Ultralight DCF Tent Showdown | Durston X-Mid Pro 1 v.s. Zpacks Solplex v.s. Tarptent Notch Li

[@therealbobdole]

I picked up a vanilla X-Mid last season and I absolutely loved it all season and can't wait to get it out again this year. No problems setting it up in heavy rain, even with moderate wind it was fine. Lots of room inside, never had any issues stashing gear around the tent and in the vestibules. Zippers all worked flawlessly. A very well thought out tent from Dan.

[@Suluk46]

Agreed. I don't have any field use of it yet, but man does it ever suit my style well. Dan did a very nice job on it.

[@BearPinata]

I had my silnylon Tarptent Notch for 10 years of abundant use (probably 2500 miles and 8 months worth of overnights) in all sorts of wind and driving rain. Could set it up in the smallest slivers of spots even if they were uneven. Kept me bone dry and sleeping soundly until the floor material finally wore out the waterproofing. So i ordered the Durston Pro 1 and took it on a 5 night trip. First night, i couldn't find a spot big enough to see it up, so had to cowboy and didn't sleep well. Second night, heavy winds and uneven ground, the noise from the dyneema was unbearable and didn't sleep well. Hostel 3rd night. 4th night again heavy heavy winds, that tent feels like a sail, unlike the tarptent which is shaped like a bullet. 5th night i cowboyed again because i has given up on getting a good night in the noise tunnel and shaking walls that shakes the floor which keeps me up. I also prefer the fact that i don't have to adjust my poles at camp for the Notch bc i hike with them at 115cm, which is ideal for the Notch setup. So i can set it up in about 30 seconds. I prefer the solid wall even in summer to keep the dust from blowing into my face and for privacy (I'm female), i can keep the doors open and still sleep "thermally exposed" if i want, or change clothes without having to close the doors. So i sold the Durston and bought myself another Notch. I got the silpoly this time bc the Li version feels even smaller than the sil versions and it was a little too tight for me. Happy tent hunting! - Piñata

[@Suluk46]

I think I may have mentioned the size aspect in the video, can't recall. I did sell my zpacks, but it was an old one and quite small for someone my size. I took the Xmid up to the Arctic this summer and it was the right choice, nice and big, but I am headed to the Torngats next year and feel like the solid inner of the Notch may be the way to go. Honestly, they are all great tents.

[@cookiemonster9542]

What is your favorite tent?

[@charlesquick3656]

the durstan also has a similar double tent that they recommend for known adverse conditions, and everyone forgets the first time to hook the floor support around the pole giving you even more room.

[@Suluk46]

Awesome. I didn't realize that. I'll be using it next week on a trip so will get to know it much better. Thanks for the heads up.

[@lakorai2]

The Solid V2 would be best for your trip however it does weigh quite a bit more than the pro 1p.

[@CanoeTheNorth]

Cool shelters. Cannot wait to see your Arctic tour.

[@Suluk46]

It's gonna be epic. 2021 the community wasnt taking visitors. 2022 my mom got sick and I had to cancel the day before I left...2023 is the year!

[@CampfireJubilee]

Thank you sooooooo much!!!! You posted a comparison between the tent I have (the Solplex, which they don't even make anymore), and the two main tents I have been considering! I've watched this video a couple times. I surely loved my Solplex, if the vestibules went closer to the ground I'd still be using it until it had holes.. but the rain splash is too much in any storm (I thru hiked the AT with it). The Notch Li looks pretty great but I don't like the limited headroom, plus it is heavier. I will probably go with that Durston Xmid Pro 1, but with the DCF floor. Thank you so much for helping me decide!!!!! But I probably won't follow suit and sell my Solplex because I wore it out on the AT... don't think anyone would want it. 🤣

[@Suluk46]

Glad I could help!

[@mattj801]

Love my X-Mid Pro. It's never let me down yet. Great vid

[@Suluk46]

I had mine out last week for a few days. It's awesome.

[@davidcader2071]

Interested to hear about your results with the X-Mid Pro, especially with regards to condensation. I have been using the Notch LI for the past few years and it has mostly worked well for me. One of the main reasons I chose the Notch LI is that it is a double wall tent, and I was hoping that it would handle condensation better that the single wall tent I had been using (Gossamer Gear The One). It definitely handles condensation better than the GG tent, although I have still had issues in very wet conditions. The Notch LI is a bomber tent, but it can be a little awkward inside if you are stuck in it for extended times, especially when you have a pile of soggy gear after hiking all day in the rain.

