DIY Freestanding Durston X-Mid Pro 1 Tent

[@nickp.2432]

Great idea. The ultralight crowd will love this concept. I have a bombproof 2 man freestanding msr tent wieghs 3 pounds.However you do it get out and backpack.

[@Suluk46]

Agreed! There is no right way as long as you are out there.

[@joshalmeida1821]

Only a few months later Dan is launching the X dome, great minds think alike

[@omega4711]

This is really great design! Good work!

[@Suluk46]

Thanks, It was a fun project.

[@trooperwolfie]

Now that is the most involved, but useful mod ive seen on an x mid. You could sell those 3D parts as a kit, im sure it would be worth your while. Nice work 👍🏻

[@Suluk46]

Thanks. Took some time to get right, and still tinkering with it. Not looking to sell them, easy to build yourself.

[@vanCapere]

@@Suluk46Will you still publish the files in that case?

[@bertman4]

I heard you on Backpacking Light podcast and came to check this out. Really neat mod!

[@Suluk46]

Awesome. That podcast was super fun and Ryan is a great host. This is the setup I had mentioned. Pretty fun little project.

[@elirobillard3451]

That is a work of beauty. Really nicely done. Thx for sharing!

[@Suluk46]

Thanks. Needs a few tweaks but I lke where it is going.

[@LOCKEYJ]

I love this. I’m really into making gear work for your own use.

[@BackcountryExposure]

Just Steve doing Steve things!

[@Suluk46]

Ha! That made me laugh.

[@KrizAkoni]

Brilliant design! Very cool…🤓🤓

[@Suluk46]

Thank you.

[@clawrence034]

It seems like it would be easier to do with the X-mid 2, since the trekking poles and their two corners are in line. You could have a single pole for a semi freestanding design, with the other two corners staked out. Two poles crossing could make it fully freestanding.

[@Suluk46]

I don't have the 2 person version so can't comment on if the 2 apex's are in line with the corners. On this 1 person X-Mid, they are not, which is why you can't do an X with the poles from corner to corner (I tried), it needs to jog a bit across the top.

[@middleearthchronicles2269]

Who needs to cold soak when you could just flash fry your meal in the new freestanding X-mid 1 Pro oven at 1000°C 😂 Seriously cool mod though. Engineer doing what you do best.

[@Suluk46]

Lol, it was freakin' hot out that day.

[@middleearthchronicles2269]

@@Suluk46 the sweat box 6000 debut.

[@Suluk46]

Haha

[@crgwfrench]

Nice Project, thanks for sharing! Gonna try with my Xmid1 (non-pro) and some drilled blocks of wood.

[@Suluk46]

Right on, give it a try!

[@niceguy191]

I really like this, and always appreciate home-grown solutions to problems. I have a similar problem with my trekking pole tent as if I go for a day hike I need both my poles! That said, wouldn't it be simpler/lighter to carry a couple of different stake options? Like bags to put the pebbles in or sand/snow stakes, etc.

[@Suluk46]

Bags is actually a pretty slick idea. I never thought of that. Nice!

[@RichardMathews-gv7lb]

Brilliant solution. Test it out in different conditions and if everything adds up get that 3d printer working and get them out there

[@Suluk46]

It needs a bit of optimization but first go at it was pretty solid.

[@RichardMathews-gv7lb]

@@Suluk46 looks good

[@millerhoo]

Super cool!!! You going to post the 3D files so I can print my own. Dan may just do something like this since you did it and post it on his store like the stargazer kit or how he adopted the “skinny pitch” :)

[@Jc21112]

Badass move, wow!

[@Suluk46]

Thanks!

[@SaintCesar1979]

hey bro... this is awesome.. is there a way you can upload that 3d file..

[@AndrewDasilvaPLT]

Have you tried to min-max it with one main half-hoop as a continuous piece, then branch the two short poles off of it?

[@Suluk46]

I did. That's what I had originally planned, but the top of the trekking pole cups do not align with the corners. It basically zig-zags if that makes sense. That's why I had to change from 3 poles to 5 poles.

[@reiddickson]

That's really cool. Do you have any concerns about the constant flexing of the carbon fiber or are you pretty confident it's all sturdy enough? Didn't realize Dan was working on a freestanding kit; have been a few times I would've liked that for my X-Mid when not using it on backcountry hiking trips.

[@Suluk46]

The carbon tubes have a maximum bend radius that you need to take into account when designing the system, so they "shouldn't" break, if you stay within the limitations. This kit isn't in collaboration with Dan, I just built it for fun, he is making a full free standing tent that I am going to buy.

[@reiddickson]

@@Suluk46 Yeah I should've separated my comment into two paragraphs, whoops -- I knew you made this and that Dan was making something separate. Have you tried flexing the tent to simulate testing the poles under heavy wind? If you were taking these into the Arctic, for instance, do you think you'd take a spare pole in case one broke, or would you feel confident going without spares? I don't know a ton about carbon fiber poles.

