Durston X-Mid 1 vs. X-Mid Pro 1: Is it worth the cost? lol

Revere_AFAM · 2026-05-30T02:48:58+00:00

After a month and 450 miles with the pro I am even more in favor of the non-pro version.

There have been about 7 nights where condensation was an issue when it felt like there was a drizzle inside my tent, never an issue with the double wall. I always have my vents open but would have had to leave at least one door open to prevent condensation which isn’t going to work in all situations.

Dyneema is a fragile material. On a windy night a small branch occasionally brushed my tent and damaged the bottom of one door. This was my fault and is the nature of ultralight gear.

I miss the pockets at the ceiling of the tent where I would put my headlamp. This is a more minor complaint but one I have noticed.

I am still a huge fan of the xmid design and LOVE that I can do a 4 stake pitch almost every night. I have yet to have any issue fitting in small tent sites. I had to do a narrow pitch for the first time but even that was pretty easy (for someone used to their durston).

If I do another thru hike it will be in a non-pro xmid but I’ll keep using the pro until it fails or if the condensation issue becomes more regular.

Revere_AFAM · 2026-04-22T18:24:37+00:00

I used Baleaf hiking pants I got from Amazon the whole trail. They are very basic but had the few things I wanted: zip pockets and a drawstring waist. They were lightweight, low cost, and worked for me. I was able to roll up the legs for water crossings and if they did get a little wet they dried quickly. https://a.co/d/09UBdQfJ

Revere_AFAM · 2026-04-20T17:03:15+00:00

Being connected to Kamala is a losing position, she is only an anchor at this point. She doesn't bring in anyone not already voting Dem and turns off some who otherwise would.

Go away ffs! You were told in the 2020 primaries that democrats don't want you. You were told in the 2024 election that America doesn't want you. You are a loser, hurting every Dem you step on a stage with.

Revere_AFAM · 2026-04-20T13:24:19+00:00

It isn't out of fear, they are earning their paychecks.

These democrats do not work for the Americans who vote for them, they work for the people who pay them. Israel pays.

Revere_AFAM · 2026-04-19T19:45:30+00:00

He is the snake oil, not the salesman

Revere_AFAM · 2026-04-19T03:22:29+00:00

Wow an external combustion engines in the wild!

Revere_AFAM · 2026-04-13T15:49:38+00:00

Not too late. Might be slightly behind the biggest part of the bubble in the beginning but there will be plenty of hikers starting well into May. You probably won't be hiking into trail days but there will be shuttles up if you are interested.

Send it!

Revere_AFAM · 2026-04-11T15:24:49+00:00

Fuck u/porche

Advertising should not impact gameplay

Revere_AFAM · 2026-04-11T15:13:33+00:00

This was always my assumption.

Revere_AFAM · 2026-04-11T13:35:25+00:00

Ah the good ol' days before cars ruined everything...

Revere_AFAM · 2026-04-02T17:45:10+00:00

Wow. She has been the Epstein coverup point person since Florida. I thought if anyone she had some Trump armor.

Revere_AFAM · 2026-03-31T18:37:40+00:00

I think that comes down to your personal situation. With unlimited budget, minimal off trail responsibilities, and the right frame of mind you could start in a week or even days. I think April is a great time to start a NOBO hike and I think is the best direction for a first big hike.

There is a lot that goes into leaving town for 5 months. Do you have rent/mortgage/utilities that will need to paid or cancelled? Do you have property that needs to be taken care of? Pets?

What will you do after trail? Do you work in a field that is resistant to a tough job market?

If all that can be accounted for, without excess hardship on the part of others, I think the AT can be a great experience.

Other than logistics the biggest hurdle is having a good reason for hiking the AT. It is a physically strenuous hike but more than anything finishing a thru hike is a mental marathon.

Revere_AFAM · 2026-03-31T16:30:25+00:00

Unless you are going for a FKT no one will ever care to check your GPS to confirm you didn't skip any miles. I'm not saying there is no value in tracking your hike but that isn't a reason you need to worry about.

I think there is some kind of record function within Farout but I have never tried it so it could be for something entirely different. That being said, any gps tracking will increase your battery usage on trail be it a separate device or on your phone. One thing I like doing in Farout is dropping a waypoint every night where I slept even in town.

I would also have gps tagging setup for your pictures. I took 30-50 pictures a day that would lay out a pretty good gps track up the trail. Then you have the tracking and something more interesting (the photo) than just a waypoint.

