|
Ooh, I do love bad-weather testing tents! On this December day, it was the turn of the Durston X-Mid 1 to get a good seeing to. I was pretty sceptical of my flimsy-looking shelter and was fully prepared for a potential surviving-the-night-in a-ruined-tent type of situation. However, to my surprise, none of that happened. The afternoon started with standard Welsh weather, nothing fancy.. 21km/hr gusts and rain. The tent went up easily and I settled down for the night, bracing for the coming gales that were forecast for the next day. The tent took the weather like a champ all night. I found that the magnetic door toggles don't hold the doors open in strong wind, so I needed to use a clip when cooking etc - just a minor issue. And a bit of rain water sprayed in occasionally via one of the vents, but after closing them, I woke in the morning dry and well rested. The winds continued to increase, and on that rocky outcrop in front of the tent, I measured gale-force 65km/hr gusts. However, the gusts by the tent just a few meters away were not quite as severe, being blocked slightly by the rock. The tent was, however, still taking near-gales (I measured 59km/hr next to it), with no issue whatsoever. I didn't even have to use the Delta pegs or stronger guy lines that I'd bought Curious, I unpegged the guy lines to see what would happen. This is a tent that doesn’t require guy lines to hold it up – it’s certainly the only trekking pole tent that I’ve tried that calls guys ‘optional’.. Free of the guys, the tent swayed and shook in the high winds, but still did not budge. The poles stayed exactly in place. Nothing broke. Nothing fell down. Nothing happened at all aside from some flapping polyester. I still have an inconvenient dislike of the non-stealthy colour of this tent. And these wind speeds, in my mind, still do not constitute being able to confirm if it is “stormworthy” or not.. but damn, did this impress me, and it is definitely bad-weather-worthy. Which I did not expect Gear List
This gear list contains affiliate links. This means that WildBeare makes a small commission from any sales made via these links, at no extra cost to yourself - a great way to support the channel. Thank you You can also see lots of my gear over in my Amazon Gear Shop :) *I choose not to be sponsored, affiliated with any particular brands, and have not accepted any free gear to try since summer of 2021. Every piece of gear that I’m using is something that I have chosen to buy for myself – my opinions on it and experiences with it are completely impartial TENT Durston X-Mid 1 + Footprint (for stats & details about this tent, here’s one I made earlier: https://youtu.be/zVpciPkBSgM?si=oDdLVEyK9N8m70yE) Trekking Poles https://amzn.to/3ggE1Gj Clips (used on door) https://amzn.to/47IJACR Grey Microfibre Towel (for condensation, drying up) https://amzn.to/43qSZwh Extra Pegs https://amzn.to/3hPfVTQ Extra Guyline https://amzn.to/3hlefRW SLEEP SYSTEM Sleeping Bag Rab Ascent 1100 https://amzn.to/3ATy3lM Sleep Mat Neoair Thermarest Xtherm Max https://amzn.to/3uSjiLt Trekology Aluft Delux Pillow https://amzn.to/3xwuhM1 Light AF Mat https://outdoorgearessentials.co.uk Alpkit Kloke Bivi Bag https://amzn.to/3rb1nCK (protects sleeping bag from condensation or tent failure) RUCKSACK & PACKING Deuter Aircontact 60+10L SL Women’s Rucksack https://amzn.to/3MqRvcW Exped Dry Bags https://amzn.to/33OmrDu Nylofume Pack Liner - https://outdoorgearessentials.co.uk DCF Zip Pouches & Dry Bags https://WildSkyGear.co.uk WHAT I’M WEARING