[@Suluk46]

You have valid concerns. I've only just tested this setup. But in general, if designed correctly, the poles will outperform the material itself. So for instance, in its current configuration, the only way a pole could snap, was if a timeout failed. I've got to get more expero nice with the system to really understand what it can take.

[@whamilto]

To be clear, Dan is not working on a freestanding kit like this. He is making a freestanding tent called the X-Dome. It will not be compatible with X-Mids in any way. Just a separate freestanding version that doesn’t require trekking poles. Would be amazing if he decided to make a kit of poles and different “hubs” to go with the X-Mids though to turn them into Flex-Mids. I would pay for that in a heartbeat to go with my Pro 2+. I’ll also buy an X-Dome non-pro. Dan? ;)

[@reiddickson]

@@whamilto Ahh got it. Sounds interesting regardless, but I might just have to try Steve's kit method then.

[@AlexisZenios]

Dan is building the X-Dome which is a freestanding tent but is he also building a freestanding kit for the X-Mids?

[@Suluk46]

I don't think so, but you'd have to ask him. I'm not affiliated with Durston, I just built this setup myself.

[@AlexisZenios]

@@Suluk46 I guess lets just wait to see what Dan brings out with the X-Dome. But if he's not developing a kit for X-Mid, then you wouldn't be stepping on any toes. Undoubtably copies will start to pop up on Etsy.

[@Suluk46]

@@AlexisZenios I'm not selling these. I go over that in the video. But you can build you own with a little determination.

[@BrokenBackMountains]

Nice. I especially like the guyline adapters. I'd prefer aluminium poles though but that is easy to do. Would you be putting your 3d printer design online?

[@Suluk46]

Probably not. Too many variables that would cause them not to work. This project really is best suited for someone who can make adjustments to the hub angles and such.

[@BrokenBackMountains]

I might give it a shot. I have some Easton poles spare and could have a shot with some wooden hub mock ups before printing something.

[@tonywillingham8109]

Does it fit the Mid-x pro 2?

[@Suluk46]

I don't have the 2 person version so don't know if the pole connectors would work. For sure you would need longer poles

[@tonywillingham8109]

@@Suluk46Send me the 3D parts and I'll try it.

[@musingwithreba9667]

Genius!

[@Suluk46]

Thanks!

[@MyLifeOutdoors]

But are you going to start selling them?

[@Suluk46]

No plans to sell these, the video gives enough detail to build your own though.

[@gregsantos9392]

Let’s see how it does in 30mph wind?

[@sarahsundstrom1425]

Maybe you need to hook up w Dan and get this done!😊

[@ddff5242]

Would this work for the regular 1p tent?

[@Suluk46]

I don't know. Maybe, maybe not, I only own the Pro 1 version.

[@MakoBlitz]

looks like dan thought this was a good idea and made it a real product!

[@Suluk46]

I'd love to take credit but I'm certain Dan was working on his freestanding tent long before I built this one a couple of months ago.

[@misteri09]

Where do you buy the carbon poles from?

[@Suluk46]

I built mine but you can buy them online at a bunch of places. Probably a local shop by you has them.

[@jeffm5808]

wouls this work with a regular durston xmid1?

[@Suluk46]

I'm not sure. I only have the Pro 1.

[@MrsStevenBrown]

So where can I buy this? 😂Do you make one for the 2P? Seriously, this would really help out an alpine person like me who’s trying to set up on rocks 99% of the time ❤

[@Suluk46]

You can build it yourself, that's why I made the video!

[@MikeycatOutdoors]

How wind-worthy is the tent with this pole setup, either staked or unstaked? The White Mountains want to know. 😉

[@Suluk46]

It's not as stable with this pole set up than with the trekking poles. You would need to add guylines on all the regular spots if you wanted it to stand up to big winds. Since it's a retrofit, the poles only connect to a few points, but I guess you could add your own extra pole connections to increase stability. I've used the traditional set up with trekking poles on 2 arctic expeditions, it holds well, this pole set was really to deal with the tough places to set it up as opposed to increasing wind worthiness.

[@haydenwalton2766]

good job dude, but when, when when are you people going to go metric ???

[@Suluk46]

You people? You mean Canadians? Lol

[@haydenwalton2766]

​@@Suluk46so you are. why the imperial ??

[@Suluk46]

For converting length: 2.54 cm per inch or 25.4 mm per inch. For the weight: 16 oz per pound and 28 grams per oz. I'm up in Canada, and can use any combination of units easily.

[@haydenwalton2766]

@@Suluk46 thanks for the info. I'm familiar with inches, but ounces and pounds bite it !

[@antistaticandi]

You said the angles were compound and you went through several iterations before getting it right? And then didn't give us the angles? Dan did just come out with a free standing version, but some of us are a) not wealthy enough to just buy a new tent at will or b) are more sustainability minded and would like to make do with what we already have. This video went from super cool to super frustrating whiplash fast.

