MLD Trailstar VS Dan Durston X Mid 1 p for wild camping backpacking

Mountain Laurel Designs Trailstar with innernet compared to the Durston X Mid 1P for lightweight hiking backpacking and wild camping. The Trailstar is more expensive with the innernet but is it worth the extra expense....
‪@mountainlaureldesigns9382‬ ‪@durstongear‬
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[@DalesTramper58]

I can only comment on my own personal preferences, having used a vast variety of tents through 45 years of backpacking, I always opted for an open approach, why lock myself away in a tent & often left tent doors open so I could see my surroundings even when raining so when I discovered the Trailstar it was a no brainer for me, I sold all my other tents & tarps and now only use the trailstar, never looked back & probably wont buy any other tents other than another trailstar when I need to. 👌

[@TonyHobbs]

Absolutely its the one to beat all and Absolutely agree I prefer door open and rain often means closing door but ts avoids that 😆

[@michaelreynoldsok]

Tony: I love both. I have the Silpoly V2 1P Durston. It’s excellent. On multi day trips it’s a little more tedious to undo the inner on the Durston when the outer is wet, compared to the Trailstar. For me, I just use a bivy in the Trailstar anyway. It’s easier the get in and out of the Durston, but there’s more room in the Trailstar, as you mentioned. Headroom-wise the Durston is nice, because I’m 6’2”. Total toss up for me. If I only had one or the other I would not feel disadvantaged. Both are excellent choices.

[@TonyHobbs]

Hiya yup this is the new v2 solid inner it has its pros and cons It's cheap and does a job that is adequate for some . I used it on dartmoor for last three nights it was OK I had to keep doors closed and left one inner door open all the time. Tbf it did OK.... I'd definitely not want to buy one I think it's draw backs outweigh any advantages which are none to me over other shelters but yes it did well enough. Where it will score is for tall people. For your height a big advantage for sure. But the ts also works for you too whuch is good to hear

[@EventyrsorenDenmark]

They both looks really good

[@thedaftestnameicouldthinko8233]

My Duomid is the same model that you managed to damage in the wind and my Trailstar is from 2010 so both could need replacing soon. The only thing I dislike about the Duomid is when the wind blows the back in but it only needs one pole. I have been known to break trekking poles so needing one pole is an advantage over the Trailstar. What I'd really like is the back ⅔ of the Trailstar with the front panel of the Duomid. Good wind resistance, one pole and that great environment you get with the Duomid. In Scotland, if the wind stops blowing, the midges come out so I'd like the inner to be taut when the tent is pitched right down to the ground. The bottom 18 inches of the Trailstar's Oooknest is solid and that's good. It noticeably keeps wind off me when I'm lying down and means I can change my underpants without causing too much offence to anyone looking in at the front of the Trailstar. So, that would be my ideal MLD set up.

[@TonyHobbs]

Damage? Yours is the cuben one? Interesting if so has yours had lots of use? I'm curious as mine its the cuben failing on duomid. I did Damage trailstar in wind...

[@thedaftestnameicouldthinko8233]

My Duomid is second hand so I'm not certain about the usage but it hasn't been battered. It looks pretty good. I use the Trailstar more often because the inner is better than the inner I have for the Duomid. I'm intrigued to hear that you damaged your Trailstar. I've had that thing where a young backpacker pointed out that my Trailstar wasn't moving in the wind when his tent was but I have seen it in big gusts. The silnylon usually deforms gracefully to let them by. Does the silpoly, I wonder?

[@TonyHobbs]

@thedaftestnameicouldthinko8233 bad pitching tbh there is a vid or three on it a few months ago

[@tmlnhm]

Just done 4 nights in the lakes in my Xmid2 Pro, I had my reservations previously, but it is a damn good shelter - very well made and designed. The pitching is effortless - 4 corners, 2 poles, bang, done - no adjusting required, it's phenomenally easy. This is pitted against the fiddly nightmare I had with my DuoXL - and that it leaked almost immediately. Durston customer service is also brilliant. Ron's, not so much. That said, I'm considering getting a Trailstar for the more 'outdoor' feeling mentioned above, though I'll keep the Durston, it's just too much of an all rounder to give up.

[@TonyHobbs]

I think Ron busy building in USA whereas Dan has everything made in China so easier for him to deal with customers 😀 the Duomid XL is much nice for space living once set up. Much better porch space vs two fiddly little porches but it's popular so can't knock it if people like it Trailstar is great shelter I'd take that over x mid million percent lol

[@wandering_not_lost]

Impressive space in the Trailstar but of course that means that you need a larger space to pitch it which is often a problem on through hikes. Also not everyone wants to spend the extra money. Which has the smaller volume when packed?

