In this episode of Beyond the Trailhead, I sit down with Dan Durston, founder of Durston Gear and the mind behind some of the most talked-about ultralight tents in the backpacking world.
If you’ve spent time on trails like the Pacific Crest Trail or Appalachian Trail, chances are you’ve seen an X-Mid tent in the wild.
But the story behind Durston Gear is just as fascinating as the gear itself.
Dan shares how his obsession with ultralight backpacking gear started on hiking forums and long trails, eventually leading to the invention of the X-Mid tent design — an idea that first formed while hiking the Pacific Crest Trail.
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We dive into the early days of the brand, licensing the design to a larger company, and the moment Dan had to remortgage his house to launch Durston Gear independently.
This episode is packed with insights for hikers, gear nerds, and anyone curious about building a company in the outdoor industry.
🏔️ In this episode we cover
🥾 How the X-Mid tent idea started while hiking the PCT
🎒 The evolution of ultralight backpacking gear
🏕️ Designing tents that balance weight, simplicity, and durability
📦 The risks of launching a gear brand
💸 Remortgaging a house to fund the first Durston Gear product launch
🌲 How community feedback shaped Durston Gear
🧠 Advice for entrepreneurs creating products in the outdoor industry
Dan also shares stories from the trail and explains why simple design often wins over complicated gear.
🌄 Connect with Durston Gear
Website
https://durstongear.com
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/durstongear
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@durstongear
🎧 Listen to Beyond the Trailhead
▶️ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Beyondthetrailhead
🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-trailhead/id1860050826
🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/11g9jx9Oyd2YSHipi0mmDy?si=72d97f11c5f64ea6
📸 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetrailheadpodcast
🌐 Website: https://obristimagery.com

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