a little more space is great but it does add ounces.

@gumbi8989 Жыл бұрын

How bad was the condensation on the bug net with it being the solid version instead of the all mesh?

@TrackingHopper Жыл бұрын

I took the x-mid pro single wall n the trail instead of the solid. There was a little more condensation on the single wall but it was worth cutting the weight. The solid is an awesome tent but just a little heavier than I wanted for the AT.

@Kevinschart Жыл бұрын

I'm wondering if the solid will be too warm for the AT

@TrackingHopper Жыл бұрын

That's one of the issues to consider. It's going to get hot out there so I'll probably be swapping for another tent. Maybe the X-Mid pro.

@zacharycarlin3621 Жыл бұрын

I took the x-mid 2 on my thru in 21 and will bring the same thing for my 23 thru/lash. I like the idea of the solid but I'd sell it and get the og 2 or pro. Durston makes mint shit so the solid would work but by the time you hit mud Virginia/pa you're going to want more ventilation

@TrackingHopper Жыл бұрын

@@zacharycarlin3621 That's great input, thank you. So I actually have the X-Mid 2P Pro and will be breaking it out soon to do some testing. I love the fact that it's 20 oz lighter. The plan is to swap out as things start warming up but I may just start out with it. Good luck out there!

@KrizAkoni Жыл бұрын

I think you are going to like this tent. 🤓

@TrackingHopper Жыл бұрын

Very impressed with it so far. I'll be checking out your X-Mid Pro 2 videos!

@ChristianRaps Жыл бұрын

Will you be using a footprint?

@TrackingHopper Жыл бұрын

Yes! I learned after a two night trip that I definitely need one. I’m on the list with Durston for one but also just got a very cheap and light poly sheet.

@tophatbanjo Жыл бұрын

Hey, me too! I'll be the 'older' guy (well, I'm 61, but that's not really old anymore) with the fiddle--my banjo is way too heavy to carry 🤔😊 [Subscribed.]

@TrackingHopper Жыл бұрын

That’s awesome, hope to see you out there and catch a tune.

@DanielOutdoors Жыл бұрын

Funny thing is there are actually Popup tents you can setup like that too 🤣

@TrackingHopper Жыл бұрын

Right!!

@rootsandpeaks Жыл бұрын

Can’t wait to hear how you like it once you get out in it overnight.

@TrackingHopper Жыл бұрын

I just got back and have a small list of things I need to adjust. The tent worked great. Definitely need a ground sheet though.

@rootsandpeaks Жыл бұрын

@@TrackingHopper good to know! Did you have any trouble setting it up on trail?

@TrackingHopper Жыл бұрын

I was at a state park with nice spots. The only trouble was the fact that there were faint granite slabs about 3 inches under the soil that made getting the stakes in a challenge. 😂 They held up though.

@rootsandpeaks Жыл бұрын

@@TrackingHopper good to know. I saw on another channel a guy had attached shot cord to his tent edges. That allows him to put rocks on the stakes without abrading his actual tent. Might be something to consider for the AT.

@TrackingHopper Жыл бұрын

That’s a great idea. Do you know what channel that was?

@user-yg6qn3rf6h 7 ай бұрын

Did you find it difficult to find space for pitching on AT?

@TrackingHopper 7 ай бұрын

I have a need to leave and arrive earlier than others so I didn’t have a space issue. Some folks that rolled in later in the afternoon or early evening had a harder time. I was also starting out in Feb with less people. If you go out in late March with the bubble space I’ll be at a premium.

@user-yg6qn3rf6h 7 ай бұрын

Thank you! I may order the 1P and take a look at it.

@TrackingHopper 7 ай бұрын

You’re welcome. I ended up taking the 2p Pro due to the weight. There was enough room for me and my gear. I don’t think I would have done well in a 1p tent but I’m a bigger guy. I need my space. Ha ha.

@michelstronguin6974 11 ай бұрын

Great video! I got this tent for me and my girl for long hikes, and just for myself for camping. But I must say, for a thru-hike, if it was just me, its 1,175 grams for the tent and 10 stakes, + 245 grams for a matching tyvek footprint, thats a total of 1,420 grams, plus some added lines and add-ons you are looking at about 1.5 kg for a shelter. Two people can split the weight, but one person, its a bit much for your body. Although truly an epic experience once its set up, its a fantastic tent. But I would go with the x-mid pro 2 here, yes its double the price, but for a thru-hike its really needed, its 695 grams for tent and 10 stakes, + 245 grams for a matching tyvek footprint, thats a total of 940 grams, plus some added lines and add-ons you are looking at about 1 kg for a shelter. That half a kilo difference matters.

@TrackingHopper 11 ай бұрын

I actually switched to the X-Mid Pro 2 before I got on trail. Cut the weight in half. Ended up with more condensation but there are trade offs to everything. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment!

@stevendavis6556 Жыл бұрын

Good job on first pitch of your x-mid 2P. Recently came across a video showing a "skinny" pitch of this tent. It might be of interest to you since there might be some times on the AT there is not enough space to set up both vestibules. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/hbCqpK-etd2Xkpc.html

@TrackingHopper Жыл бұрын

Thank you. I've been watching his videos, he has quite a few on the x-mid and they're very helpful. Thank you for sharing!

@WitcherOnTrail Жыл бұрын

I think Homemade Wanderlust uses this tent, and I think she keeps the whole thing "together" - I don't think she unclips the inner tent from the fly, so that she just spreads it out, stakes it, and gets the poles in. But for the first setup - yeah, you guys go through what you did I think - and then just leave it connected after that for the next setup?

@TrackingHopper Жыл бұрын

I kept it together. If it gets really wet then I'll separate them but otherwise, it's just so much easier to put it up at one time.