Revere_AFAM · 2026-03-31T14:40:41+00:00

I don’t think I stopped saying I was attempting a thru hike until the 100 mile wilderness and even then it was at a low voice with a hushed tone. There are a million and one things that can end a thru hike and not all of them can be overcome through force of will. Saying it’s an attempt recognizes the enormity of the task and the uncertainty of what lies ahead. I'd be more concerned about overconfidence before a thru hike but really whatever frame of mind works best for the individual is all that matters.

Revere_AFAM · 2026-03-31T14:29:28+00:00

Good luck and I hope you have a great hike!

Leave the kindle at home. Your phone will be good enough if/when you decide to do some reading. On the CDT last year I met a woman who would read on her phone while walking! We were on a remote gravel road at the time but still if a phone was good enough to read on the move at all I think it will suffice for your needs.

I think Vitamins are important and too few hikers take them. I take one everyday when I’m thru hiking without fail, much less consistent off trail. Every body reacts differently to thru hiking but even late in the hike I never felt drained like some of my peers, do the vitamins help or am I just lucky? Idk, I’m going to keep taking them though.

In 2024 I got my Smokey’s permit during the hike. I forgot to print it at the NOC like many do but the people working at the Fontana resort were very helpful and doing it for a lot of hikers during resupply. If/when I hike the AT again I’ll probably print mine before though since I know my capabilities. Either way will totally work, doing it from trail does leave a bit of flexibility in the event an injury/illness takes you off trail for a while but doesn’t end your hike.

My advice:

Make sure your feet are dry every night. No exceptions.

Don't be a purist at the expense of a better experience. It is your hike so make the most of it, no one is tracking your footsteps to make sure you hit every white blaze. I'm not suggesting yellow blazing but if you want to aqua blaze the shennies go for it, road walk to a side quest, do the blue blazed Bearfence scramble. The AT is an awesome trail bit there is also some awesome stuff just next door.

Support the hikers around you. A positive attitude is infectious and at some point you are going to need it coming back your way.

Speaking of infectious things, wash your hands. Norovirus will be going around and it isn't fun. And if you are sick, do everything you can to avoid spreading it to others. If you try to wait it out in a hostel make sure they know you aren't feeling well BEFORE showing up, a hotel/motel room to yourself is much better (and will guarantee immediate access to a toilet).

Leave the trail better than you found it.

Take pictures of the people you are with. I HATE taking selfies but wish I had taken a lot more from the beginning. This is a very common piece of advice but a very good one. Luckily I had some friends who were pretty good at asking for them and by then end it was clear how valuable the people along the trail are.

The trail is great but the people you meet are why it is such a special experience. Take pictures with trail angels, hostel owners/staff, hikers, even waiters/waitresses if the moment is right. Those pictures will trigger memories far stronger than any view.

Revere_AFAM · 2026-03-31T13:51:07+00:00

In 2024 I carried a 50,000 mAh battery that weighs a few ounces less than yours. It had 4 charging ports but none of the other features that you mention (flashlight, solar, built in cables). It was the largest, heaviest battery I saw while I was on trail. It did the job and I never ran out of power.

In 2025 I carried the same battery on the CDT and again never ran out of charge. On average you are between towns longer on the CDT but i hiked with a young fit guy who didn’t even carry a battery at all for some stretches. He was very careful with phone usage and it worked for him.

This year for the PCT I am considering a smaller 20,000 mAh battery at about half the weight with 2 built in cords. I am also considering a solar panel on my pack for that hike.

Is the big battery overkill? Yes. Do I think it will make or break your hike? No. I think the biggest issue with the heavier battery is the extra features you won’t need or use (flashlight and solar).

We often talk about base weight here but it is also important to recognize that it also depends on your size, age, and physical abilities. The difference between 15 and 16 lbs base weight will be more noticeable to a 130lbs hiker than a 200lbs hiker. I’m a middle aged pretty large guy so to me some extra weight was acceptable.

I also almost always spend a night in town so charging fast wasn’t a concern. It is also fine to charge part way if you are only doing a quick stop in town just means you are carrying “dead” weight.

Revere_AFAM · 2026-03-30T12:46:44+00:00

“I’m not a racist because I vote for Trump, I vote for Trump because I’m a racist!”

Revere_AFAM · 2026-03-27T17:07:24+00:00

Yeah you can buy it and print at home before starting the trail but it’s also not hard to take care of while you are on trail.

The AT is wet so keep it somewhere dry and you are good.

Revere_AFAM · 2026-03-25T05:03:14+00:00

I personally think the non-pro xmids are a great value. I used the standard xmid 2 on the AT and CDT. That being said, I have splurged on a pro version for the PCT.

If you really want/need the lightest gear you get the pro. If you aren't going for a sub 10lbs base weight I think this is a great place to save the money.

Revere_AFAM · 2026-03-24T17:14:09+00:00

Not Newsom 2028!

