Tarptent Dipole in stock

The Dipole is a bit more stable in very high winds (more structure and a little more aerodynamic). I’ve had them both side-by-side on several trips above the treeline this summer.

Did you ever try swapping the shockcord for static cord at the door stake points on the X-Mid? The door stake is the main one that anchors the peak against broadside winds, but the shockcord here just stretches to allow peak movement, so I think that was the main reason why you didn’t originally see as solid of peak anchoring. I find a substantial difference in peak stability when switching to static cord, so going forward that will be the stock configuration.

Aerodynamics are complicated with a lot of factors, but the main limitation in either shelter is probably the large sidewalls. These are a 10% larger in the X-Mid (16 vs 14.4 sq ft) but a fair bit flatter in the Dipole (69 degrees vs 61 degrees) so for the side panels specifically the Dipole would have more drag.

Anyways, the Dipole is a really nice shelter. Looks super spacious. It’s a fairly different weight class than the X-Mid Pro since it’s about 1/2 lbs heavier (19.5 vs 26.2 oz) but for those that want a voluminous tent it looks great.

Yes – static cord on the doors definitely improves stability. We’re getting into the windy season up here, so I’m looking forward to lots more testing with both shelters!

It is nice to see tentmakers opening up space at the head and feet, as opposed to A-frame side entry designs that offer little space for sitting up or moving around except at the center of the tent.  The 28″ width at center is a bit skimpy, although the 3′ at head and foot are nice.

But the large open venting at head and feet could be a problem in a storm with wind blown rain.  I would want a design that buttons up in severe weather, and uses other more protected methods for venting.  That’s a bottom line in areas that have variable weather patterns, such as much of the Colorado mountains.

I’ve thought about that. What happens when a storm comes in and wind / rain is blowing directly into one of the end windows. Would that cover over the window flap viciously? Is this a fair weather tent like the rainbow? If so, I do get it. There’s an audience for burly tents like the scarp and fair weather tents like the rainbow.

I see Ryan says that this DiPole handles wind well. I’m really curious how the end window flaps response to wind. I personally love the idea of opening the end windows for venting or just looking out, but is there a trade off like there is with many backpacking tents.

OK, did not see it in any of the photos; but the end of the tent setup video and Ryan J’s  video review both reveal solid vent covers that can be raised under the large vented ends.  Should not have doubted Henry’s attention to detail.

The single wall DCF canopy can be secured tautly, and while four pegs will support the tent, four additional guylines and pegs appear needed for severe storms.

The tent appears to be a side-entry redesign of the traditional A-Frame, with the sleeping space rotated 90 degrees and the new head and foot ends raised by two carbon struts to create greater room to sit up and also avoid contact by the canopy with the foot of a sleeping bag or quilt.  (BPL’s archives reveal similar approaches to tunnel tents.)  In that respect, the Dipole seems a great improvement over end-entry A-Frame tents which still seem to be as popular as ever.  Perhaps the advent of trekking pole supported tents have given the A-Frame a new life.

This has got me wondering about whether or not I could modify my Notch Li pitchloc ends to the one pole used in the Dipole ends. It would require more stakes but would make packing in backpack easier. Thoughts from anyone before I start tinkering?

It would be doable if you could sew DCF, but no.  If you are practiced with DCF tapes, that’s another story.  But by choice I’m not.

I’ve done extensive mods to sewn tents, because it takes much less time than starting from scratch, though even mods can be quite a challenge, and even though I’ve been sewing since around age 6, when my aunt introduced me to a pedal machine and I drove the needle right through the ball of my forefinger.  Ouch!  Guess I’m saying that some things are best left to the pros, like Henry and his crew.  T’wer me, I’d sell or trade the Notch to get a larger SS Li, and spend more time enjoying the new tent in the outdoors, which was the goal in the first place.