Durston X-Dome 2

Durston X-Dome 2 is an ultralight freestanding tent developed from Durston's focus on efficient design to be more spacious, protective, and simple to use. It combines our weight efficient and simple X-Mid floorplan with a structurally optimized pole set to provide unprecedented space and protection for the weight. The result is a generously sized and fully freestanding two person shelter that is highly liveable in tough conditions with very low weight.

Spacious

The X-Dome 2 is a generous sized, true two person shelter that is noticeably more spacious than comparable tents. That spaciousness starts with the floor, which has a width of 130 cm for the full length so it can easily accommodate two wide pads. The floor length is suited for taller hikers with an 224 cm length that is made more useable by the near vertical end walls.

What really makes the X-Dome 2 spacious though is the taller interior height combined with a shape that preserves that height over more of the tent. The interior height of 1,1 m is 7 - 13 taller than comparable tents and the full length crossbar extends this peak height over to the doorways (creating vertical sidewalls) while the geometry extends the height towards the ends (creating near vertical end walls). The result is 20 - 40% more volume than comparable tents including outstanding headroom and shoulder room - allowing partners on two wide pads to comfortably share the tent.

The dual vestibules are also generously sized at 0.83 m² each. Each vestibule can easily fit a large pack while having extra room for cooking, shoes, and wet gear.

Protective

X-Dome 2 is designed to keep you protected and comfortable in tough conditions. That starts with the structure of the tent, which is stronger than most ultralight tents due to the larger diameter tubing in key areas, and the premium high strength carbon fiber poles that are stronger for the weight than aluminum. This makes the X-Dome sturdier than comparable tents, plus trekking poles can be optionally added to complete the crossbar into a robust third arch which adds substantial vertical and horizontal strength for snowloads and high winds.

What is often overlooked - yet usually matters more than outright strength - is how liveable the tent is during tough conditions. Here the X-Dome excels with overhanging doorways that keep out falling rain, 100% polyester fabric that is non-sag and fast drying, a fly first pitch that keeps the interior dry during setup, a full doublewall design to separate any condensation, and a fly that extends low to the ground to blocks drafts and rain splatter. No other ultralight freestanding tent has all of these protections.

The X-Dome 2 is also highly spacious so you have room to live when riding out a storm, and the details that matter have been obsessed over - such as taller doorways so you can enter without touching a wet fly and generously sized vestibules for wet gear. It's the shelter you want to have when wet weather rolls in.

Simplicity

Simplicity and ease-of-use are an obsession with our tents because at the end of a tough day or in rough weather you want a shelter that is fast and intuitive to use.

Most notably, the pitch is simpler and more versatile than other tents. The rectangle based geometry allows the tent to naturally pitch in any order, including fly first during wet weather or inner first on a starry night, and it can pitch with the fly and inner pre-connected for the fastest pitch. It is also 100% freestanding, so you can let the conditions determine which stakes you use instead of the tent dictating certain ones.

Another important aspect is the doorways, which are often overlooked. The X-Dome uses a crossbar and angled zipper to create doorways that are larger, taller and more vertical so they are easier to step through and keep rain out. The doors secure with easier to use magnets, and the reach to close the fly door is intentionally shorter than other tents so you can comfortably do it from inside.

The X-Dome also has numerous other details that make the tent user friendly like one handed zippers, vestibules that position the main area beside the doors instead of blocking them, interior hang loops, 4 pockets, and a fully connected pole set with no parts to lose.

Quality

Our fixation with detail also extends to the quality of the tent, where we take every opportunity to build the best tent we can.

Durston has long been a leader in advancing polyester fabric for lightweight tents due to its excellent properties including non-sag and fast drying. With the X-Dome 2 we are using our latest high tenacity 15D silpoly and combining that with premium Easton carbon poles that cost 2-3x what an aluminum poleset does, but leads all other poles in strength:weight.

We craft these premium materials into the X-Dome 2 at one of the most experienced tent factory in the world with high end tents, while using advanced construction methods like high precision narrow seams, narrow seam taping, waterproof seam construction, generous double stitching, 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 2 advances what is possible in an ultralight two person freestanding tent. With a weight of 2.7 lbs (1.25 kg) it is among the lightest fully freestanding doublewall 2P tents while providing increased strength, protection, spaciousness, and ease of use. It is the ideal two person freestanding tent for backcountry hikes on the Arizona Trail to the Annapurna Circuit.