Durston X-Dome 1+ Tent Review
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.
RELATED: 10 Best Freestanding Backpacking Tents
- 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.
| Make / Model | Type | Minimum Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Durston X-Dome 1 | Double Wall | 34.7 oz |
| MSR Hubba Hubba LT 1 | Double Wall | 34 oz |
| Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 1 | Double Wall | 34 oz |
| Six Moon Designs Lunar Orbiter | Single Wall | 40 oz |
| SlingFin Portal 1 | Double Wall | 40 oz |
| Big Sky Revolution 1 | Double Wall | 37.4 oz |
| NEMO DragonFly Osmo 1 | Double Wall | 33 oz |
| Big Sky Soul UL 1 | Double Wall | 35.7 oz |
| Zpacks Free Zip 2P | Single Wall | 31.6 oz |
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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I have one and have used it twice, and will be taking it snow camping this weekend. I concur with the review- it’s a remarkably nice tent, with a host of details that speaks to the designer being an actual tent user.
My one recommendation would be adding short guy-lines to each short end (there are guy-out points) so the ends can be pulled taught in case of snow or heavy rain that pushes the rain fly down toward the inner. Dan told me he doesn’t attach those from the factory because for better or worse he’s judged harshly by the scale and every gram counts. He does include enough stakes to do that though!
The only other thing is they’re sending a replacement pole set to original purchasers because some of the aluminum inserts were insufficiently glued in at the factory and can be pushed into each section of carbon tubing. They decided to send a new pole set to all tent buyers out of an abundance of caution, and I think it speaks volumes about the care and responsibility the company feels to go to that length (and cost!)
I’m seriously thinking about getting rid of my BD Firstlight for winter camping and just using the XDome 1+ rainfly/poles w/ a plastc sheet. Saves me some weight and bulk.
And while I do agree that the XDome is a remarkable tent, the BSI Revolution 1 is surprisingly similar and comparable if you don’t need the vertical strength that the XDome provides. Moreover it can be ordered with cf poles too. Just saying…
If you were going to use it for winter camping, I would wait for the solid version (less mesh on the interior ) which is coming out in 2025. It would be more appropriate for your needs.
I have owned many Big Sky tents – Mirage, Revolution, Evolution. While it’s technically correct to compare the Revolution to the Durston (and it does have the big advantage of two doors) the fact that it’s been out of supply for over 3 years now means that it really no longer exists to buy. That’s why I’m replacing my very used one (with it’s dying undersized zippers) with a Durston.
Actually Big Sky has fixed their supply chain problems. The same can’t be said of Dan’s tents which are usually sold out.
I have yet to get my one out on the hills. I have test pitched it lots and had no pole issues. I’m 6’2 and the height and space is really good. I’m impressed with its design. Plan to use it on the Challenge in May.
Glad you got one. I think it will do well in Scotland.
You know, I think of you every time I use my NU20 headlamp!
I’m still using that torch. Its so good I just cannot see a reason to change.
Great review. Thank you!
Great that you tested the X Dome 1+ tent. It certainly meets all my needs and expectatuons. I can’t wait for my order to arrive in April. A couple of Scottish guys and a Brit have used the Xdome on their barren, rocky, cold rain and wind blown hills. Philip will have time this winter for camping in snow, I hope.
So can a framed pack fit inside the tent….say like a Catalyst or Perimeter 50? I’m in the market for one person tent that’s big enough to accommodate my long and wide tensor and a pack. Thanks for your time.
Easily. I’ve used an HMG Halka 55 and and a Zpacks Arc Haul 60 with this tent with room to spare. Loads of room, both inside the inner tent or in the vestibule.
I’m impressed with the tent but have questions about the carbon fiber poles.
Can’t help wondering if they are more vulnerable to sideways dings than aluminum poles. Are they fixable in the field if damaged? i.e., aluminum poles typically can be patched with a sleeve. Is there a similar Plan B for carbon fiber poles?
The repair options are fairly similar to aluminum. You can use a sleeve or replace a section. We have replacement sections available now, and we’ll have sleeves shortly.
The carbon is stronger is most ways that ultralight aluminum (e.g. DAC 8.7mm). We haven’t seen anyone break the carbon when using the tent properly. It wouldn’t normally get a ‘ding’ but if you really had an impact you could crack it. That would take some pretty unusual mishap.
– Dan
Tarptent’s Arc Dome 2? Same benefits, and more of them. I see your listing under winter tents, and would like to know your thoughts vs the Durston. Thx
Has anyone used this tent with a 25 inch wide pad? Also, does the groundsheet create a floor in the vestibule like my Hilleberg Soulo?
