I don't know your dynamics and what kind of relationship you guys have, but for me and my wife when we want do away with the pressure of getting/giving each other gifts for an occasion we opt for an experience together.
Experiences are always better than gifts or a card or cake, imo.
Pick six...
Never had much of an issue other than some rookie mistakes when I first got it.
Set the trekking poles to the same height and inserted them, didn't have a good pitch. Best to adjust the pole after inserted to get a taut pitch, especially if on uneven ground.
Sometimes it's hard to visualize...
I will say to one thing that pulled me into the xmid besides the price, was it's silpoly and at the time the double rainbow dw was silnylon. Now it's updated to the silpoly fly.
You're welcome.
This is one of those buy once cry once situations for me that I cheaped out. This is not to say that the xmid is cheap or not a great tent. I just kind of wish I would have spent the extra $100 and got the double rainbow dw to begin with.
As far as boxes checked better, I'd say...
Journey is always a good choice and I feel Only the Young is a bit underrated. Been to see them four times.
Ride of the Valkyries is on all my workout playlist.
Can't say this is my top five list but at least one of these will alway be in my top five, if that makes sense.
Bitter Sweet...
I'd say it's mostly because of aftermarket support for the tikka over the browning, as to why they get recommended more. Plus there's just more reported data points on here of them just plain shooting and working flawlessly.
I own a few of both and I really like both of them. Next rifle I buy...
I think my first one was a cosmo 300. I've had it for years. About the same for me, just good ol trusty keeps chugging along.
I've bought several different models since and have them stashed in just about every bag and car.
I'll have to take a look into those two you recommended to the op.
If you like more room, check out the the tarptent rainbow or double rainbow dw.
The rainbow might suit you and it's going to save you some weight as well over a full-blown 2p tent.
I know those are models you haven’t mentioned though but worth a look IMO.
From my experiences I wish I would...
I would assume that could be done, never tried it myself or even thought about it.
I'm sure it would be fine but with the tent not taut I'd be more afraid of something happening to it in a weather episode or heavy winds. But something can happen to a standing tent too.
What size tent are you looking for?
If looking at a one person, you might consider the tarptent moment dw. The double wall would help manage condensation.
I personally don't have the moment but have a tarptent bowfin 1(discontinued) that I recently acquired and have a couple of nights in. Very...