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I’m heading out on a hiking trip tomorrow and wanted to share why I think the Durston X-Mid is the absolute best one-person trekking pole tent you can get in the £200 to £300 price bracket. I walk you through its standard setup, the massive amount of inner space, the incredible benefits of the silpoly fly sheet, and how to pitch it in a super versatile stargazer mode. While there are a couple of minor things I would ideally tweak, its overall weight, storm-worthiness, and premium quality make it a complete no-brainer for my outdoor adventures.
Big thank you to Ultralight Outdoor Gear for supporting us in 2026 https://geni.us/UltralightOutdoorGear
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I’ve started sharing my routes over on Hiiker. They’ve kindly given me a discount via my affiliate link
https://hiiker.app/paulmessner?via=paul and then you can download to my routes here https://hiiker.app/users/6h3F8tE4psSp4WtyBUP5MUy8Bo22/hikes and use the app to navigate you. I’ll be uploading all my future hikes here.
My Gear
Trail Running Shoes https://geni.us/UOGLonePeak
Tent https://durstongear.com/products/x-mid-1-tent-ultralight-backpacking
Backpack https://geni.us/UOGHyperliteUnbound55
Quilt https://geni.us/UOGVesperQuilt
Sleeping Pad https://geni.us/UOGNemoEclipse
Stove https://geni.us/UOGJetboilFlash
Mini Inflator Pump https://geni.us/UOGgigapump
Sambob Hoodie https://geni.us/UOGSamboAlpha90
Outdoor Research Helium Waterproof Jacket https://geni.us/UOGORHeliumUL
Pillows https://geni.us/UOGNemoFillo & https://geni.us/UOGNemoFilloElite
Little sit pad https://geni.us/UOGLittleSitPad
Mug https://geni.us/UOGS2Smug
Powerbank https://geni.us/UOGNitecorepowerbank
Charging block https://amzn.to/4ecLzUz
Water bottle https://geni.us/UOGThrubottle
Rab Down Jacket https://geni.us/UOGRabmythicjacket
Darn Tough sockshttps://geni.us/UOGDarntoughsocks
First aid kit https://geni.us/UOGLifesystemsfirstaid
Little towel https://geni.us/UOGTowel
Wilderness Wash https://geni.us/UOGWildernesswash
All my other gear https://www.messner.co.uk/gearlist
Timestamps
0:00 – Why the Durston X-Mid is my top tent choice
1:00 – Total weight and interchangeable inners
1:51 – Ease of pitching and pyramid structure sturdiness
3:24 – Double vestibules and magnetic door ties
5:30 – Offset pole geometry and maximum interior headroom
8:52 – Squarespace sponsor
9:56 – Build quality, taped seams, and silpoly fabric advantages
12:07 – How to pitch in semi-stargazer mode
14:43 – Price breakdown and the full Stargazer Kit setup
19:04 – A few minor flaws and things I’d change
26:04 – Final thoughts and why it beats the competition
All my other gear https://www.messner.co.uk/gearlist
Multi-day Hikes Playlists
Cumbria Way https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbU28ZzUOa49lK5YCmgcZRT1Q3_cIjR4o
West Highland Way https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbU28ZzUOa49qFqV3d99ATSR6T6bAL92U
Peak District Multi Day Hikes https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbU28ZzUOa49WHWTNtRYD5r2nkiwdNUch
Cairngorms https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbU28ZzUOa48Wxn3MGLWl3PJyEyV89Q5_
Timestamps
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DISCLAIMER: This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission.