THere are some things that I am passionate as much as the innovative and carefully designed ultralight backpacker team. As a gear reviewer, I had the opportunity to try a good amount of tents under several conditions. For me, no tent was even close to touching the X-Mid Pro 1, which I have taken with me for more than 3,500 miles of backpack. So, when the opportunity to try the first Incursion of Durston in an independent store of two people came, I took the opportunity.
Fair warning: This will be a long review. When it comes to such an important and expensive team as a tent, I think it is correct to really dive into thorough design decisions that differentiate a product and can be the difference between a comfortable outdoor night and an insomnia night.
DURSTON X-Dome 2 At a glance
MSRP: $ 469
Weight: 2.7 pounds (Fly only: 17.6 oz)
Floor Area: 32 square feet (88 ″ x 52 ″)
Sizing: Two people
Planned use
The main use of the X-Dome 2 focuses on the backpacker of 3 season, which means that it is designed to function exceptionally well on the typical spring, summer and autumn conditions. This includes reliable protection against rain, moderate winds and colder temperatures, while prioritizing ventilation and lighter weight on heavy duty insulation and snow load capabilities necessary for a deep winter.
The lower part of the doors almost reaches the ground, which I found that it is useful when leaving the store in the morning. It may seem small, but having to lift my legs up and on a floor of the bathtub to get the care of a tent can be hard the morning after a hard walk.
Review circumstances
I tried the Durston X-Dome 2 in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, where the spring climate brought a lot of rain, it was a perfect atmosphere to see how the store performed in variable climatic conditions and how it remained the wet climate. I also used it on a trip in Drier Colorado, which allowed me to see how he worked in the weather where I do more backpack.
Characteristics of the X-Dome 2 store
Versatile launch options: The X-Dome 2 offers multiple launch configurations, which I loved. First you can launch the rainfly, which maintains the dry interior store during the configuration in wet conditions. The launch of Fly First is intuitive without additional parts or techniques. Alternatively, you can configure the internal store first to watch stars on clear nights, or even launch both preconnected layers for rapid configuration.
Generous interior space: This tent is very spacious to a 2P tent that includes an excellent head space of the high height and nearby vertical walls, and a large floor. The 52 -inch width extends the full length, comfortably accommodating two sleeping pads. The almost vertical final walls maximize the usable length, and the maximum height of 43 inches remains in a good part of the roof, creating a spacious sensation.
The floor space is generous; Two wide sleeping pads easily adjust next to each other. With a single sleeping pad, there is enough space to have my package by my side without touching.
Durable polyester fabric: The tent uses polyester impregnated with 15D silicone (Sil-Polyester) for rainfly. Polyester is a robust material that does not sink or absorb water in wet conditions, ensuring a tense tone and a fast drying. This fabric without SAG approaches a resistance similar to light nylonas. The inner tent is available in a normal mesh version for ventilation or a solid fabric version for greater warmth and protection. This review covers the regular mesh version of the store.
Efficient halls and doors: Two large and well protected lobby, each of approximately 9 square feet, provide ample space for gear storage. Both tents users have their own zip door for a convenient entry and exit. The main lobby area is next to the door instead of blocking it, so you are not stumbling with your equipment on your road inside and outside the store. The door is also protected and outstanding to keep the rain out.
Even with heavy rains, efficient ventilation pockets avoided condensation inside the store.
Reflective ventilation and storage: The X-Dome 2 includes two large ceiling vents that can be opened or closed to encourage air flow and minimize condensation. Inside, you will find two small interior pockets, a large high pocket at one end and several inner hanging loops for the drying equipment.
Robust post structure: The tent uses a double post structure and with a horizontal cross beam post, made of strong and light Easton carbon posts. Larger diameter tubes are used in high -stress areas to improve durability. At the price of this tent, carbon posts are rarely seen, which was a welcome surprise. In addition, trekking pole connection points are available to reinforce the structure in strong winds. Exceptionally, these can be anchored to the edges of the fly in a countercap position to directly support the side walls against wind deflection.
Are waterproof seams: All seams in the X-Dome 2 are waterproof to avoid the need for additional sewing.
Not only is there a wide space to sit inside, but the ability to throw the rain first is wonderful when it is placed in the rain.
Use
Now that we have covered the characteristics, let’s deepen how the store works in real world conditions.
