Durston X-Dome 1+

[Dan @ Durston Gear]

We have a small run of separate Solid inners that we might be able to provide in June but it depends on if we need them for warranty. We are ramping up production nicely so we do expect to have ample supply by December. So I would order whichever version you prefer for this summer, and then are intention is to have all the parts available by the end of the year.

[John Brochu]

Any informed thoughts on what the DCF version of this tent might weigh? I know there are no promises that it will actually be released, and somewhere recently Dan posted that it’s not coming in 2025 for sure, but I’ve kind of been frozen trying to decide what to do.

In any case, I want to add a freestanding tent to the quiver sometime in the relatively near future. I’m not sure whether to get this current version, wait for DCF, or perhaps get the HPL CrossPeak 2 which comes in under 2 pounds, albeit for a very hefty price. (I’m a little nervous about that one though because I’m not sure if their tent game compares to Durston and ZPacks.)

 

[Dan @ Durston Gear]

I’d like to do it, but these things take time (prototyping + ordering materials + production). So the hope is to have it for next spring but we can’t be sure right now.

Likely we would keep this as a doublewall tent. So the weight of the poles would stay the same while the interior gets a bit lighter and the fly gets a lot lighter. It would save about 1/2 lbs.

[Anonymous]

Dan, one thing I’d encourage you to do when you get to the DCF version is make the tent floor DCF. If someone wants a DCF tent, they want the whole weight-savings enchilada, not a partial enchilada.

[John Brochu]

I totally get it. I’m just squirming between waiting and crossing my fingers or doing something else. But close to a half pound lighter with that design and I think I’m going to have to wait and hope you’re able to get to it.

BTW I recently bought an X-mid 1 for a friend and was super impressed with the design and the quality, especially at that price point. You could probably sell ’em for substantially more!

[JCH]

You could probably sell ’em for substantially more!

You might be right.  On the other hand, I would argue that Dan has priced the product at what he considers a “fair price”, is making a satisfying profit, and selling all inventory (unlikely there is stock piling up that needs to be disposed of) to eager buyers who (rightly) feel they are getting a top quality product at a good price.

I couldn’t be happier with the value proposition of my XMid Pro 2P, and hope Dan’s business model is meeting expectations and doesn’t need to change.

[Dan @ Durston Gear]

We probably could sell them for quite a bit more. I know some other companies with products of similar or perhaps lower quality that are ~30% more, but I do like to provide good value. The core “business model” idea is to skip the retail markup and put some of that into making an even higher quality product, while passing the rest along to the customer. The primary goal is to create the best gear we can, but if the price is lower to it’s a nice bonus.

“one thing I’d encourage you to do when you get to the DCF version is make the tent floor DCF.”
I think what we’ll probably do is make the X-Dome Pro a doublewall because people that are willing to carry the weight of a pole set for the benefits of freestanding probably also prefer to add a few oz for the benefits of a doublewall. In that case, it all becomes mix ‘n match and the DCF fly would naturally pair with a DCF floor interior but also could be paired with our other interior options.

[John Brochu]

That’s an admirable approach. Much respect and I bet it helps maintain the massive brand loyalty that you seem to have.

[Rob Daly]

I’m on the other side of that coin. If I’m paying a premium for the lightness of DCF I’d prefer an even lighter single wall. Maybe I’m in the minority. Also, the single wall is easier to wipe away any condensation and easier to set up and pack away.

I think what we’ll probably do is make the X-Dome Pro a doublewall because people that are willing to carry the weight of a pole set for the benefits of freestanding probably also prefer to add a few oz for the benefits of a doublewall.

[Anonymous]

I think what we’ll probably do is make the X-Dome Pro a doublewall because people that are willing to carry the weight of a pole set for the benefits of freestanding probably also prefer to add a few oz for the benefits of a doublewall. In that case, it all becomes mix ‘n match and the DCF fly would naturally pair with a DCF floor interior but also could be paired with our other interior options.

Yes, I assumed it’s a given the DCF X-Dome would be a double wall. I was just speaking of the floor only. I see no point in a single wall X-Dome. There are a plethora of single wall DCF tents. The X-Dome is unique because it IS a double wall tent, and that’s the only way I’d want it.

