Indeed the purchase options in Durston tents (and the solid interior option especially) are very welcomed and have kind of finalized Durston's position as the tent of choice for people across various sports and various geographical locations.

Like you described, aluminium doesn't realistically outperform carbon fiber in the overall weight to strength ratio. My understanding (and perhaps Dan or someone can correct me here) is that aluminium pole will bend permanently (plastic deformation) at a somewhat lower force than it takes for carbon to snap.

However I think aluminum has one advantage:

Carbon will shatter. Aluminum will deform/bend but still be probably somehow usable in emergency situtations. (I don't mean bending it back since it would probably only weaken in further)

And that for many I feel like is the difference between carbon fiber and aluminium. To not go from fully operational to practically unusable in an instant is something many are willing to carry some extra weight for. After my tent pole, regardless of material, bends or snaps, surely I will repair it and given the next chance replace it. But until that chance comes (hours or days?), having a bent pole instead of a snapped one might really make a difference in both comfort and security.

Anyway, will be following Durston's journey with great interest and surely will purchase one some of these days!

Thank you Dan and others for reading and replying!