The Durston X-Dome 1 is a freestanding double-wall tent appropriate for 4-season use. Weighing simply over 2 lbs 3 oz, it has an exoskeleton pole set with an oblong footprint that permits it to be arrange fly-first in unhealthy climate in order that the interior tent stays dry. Regardless of solely having one aspect door, the X-Dome has ample entrance vestibule area as a consequence of its distinctive offset interior tent orientation, a signature function of Durston’s tents. Extremely livable and well-made, the Durston X-Dome offers distinctive worth and eclipses fashionable double-wall freestanding tents, together with the Massive Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 1, the NEMO Dragonfly OSMO 1, and the MSR Hubba Hubba LT 1.
- Sort: Freestanding
- Development: Double-wall
- Minimal variety of stakes to pitch: 0
- Capability: 1 Individual (with additional room)
- Whole Weight: 2 lbs 2.7 oz (985g)
- Rainfly weight: 14.7 oz
- Interior tent weight: 10.7 oz
- Pole weight: 9.7 oz
- Seam-sealed: Sure
- Fly First Pitch Possibility: Sure
- Poles: 1 (carbon fiber)
- Door: 1 aspect door
- Inside pockets: 2
- Supplies: 15D excessive tenacity siliconized polyester (silpoly)
- Exterior dimensions: 88″ x 56″ x 45″ (l x w x h)
- Inside dimensions: 85″ x 50″ tapering to 27″ x 42″ (l x w x h)
The Durston X-Dome 1 is a double-wall freestanding tent with a single collapsible carbon fiber pole with two hubs and an built-in forehead pole. The rain fly will be arrange first earlier than the interior tent, so the tent will be arrange in unhealthy climate whereas retaining the interior tent dry. This functionality is usually solely discovered on tents from European tent producers akin to Hilleberg, Exped, Terra Nova, and so on. however continues to be comparatively uncommon on double-wall tents produced by North American tent producers.
The interior tent connects to buckles contained in the fly: optionally, you possibly can hold the 2 connected when breaking down the tent and set them up concurrently. You may as well arrange the fly and depart the interior tent at dwelling to avoid wasting weight, which is an efficient choice for snow tenting when decreased weight and pack quantity are desired. The interior tent will also be arrange standalone with the pole set in dry climate when you solely want insect safety.
The rain fly and interior tent are made with siliconized polyester, which stretches lower than siliconized nylon or PU-coated nylon when it will get moist or is roofed in snow. Whereas there’s some stretch, there’s ample air area between the rain fly and the interior tent, that it has little to no influence on livability. The advantage of siliconized polyester is that the seams will be manufacturing unit seam-sealed, it absorbs much less water when it will get moist, dries rapidly, and it retains the X-Dome exceptionally reasonably priced at $349 USD, which is a really aggressive value for a tent of this high quality and utility.
The rain fly, when pitched, has an oblong footprint and hangs beneath the carbon fiber pole set utilizing plastic hooks. The poles slot into easy aluminum {hardware} within the corners, with webbing and ladder lock buckles for tensioning the corners, as an alternative of linelocs, which may freeze in chilly/winter. In windy situations or heavy snow hundreds, you possibly can reinforce the pole set and rain fly with trekking poles for added structural help, a function much like one provided on the SlingFin Portal 1.
The interior tent has a tapered footprint, 50″ extensive on the head finish and tapering right down to 27″ on the foot finish. The additional area is sweet for storing gear inside simple attain contained in the tent as an alternative of getting to stash it within the vestibule. The advantage of the tapered foot finish is that it creates extra coated vestibule area for gear storage in addition to a big overhang, so you possibly can depart the aspect door open in unhealthy climate and never get moist.
The X-Dome 1+ is a particularly livable tent that’s best when the climate situations exterior are poor. For instance:
- The rainfly drops near the bottom limiting drafts and splashback.
- The doorways roll again and are secured with magnets, in order that they’re simple to safe open, and shut with out combating a dowel closure, which is frequent on many standard tents. You’ll recognize the distinction when it’s raining.
- The interior tent has twin mesh pockets set excessive up off the ground to stop breakage of delicate gadgets like glasses or telephones.
- Whereas the size of the interior tent is 85″, it’s nearer to 90″ when you place your self on the diagonal, offering extra room for tall backpackers.
- The underside portion of the interior tent is strong material, decreasing drafts.
- The door zippers on the fly and interior tent are diagonal making entry and exit simpler.
- The 42″ peak of the interior tent and its vertical sidewalls make it simple to vary your garments contained in the tent.
- The depth of the vestibule makes it simple to (fastidiously) prepare dinner beneath cowl in unhealthy climate.
The eye to element and performance is basically fairly outstanding – a lot so, that you may substitute a number of tents, when you personal a number of, with the X-Dome 1+ as a result of it addresses such a broad swath of capabilities.
Comparable Freestanding Tents
Having used many of the tents listed beneath (we’re about to publish a number of extra opinions this month), the X-Dome 1+ is superior alongside a number of dimensions, together with its fly-first pitch, inside area/vestibule, and power. Its closest competitor is the Massive Sky Revolution 1 Tent, a double-wall tent with a fly-first pitch and two doorways w/vestibules.
Advice
The Durston X-Dome 1+ is basically fairly a outstanding light-weight freestanding tent that’s designed for backpackers preferring a double-wall freestanding tent as a result of it’s extra comfy, simpler to pitch on crappy tent websites, and extra climate worthy. Weighing practically twice as a lot as many ultralight trekking pole tents, it’s unlikely to enchantment to backpackers who’re centered on utilizing the lightest weight gear for extra benign climate situations. That stated, the X-Dome 1+, with its fly-first pitch, considerate design, and noteworthy livability options is a finest purchase and one that you just’ll rapidly come to like when you want a freestanding tent on your adventures.
Disclaimer: Durston Gear donated a tent for overview.
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