Dan Durston/Massdrop X-Mid

dandurston

Section Hiker
Thanks Rog.

Craige: Yes if the goal is just to secure the handles, then a pocket is likely the easiest/lightest/simplest/pragmatic solution. I haven't thought thru the specifics of how it might work, but I expect it wouldn't be that hard. The challenge with tweaks like this is that each one adds a little weight that might be worth it, but if I make a bunch of changes like this then it gets quite a bit heavier. If I get the opportunity to do a v2 of the design someday I'll look into this and see if it can be done for an acceptable weight penalty.
 

Robin

Moderator
Staff member
Valley & Peak have tested their Ultra Bivy with a double J-zip in my X-Mid, which I’ve loaned them. Looks pretty good. It’s 220g, which is 60g lighter than the mesh inner but much less headroom. However, because it’s a double J-zip you can open most of the top of the bivy to sit upright and access both sides. The floor area is slightly less because the ends are square while the width is marginally less (1cm). I’ll probably order one next year, although I’d like a few tweaks.

Ultra bivy details https://valleyandpeak.co.uk/collections/shelter/products/ultra-bivy


There’s also an earlier video so you can get a better idea of the bivy

 
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Valley & Peak have tested their Ultra Bivy with a double J-zip in my X-Mid, which I’ve loaned them. Looks pretty good. It’s 220g, which is 60g lighter than the mesh inner but much less headroom. However, because it’s a double J-zip you can open most of the top of the bivy to sit upright and access both sides. The floor area is slightly less because the ends are square while the width is marginally less (1cm). I’ll probably order one next year, although I’d like a few tweaks.

Ultra bivy details https://valleyandpeak.co.uk/collections/shelter/products/ultra-bivy


There’s also an earlier video so you can get a better idea of the bivy

J zip link on page not working.
 

M@tty

Backpacker
Valley & Peak have tested their Ultra Bivy with a double J-zip in my X-Mid, which I’ve loaned them. Looks pretty good. It’s 220g, which is 60g lighter than the mesh inner but much less headroom. However, because it’s a double J-zip you can open most of the top of the bivy to sit upright and access both sides. The floor area is slightly less because the ends are square while the width is marginally less (1cm). I’ll probably order one next year, although I’d like a few tweaks.

Ultra bivy details https://valleyandpeak.co.uk/collections/shelter/products/ultra-bivy


There’s also an earlier video so you can get a better idea of the bivy

My guess is it wouldn’t take much tweaking for them to make a made for purpose solid or inner for the Xmid. I would join the queue if they did.
 

Robin

Moderator
Staff member
My guess is it wouldn’t take much tweaking for them to make a made for purpose solid or inner for the Xmid. I would join the queue if they did.

They could keep the groundsheet but they’d have to reconfigure the other panels. It would also use more material, take more sewing time and be more expensive. You could always ask, but I suspect they want a product that doesn’t just fit the X-Mid and can be used under other flysheets/tarps. The advantages of the current design are lower weight than the existing mesh inner and warmer. The double J zip gets around the headroom issue of a bivy as most of the roof can be opened. So while it would be nice to have a bespoke inner, the bivy has some advantages too.
 

craige

Thru Hiker
^^this. Personally I really like using a bivi, and in the xmid it would make the inside feel palatial, especially if you unhook the ends.
 

Robert P

Thru Hiker
Last night I tried the X-Mid with just a groundsheet rather than inner (nice pitch on a ledge above Angle Tarn). The space is huge for a 1-person tent, and it stood up fine to wind and rain. I'd probably not choose this option in really cold windy conditions but the low-pitching nature of the X-Mid does make it nicely versatile.


Angle Tarn.jpg
 

el manana

Thru Hiker
X-mid. Big fan. It would be nice if it was lighter but otherwise it's very good, especially after some small mods. Hoping the DCF version happens.

Is the DCF going to be worth it?... Anyone know if there's been a calculation on the potential weight saving?

I just know from looking at the Phreeranger DCF versus the new Silpoly fabric - cant remember exactly but 100-200g lighter for twice the price...extra investment of £2-3 per gram saved. And Silpoly much better to pitch..
 

jeha

Backpacker
Is the DCF going to be worth it?... Anyone know if there's been a calculation on the potential weight saving?

I just know from looking at the Phreeranger DCF versus the new Silpoly fabric - cant remember exactly but 100-200g lighter for twice the price...extra investment of £2-3 per gram saved. And Silpoly much better to pitch..

There was an Instagram post by Dan about a DCF prototype, but it got deleted. Some information can be found here.

But the latest news from Dan / Drop did not sound too optimistic about producing it at all... :frown:
 

el manana

Thru Hiker
From what Dan said, the DCF version will be a single wall with mesh doors and a bathtub, and should be ~1lb or less. Should suit me as I don't really notice draughts anyway.

I think that's the way to go with cuben flys, otherwise the weight saving against Silpoly is hardly justifiable.
 

qy_

Trail Blazer
I just gave in and ordered an 1-P, without solid inner. The $160 offer broke my resistance I am ashamed to say.
 

Charlie83

Thru Hiker
Did they fix the wee issue with the poles poking through? Could be imagining it but sure I read somewhere that later editions had some sort of barrier between pole tip and fly. Might be tempted to get another if I got it at $140
 
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