Climate resistance
The Durston X-Dome 2 provides reliable weather resistance for the 3 season backpack. In the white mountains, the rain handled well, keeping the inside dry. The polyester fabric works as expected, not the fall when it gets wet and detached from water effectively. The fly extends down to the ground, offering protection against air currents and rain splashes, and double -ceiling vents help handle the condensation. While it is designed for use of 3 seasons, its structure can be reinforced with trekking posts to improve stability in stronger winds. In the driest conditions of Colorado, the excellent ventilation of the store was clear; I never woke up with condensation inside the walls of the store.
Configuration
The configuration process for the X-Dome 2 is generally intuitive, especially after a couple of practice releases. The ability to launch the rain first is a particularly strong point for this store. In Rainy New Hampshire, I appreciated to lift the fly, providing a dry space and then configure the inner tent.
A minor point for me is the directional orientation of the poles and the rain. It is not immediately obvious which post segment is connected to which side of the store, or what end of the rain rain aligns with which part of the structure of the post. This can lead to a bullet during the initial configuration, especially with little light or adverse climate. However, this is easily mitigating a small piece of leukotyp or colorful tape to the corresponding parts of the pole and the store, creating clear visual signals for the configuration. Once I made this small modification, the configuration became very fast and easy.
You can still launch the store if you change the store’s posts, but one side will be very loose and will worry about stretching the other side to the point of damage.
Ability
The X-Dome 2, to 2.7 lbs (1250 g), is light for an independent store of two people, which weighs almost the same as the lighter and more independent tents, while it is more spacious, protective and, in my opinion, easy to use. Paste to a manageable size, which fits well inside a standard backpack package. Some bags with a store dedicated to the side can hold the store.
DURSTON X-DOME 2 PROS TENT
Ability to first throw the rain: This is a truly useful characteristic, especially when the camp is established in wet or rainy conditions, since it maintains the dry inner tent throughout the process. I would put this function in the cube of «I never knew that I was losing me until I could try it for the first time.» No more hurried tent settings in the rain while all my things get wet!
Mass Amount of interior space: The 32 square feet of floor area and an impressive head space allow comfortable accommodation of two sleeping pads wide and ample space for the equipment inside, which is not always the case with light tents of two people. My partner and I, both with wide pads, we had no trouble fitting inside.
Adding the interior insect network is optional; If you want a lot of ventilation with rain protection, you could easily carry the rain and posts.
The price is cheap for a tent of this caliber: At $ 469, the X-Dome 2 offers exceptional value for its weight, amplitude and general construction quality. As a premium and ultralight tent, the price will always make it a fairly important investment, but I really believe that the quality and functionality of this store far exceeds its competitors of the same price.
Durable and waterproof polyester: The Sil-Polyester fabric remains well in a varied climate, maintaining its tension and impermeability without sagging. I usually look for an independent store when I think the weather will be variable; It is great to have an option that I know can resist some rain without sacrificing anything of my comfort.
DURSTON X-DOME 2 cons
Directional post/rain orientation during configuration: The main challenge I found was the lack of clear demarcation for the orientation of post and rain. The poles and the fly are directional, and the aligned ones can correctly take a moment of thought. My simple solution to add small pieces of colored tape to the coincident ends of the posts and the connection points of the store solves this completely, but I would like the design to have something like this already incorporated.
I love magnetic doors. When I want to close them, I can gently throw the fabric with one hand.
Would this team recommend?
Yes, without hesitation. If you are an ultralight hiker that seeks an independent store of two people who prioritizes space, protection and value, Durston X-Dome 2 is an excellent option. It performs exceptionally well in a variety of conditions, from New Hampshire rain paths to dry landscapes. The lower initial learning curve with the orientation of the pole is easily exceeded with a simple visual signal. This store offers a high level of comfort and performance for its weight and price.
Comparable products
- MSRP: $ 500
- Weight: ~ 3 pounds 2 oz
The Duston X-Dome 2 tent was donated for the purpose of the review
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(729x274:731x276)/Mark-Zuckerberg-noise-cancelling-headphone-082725-341fac569fc644bc9ebd53dc979c7411.jpg?w=238&resize=238,178&ssl=1 "Mark Zuckerberg dio auriculares para la cancelación de los vecinos durante la construcción en su casa: Informe")
