X Mid - Dan Durston

[slparker]

Thanks for the commiserations, I have sent it off to a woman who has done some excellent work in the past on my gear (replacing zippers, fixing tents etc) so it will come back as good as new I am sure. I am still cranky at myself for ripping it, at least no-one witnessed my lack of grace as I tripped and fell

If it is any consolation I stuck my pole tip straight through the fly when packing up my 1p x-mid on the top of Mt Bogong. Not so pro-tip: never try and drop the tent without de-tensioning by releasing a couple of downwind pegs first..

The repair was easy: I sewed the hole by hand and then tenacious taped one side and silicon glued the other (this is what DD recommends). As good as new.

[dandurston]

FYI, I am working on a set of folding poles for the X-Mid that are going to be really nice. They're 5 section (so they pack short like the tent), adjustable (very helpful yet rare in folding poles), carbon (light), and 11mm (stiff) and with a custom tip to fit perfectly in the grommet. I am on track to have those available in a few months, although getting a bit late for the summer season in Australia. I think they are 3-4 months out. I am working on the prototypes now and then production takes 2-3 months.

[slparker]

Awesome, my main objection to BD carbon z poles is lack of adjustability for the x-mid.

On another matter, why aren't poles made with larger bore tubing (obviously the terminal section needs to be narrow for placement). I am not an engineer but I do know that bike tubes are made purposefully wide as they are stiffer and stronger for their weight.

[CraigVIC]

FYI, I am working on a set of folding poles for the X-Mid that are going to be really nice. They're 5 section (so they pack short like the tent), adjustable (very helpful yet rare in folding poles), carbon (light), and 11mm (stiff) and with a custom tip to fit perfectly in the grommet. I am on track to have those available in a few months, although getting a bit late for the summer season in Australia. I think they are 3-4 months out. I am working on the prototypes now and then production takes 2-3 months.

This sounds great. I have the 2p and think it's very good. But, solo I don't use two poles. A bespoke solution is just what the doctor ordered.

[north-north-west]

FYI, I am working on a set of folding poles for the X-Mid that are going to be really nice. They're 5 section (so they pack short like the tent), adjustable (very helpful yet rare in folding poles), carbon (light), and 11mm (stiff) and with a custom tip to fit perfectly in the grommet. I am on track to have those available in a few months, although getting a bit late for the summer season in Australia. I think they are 3-4 months out. I am working on the prototypes now and then production takes 2-3 months.

Neat. Do they have a nice wide base to stop them sinking in sand/soft ground?

[Warin]

Neat. Do they have a nice wide base to stop them sinking in sand/soft ground?

? Tasmania? That would be mud to us mainlanders .. not 'soft ground' ...

Possibly a fitting to take on walking pole baskets would be best - replaceable, light and at least 2 sizes available to suit the expected surface.

[lseries92]

I used the following on the Six Moon Designs poles to prevent them from sinking in too much - they are for 10mm pole diameters though:

https://www.bunnings.com.au/tic-10mm-bl ... e_p4050068

They are 8g each from memory so not incredibly heavy (although for my usage weight is not much of a consideration). They do not have a 11mm if they are required for the poles that Dan are talking about but it would not take too long to dremel them out a little bit.

[north-north-west]

Not enough spread. What Warin said about trekking pole baskets would work better. It would also give me a use for all the ones rattling around in the drawer.

[stry]

FYI, I am working on a set of folding poles for the X-Mid that are going to be really nice. They're 5 section (so they pack short like the tent), adjustable (very helpful yet rare in folding poles), carbon (light), and 11mm (stiff) and with a custom tip to fit perfectly in the grommet. I am on track to have those available in a few months, although getting a bit late for the summer season in Australia. I think they are 3-4 months out. I am working on the prototypes now and then production takes 2-3 months.

Perfect Waiting, waiting,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[KateRock]

Curious as to what minimum pole length is required to pitch. The limitation of fixed length poles...

I had a play with this tent on the weekend and found beer cans make great extension and stable bases for the poles. My exisiting poles are only 125cm so i just put my used can under each pole. Great excuse to pack a couple of beers.

I made a little vid if anyone is interested

https://youtu.be/z0mYD9ItUjE

[dandurston]

The base is a bit of a tricky thing since any base wide enough to work well in almost any conditions is likely fairly heavy. What I'm leaning towards is a removable boot that is moderately wide. Users on firm soil can leave it at home, users on medium soils can bring it, or rig up something in the field (e.g. flat stones) and then users on quite soft/muddy soils will probably need to rig up something in the field since the boot will only be 20-30mm across.

I got the first prototype of the pole this week. Most of it is really nice, including high quality carbon, stiff, packs short, and the custom tip to the fit the grommets is a work of art. The main outstanding thing is that the adjustment mechanism doesn't have as much grip as I'd like (e.g. you have to crank it really tight to hold under a big load) so I'm working on a next gen of that with a bit more contact area to make it easier to get a secure lock.

[north-north-west]

I'm assuming that the adjustment system will be something similar to the Ruta locura; is that so? I found that to be annoyingly fiddly to use. While the lock works well once set, it can be very difficult to set.

[MikeB62]

Our first time on the OLT last week. The platform at Windermere was perfect for the X Mid. 19mm cup hooks made for easy pitching at others.

[dandurston]

"I'm assuming that the adjustment system will be something similar to the Ruta locura; is that so? I found that to be annoyingly fiddly to use. While the lock works well once set, it can be very difficult to set."

I'm looking at some different options. A flick lock would be ideal but it might be a twist lock. The twist locks are fiddly to use under tension but still a lot better than having no adjustability at all IMO. Not sure why pretty much all the big trekking pole companies only offer fixed length.

