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 enables 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 on account of its distinctive offset interior tent orientation, a signature characteristic of Durston’s tents. Extremely livable and well-made, the Durston X-Dome gives distinctive worth and eclipses well-liked 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.
- Kind: Freestanding
- Development: Double-wall
- Minimal variety of stakes to pitch: 0
- Capability: 1 Individual (with further room)
- Whole Weight: 2 lbs 2.7 oz (985g)
- Rainfly weight: 14.7 oz
- Inside tent weight: 10.7 oz
- Pole weight: 9.7 oz
- Seam-sealed: Sure
- Fly First Pitch Choice: 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 may be arrange first earlier than the interior tent, so the tent may be arrange in unhealthy climate whereas protecting the interior tent dry. This functionality is often solely discovered on tents from European tent producers similar to Hilleberg, Exped, Terra Nova, and so forth. however remains 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 preserve the 2 connected when breaking down the tent and set them up concurrently. You can even arrange the fly and depart the interior tent at residence to avoid wasting weight, which is an efficient possibility for snow tenting when diminished weight and pack quantity are desired. The interior tent will also be arrange standalone with the pole set in dry climate in the event 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 may be some stretch, there may be ample air area between the rain fly and the interior tent, that it has little to no impression on livability. The advantage of siliconized polyester is that the seams may be manufacturing unit seam-sealed, it absorbs much less water when it will get moist, dries rapidly, and it retains the X-Dome exceptionally inexpensive 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 might freeze in chilly/winter. In windy situations or heavy snow masses, you possibly can reinforce the pole set and rain fly with trekking poles for added structural help, a characteristic much like one supplied on the SlingFin Portal 1.
The interior tent has a tapered footprint, 50″ broad on the head finish and tapering right down to 27″ on the foot finish. The additional area is good for storing gear inside straightforward 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 preferrred when the climate situations outdoors 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 straightforward to safe open, and shut with out combating a dowel closure, which is widespread on many typical tents. You’ll recognize the distinction when it’s raining.
- The interior tent has twin mesh pockets set excessive up off the ground to forestall breakage of delicate objects like glasses or telephones.
- Whereas the size of the interior tent is 85″, it’s nearer to 90″ in the event you place your self on the diagonal, offering extra room for tall backpackers.
- The underside portion of the interior tent is strong cloth, decreasing drafts.
- The door zippers on the fly and interior tent are diagonal making entry and exit simpler.
- The 42″ top of the interior tent and its vertical sidewalls make it straightforward to vary your garments contained in the tent.
- The depth of the vestibule makes it straightforward to (rigorously) prepare dinner below cowl in unhealthy climate.
The eye to element and performance is basically fairly exceptional – a lot so, that you possibly can change a number of tents, in the event 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 a lot 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.
Suggestion
The Durston X-Dome 1+ is basically fairly a exceptional 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 almost twice as a lot as many ultralight trekking pole tents, it’s unlikely to enchantment to backpackers who’re targeted 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 memorable livability options is a finest purchase and one that you simply’ll rapidly come to like in the event you want a freestanding tent on your adventures.
Disclaimer: Durston Gear donated a tent for overview.
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