Footwear: High Ankle Boots Haix Nature One GTX https://amzn.to/47fnxmV Sealskinz Waterproof Knee Length Winter Socks https://amzn.to/3ZCxUgU Fine Merino Under-Socks https://amzn.to/3F66vvp Hikenture Gaiters https://amzn.to/49idbo1 Waterproofs: Montane Levity Women’s Gortex Rain Jacket https://amzn.to/3NaZn5l Rab Downpour Eco Pants https://amzn.to/47laBvg Hiking Clothes: Rab Women’s Capacitor Hoody https://amzn.to/3oRpJ2Y Merino Wool Vest https://amzn.to/44R0ZrH Peter Storm Neck Gaiter https://amzn.to/46iXwSz Gloves Sealskinz https://amzn.to/3s48ucX Clothes for Camp: Down Puffy Decathlon Fleece hat Decathlon SIT MAT Cheapo one https://amzn.to/3yP22u8 FIELD REPAIRS / KNIFE Tenacious Tape https://amzn.to/2PmjxOq Duct Tape (I wrap it around my trekking pole) https://amzn.to/3qPKFEF DD Superlight Guy Rope (spare cordage) https://amzn.to/3hlefRW Opinel Pocket Knife No.5 https://amzn.to/45P33RH COOKING Hiking Stove https://amzn.to/3cM173q Jetboil Gas 230g https://amzn.to/3z5qV5L Gas Canister Stand https://amzn.to/3GLhHh4 Toaks 900ml Titanium Pot https://amzn.to/3j5Mwot XBands https://amzn.to/43SVFE8 Tito Titanium Spoon https://amzn.to/3xgwcqi Bag for rubbish WATER x2 1L Bottles LifeStraw 650m Filter Squeeze Bottle https://amzn.to/3TSeDVe TOILETRIES & PERSONAL CARE Tissue Baby wipes Hand sanitiser Trowel https://amzn.to/3etBVz9 Palm Hair Brush https://amzn.to/3QIUumd Hair band Lip balm Talc Toothpaste Tiny mirror Mini Tweezers Tiny Pots https://amzn.to/3aJytgC Toothbrush https://amzn.to/2LqwgxY Sleep Mask https://amzn.to/3tD2lUs Ear Plugs https://amzn.to/40swCVh MED KIT Pain relief Antihistamine Plasters Blister plasters https://amzn.to/3qvrzHA Torniquet (only use with knowledge of how to use safely) Wound Dressing Small Bandage https://amzn.to/401pHUI Alcohol Wipes Med kit pouch https://www.wildskygear.co.uk/ TICK PREVENTION Lifesystems Ex4 (tick treatment for outer clothing coming into contact with long grass etc) https://amzn.to/38XozuB HEAT Ocoopa Electronic Hand Warmer https://amzn.to/3BDyels ELECTRONICS 20,100 mAh Anker Power Bank https://amzn.to/3jqTQr2 Headtorch Decathlon Bivouac USB (100 lumen) Light Goal Zero https://amzn.to/32RI1pR Anemometer (wind speed meter) https://amzn.to/400wiyF GPS / NAVIGATION / PLB / EMERGENCY Garmin Inreach Mini https://amzn.to/3sVBi9f Garmin Backpack Tether https://amzn.to/3sTRibM Map & Compass Phone https://amzn.to/3An5PQ7 Whistle https://amzn.to/3uRvwbM FILMING Camera Sony ZV1 https://amzn.to/3t4VamJ Ulanzi Wide Angle & Macro Lens https://amzn.to/3CC6Jaq ZV1 Screen Protectors https://amzn.to/3tYOnPA Rode Lav Mic https://amzn.to/44Qte8M Lav Mic Wind Muffs & Clips https://amzn.to/3TkNQUJ 128GB SD Card https://amzn.to/3tckuY8 Light Clip https://amzn.to/2MZjCGK Tripod https://amzn.to/3nxGg7p Ball Head https://amzn.to/3G3obrL Rain Cover https://amzn.to/3VctprU x2 GoPro 10’s https://amzn.to/3T9CDUB Wind Shields https://amzn.to/3TesuWA Screen Protectors https://amzn.to/3ww70Lf Selfie Stick https://amzn.to/3zRjDTh 128GB Micro SD Card https://amzn.to/3p8XQ0v Gorrillapod Tripod https://amzn.to/3u9Tb3j Suptig Sml LED Waterproof Light https://amzn.to/3GUwzLL COMPUTER & EDITING Editing Program – Davinci (Free) Sony Headphones https://amzn.to/3yds75R Headphone Stand https://amzn.to/3TSgKfn Mouse https://amzn.to/3yjY24t Personalised Mouse Mat https://amzn.to/414UsZ5 Dell PC https://amzn.to/3CAp3mX Monitor LG Ultrafine 32” https://amzn.to/3H6lXsg Seagate 10TB External Hard Drive https://amzn.to/3MnK4Vj XP Pen Graphic Drawing Tablet https://amzn.to/479ghZE Music in this video