[@Suluk46]

Anyone can build this pole set, but it will take you a bit of time and tinkering. I think you have the process mixed up which is likely what is frustrating you. Start the other way around. Use the pole lengths I gave you, that's what matters most, build the poles. Set the tent up, reverse engineer the angles. The angles will not be the same for everyone, too many variables in pole stiffness and tent manufacturing tolerances. A 1 degree angle change in a connector will yield more than 1" delta at the endpoint of a 5 foot tent pole. If I gave out the exact angles, the comment section here would be filled with people telling me I gave them the wrong angles. I hope that helps.

[@camping_guru_uk]

I love that you've tried to do something different and I'm not saying what I'm going to say just to knock you but... I'm not seeing the point, if you pitch it with no pegs it looked like it was way out of shape ?. If you have to use 4 pegs minimum then you might as well use your trekking poles. Again I love it when people try to come up with new innovative ideas but I'm just not sure this fixes an issue of the free standing X Mid

[@Suluk46]

All good, I wouldn't give up that easy though, I just need to optimize the angles. I used the tent stakes to mimic higher compound angles on the hubs. The concept certainly solves the freestanding issue.

[@camping_guru_uk]

@@Suluk46 I knew I wasn't smart enough to get it, superb and I'm sure with a bit more tweaking it sounds like you'll get there. Thanks for getting back to me and clearing that up.

[@Suluk46]

Haha, I think you're smart enough! Definitely needs some tinkering though, but at the end of the day I also just have fun doing wonky stuff like this...Devin said it in one of the comments here, just Steve doing Steve things...lol

[@camping_guru_uk]

@@Suluk46 I'm the same, I just swapped out the full frame on a cheap backpacking tent and some component parts just to see if a super cheap tent can cope in not such good condition. I made a vid on KZbin if you want to check it out. I'm glad I found your channel, I'm going to start working my way through it.

[@Andy-Mesa]

I understand not wanting to sell a kit, but could you at least make the 3D printer files available?

[@adamb9931]

Would you consider selling your connector 3d print designs for those of us noobs who have no idea how to design ourselves??

[@Suluk46]

The challenge is that it wouldn't work for everyone, there are just so many variables. I think this project is best suited for someone that can make the adjustments to the connectors to fit their specific tent.

[@adamb9931]

@@Suluk46 ​​⁠oh ok, I only asked because I have the exact same tent from Dan.

[@DerekSOutdoors]

Pretty cool bud!!! I was actually making one of these for my Yama cirriform 1p but couldn't get the angles to work correctly with standard Y hubs. Will have to look into 3d printing to get the right shape 👍👍👍

[@Suluk46]

Same on this one, had the poles in an X configuration at first, but that didn't work, and then the regular Y hubs didn't work. 3D printing, machining, or even a block of wood with holes drilled in it would work.

[@stigcc]

The xmid can stand with just the poles. Edit I forgot the four stakes...

[@Suluk46]

Correct.

[@blobit1]

Looks like you pre-empted well the dome x launched today…

[@Suluk46]

Not far off :)

[@timmo971]

So what ya saying is you spent so much money on the XMid you just can’t afford any other dome tent and you’re sticking to your decision gosh darn it

[@Suluk46]

Haha, good ol' stubborn Steve!

[@jimf1964]

Pretty sweet, but you lost me at 3D printing.

[@Suluk46]

I wouldn't give up that easily, but you do have to have basic tools to make them. Holes drilled into a piece of wood works too, or weld some tubes together, or glue them, or duct tape it like Red Green :) ... I just use 3D printing because it is the cheapest and fastest.

[@jimf1964]

@@Suluk46 for sure there are other solutions, but they would need to be strong enough to handle a big ass storm….which is when you would need it most. A block of wood would be right out the door, since it would split along the grain, unless it was too big. Something metal and welded would be too heavy…..I know, I know, I’m being too negative. 🙂. I wonder if there is something commercially made out of some sort of polymer that would fit the bill.

[@robmorris3987]

@@Suluk46I may have missed this in the video, but do you have the files available if we wanted to print out our own connectors?

[@Suluk46]

Haha, no, I don't think you are being negative. You are certainly in the best position to decide if it is a project you can take on. I just wanted to be supportive and give some options.

[@Suluk46]

I don't. It wouldn't work for you anyway, too many variables. Best if the person duplicating this project is able to make small adjustments to the connectors and make prototypes to dial it in.

[@MP-xd7jf]

Shut up and take my money!

[@Suluk46]

ha! Sorry, not for sale but you can build your own.

[@agmartin2127]

First, brilliant work here! Dan D. is so approachable... have you considered offering your 3-D connector designs to him? My guess is if you did, and if he might sell them, a lot of people would buy a conversion kit. I just put my money down on the the new stand alone 1P, but I also own the 1P Solid... I would gladly convert and pay for this upgrade. The one I just reserved is great for summer / warm camping , but the 1P solid is almost a 4 season tent. This would apply to thousands of already sold tests out there... Thoughts? Very nice and thanks!! Tony, Carbondale, CO

[@Suluk46]

Dan knows about my video but I'm not in the tent market. He is welcome to offer something similar