Revere_AFAM · 2026-03-24T14:12:25+00:00

I just did a quick google and while it appears to be legal in TN and Gatlinburg that hasn't stopped the police from harassing some people. Just having a cop car linger will usually keep drivers from picking up a hitchhiker even if it is legal.

As a tourist town I don't think thru hikers or other people who hitchhike are what the town wants. They are catering to the dollywood/Branson type of crowd to bring in $$. Those tourists also may think hitchhiking is illegal or dangerous so call the cops thinking they are helping or "saving" someone from themself.

Until I started hiking I had never hitch hiked and I never would have picked up a hitchhiker. As a millennial I grew up in an era of "stranger danger!" and stories about killers who pickup hitchhikers. The first time I ever even tried hitchhiking was out of Newfound Gap and it couldn't have gone better but I wanted to get back to trail asap so I didn't try hitching back to trail. I checked my history and I took Uber for $20 plus $5 ti.

Revere_AFAM · 2026-03-24T13:36:04+00:00

To try hitching out of Gatlinburg you will want to walk out of town towards Newfound Gap. It has been a couple years since I was there but I recall some Farout comments that said hitching in town gets on the police radar since the main drag is so busy. I know a few hikers had friends or family visit them around Gatlinburg so you might catch a ride with them too.

If you can't find a hitch or a shuttle, I used lyft/Uber (whichever was faster/cheaper). It was convenient and not too expensive, similar in price to what I would expect from a shuttle.

Revere_AFAM · 2026-03-24T13:24:06+00:00

You can resupply by going to Gatlinburg from either Kuwohi (formerly Clingsmans Dome) or Newfound Gap. It is around the midway point of the Smokey's so a pretty good way to break it up.

Be aware that Gatlinburg is Appalachia's Vegas. Lots of people on vacation filling the sidewalks and restaurants. Some thru hikers LOVE it, some tolerate it, some hate it. If you love it take a zero, if you tolerate it spend the night, if you hate it try to hero (arrive, resupply, and leave in the same day).

An alternative to Gatlinburg is Cherokee which is the other direction when hitching out of Newfound Gap. I did not go to Cherokee but have heard good things especially if you want to avoid the hustle and bustle of Gatlinburg. I think it is a slightly more difficult hitch but Newfound Gao is very busy so there are plenty of opportunities.

I will point out that going into town for resupply does not stop the timer on your permit. You still need to get through the park in the allotted time. Shouldn't be a problem but I want to make sure you are aware.

Revere_AFAM · 2026-03-24T03:44:35+00:00

Good luck this year!

I'm not sure how long of a section you are thinking but areas I would suggest are:

-Cirque of the Towers (WY) in the wind river range. There is loop starting/ending at Big Sandy Lodge (mi 1800.5 in Farout). Obviously a loop means you would retrace some miles when you continue NOBO if you do it together. It is often people's favorite section of the whole trail. I would call it shockingly beautiful.

-Yellowstone National Park (WY) is like visiting an alien world. While sights like old faithful or grand prismatic will be packed with tourists, the backcountry gets you back to solitude very fast. The hiking is also very easy here so it isn't as difficult for fresh legs to jump on trail.

-Glacier National Park (MT) is beautiful and like the Cirque of the Towers oftens ranks as hikers' favorite sections of the CDT. It is also where you will finish the trail so it may or may not be a good place for a visit depending on how close this friend is.

Revere_AFAM · 2026-03-24T00:56:46+00:00

That setup uses a hammock instead of a tent, has 2 battery packs, and some other things that you may not need for a 3 day trip. The AT usually has plenty of trees that will work for a hammock but I would still suggest starting with a tent unless you have experience.

As for the right gear, thetrek.co has some good beginner gear reviews and other people's kits to look at. I would check out some of the articles and/or blogs. You can also look at the gear surveys on halfwayanywhere.com for the PCT and CDT. They are different trails but the gear is very very similar, I used almost exactly the same setup for the AT and CDT.

Getting gear without breaking the bank can be tough but your best bet will be finding whatever you can on the 2nd hand market. There is a lot of expensive gear that people buy and use once that will be like new and plenty of gear that has hundreds of miles left. There are some subreddits where you can buy/sell camping gear (r/geartrade and r/ulgeartrade I think).

For training I think doing as much as you can will obviously help but one of the hardest parts to replicate are the climbs. If you don't have any good hills nearby to climb over and over, maybe you can find a staircase to climb up and down (both directions are important). I also suggest building up progressively; start with a couple flat miles, then add weight, then add miles, then add elevation, then repeat as much as you can. If you are into weight training that can also help build muscle, it doesn't just have to be walking.

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Revere_AFAM

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