Needing to get a lite weight tent and

For light weight sleeping solutions (I know this is about as far away from economic as yu can get) Hennessy Hammocks are the go. Awesome shelter, dont have to worry about rocks, uneven ground etc. But they are a bit exxy.
 
Thanks all for the suggestions. After reading from those here, I've pretty much decided against the Wenzel and after checking out REIs website, all I can say is, no way. Campmor is much more user friendly $$ wise. ;)
 
Hey all, I havn't received it as yet, but the wife ordered me a solo tent for fathers day. When I receive it this week, I'll be taking a hike into the surrounding hills and I'll remember to take my camera, so that I can do a review. I was hoping for less weight, but the pack will still be under 25# with food. Here's the specs.

Eureka Backcountry1

CAPACITY: 1
Min Wt: 3 lbs. 14 oz.
Pkg Wt: 4 lbs. 4 oz.
Dimensions: 8 ft. 3 in. x 3 ft.
Area: (Sq. Ft.) 24
Int Height: 3 ft. 2 in.
Pack Size: 15.5 in. x 6 in.
No. of Poles: 2 + 1 fly
Pole Size: 9mm
Pole Material: DAC PressFit 7000 Aluminum
No. of Doors: 1
Hooded Fly: Yes
No. of Windows: 1
Gear Loft: Optional
Floor Material: 1.9 oz. 70D nylon taffeta 1200mm coating
Fly Material: 1.9 oz. 75D Stormshield Polyester 1200mm coating
Wall Material: 1.9 oz. Nylon taffeta 1200mm coating
Roof Material: 40D Nylon no-see-um mesh
Netting: 40D Nylon no-see-um mesh
Color: (Fly) Cactus Green, (Body) Cactus Green, (Floor) Loden
Style: Rectangular Dome
Activities: Backpacking, Canoeing, Bike Touring
Use: 3.5 Season
Special Features: Aluminum poles, taped seams, racetrack door.
 
yeah, it could be lighter but it does look like you'll have some more space compared to something that was a little lighter.
 
Sounds like somebodys got themselves a good wifey.

I think your gonna like the tent, the Eureka I had was very well built and had I not had to leave it in the middle of a creek with the rest of my gear, I'm sure I would still have it today.
 
Longbow, I actually have one of these. The first time I used it one of the zippers stuck, then broke. It was not really crucial, so I just sewed it up and I can still get in and out just fine. I have only used it again once since. I have not used it in wet weather, so I'm not sure how well it would hold up to rain. Overall, its a pretty cheaply made tent. For the price, I don't mind taking it out when the weather is supposed to be nice. It is verey light and sets up very quick (couple minutes) once you get the hang of it.
 
I have an Eureka tent with Aluminum poles and it is very durable, and very easy to set up. I really think Eureka makes great tents. I will have to look up what model it is.
 
The tent I use is the Eureka - Apex 2 XTA 3 Season Tent.

Dimensions: 4' 11". x 7" 5".
Interior height: 3' 7"
Number of poles: 2.
Packed size: 6.5 in. x 15 in.
2 poles: 8.5 mm 7000 series aluminum

:thumbup:
 
I have one of the Eureka spitfires too. Nice tent, but I like to spread out a bit. I also like to have all my gear with me inside. So I like a 2-person tent instead.

The tent I now use is a Coleman Peak 1 Aries 2. It has a great full cover rainfly. I had the earlier version of this tent, but the rainfly was not a full cover fly, so I was always concerned about that sideways rain.

The Aries 2 weighs just under 6 pounds, and has aluminum poles and stakes, and is a great 3-season tent. FYI, 3 season tents do not always work the best in the summer months. They tend to not breathe well.

Kelty also makes some good tents. My advice, spend about $75-100 for a good 2 person, 3 season tent. It will last a good while and won't fall apart when you need it the most. (All tents are great in the dry weather...)

Good luck.