Thank you to these amazing artists for producing such great music.. Ardie Son – A Winter Migration Nick Petrov – Clear Skies Bonnie Grace – Highland Hymn Eden Maze – Into the Wild Again All from Bensound, Epidemic Sound & Artlist with license I buy my own gear
I choose not to be sponsored, affiliated with any particular brands, and don't accept free gear to try or gifts. Every piece of gear that I’m using is something that I've chosen to buy for myself – my opinions on it & experiences with it are completely impartial
I got this as I love my lightweight Lanshans, but they have caused me some bother.. namely, being pretty rubbish in bad weather But this tent claims to be both light and 'stormworthy'.. a bold claim indeed, but amazing if it actually is. The geometery-based design is quite unique, making it far studier than you'd expect - you don't even need to use guy lines. The biggest downside for me is the colour.. I feel obvious and noticeable in it, which is a shame, as I much prefer to blend in. This first look was a cold, fair weather autumn camp. There was an unnerving experience in the middle when, due to unknowingly pitching close to a tiny path which was hidden by fallen leaves, a person strolled behind my tent at dusk, and then decided to lurk around a while, hanging around and investigating my camp from a distance. As soon as he left I chucked my stuff back into my rucksack and got the hell outta there, walking by the light of the moon to an old trusty spot (which was really hard to find in the dark haha), where I've never been seen before and I felt safe. Give me weird nature noises and spooky tales any day, but other people are my worst fear in the woods. Camping in a very visible tent reminded why I like to stealth camp in the woods with tarps and camo netting 'n all that jazz Gear List
This gear list contains affiliate links. This means that WildBeare makes a small commission from any sales made via these links, at no extra cost to yourself - a great way to support the channel. Thank you You can also see lots of my gear in my Amazon Gear Shop *I choose not to be sponsored, affiliated with any particular brands, and have not accepted any free gear to try since summer of 2021. Every piece of gear that I’m using is something that I have chosen to buy for myself – my opinions on it and experiences with it are completely impartial. SHELTER / TENT Lightweight Tent Durston X-Mid 1 DD Magic Carpet XL as ground sheet https://amzn.to/3vcFKkI Extra pegs https://amzn.to/3PMvCqB DD Superlight Guy Line 16m https://amzn.to/3hlefRW Mini Binder Clips (I use on doors etc) https://amzn.to/483UumN TREKKING POLES Fizan Compact https://amzn.to/3ggE1Gj SLEEP SYSTEM Sleeping Bag Rab Ascent 1100 https://amzn.to/3ATy3lM Winter Sleep Mat Neoair Thermarest Xtherm Max https://amzn.to/3uSjiLt Teivul Inflatable Pillow https://amzn.to/3RhMkBN Light AF Mat https://outdoorgearessentials.co.uk Alpkit Kloke Bivi Bag https://amzn.to/3rb1nCK (protects sleeping bag from condensation or tent failure) RUCKSACK & PACKING Deuter Aircontact 60+10L SL Women’s Rucksack https://amzn.to/3MqRvcW Exped Dry Bags https://amzn.to/33OmrDu XL Exped Dry Bag (for winter sleeping bag) https://amzn.to/3l497Dp Nylofume Pack Liner - https://outdoorgearessentials.co.uk DCF Zip Pouches & Dry Bags https://WildSkyGear.co.uk SIT MAT Cheapo one https://amzn.to/3yP22u8 FIELD REPAIRS Tenacious Tape https://amzn.to/2PmjxOq Duct Tape (I wrap it around my trekking pole) https://amzn.to/3qPKFEF COOKING Toaks 900ml Titanium Pot