Thanks!
Our groundsheet only covers the floor area. If you want to cover the vestibule too, then a groundsheet for a 2P tent will do that. A typical 2P groundsheet of about 50″ x 84″ will nicely fill the fly. MSR has this size.
A 25″ pad is no problem.
– Dan
I have – a 25″ pad is no problem.
While it may be almost twice as heavy as many UL tents, those UL tents are just single wall. I don’t like dealing with condensation, especially with near freezing temps, stormy conditions, etc… My DW trekking pole tent is 2lb. The X-Mid 1 is at 28 oz.
I probably should have waited for the X-Dome as pitching trekking pole tents in less than ideal (viz, normal) conditions is a lot harder than freestanding, There always seems to be a rock or root right where a stake has to go for proper geometry. Move and repeat… Gets old after a long day on the trail, especially when a storm is quickly approaching.
I’ve heard the carbon fiber poles could break and possibly injure the people inside. Any truth to this? There’s been rumors of accidents. YouTube comment section is crazy however so who knows
We haven’t heard of anything like this. There have been some glue issues on the aluminum inserts so we are replacing poles to have improved glue, but we’ve never heard of anyone breaking the carbon shafts during proper use of the tent. These carbon poles have been around for about 20 years and have been used by lots of other tent brands.
Ultimately anything can break, but it shouldn’t happen during normal use of the tent. If the carbon did break, it also would be very unlikely to injure people inside. The poles are on the outside of the tent and spring loaded into an arch so they would pop outwards (not inwards) if they did break. Again anything is possible in extreme enough conditions, but there haven’t been any injuries with any of our tents and we don’t think it is more likely than comparable tents.
– Dan
It’s hard to believe that anyone would believe that.
The huge difference between X-Dome and Big Sky Revolution (and most every tent out there) is the fact that X-Dome’s vestibule needs no additional staking. It’s all self-enclosed within the rectangle of the four corner stakes. Which is remarkable (and obviously conceptualized from the X-Mid). I absolutely love that.
Obvious downsides are single door and the weak spot: poles.
I’ve had several tents, currently have the X-Mid, but am getting the X-Dome due to smaller footprint, freestanding (and thus more movable and flexible), and less stake-out points. Now my trekking poles can be used to help support in higher wind situations.
I use corner guy lines to rocks, as I camp a lot at treeline or above, and stakes are hard to drive. I can now take four stakes max (maybe even less) and use rocks if absolutely necessary, saving even more ounces.
fairly new to backpacking. why would someone prefer vestibule space to tent space? My first thought is i would rather have my stuff in the tent than out of the tent.
Are there some people who just dont like putting stuff in their tent even if it means less room for them?
Nemo hornet 2 has significantly less taper=more tent space and only 5 ounce weight gain
Think of vestibule space as a mud room. You don’t want to put wet muddy boots or rain gear inside with you where its dry, but you also don’t want to keep it outside if it’s still raining.
When there are two people in a tent, the extra storage is nice.
When is its raining and you need to cook dinner, you want to do that in as open a space as possible without an inner tent hanging inside the vestibule where it can catch fire.
I would not leave boots in the vestibule. Racoons, mountain goats in the Northern Rockies have been known to walk off with them. Yeah, it may not happen to you but when it does happen the penalty is pretty darn severe.
Bring a plastic bag to hold boots inside the tent. And another one, preferably a large garbage bag to hold soaking wet rain gear, and other damp clothes, if that happens.
Is the X-dome 1 more prone to condensation since it only has one door. I’m trying to decide if I should go with it or the 2. I already have a Pro 2 and I get a lot of condensation in it. Thanks
If you open both doors on a 2 door tent you’ll get better airflow. This serves to equalize the temperature differential between the inside of the rainfly and its exterior. Of course, tent condensation is less of a concern with the x-dome because its a double-wall tent, so the moisture is unlikely to ever touch your gear.
Bias against the Chinese manufacturers that should be included in the analysis. I wonder if a 3x price is justifying the marginal quality difference and I wonder if this tent will last 5 years of UV exposure.
It’s made in Vietnam by a Canadian (Durston) company.
Carlos—If you’re going to be an ass, be a smart ass, not a dumbass. Gear that’s made in Vietnam is usually quite high quality!
I want to buy the x-Dome 1+ when it becomes available again. If I have only pitched the inner tent and a rain shower is approaching, how can I quickly pitch the outer tent? My idea is to detach the inner tent from the poles, then attach the outer tent and then reattach the inner tent to the outer tent. That seems quite tedious to me.
Best regards from Germany, Wolfgang