[Dan @ Durston Gear]

“If I’m paying a premium for the lightness of DCF I’d prefer an even lighter single wall.”

It would be interesting to have some market research on this. There are people who place a huge value on being ultralight above all else, so they tend to prefer the combo of DCF + singlewall + trekking pole supported (which we offer with our X-Mid Pro series).

When we go from there and make it freestanding (X-Dome Pro), some of those interested are people who really value freestanding but otherwise still value ultralight above everything else (e.g. Rob), so they add 10 oz in tent poles but save that back with DCF to get a tent they would prefer over a lighter but non-freestanding X-Mid Pro.

Then other people want DCF because it can make an otherwise normal tent even lighter but don’t want to sacrifice much else, so they are happy to pay for weight savings, but they still want the benefits of freestanding and doublewall. My hunch this is the larger group, but hard to say for sure.

[JCH]

My father once told me “Son, everybody looks good to somebody”.

Ditto for tents.

[Anonymous]

My father once told me “Son, everybody looks good to somebody”.

Or as the used car salesman said; “there’s an ass for every seat.” :)

@Dan@Durston Gear – I’m in all those camps. I just don’t expect one tent to fit all categories, which is why I probably have too many tents lol.

[Joey G]

Dan,

I strangely thought about why I want an X-Dome DCF double-wall tent yesterday while on a walk.

I’m in the group that prefers a free-standing tent because you can get a better internal space to footprint ratio. Look at what you’ve been able to do with the X-Dome 2. The length is 13 inches smaller. I also just feel more comfortable while sleeping in one. Like, I know I’m going to get better sleep because there’s not some thread of thought in the back of my mind about what if a stake comes undone in the middle of the night and I have to get up to fiddle with it. Both of these trains of thought could be because I only have about 30 nights of backpacking under my belt. I’m under the mindset that people with much more experience than me probably don’t have these concerns.

I also want a double wall tent. I REALLY  like the idea of this new single-wall HMG Crosspeak 2 being a free-standing DCF tent, but I also don’t want to think about condensation. Again, it may be in the back of my mind while trying to sleep about what ifs.

As someone who prefers a full standing tent,  I also want the attributes of DCF not just because of the reduced weight. So, doesn’t sag, absorb water, less temperature loss ( reduced condensation ). DCF has been marketed to us free-standing folks as the holy grail of fabrics that’s not available in the tents we prefer. The fact that DCF is lighter is like reason number 3 or 4 on reasons I’d like it.

I do think my mental model of all this does have to do with being on the newer side of backpacking. However, I think that even some more experienced folks may feel the same.

I would also much prefer a DCF floor.

I feel like I’m a kid talking to Santa Clause. :)

[Dan @ Durston Gear]

Thanks Joey. Those are good thoughts.

[Alex Wallace]

I spent two nights in my X-Dome 1+ back in March while camping on the coast and faced some seriously wet and windy weather the entire time. The tent held up great and kept me completely dry. I especially appreciated the dry setup, extra space, and the large vestibule, which all made a big difference in those conditions. I’m looking forward to putting in more nights this summer up in the mountains.

[Jerry Adams]

I just listened to rsbtr interview of Dan Durston

https://ripstopbytheroll.com/pages/ep-123-dan-durstons-gear-design-playbook

I was listening to it walking along some river in the Olympics

[Dan @ Durston Gear]

Nice shots. Glad you’re liking the tent.

[John Brochu]

I’m just squirming between waiting and crossing my fingers or doing something else. But close to a half pound lighter with that design and I think I’m going to have to wait and hope you’re able to get to it.

I ended up going ahead now with the X-dome 2 which I’ll use when I need to shelter a friend (like on my winter Grand Canyon trip) or perhaps in late shoulder season/winter in the Whites when I won’t be camping in a super exposed spot and want more room in the tent, and then I’m going to wait for the DCF version of the 1+. I think this was better than buying a 1+ now because I know for sure as soon as the 1+ DCF comes out I won’t be able to resist. Having the 2 gives me some flexibility and since it can be split up and carried by 2 people it’s still super light on a per person basis for a free standing tent.

I got the regular inner for the 2, but will probably also purchase a solid if/when they become available as stand-along options.

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