https://amzn.to/3j5Mwot Light my Fire Ferro Rod https://amzn.to/3eVXUOF Trangia Alcohol Stove https://amzn.to/2UeDf1j Trangia Fuel Bottle 0.3L https://amzn.to/3gviGGm Pan Stand for Trangia https://amzn.to/3pWTTyd BioFire Fuel https://amzn.to/3BV4ijz XBands https://amzn.to/43SVFE8 Opinel Pocket Knife No.5 https://amzn.to/45P33RH Tito Titanium Spoon https://amzn.to/3xgwcqi Bag for rubbish WATER x2 1L Bottles TOILETRIES & PERSONAL CARE Tissue Baby wipes Hand sanitiser Trowel https://amzn.to/3etBVz9 Palm Hair Brush https://amzn.to/3QIUumd Hair band Lip balm Talc Toothpaste Tiny mirror Mini Tweezers Tiny Pots https://amzn.to/3aJytgC Toothbrush https://amzn.to/2LqwgxY Sleep Mask https://amzn.to/3tD2lUs Ear Plugs https://amzn.to/40swCVh MED KIT Pain relief Antihistamine Plasters Blister plasters https://amzn.to/3qvrzHA Torniquet (only use with knowledge of how to use safely) Wound Dressing Small Bandage https://amzn.to/401pHUI Alcohol Wipes Med kit pouch https://www.wildskygear.co.uk/ TICK, MOZZIE & MIDGE PREVENTION Lifesystems Ex4 (tick treatment for outer clothing coming into contact with long grass etc) https://amzn.to/38XozuB CLOTHING & FOOTWEAR High Ankle Boots Haix Nature One GTX https://amzn.to/47fnxmV Arch Support Insoles https://amzn.to/3q7XAoA Grangers Natural Beeswax https://amzn.to/44bT0Ft Fine Merino Socks https://amzn.to/3F66vvp Karrimor Womens Mid Weight Merino Hiking Socks https://amzn.to/3PswXU8 Fleece hat, gloves & neck warmer Decathlon HEAT Ocoopa Electronic Hand Warmer https://amzn.to/3BDyels ELECTRONICS 20,100 mAh Anker Power Bank https://amzn.to/3jqTQr2 Headtorch Decathlon Bivouac USB (100 lumen) Light Goal Zero https://amzn.to/32RI1pR FILMING Camera Sony ZV1 https://amzn.to/3t4VamJ Ulanzi Wide Angle & Macro Lens https://amzn.to/3CC6Jaq ZV1 Screen Protectors https://amzn.to/3tYOnPA Rode Wireless Mic https://amzn.to/44rs9Vt Rode Lav Mic https://amzn.to/44Qte8M Lav Mic Wind Muffs & Clips https://amzn.to/3TkNQUJ 128GB SD Card https://amzn.to/3tckuY8 Light Clip https://amzn.to/2MZjCGK Tripod https://amzn.to/3nxGg7p Ball Head https://amzn.to/3G3obrL Rain Cover https://amzn.to/3VctprU x2 GoPro 10’s https://amzn.to/3T9CDUB Wind Shields https://amzn.to/3TesuWA Screen Protectors https://amzn.to/3ww70Lf Selfie Stick https://amzn.to/3zRjDTh 128GB Micro SD Card https://amzn.to/3p8XQ0v Gorrillapod Tripod https://amzn.to/3u9Tb3j SAM the drone: DJI Mavic Mini Drone https://amzn.to/3rvF0SZ + an old iphone to control it – my phone not compatible 128GB Micro SD Card https://amzn.to/3p8XQ0v COMPUTER & EDITING Editing Program – Davinci (Free) Sony Headphones https://amzn.to/3yds75R Mouse https://amzn.to/3yjY24t Personalised Mouse Mat https://amzn.to/414UsZ5 Dell PC https://amzn.to/3CAp3mX Seagate 10TB External Hard Drive https://amzn.to/3MnK4Vj XP Pen Graphic Drawing Tablet https://amzn.to/479ghZE Music in this video
Thank you to these amazing artists for producing such great music! Alex Make Music – Running Under the Sun Amos Ever Hadani – Convolution Captain Joz – Let’s Get It Charlie Ryan – Break of Day Idokay – Stay Forever Out of Flux – BRANDNEW Andy Bird – Afterlight Mary Riddle – Join the Circus All from Artlist & Epidemic Sound with license I buy my own gear
I choose not to be sponsored, affiliated with any particular brands, and don't accept free gear to try or gifts. Every piece of gear that I’m using is something that I've chosen to buy for myself – my opinions on it & experiences with it are completely impartial
|
AuthorHello, I'm Claire 🌿🐻 Categories
All
Archives
March 2025
|
RSS Feed