When I bought my MSR free light solo I waited until they replaced the carbon poles with aluminum in 2022. There were a fair amount of complaints about the carbon poles in the older model free light so I was happy to get the aluminum poled one. Now I am planning on replacing the free light with a durston x dome and see that the aluminum poles weigh about 3 oz more than the carbon set.
Does any have experience with the carbon poles durston uses?

Received my x dome 1+ as part of the second iteration of this tent in April. I have about 21 nights so far this season. I spend more time canoeing then backpacking but do both. The more I use this tent the more I like it.

With a lifetime of using aluminum poles the carbon fiber set certainly is a smaller diameter and like yourself can’t help but question the durability. So far no issues and I see no degradation.

Aluminum wasn’t available when I purchased. Also wonder if Durston will make the pole sets a separately available item and could be replaced or swapped between the same tent body. The answer to those questions would influence my choice today.

To me the additional 3 ounces is absolutely negligible in canoeing. Even backpacking not so much for my use case. IMO it comes down to expectation of service life on the tent / pole set. I’m a grandpa and am use to using gear for 20 years. I’m running out of years and finally realize my stuff doesn’t need to last so long anymore.

However I would likely buy aluminum today just because I *think* they would last longer. Again depending on availability as stand alone item. Every time I assemble the carbon poles I wonder about the end of each pole section splitting with long term use. But so far no problem.

I have not owned a Durston X-Dome but I have owned a Vargo No-Fly that came with similar Easton 3.9 carbon poles. I replaced the Easton 3.9 carbon poles with Easton .340 aluminum poles because I was concerned with durability issues that I read about and because I wanted to customize the collapsible length of the poles so that they would fit conveniently inside my backpack.

I had no durability issue with the carbon poles but I seldom used them. I have used aluminum poles extensively and I am comfortable with the weight, confident with the durability and like that aluminum poles are easy to modify for custom applications.

3.9 carbon pole insert issue

Durston had issues with the early carbon poles for the X-Domes. The main failure point was the glue on the aluminum connection points. As Tomcat's link details, Durston has worked with Easton to change the gluing process, and also went to carbon inserts on the top connector. They claim they have seen no failures after these changes.

Either way is somewhat of a risk, since I haven't seen any reviews of the new aluminum poles and the improved carbon poles are relatively new as well. Dan Durston has been pretty upfront about their issues and the performance of carbon. If you go to just about any YouTube review of an X-Dome and read the comments you'll find him chiming in. He has said the carbon is stronger and I tend to believe him. However I also know that carbon, when flexed, develops microcracking and eventually will fail. Whether or not this would be within the lifespan of the tent or sooner than aluminum, I don't know. Aluminum poles aren't exactly robust themselves. Have to also keep in mind that the X-Dome is an ultralight tent so nothing about it is really that durable to begin with.

Thanks for the insightful responses,

My take is that carbon fiber work best if you are a careful user and weather isn’t nasty during set up.

Aluminum is more forgiving.

I must admit, this is the first I’ve ever heard of carbon tent poles.

HowardSprague: "I must admit, this is the first I’ve ever heard of carbon tent poles."

It's a brave new world Howard........or is it a strange one?

Other considerations with regard to carbon versus aluminum poles:

Aluminum pole sections tend to break diagonally and may allow the use of a pole splint for temporary repairs depending on the location and severity of the damage. Carbon pole sections tend to break both diagonally and longitudinally which may cause damage too extensive for the use of a pole splint for temporary repairs.












Carbon fiber can cause galvanic corrosion when it comes into contact with aluminum in the presence of moisture. When carbon fiber poles are constructed with aluminum inserts and end tips properly insulating the carbon fiber from the aluminum may extend the service life. Galvanic corrosion was an issue with my car, dissimilar metals and carbon fiber parts required specially treated fasteners when being attached to each other to prevent it. This may not be a significant issue with tent poles but I mentioned it as a consideration.

I always opted for aluminum poles vs fiberglass poles with the understanding that, under stress, aluminum will bend whereas the common fiberglass poles will break.

I purchased an MSR Hubba Hubba 2 at the end of 2023 and have had great luck with the carbon poles thus far after about 40 or so nights in the woods. They are Easton Syclone poles. Easton makes carbon arrows, which pretty well replaced aluminum arrows 15 years ago. Carbon arrows are extremely durable, and I'm confident my tent poles will stand up for many more years.