[@TonyHobbs]

Just pitch ts higher it'll squeeze in a tighter space easily It packs small it'll fit Durston pack

[@otf.outdoors]

Enjoyed the comparison between the two shelters Tony, not biased at all 🤔🤣, tbh I find pitching my xmid really easy and quick now that I’ve had it a while, as with any shelter, the more you use it, it becomes easier. I’ve got a Trailstar on order (hopefully only 4 weeks time now🤞) and really looking forward in getting out in it, should be perfect for a bit winter camping👍 I’m sure it will take me a little while to learn how to pitch it good, also door switching when wind turns etc, both great shelters in my opinion, both in similar price bracket, and both very light and compact when packed, would a lanshan 1 Tzip inner fit in the Trailstar? but I think the Trailstar will definitely be the one I would take if the wind looks on the high side, wouldn’t risk the xmid in high wind, not that it couldn’t cope, I would feel more at ease in a Trailstar judging by other people’s experience with it in winds, spot on Tony mate, atb Mick 👍

[@TonyHobbs]

Hi Mick yes ts is good in wind . Absolutely agree and after three nights on dartmoor with x mid I did find pitching got easier but there is just something I can't warm too having said that it performed fine had to close outer doors due to weather and left one inner door open always. Can't ever understand closing up inner fully. I closer one inner door only. Ts yes will be be fiddly to pitch at first and changing doors helpful to know but thankfully rarely needed. It's a fab shelter

[@TonyHobbs]

It's good in winter did you see.my vid from ten years ago in ts on dartmoor with Bess and minus five .... make sure sleep system up to scratch

[@otf.outdoors]

@@TonyHobbs I’ll check it out Tony , cheers

[@otf.outdoors]

@@TonyHobbs yeah I’m looking forward to getting out in it, when it lands 👍, atb Mick

[@matthobley7248]

Hi Tony, Hope you are well. I had a question about the SilPoly Trailstar... do you feel the new fabric deforms in the wind as much as the the 20d SilNylon? One imagines it wouldn't given it has less stretch...

[@TonyHobbs]

Probably less but it's not cuben so I'd imagine still a bit though as I noticed cuben duomid bows in a bit and cricket which is poly did come in a bit in Scotland so maybe bit less but whether very noticeable up for debate but probably bit less than nylon its not a brick building though lol

[@Bandare]

I like both but I think the better comparison is the X-Mid 2 against the Trailstar. What jacket is that you’re wearing. A Paramo I think but which model?

[@TonyHobbs]

Fuera wind shirt Yes and ts probably still win 🏆 😆

[@hanskirk-hiking9697]

Great video and I agre its a pain to set up the X-Mid correctly

[@TonyHobbs]

Thanks Hans yup and some comments on this or my other video are interesting saying about my pitch but if it's fiddly for us with some knowledge.... I just had three nights out in it.

[@drytool]

Smaller footprint can be an advantage for the X-Mid in certain circumstances.

[@TonyHobbs]

Maybe but rarely Indeed my current trip the solomid or cricket would have pitched better than x mid first night The odd angle of inner needs considering when pitching occasionally Trailstar pitches almost anywhere

[@drytool]

@@TonyHobbs Yes, indeed. I find the odd angle of the floor on X-Mid super annoying. Here in the US we have a lot of trees and the footprint of the Trailstar severely limits it's usability in established campgrounds and camping areas like those on the PCT where a Solomid or Cricket would work better. That being said, I live in Colorado where 90% of my camps are above treeline, so I'm seriously considering a Trailstar, thanks mostly to your videos. I have an X-Mid Pro1 and it is delightfully light but cramped, and misshapen from the lack of rebound of mylar stretched off the bias of the dyneema threads.

[@TonyHobbs]

@drytool that's good feedback on pro 1 as all we get here is influencer KZbinrs saying how good it is.... I agree it sounds ridiculously light but at what limitations. I did ask Dan if he'd send me one lol nope but did offer a discount but I'm not paying for something just for KZbin views . I want to be sure I'll love my kit which is why I am mostly MLD and Hilleberg lol 😆 it just works . I'm very very sure these influencers get a discount and then just say how good it all is lol and I'm cynical 😆 🤣

[@TonyHobbs]

@drytool solomid or cricket good options

[@TonyHobbs]

@drytool I've a vid on both solomid and cricket might be of interest 😀

[@hupo]

Is that the MLD inner?

[@TonyHobbs]

Yes

[@TheSimong69]

ok lets set up a go fund me page so tony can have new trousers. lol . great vlog brother

[@TonyHobbs]

Yeah they luckily went near end of video and took awhile to notice lol

[@Olan...]

This made me laugh and it has definitely convinced me that the Xmid is the winner cheers Tony :) Trailstar is more Bulk, More faff getting in and out. More money to buy,. More exposed to the elements. More exposed to foxes popping in to steal your stuff. Shorter bath tub on the inner. Not as much head room for sitting up and getting changed. The inner in more invasive. The inner will be a lot colder in winter. More condensation than the Xmid. I can carry on if you want me to Tony but i think you might already be throwing your nappy around the Trail star :) You can use a tiny carrabiner on the door of the Xmid and clip it to the guy line . I kind of get the impression that you are really into trail stars for some reason :) At the end of the day its what works for each of us , we all have different preferences .