[north-north-west]

Flick lock would indeed be ideal. A twist lock similar to what is used in trekking poles would be acceptable. Thank you.

[stry]

Fixed length is possibly popular with manufacturers because it's cheaper, simpler and probably lighter; although it does require a greater number of models.

I was always a fan of flick locks, but recently upgraded an alloy flick lock tripod to a carbon fibre with twist locks. These twist locks are great, much better in every way than those on my trekking poles, and I prefer them to the flick locks. Note that the tripod twist locks do not require the leg to be twisted, only a knurled ring - very quick and easy. They are also a bigger diameter than trekking poles.

[bumper]

Just a quick question,has anyone used the X Mid on the Western Arthurs and how did it go?
I’m tossing up between the X Mid and my trusty Macpac Microlight.
Thanks in advance.

[Walk_fat boy_walk]

Just a quick question,has anyone used the X Mid on the Western Arthurs and how did it go?
I’m tossing up between the X Mid and my trusty Macpac Microlight.
Thanks in advance.

Good question. I've used mine in some pretty awful weather (and held up brilliantly) but nothing like the warthurs could spew up

Sent from my SM-G977B using Tapatalk

[north-north-west]

There's plenty of shelter for the platforms at Cygnus and Oberon. Haven has less but still enough. High Moor is the most exposed of the official sites in the A-K section (which is all that's currently open) and the only one I'd be at all concerned about. The big question with the XMid is the height - it does get hammered by wind, but well-pitched it handles that hammering quite well. It's not a tent where you lie there all night listening to it rattle around you.
I'm still iffy about taking mine on the higher, really exposed, off-track walks, but that's more my paranoia than anything else.

[Ms_Mudd]

Those of you who own both 1p and 2p, which one are you more regularly reaching for now?

[Zapruda]

The 1p for sure. Handles wind a bit better and I don’t find it nearly as confining as some, even at 188cm.

[Ms_Mudd]

I feel much the same Zapruda and find it is my 1p I use the most.
In my situation the 2p could be the more utilitarian shelter though given the kids/ kids friends trips that may happen. I did nab a Black Diamond Megamid on marketplace though, so there is that....

I don't really need a 1p and 2p sat in my shed, but it's a hard call between the two. Great designed tents, the both of them.

[dandurston]

"Note that the tripod twist locks do not require the leg to be twisted, only a knurled ring - very quick and easy"

Yeah this actually how the first prototype is. Easier than a normal twist lock. Still slightly awkward (versus the same thing in a tripod) because the pole is under a bigger load while you're trying to lock it. Basically you have to hold the bottom shaft still while you twist the ring, and hold the upper section from collapsing. Kinda like a flick lock but the twist takes more action to close. With a normal twist lock the bottom of the pole has to twist which is a downside, but on the other hand, there are only two parts to manage (top, bottom) rather than three (top, bottom, twist ring). Actual weight of the adjustment mechanism is about 9 grams, so pretty reasonable given how nice it is to have.

Anyways, I find the action of it to be reasonable. The first prototype just took a lot of twisting effort to give a solid lock and I don't really want people with cold hands and maybe rushing having to put in any extra effort, so trying to modify that now so it gives a more solid lock with less effort (e.g. finer threads on the twist ring so you have better leverage).

[Moondog55]

Having played with CF a tiny bit I too have wondered why CF tent poles are so skinny.
If I was buying them new I'd be more than happy to pay for a pole the same weight as the aluminium alloy but much stronger and for my own needs and wants this means 16mm or larger diametre, at least in the more stressed centre sections. I don't understand the obsession with short sections either as I carry my poles vertically inside my sack or in the external pole pockets. Short sections are weaker than long sections

[dandurston]

New X-Mid 2P video today:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Al1jrkKrVYo

[Se88o]

Pulling the trigger. Zapruda - your love for this thing here and on reddit tipped me over the edge; hit Dan up for commission.

The 1p sold out everywhere (except Canada) - any eta on restock Dan? Any updates on the prototype folding poles? Thanks.

[dandurston]

Commission cheque sent

The 1P is in stock on Amazon.com and .ca but it seems that the .com site only ships to the USA for the 1P (even though the 2P ships internationally). So if you're outside the USA it says out of stock on Amazon.com even though it's not.

Drop is receiving a new batch of the 1P and 2P in the next few weeks, so I expect it to be back on Drop sometime in Feb.

I'm also gearing up to launch inner only kits and groundsheets on my own via DurstonGear.com. Inner only kits will launch late April/May for immediate shipping (although hardly inner-only season in Australia). I have an interest list here if anyone wants a notification:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1b8LOp0 ... GUGP77YMM/

Groundsheet will go on pre-sale in a few weeks for shipping in June. Notification list here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1KWaoYJ ... afw6Eggn7g

The folding poles have hit a setback. Seems like the factory went out of business under covid. So back to square one on figuring that out. I'm still working on it but the timeline is back to late 2021 now instead of spring.

[Zapruda]

Thanks Dan. Now I can afford another Xmid

Are the inner only kits for a solid inner?

Quick pic from last night

[Zapruda]

Pulling the trigger. Zapruda - your love for this thing here and on reddit tipped me over the edge; hit Dan up for commission.

The 1p sold out everywhere (except Canada) - any eta on restock Dan? Any updates on the prototype folding poles? Thanks.

Haha. It’s been a year of use and I’m pretty confident recommending it now. Feels like I have really been singing it’s praises the past couple of weeks. Hopefully you can find one soon.

[Mookie]

Love my Xmid 2P so so much... waiting for the next drop of xmid 1p's!

There is a facebook page dedicated to Dan Durston Gear, which will answer any questions about likely times of next drops, future plans etc for gear... seems like a great bunch of people all fans of Dan! "Durston Gearheads" is the page name. Dan himself is very active on the page.