New Durston X-Dome for Alaska hunts??

[dirtytough]

I ordered an Xdome. Haven’t updated tents in a long time. Got tired of researching tents and it seemed like a solid option.

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

Is it the pole geometry or ?? that's more desireable with the tarptent offering over Durston?

The Arcdome has a stonger and more simple pole design. It is basically a Niak made from Ultra fabric. I cannot stand those hub style designs like the Durston uses, which has already seen its fair share of issues since its launch. Plus, carbon poles suck. The risk of a splinter or a break far outweigh any minor weight differences. I havnt used X Dome yet, but those design principles and materials definitely turn me off to it. The Arcdome is going to be offered in a 1+ verision, so the weight difference will be less than the currently offered 2p. However he is having issues now with the factory used for the Ultra fabric tents due to the tariff situation.

 

[badkneesbro]

Tarptent told me the arcdome1 would be silpoly but that it was not viable at this time. Meaning we can’t count on it being manufactured at this time. I would really like a big sky international revolution 1.5 but their reputation for lousy customer service is so bad, I don’t want to risk it with them. If the tariff situation doesn’t improve significantly in a few days, I’m going to order the slingfin portal2.

 

[6.5x284]

My X-Dome replacement pole set with the new glue layup process shipped. I'll probably sell on BL once they arrive and stick with my X-Mid 1 for where I used this tent. Eventually I'll look at the Arcdome when readily available.

 

[mt100gr.]

My X-Dome replacement pole set with the new glue layup process shipped. I'll probably sell on BL once they arrive and stick with my X-Mid 1 for where I used this tent. Eventually I'll look at the Arcdome when readily available.

Do you have the Xmid 1 regular or Pro? I'm hung up.... I have been a floorless trekking pole tent guy for a long time but in the late season they're sometimes a pain in the ass on deep snow. I was considering the Xmid 1 regular AND a second free standing tent for snowy hunts. I also like the regular version as the inner and outer can be separated. There are times when a tent and ground sheet would be all I want. But the weight of the Pro makes me think I can continue to get away with pitching it however I need to to make do.

 

[6.5x284]

I’ve had the pro 2 person but with the single wall always had bad condensation so I prefer the mesh inner xmid to the DCF pro. I like trekking pole tents but also keep a quiver or stand alone for some alpine and glacier areas where I can’t get good stake purchase. That’s what I was hoping the x-dome would do for me.

For snow hunts I run a DCF Cimarron as a hot tent or a Hilleberg Soulo If I’m worried about snow load while hunting during the day.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[cornfedkiller]

@6.5x284

Was your pole failure caused by the known issue with the glue/inserts, or some other reason? What did Durston have to say about it?

I'm anxiously awaiting the release of the 2p, but don't like seeing pole problems..

 

[6.5x284]

No it was something different. The carbon split about half way up from one of the connection points. My best guess is when clipping the poles into the connectors and staking out on the ground one of the poles slid off the ferrule halfway and the stress of clipping everything in caused it to crack when not fully seated. The reason I think this is when fully seated it takes a lot of force to move even the cracked carbon but slide it halfway out and it moves easily. I double checked all connections and they were fully seated when I first assembled the pole set.
It’s the only thing I can think of.

They sent me a single replacement for the piece right away. Later I saw the glue issue email and I tried to move mine ferrules when I saw the glue issue and all felt locked in place.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

@6.5x284 Your experience with the XDome is basically what I anticipated when I learned of the specs & materials.
Glad I didn’t jump on board right away.

The more I see new tents come to market, the more I appreciate the simplicity and ruggedness of my MLD DCF Duomid.

 

[MT_Wyatt]

@6.5x284 Your experience with the XDome is basically what I anticipated when I learned of the specs & materials.
Glad I didn’t jump on board right away.

The more I see new tents come to market, the more I appreciate the simplicity and ruggedness of my MLD DCF Duomid.

you just run a splash bivy inside that thing?

Single pole shelters really cut usable space but also make that uneven ground pitching a lot easier, the Xmid is just too fiddly that way for most exposed areas.

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

you just run a splash bivy inside that thing?

