Durston X-Dome 1+

Durston X-Dome 1+ is a generously sized one person freestanding tent made by combining our unique X-Mid floorplan with a maximally weight and strength efficient pole set to improve spaciousness, stormworthiness, and simplicity in an ultralight tent. At just 980 g, the X-Dome 1+ is amongst the lightest fully freestanding doublewall tents in the world, while being more spacious, stronger, and more user friendly than comparable tents. It is the ideal 3+ season shelter for any solo hiker preferring a freestanding tent.

Protective

The patent pending X-Dome 1+ achieves improved strength for an ultralight tent through its unique geometry, use of carbon fiber tubing, high tenacity silpoly fabric, and a pole set designed for optimal structural efficiency via larger diameter spine tubing. The result is a highly capable shelter with up to 3x the strength of other ultralight tents.

While you'll probably never need to do this, the X-Dome allows trekking poles to be added to complete the crossbar into a robust extra arch to further increase strength. The poles are added in a unique counter balanced position where they support the sidewalls from deflection and provide greater rigidity.

What matters more to us though than outright strength is "practical stormworthiness" - how liveable the tent is in tough conditions. Here the X-Dome excels with an overhanging doorway (so rain doesn't fall inside), a fly first pitch (to keep the interior dry during setup in the rain), 100% polyester fabric (non-sag and dries fast), dual peak vents (to minimize condensation), and double wall protection. No other ultralight freestanding tent can claim this list.

Spacious

The X-Dome 1+ is a palatial 1P tent with a large floor, outstanding headroom, generous length, and a spacious vestibule. It can fit one person easily with room to spare, and can even squeeze in two adults.

The floorplan is based on the unique parallelogram design of our X-Mid series tents, but with the floor expanded to fill the back vestibule - giving an excellent 2,2 m² of space. This floor widens to a luxurious 127 cm at the head end, while the length is 216 cm when sleeping straight and tall hikers can sleep diagonally for an outstanding 229 cm of length - all of which is highly useable due to the steep end walls.

The interior volume and headroom is increased by the variable radius pole set which curves the end walls steeper to increase volume, while a cross bar expands the peak height over more of the interior. The interior height of 1,1 m is generous, 7-13 cm taller than comparable tents, and extends over a larger portion of the tent. Even on a thick pad, you can sit up anywhere.

Lastly, the vestibule is conveniently positioned beside the main doorway (instead of blocking it like most tents) and has a generous size of 0,85 m² that easily fits the largest packs with extra room for cooking, shoes, and wet gear.

Simplicity

Simplicity is a huge focus with our tents because when you are tired at the end of an ambitious day, or rough weather is rolling in, you want a tent that is fast and simple to use.

That starts with the pitch, where the fly, inner, and poles all extend to the same four points so you can pitch the tent in any order. It can pitch fly first to keep the inner tent dry during setup in the rain, but just as easily pitch it inner first to stargaze on clear nights. The X-Dome can pitch with the fly and inner added separately or pre-connected to save time, and it is 100% freestanding without need for any stakes, cords, or guylines (you should always stake your tent but with the X-Dome you can let the conditions determine which ones).

Another big focus was the doorways, which use a crossbar to increase the height and an angled zipper to widen the opening - giving an oversized door for easy entry. The smaller side of the door can be secured with a stake or trekking pole to shelter the vestibule, or rolled back to completely open the tent. All doors secure easily with magnets and the unique floorplan gives a short reach to close the fly door.

The X-Dome also improves your experience with fast dry/non-sag polyester fabric, a fully connected pole set (no pieces to lose or step on), interior hang loops, dual pockets, and a compact footprint that fits onto any tent site.

Quality

In addition to the high performance design, the X-Dome offers exceptional quality. That starts with premium materials including high tenacity 15D silpoly and optional Easton carbon fiber poles which enable substantially higher strength for the weight. Durston has long been a leader in advancing polyester for lightweight tents, so with the X-Dome we are introducing a next generation high tenacity silpoly with unprecedented strength for the weight. This high tenacity silpoly allows us to make a lighter 15D silpoly with strength that is similar or higher than most 20D silpoly.

We take these materials and craft them into the X-Dome at arguably the most experienced tent factory in the world for premium tents. We use advanced construction methods like high precision narrow seams, narrow seam taping, waterproof seam construction, generous double stitching, ample bartacking, and double folded edges.

Accessories

For all ultralight tents and shelters, regardless of brand, it is a good idea to consider using an additional groundsheet to protect the tent from damage and dirt, thus extending its durability (you can also replace the groundsheet more easily over time). You don't always have to use it, but it is particularly useful as a protection against thorns, dry grass or asphalt and stones. For this purpose you can use either the original Durston Groundsheet or Tyvek (you can adjust the dimensions by cutting).

You can find pitching guide here.

Overall, the X-Dome 1+ is a truly special freestanding tent. With a weight close to less than 1 kg it is among the lightest doublewall freestanding tents while being more spacious, stormworthy and user friendly than comparable tents. It protects with a fly first pitch and robust structure, comfortably accommodates with class leading interior volume and floor area, and is simple to use with large doorways and a zero stake pitch. The X-Dome 1+ is the ideal freestanding tent for adventures from Torres del Paine to the Te Araroa.