Glenn
 
Got the tent today and am hoping to get out tomorrow for an overnighter. Not sure yet, as the wifes boss dumped a couple of rat terriers on us. I guess his wife don't like animals, so we get to find at least one of them a home. Which shouldn't be too difficult, but they are escape artists, so I might be doing some fence work tomorrow and Sunday, but we will see.
 
I realize Longbow's good to go but for anyone else looking to "go light" and wiling/able to go for more expensive gear, I'll second Henry Shire's silicon Tarp Tents.

They're pricey but still cheaper than the higher-end commercial stuff. Still handmade w/outstanding quality. His 2-person tents are lighter than just about any commercial 1-person tent (as well as most commercial bivys), and they are the absolute fastest and simplest to set up. My wife, who is not the most coordinated person around, can set up our Cloudburst tarptent in 3 min. in the dark by flashlight.

Plus, Henry Shire is a good guy, as honorable and trustworthy as they come.

Glen
 
I've got 'the bling'. I bought this last year when when money was no object.....

http://www.msrcorp.com/tents/hubbahubba.asp

HubbaHubbaatmosescampsite.jpg
 
Longbow I picked up a Eureka Spitfire yesterday from the Santa Clara scout shop for $90.00. We have a long backpacking trip planned for 2 weeks from now so I really hope this tent works out OK. I'll set it up in the backyard today and maybe sleep in it tonight with my dog. Have you had a chance to use your new tent yet? Pics?
 
Ming65 said:
I've got 'the bling'. I bought this last year when when money was no object.....

http://www.msrcorp.com/tents/hubbahubba.asp
Click to expand...

I've got the Hubba Hubba and it's awesome. It only gets a work out when I can lure a lass on whatever camping trip I'm going on. Otherwise I use this:


picJungleHammockRickAshworth.jpg


http://www.mosquitohammock.com/junglehammock.html

I finally convinced my mates to get this hammock. It ended up selling itself. We were camped back from a beach on a small camping ground. My friends were in their tents and awoke cold and miserable with condensation lining their tents.
They came over and discovered me hanging from the trees, dry, snug and fast asleep. By being off the ground and in the trees I had completely avoided the early morning dew. They thought it best to swing my hammock back and forth and generally try and make my sleep-in as miserable as possible.


You can't go wrong spending $20 on a tent as it doesn't matter if it breaks but it will annoy you no end when you are cold and miserable. I spend for quality on my trekking equipment and plan to not have to upgrade for many years to come.
 
I have an older Eureka Timberlite 2 that I'm quite attached to. They are modified a-frame construction, fairly light, super easy to set up, and darn near indestructible. The first year I had it a group of us got caught in a bad storm at Bloody Gap on the AT. Trees were getting blown over and by the morning two other tents, both dome tents, had bent poles and assorted other damage, the Eureka came out unscathed. Since then I've taken that tent just about everywhere and it's my go to tent for solo backpacking.

One warning though, the 'two man version' (like mine) is really more like a 1+ man tent - excellent for solo camping with room inside for your gear, but a darn tight squeeze for two grown adults (even cozy ones) and no room to spare. If you are going to have a companion consistently I'd strongly consider the 3 man version.
 
The wife and I have been trying out the Sportsmans Guide two man bivy. Keeps the skeeters off but I had to modify it a little to make it more sturdy. I combine it with a light nylon tarp and it works pretty good. Fairly cheap too.
 
2dogs said:
Longbow I picked up a Eureka Spitfire yesterday from the Santa Clara scout shop for $90.00. We have a long backpacking trip planned for 2 weeks from now so I really hope this tent works out OK. I'll set it up in the backyard today and maybe sleep in it tonight with my dog. Have you had a chance to use your new tent yet? Pics?
Click to expand...

Hey 2dogs, I have been told that the spitfire is a pretty good tent. Nope, I havn't managed to get away yet. Fence done, dog gone, babies mom started some prelims for school and is still working, so getting out any time soon might be out of the question.

I did manage to set it up. Easy setup and solid construction. It'll work out real well. That is, if I ever get to use it.:(
 
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