Kakwa 55 200X waterproofing and XMid 2
What lovely pieces of design / engineering! I headed out into the rain yesterday for a day hike with my first Durston (and first ultralight) gear: a Kakwa 55 200X and XMid 2.
XMid 2.
I managed to leave my hiking poles in the car, but did get the tent up for the first time ever with some sticks (and no internet to rewatch the pitch video) no problem. I used a guy line to correct an imperfect initial pitch rather than stay out in the rain more to start over. As my first ultralight tent, I was struck by how thin the materials and small the zippers were. I really liked all the little geometry benefits (especially being able to store the backpack in the vestibule and also have room inside). I also liked how I could pull back the tarp and rain still didn't get into the tent, and the little touches like two different size stakes.
Kakwa 55 200X.
I really liked the fit a lot, even though I didn't really load it with much weight for this day hike test. I liked all the outside pockets on the hip belt and shoulder straps — and that big mesh pocket is great. This is my first time with this type of material, but as a backpack (which I know also includes seams!) it was not nearly as water resistant as I was expecting. I was in what I consider very normal rain for Shenandoah and not for that long, but things got quite wet inside. Are there any recommendations on how to improve how water proof the backpack is? Or is the answer really just the old pack liner, pack cover, or some such? Also, is there a reason the outside large pockets don't have any holes to drain water (for if it really pours so it doesn't just pool in there)?