[@Suluk46]

I think I have about 15 nights on my XMid. Condensation in single wall shelters is common, it really just comes down to how bad it gets, and how you manage it. I only use double wall shelters in winter, and even then not all the time. The Notch Li is certainly tighter than the Xmid, by a long shot. Condensation hasn't been terrible, but conditions have been ideal where I have been camping. I know the West Coast is the ultimate test of condensation for any shelter. You out that way?

[@davidcader2071]

@@Suluk46 I'm actually from Hamilton, Ontario so in your stomping grounds. I actually started following you several years ago when I was looking to hike the Heaven's Gate trail and you were literally the only source of information. The Notch LI is indeed small and it seems to get smaller when you are stuck in it for extended periods of time. However, after just a year of using the Gossamer Gear The One here in Ontario, where almost every campsite is next to a large lake or marsh, I switched to the double wall Notch. A long night in Killarney, where it was literally raining inside my GG tent was the last time I used it before switching.

[@Suluk46]

Oh man, heavens gate. That was a while back when it was nearly unheard of. I remember I took a taxi to the start of the trail...lol

[@Justin-tb2qk]

Lucky you. Thanks for the honest review...if you change your mind I will take any of the three 🤠

[@Suluk46]

Haha. I actually sold the Zpacks after I used the Xmid a couple of times. It's just so much larger for essentially the same weight. I still have the Notch though, and plan to use it on a big trip this summer.

[@pex3]

You've gotta try minimalist shoes. Just as light weight but 100x more packable, plus they allow your foot and ankle to move properly which can relieve knee pain

[@Suluk46]

You don't like my high-rise platform runners? 😂

[@pex3]

@@Suluk46 my ankles rolled just looking at them XD

[@markswishereatsstuff2500]

A couple Fridays ago, Zpacks had a $50 off sale expiring that day, I ordered the Solplex at 10:45pm with the coupon expiring at midnight. Next day cancelled the order after seeing various vids. Decided I needed something a little more substantial.

[@Suluk46]

You probably made a good move. The newer solo Plex tents by Zpacks only use 1 pole to pitch which is a deal breaker for me.

[@TheHikingChick1]

Great video! I'm considering the Durston!!

[@Suluk46]

You can't go wrong. It's a great tent.

[@hoser7706]

No surprises on the tent choice. Noce review, thx.

[@Suluk46]

Thanks man. You can't go wrong with any of them.

[@mitchholder99]

I'd like to see the dipole 1 in this video!

[@Suluk46]

That's a great option too!

[@cfk8593]

If you search xmid narrow pitch you can find some ingenious ways of setting up the xmid with the vestibules collapsed down to narrow the footprint. If you have not found that already, I feel it could be a useful tool to have.

[@Suluk46]

Interesting. I'll check it out. I probably made a bigger deal about footprint size in the video than I should have. It's really not a downfall as it is still a 1 person shelter. But still good to know for those really tight spots.

[@danmcd5393]

The tent has a SilPoly floor (not silnylon), no stretch or water absorption in the wet. DanD says the floor is more durable that DCF. For saving an less ounce, why would you opt for noisy, poor Durability and the likely hood of getting pinprick holes in the Mylar layers?

[@Suluk46]

The Xmid is my go-to shelter right now. I ended up selling the Zacks Solplex. But a DCF floor shouldn't be discounted. I used my Zpacks religiously for 5+ years and never had an issue. I think a better pro of the Sil floor is that it rolls up smaller which is beneficial for me on packrafting trips where volume is more of a concern than weight. I still have my SMD refuge X from 2008 and the floor is completely worn through, but again, it's 15 years old so it should be expected. So I guess the floor material, in my opinion, isn't a great reason to choose one over the other. More space and a smaller packed volume, for an essentially equal weight is what drew me to the Xmid over the others.

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

Those are some awesome tents. I love Tarp Tent. But, I love my Duplex. New follower here. Great video. Crow✌️

[@Suluk46]

They are all heavy hitters in the shelter department. And they all make great gear. You can't go wrong with any of them at the end of the day.