Single pole shelters really cut usable space but also make that uneven ground pitching a lot easier, the Xmid is just too fiddly that way for most exposed areas.

Exactly. The X-Mid was a pain to pitch a lot of times.

I either run a ground sheet or a 1+ inner if it’s buggy area. I rarely use bivy’s. You end up with more moisture in your bag than anything.

 

[mt100gr.]

Good info here, guys, I appreciate it. Condensation and uneven ground or deep snow struggles are the main reasons I am back in shopping mode. The right free standing tent would sway me for a do-it-all, but now I am kind of leaning towards a poly xmid and a solid freestanding tent. Does anyone know of a lightweight and long freestanding that's worth a shit in the mountains? I used a big agnes seedhouse for years and it did things in places that the specs and reviews said it couldn't (or shouldn't) what other better than expected tents are there?

 

[mtwarden]

As soon as someone makes a dcf "Niak", they've got my money

Carbon poles shave a little weight, but I know too many folks that have had poles break—aluminum FTW

I've looked (and looked) at this shelter; looks good, but not enough reviews to make me feel warm & fuzzy about it

https://www.trekkertent.com/home/home/55-saor-dcf.html

 

[MT_Wyatt]

As soon as someone makes a dcf "Niak", they've got my money

Carbon poles shave a little weight, but I know too many folks that have had poles break—aluminum FTW

I've looked (and looked) at this shelter; looks good, but not enough reviews to make me feel warm & fuzzy about it

https://www.trekkertent.com/home/home/55-saor-dcf.html

that's an interesting way to get around the top cross strut (just making the footprint larger and inset inner, rather than the hillerberg niak approach where that vestibule is just an add on extended panel.

There's a lot of good design thoughts in that xdome and for just popping up anywhere, that simple shape makes a lot of sense. Hubs + Carbon = Scared here.

 

[Coopsdaddy]

Was looking at the new durston but can’t see anything it offers over my kuiu mtn star2.

 

[thegrouse]

The selling point for the Durston is the weight. My Xmid is pretty darn light.

 

[mt100gr.]

@6.5x284 Your experience with the XDome is basically what I anticipated when I learned of the specs & materials.
Glad I didn’t jump on board right away.

The more I see new tents come to market, the more I appreciate the simplicity and ruggedness of my MLD DCF Duomid.

The more I read thru this, the more it sounds like I'll fight the XMid like I did the 2 pole Seek Outside tents....

Are the Duomid walls steep enough for a 6'3 guy to stretch out and not have my toes or forehead touching the wall? The 2 pole types allow for a kitty-corner arrangement. And truthfully, the length of the XMid is what initially piqued my interest.

 

[6.5x284]

The more I read thru this, the more it sounds like I'll fight the XMid like I did the 2 pole Seek Outside tents....

Are the Duomid walls steep enough for a 6'3 guy to stretch out and not have my toes or forehead touching the wall? The 2 pole types allow for a kitty-corner arrangement. And truthfully, the length of the XMid is what initially piqued my interest.

For what it’s worth I find the Xmid easy to pitch on flatish ground. Stake 4 corners, sip door down a tad, stick in trekking pole. Repeat on other side. Guy if needed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

The more I read thru this, the more it sounds like I'll fight the XMid like I did the 2 pole Seek Outside tents....

Are the Duomid walls steep enough for a 6'3 guy to stretch out and not have my toes or forehead touching the wall? The 2 pole types allow for a kitty-corner arrangement. And truthfully, the length of the XMid is what initially piqued my interest.

I’d say it’s probably long enough for that.

 

[mt100gr.]

For what it’s worth I find the Xmid easy to pitch on flatish ground. Stake 4 corners, sip door down a tad, stick in trekking pole. Repeat on other side. Guy if needed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I appreciate that. And I always got away with it, too, with the 2 pole tents "Uneven" ground is definitely the ??...and everyone sees it differently so I am just trying to get as many accounts as possible.

But here I am digging into the lightweight trekking pole tents when the main issue i was trying to address is finding a long enough freestanding tent for the deep snow and rocky ground.

I have pretty much conceded that at least 2 tents is the answer, and I guess I've never had fewer than 2....

I'm going to keep an eye on the ArcDome