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Cogs-n-Sprockets
72
Sep 8, 2018
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dandurston
5116
Dan Durston
Sep 8, 2018
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Cogs-n-SprocketsHi CnS,
Thanks for the kind words and support. Yeah the no-sag of poly is great. Up until a couple years ago I had just accepted sag as a unavoidable problem, but it's been so nice to see poly eliminate that. It seems like a lot of brands are starting to make the switch now (Black Diamond, LightHeartGear, Yama etc) which is great.
Regarding groundsheets, I recommend not using one normally. The 20D polyester floor is pretty durable (poly is more abrasion resistance than nylon) so under normal use (e.g. pitching on dirt) it'll hold up fine without a groundsheet. And this poly is very waterproof. So no need to add the weight and hassle of a groundsheet. My 30D nylon floors always come out unscathed after a summer-long thru hike and I expect this floor will be no different.
Also, groundsheets tend to be problematic because they often extend out from under tent in one spot or another, and then rain lands on the groundsheet and puddles between the groundsheet and tent floor. So if you did have one for the X-Mid, I'd shape it so that it's just under the inner tent and not the entire thing for this reason (and it would be smaller/lighter).
The only times I recommend one is if you're camping on rock, whether that's bedrock or some gravel car camping site (I put a couple holes in a 15D nylon floor doing that once). If you think that'll be a regular thing then I like one made of tyvek as it's nice material to work with and handle, whereas polycro is so thin and "scrunchy" that's hard to fold up after use. But either one works well.
Thanks for the kind words and support. Yeah the no-sag of poly is great. Up until a couple years ago I had just accepted sag as a unavoidable problem, but it's been so nice to see poly eliminate that. It seems like a lot of brands are starting to make the switch now (Black Diamond, LightHeartGear, Yama etc) which is great.
Regarding groundsheets, I recommend not using one normally. The 20D polyester floor is pretty durable (poly is more abrasion resistance than nylon) so under normal use (e.g. pitching on dirt) it'll hold up fine without a groundsheet. And this poly is very waterproof. So no need to add the weight and hassle of a groundsheet. My 30D nylon floors always come out unscathed after a summer-long thru hike and I expect this floor will be no different.
Also, groundsheets tend to be problematic because they often extend out from under tent in one spot or another, and then rain lands on the groundsheet and puddles between the groundsheet and tent floor. So if you did have one for the X-Mid, I'd shape it so that it's just under the inner tent and not the entire thing for this reason (and it would be smaller/lighter).
The only times I recommend one is if you're camping on rock, whether that's bedrock or some gravel car camping site (I put a couple holes in a 15D nylon floor doing that once). If you think that'll be a regular thing then I like one made of tyvek as it's nice material to work with and handle, whereas polycro is so thin and "scrunchy" that's hard to fold up after use. But either one works well.
Cogs-n-Sprockets
72
Sep 8, 2018
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dandurstonAwesome stuff! Thanks for the quick reply and sound advice. I’ll forego a groundsheet then. I‘m rarely if ever on gravel or rock.
Thanks!
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I jumped in on this drop after having my eye on a Tarptent for awhile now. Pricepoint on this drop is phenomenal and kudos to you for recognizing the huge (to me) issue of nylon sag and going with poly. Wet nylon is really a deal breaker for me after reading The TentLab's little study... http://thetentlab.com/MoonLightTents/PolyNyl.html
In fact, the X-Mid ticks about every box on my list. It's absolutely clear that it's designed by a well-seasoned thru-hiker!
I have 2 questions about groundcloths/footprints: 1) Is one recommended/necessary? and 2) If so, what would you recommend - Tyvek? Polycryo?
If you think it makes a difference, I'm 5'10", 215# and sleep on a wide or long wide inflatable pad (Exped SynMat 7 or REI Stratus).
Thanks!