[@TonyHobbs]

Haha great reply and absolutely all have different preferences. Given open plan of TS condensation is rarely if ever an issue and I've had it in lots of different moisture conditions. Bulk the ts is sensibly in an over sized stuff sack making packing away much easier . I used x mid on a wet three nighter dartmoor and putting it in that tight undersized or exact sized compact stuff sack was awful experience. Cuben groundsheet will always be slightly more bulky than nylon one. Ten nappies on order 😆 🤣 😂 Great comment thank you 😊 and people can make up own minds visually 😀

[@Olan...]

Interesting about condensation management on the TS :) Re tent bags i always use the same Sea to summit six nylon bah that fits into my rear mesh pocket on my pack, whichever tent i take out gets squeezed into that by hook or crook because its always the last thing to pack up and very often i sit on it to expel the trapped air, sometimes i have to swear at them !@@TonyHobbs

[@TonyHobbs]

Haha get in you..... 😆 sounds a great ploy 99% of the time I put my shelter on the outside in front pocket as its first out last in and nice to not open pack unless essential until under cover or dry out Thanks for sharing and posting comment reply

[@northernswedenstories1028]

Trailstar has no competition

[@TonyHobbs]

Exactly leads the pack

[@JackKlumpass]

Agreed

[@grahamevans-prosser6045]

Set square not abacus 😄

[@TonyHobbs]

Protractor lol 😆 I never get my names rights

[@rickay5363]

Its fine to just say that youre a contrarian Tony. Its fine to not like something, you don't need to justify it.

[@TonyHobbs]

Contrarian lol true but I think it's good to show options and share opinions. I don't dislike it I just think better options although for the price.... its clearly cheaper than many better options and not a bad option itself... just worth showing people this is highly popular but is it for you ...

[@rickay5363]

@@TonyHobbs absolutely mate. There's different tools for different jobs. I love my X-Mid 2 p for weekend trips with the missus or when I want the space to spread out. With my 2p I don't have the issues you seem to have with pitching the 1p but I've never pitched one so I don't know the differences. It does feel like you're enjoying nitpicking but you know, that's good YouTubing too sometimes. After watching you and Andy Beevers, I'd love an MLD Trail star for the versatility it has, maybe I'll pick one up.

[@TonyHobbs]

Yeah it's all fun if anyone takes it seriously and cries more pitty them but good to point out differences etc I did long ago a vid MLD vs Hilleberg and it was as ridiculous 😆 but fun

[@20yearsagotoday1]

Sorry Tony I stopped watching when the X-mid lost half a point because you dropped the door! How was that Durston’s fault?

[@TonyHobbs]

Have you never heard bad user blames the tools 🔧 🤔 😆 🤣 😂 its a joke 🤣 but some won't get my humour 😉

[@wad6216]

One tent doesn't have a door so it is at a major disadvantage over the other and 100 grams lighter for not having a door is just out of the game for me, a tent should have a sealed door, you are comparing a tent with a tarp with internal bug net. Apples and oranges Hob Nob. The only thing I hate about the Durston is the pole tips going up and they always fit oddly with various pole tips I ripped an hole in mine despite being careful. Apart from that it is great. The Pro version in DCF with handles up pole design is ideal for me. I like my two man X mid but I'm not paying the price for a DCF single skin. |Does MLD do a proper tent? they do look good quality

[@TonyHobbs]

I prefer digestive to hob nobs 😆 🤣 or nice choccie bikkie 😆 I've compared and challenged my nammajt 3gt to my MLD poncho before on here so apple's oranages or grapefruits 😆 the x mid is OK but definitely better options for me so let's share 😆

[@wad6216]

@@TonyHobbs I'm sure a tent from say Tarp tent would be better than a MLD tarp like the one you love.

[@TonyHobbs]

Not better but a good option for sure

[@wad6216]

@@TonyHobbs I think you are blinkered by the MLD tarp. I have not used one but just by your review it looks cold, draughty and without a door, its a miserable looking tarp that can be propped up with poles that is all it can be. Its light and I suppose you can bang on about a total pack weight being low which you like to do I have noticed.

[@TonyHobbs]

@wad6216 have I banged on about lightweight pack that much? Must do it even more didn't think that much lol yeah if these are good enough for Chris Townsend they good enough for me and drafts can be mitigated a bit. But tents nice too I'd just prefer something different tent wise than xmid thanks for watching and commenting

[@mattwells3818]

This is the most one-eyed review of tents that I've ever watched. Utterly pointless.

[@TonyHobbs]

Please expand on your reasonings so we can learn and understand your findings