I know what you're thinking—another tent comparison. But this isn't just any shelter showdown. I've spent countless nights under both the X-Mid Pro 1 and Pro 2, and the differences matter more than you'd expect. The Pro 1 saved my back at 15.5 oz while the Pro 2's extra 10 square feet saved my sanity throughout a three-day rainstorms in heavy Texas rains. Weight versus space. Solo freedom versus flexibility. Your perfect shelter depends entirely on what keeps you up at night.
When it comes to ultralight backpacking tents, the Durston X-Mid Pro series distinguishes itself from the crowd. I've spent countless nights testing both models, and let me tell you—these tents aren't playing around. They're serious gear for serious hikers.
Both the Pro 1 and Pro 2 use Dyneema Composite Fabric. That's fancy talk for "incredibly lightweight but stupidly expensive." The single-wall hybrid design with mesh inner works brilliantly. Those amazing and patented X-Mid geometries with offset trekking poles? Pure genius. No sagging, even in insane levels of rain. The seams come factory-taped. Since who wants to mess with seam sealing? Not me.
The weight difference is substantial. Pro 1 weighs just 15.5 oz with its DCF floor. The Pro 2? A paltry 20.4 oz. That's barely more than a pound! Despite this lightweight design, the Pro 2 now comes in a Plus version with an enhanced 52 inches width for better compatibility with two sleeping pads. They pack down tiny too—the Pro 1 to 10" x 4.5" and the Pro 2 to 12" x 5.5". Your backpack won't even notice they're there.
Space is where choices get real. The Pro 1 gives you 20 square feet of floor space. Enough for myself and limited gear inside. The Pro 2 jumps to 30 square feet. Both have generous 90" lengths, but width varies—32" for the Pro 1 and 46" for the Pro 2. Headroom? Fantastic in both.
Vestibules matter. A lot. The Pro 1 offers two 11 square foot vestibules. The Pro 2? Two 14 square footers. Cook in one, kit in another. Perfect.
They pitch identically—just four stakes in a rectangle, add two if you choose for doors or for high winds. Those magnetic door toggles? Chef's kiss. No mandatory extra guylines required, though I'd add them in nasty weather. The tensioned floor lies flat. No annoying wrinkles.
Weather protection is exceptional. Full coverage fly, adjustable peak vents for condensation, optional peak guyouts for when Mother Nature loses her mind. The steep walls laugh at snow and wind. The X-Mid Pro 1 offers truly impressive interior volume at 45 cubic feet, which is about 50% more than what you'll find in competing ultralight tents.
