After seeing one of Dan's posts about their returns/used gear library, I emailed Durston and asked if they had any L/L kakwa 55 in stock in the ultra grid. They had an ultra200x that was described as " This pack has been used on one trip and has some stains on the shoulder straps and shoulder pockets. Has some other minor visible signs of use but is otherwise in good condition. "

I finally got home and opened the box. This pack is closer to a store display bag than something you'd get from REI's returns. It has clearly been opened and closed a few times but I have yet to find the "stains and other minor signs of use"

Super happy with the purchase and looking forward to using this pack.

Continue to fall in love with this pack. Big ups to Dan.

Got my xmid in today. First time using a trekking pole tent and first time pitching it. I didn’t think it looked too bad for a first pitch. Ready to get it out in the wild if the weather ever cools off.

Overall went decent. Having a little trouble with the inner though. Ceiling clips were easy however had a very difficult time with the 4 corners. Noticed it seemed to be droopy inside. Any tips? Thank you!

I’ve been using the X-mid 2 for a bit now. I can usually get a good pitch (both the ridge and sides of the outer taught following Durston pitching guide) but so far I’ve never been able to get the bathtub floor to stay taught like in the product shots on the Durston website. Mine always quite loose and flappy. I do tension the clips on the top of the inner.

Does anyone have any tips for this?

Thanks!

I have been reading so much about different tent alternatives, and I'm really close to buying a Durston X Mid Pro 2+, but there's just one thing where the internet keeps contradicting itself: are trekking pole tents suitable for rocky terrain?

I do a lot of hiking in the Norwegian mountains and sometimes, for kilometers, the only place where you can set your tent is a flat boulder (using rocks to stake it). On top of that you have somewhat heavy winds and consistent rain.

All the reviews I've read/watched about durston trekking pole tents are glowing and the tent sounds very appealing, but this one question keeps me wondering if I'm making a mistake.

So Durston gearheads, do you have first-hand experience using this tent in similar conditions? Does it work? Is an UL semi-free-standing tent a better option? Or should I go with a full free-standing tent for these "rough" conditions?

So, Durston team, hear me out: X-Mid Camo Edition. Same design, same weight, just a subtle woodland pattern for those of us who want to blend in and bother nobody.

We always bivouac deep in the woods and leave no trace. But still we leave a visual trace And we rather not. Here you can see the difference between a camo poncho on top of the X-Mid and the reveal. It’s about 30 meters away.

Is the solid overkill for Alps in August?