[@yourloved6741]

Have you used the xmid Pro 1 in humid conditions, witer & summer? I'm between the 1 and 2. The 1 looks like it has fantastic room even for a guy your height and great ventilation. I'm going to purchase once back in stock. Incredible review! Great videos. I'm going to subscribe. 😊😊

[@Suluk46]

I only got the tent earlier this year, but have 15 nights in it so far. And I just came back from an 11 day trip in the arctic with it. All single wall shelters will get condensation and depending on conditions can be quite bad. However, it's just a bit of water that can easily be wiped off or avoided if the tent is large enough, which the Xmid Pro 1 is. As someone who has lots of experience with many different tents, I can honestly recommend I for almost all but the worst conditions. Hope that helps.

[@yourloved6741]

@@Suluk46 Your Artic trip sounds incredible! Have you used any of the 2p Xmids? The 2p looks just slightly bigger. I'm going to purchase the 1P Pro when back in stock. I picked up a Xtherm RW to try out this winter in the deep cold. 😁

[@Suluk46]

I haven't used the 2P version. I generally use 1 person shelters for my trips.

[@Truth-Seeker75]

Okay, since I know I can count on you. I’m 6’5” and wear a 52XXL jacket (very broad) and I’m looking for a single trekking pole shelter with a small footprint. I have a Duplex and X-Mid Pro 2, which are fine, but not what I’m looking for, and I’ve tried the X-Mid Pro 1, Gossamer Gear The One and The Two, and Altaplex, and none suited my needs. So….I need you to do more testing OR (engineering opportunity) make me one. Not too much to ask, right?! Make it so. ;)

[@Suluk46]

Haha! Sounds like you have tried as many shelters as I have :) Might be time to hit up rip stop by the roll and make your own.

[@Truth-Seeker75]

@@Suluk46 Been thinking in that too, but I’m also a fan of making every attempt to pass my burden to others so they can do my bidding.

[@janefreeman995]

The altaplex may work well for height... not that you need another tent! :D I think I've been purchasing things from you from the beginning. Is it about a decade? I've used your tent stakes on the pct and all over Europe! Love your clever engineered titanium products. The altaplex is made for tall people, but I have it for being roomy and ease of enter/ exit since I'm older.

[@Suluk46]

Amazing! Yeah, we are over 10 years at this point. Never knew it would end up being my full time job! The Altaplex is a single pole design, and I tend to stay away from those. Just personal preference, and using 2 poles is much more efficient use of material on a tent. I did use my Solplex for something like 5 years so I am a fan of Joe's stuff.

[@allwaysareup]

Taprtent Li models are in thier Lithium product line.

[@Suluk46]

Yes, you are correct!

[@tomnoyb8301]

Four 'tripless' stakes is the winner. Tarptent is a pain. It doesn't like wind and you'll be wet at those tight elbows.

[@Suluk46]

I've never heard the term tripless stakes. What does it mean?

[@tomnoyb8301]

@@Suluk46 - It means the guy-lines are so short and the stakes so close to the tent that it vastly reduces the trip-hazard of stakes. Durston only requires four stakes and those stakes are within inches of the tent-corners. Other tents use as many as ten or twelve stakes (hello Zpacks and Tarptent), most of which connect long guy-lines several feet away from the tent and virtually guaranteeing tripping.

[@jeremykisling8292]

Gossamer gear dcf the 1 weighs less than all those tents lol

[@Suluk46]

Too small. I had one.

[@The_Ballo]

"gigantic"

[@AR9ify]

You are using new tents without a ground sheet and you plan to send one or both back. That's the customer no company wants.

[@Suluk46]

You might want to actually watch the video...lol

[@agrivere5494]

The fact that you would even make a comment about groundsheets shows pretty clearly that you don’t hike much. Hang out with some thru hikers and you’ll find almost nobody uses a groundsheet. They simply add weight and aren’t needed.

[@AaronVets]

🤡🫵🏽

[@brice9013]

every review or comparison ov the x-mid ive seen has no actual use yet.

[@WillowWalksTheAT]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGi5gIBth7mqm9k Also show it out on trail in some other vids. Big fan of the X-Mid Pro and Reg so far. Had a DupleXL before

[@Suluk46]

Might wanna check my other videos.