The Durston X-Dome 1 is a freestanding double-wall tent suitable for 4-season use. Weighing just over 2 lbs 3 oz, it has an exoskeleton pole set with a rectangular footprint that allows it to be set up fly-first in bad weather so that the inner tent stays dry. Despite only having one side door, the X-Dome has ample front vestibule space due to its unique offset inner tent orientation, a signature feature of Durston’s tents. Highly livable and well-made, the Durston X-Dome provides exceptional value and eclipses popular double-wall freestanding tents, including the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 1, the NEMO Dragonfly OSMO 1, and the MSR Hubba Hubba LT 1.
- Type: Freestanding
- Construction: Double-wall
- Minimum number of stakes to pitch: 0
- Capacity: 1 Person (with extra room)
- Total Weight: 2 lbs 2.7 oz (985g)
- Rainfly weight: 14.7 oz
- Inner tent weight: 10.7 oz
- Pole weight: 9.7 oz
- Seam-sealed: Yes
- Fly First Pitch Option: Yes
- Poles: 1 (carbon fiber)
- Door: 1 side door
- Interior pockets: 2
- Materials: 15D high tenacity siliconized polyester (silpoly)
- Exterior dimensions: 88″ x 56″ x 45″ (l x w x h)
- Interior dimensions: 85″ x 50″ tapering to 27″ x 42″ (l x w x h)
The Durston X-Dome 1 is a double-wall freestanding tent with a single collapsible carbon fiber pole with two hubs and an integrated brow pole. The rain fly can be set up first before the inner tent, so the tent can be set up in bad weather while keeping the inner tent dry. This capability is typically only found on tents from European tent manufacturers such as Hilleberg, Exped, Terra Nova, etc. but is still relatively rare on double-wall tents produced by North American tent manufacturers.
The inner tent connects to buckles inside the fly: optionally, you can keep the two attached when breaking down the tent and set them up simultaneously. You can also set up the fly and leave the inner tent at home to save weight, which is a good option for snow camping when reduced weight and pack volume are desired. The inner tent can also be set up standalone with the pole set in dry weather if you only need insect protection.
The rain fly and inner tent are made with siliconized polyester, which stretches less than siliconized nylon or PU-coated nylon when it gets wet or is covered in snow. While there is some stretch, there is sufficient air space between the rain fly and the inner tent, that it has little to no impact on livability. The benefit of siliconized polyester is that the seams can be factory seam-sealed, it absorbs less water when it gets wet, dries quickly, and it keeps the X-Dome exceptionally affordable at $349 USD, which is a very competitive price for a tent of this quality and utility.
The rain fly, when pitched, has a rectangular footprint and hangs below the carbon fiber pole set using plastic hooks. The poles slot into simple aluminum hardware in the corners, with webbing and ladder lock buckles for tensioning the corners, instead of linelocs, which can freeze in cold/winter. In windy conditions or heavy snow loads, you can reinforce the pole set and rain fly with trekking poles for added structural support, a feature similar to one offered on the SlingFin Portal 1.
The inner tent has a tapered footprint, 50″ wide at the head end and tapering down to 27″ at the foot end. The extra space is nice for storing gear within easy reach inside the tent instead of having to stash it in the vestibule. The benefit of the tapered foot end is that it creates more covered vestibule space for gear storage as well as a significant overhang, so you can leave the side door open in bad weather and not get wet.
The X-Dome 1+ is an extremely livable tent that’s ideal when the weather conditions outside are poor. For example:
- The rainfly drops close to the ground limiting drafts and splashback.
- The doors roll back and are secured with magnets, so they’re easy to secure open, and close without struggling with a dowel closure, which is common on many conventional tents. You’ll appreciate the difference when it’s raining.
- The inner tent has dual mesh pockets set high up off the floor to prevent breakage of delicate items like glasses or phones.
- While the length of the inner tent is 85″, it’s closer to 90″ if you position yourself on the diagonal, providing more room for tall backpackers.
- The bottom portion of the inner tent is solid fabric, reducing drafts.
- The door zippers on the fly and inner tent are diagonal making entry and exit easier.
- The 42″ height of the inner tent and its vertical sidewalls make it easy to change your clothes inside the tent.
- The depth of the vestibule makes it easy to (carefully) cook under cover in bad weather.
The attention to detail and functionality is really quite remarkable – so much so, that you could replace one or more tents, if you own several, with the X-Dome 1+ because it addresses such a broad swath of capabilities.
Comparable Freestanding Tents
Having used most of the tents listed below (we’re about to publish several more reviews this month), the X-Dome 1+ is superior along multiple dimensions, including its fly-first pitch, interior space/vestibule, and strength. Its closest competitor is the Big Sky Revolution 1 Tent, a double-wall tent with a fly-first pitch and two doors w/vestibules.
Recommendation
The Durston X-Dome 1+ is really quite a remarkable lightweight freestanding tent that’s designed for backpackers who prefer a double-wall freestanding tent because it is more comfortable, easier to pitch on crappy tent sites, and more weather worthy. Weighing nearly twice as much as many ultralight trekking pole tents, it is unlikely to appeal to backpackers who are focused on using the lightest weight gear for more benign weather conditions. That said, the X-Dome 1+, with its fly-first pitch, thoughtful design, and remarkable livability features is a best buy and one that you’ll quickly come to love if you need a freestanding tent for your adventures.
Disclaimer: Durston Gear donated a tent for review.
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