Seeking insights re. comparative stormworthiness: X-Mid Pro 2 vs TT Dbl Rnbow Li

Not sure if it was you, but someone asked a similar question in the weekly thread on reddit yesterday so there are some answers there:

r/Ultralight – "The Weekly" – Week of August 21, 2023
by u/AutoModerator in Ultralight

You would scroll down to posts from about a day ago.

If you have questions for me feel free to send a message but otherwise I’ll leave the commentary on differences between these models to others, other than noting as a generalization that trekking pole structures are much stronger/sturdier than a single lightweight arch pole.

Thanks, Dan. I wasn’t aware of that Reddit thread. Helpful to see.

Best,

Warren

> noting as a generalization that trekking pole structures are much stronger/sturdier than a single lightweight arch pole.

The danger of generalizations is that they aren’t always true.  Trekking pole tents have one (single pole) or two (double poles) fixed points in space from which you suspend the fabric. Depending on tension lines to ground, structural symmetry, and material stretch those points can move and trekking pole tents, particularly ones with large unsupported panels, can move all over the place in wind. Arch pole tents can also suffer in wind and, like trekking pole tents, much depends on geometry and material stretch. Continuous arch sleeve tents do have inherently smaller unsupported panels than trekking pole tents and structural movement is more a function of arch pole(s) flexing under load.  Light, thin, and flexible carbon poles can’t resist wind load nearly as well as heaver, stiffer carbon or aluminum ones.  Exterior lines, much like those on trekking pole tents, are useful/necessary to stabilize the geometry under high wind load.  What has really surprised me in recent months is the effect of applying the non-stretch UltraTNT fabric over the top of the arch pole Double Rainbow DW structure.  The resulting structure is a rock in the wind and will match up against any trekking pole tent even the bomber StratoSpire Li.

Henry, what are your thoughts about the reasonable limits for a Double Rainbow Li in terms of storms/winds? Where would you take that tent and where would you be reluctant to take it (in 3-season conditions)?

That assumes proper use of guylines. You previously shared with me an interesting configuration with guylines extending from the stakes anchoring the vestibules to the webbing loops midway up each side of the arch pole. I don’t know if that’s a complete guyline setup for storm conditions, or if you would add more to stabilize fabric panels.

I think the X-Mid Pro 2 is not available currently. I was vacillating about upgrading to it from my Plexamid as a larger trekking pole tent (now that I am camping with a giant dog), and waited too long before ordering. Hopefully it will be back in stock before next summer.

The best way to increase the stability of the Double Rainbow Li for high winds is to upgrade the pole to aluminum. Doing that will cost you 3.4 ounces and $22 and the structure will then handle any 3-season conditions, most especially if you also use arch sleeve guylines as needed.

For stormworthiness and aerodynamics, I’m reticent to discuss comparative performance differences between specific shelters partly because I have a vested interest and partly because debates on stormworthiness and aerodynamics involving manufacturers tends to consist of picking elements that favor their models and presenting those with outsized importance (e.g. aerodynamics depends on a huge list of factors from A to Z but one may argue theirs is better because it has an edge in A).

I think real world experience is more telling, such as that recent community discussion on reddit involving people that have used both, with the caveat that it is a small sample size. Ultimately though, either of these tents is going to be strong enough for your kayak trip if used properly so I would focus more on practical differences like weight, size, etc.

For the X-Mid in particular though, it is designed and tested in the area you are asking about (“high mountains of PNW/Canada”) and has a long history of good performance with over million user nights now and no storm failures when used properly. With a good pitch and suitable stakes, it’ll do well at 30 mph, fine but noisy at 40 mph, and has survived verified winds in the 50-60 mph range but we don’t recommend it for that use.

“Hopefully [the X-Mid Pro 2] will be back in stock before next summer.”
We’ll have the 2024 model in stock in about 8 weeks.  If you wish, you can sign up for a notification on our site.

The best way to increase the stability of the Double Rainbow Li for high winds is to upgrade the pole to aluminum.

Have you changed your mind on the use of the aluminium pole with the DR Li? I remember you saying that it didn’t work as well with the Li version.

I don’t think I said the aluminum pole doesn’t work as well but apologies if it came out that way.  The carbon pole works better in the DR Li than in the DR if only because the adjoining canopy fabric is non-stretch and helps to limit the pole flex.  If ultimate weight savings is the goal then the carbon pole is fine for the DR Li but the comparable aluminum pole is stiffer,

Thanks for the clarification. I may be ordering an aluminium pole.