Solo tent Solitaire Vs more expensive tents opinions?

T

tholiver

Joined
Feb 22, 2003
Messages
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Hey guys. I'm looking to buy a relatively light solo tent.
Was looking at the MSR Hubba and the Agnes Big Seed but i just noticed the Eureka Solitaire. The Eureka has similar specs and is about 1/3 the price of the other two. The last tent i had was a Eureka (Hike and Bike?) solo tent which lasted me a looong time. If the Solitaire gets a thumbs up i can use the money i save to get a better grade bag/etc.
Anybody have opinions/experience on/with the Solitaire? Any feedback on the above tents is welcome!
:)
P.S Any Canadian forumites know a good Canadian online source for the Solitaire? Lebaron probably has them but i'd like to actually get the tent before the snow is on the ground,lol!
 
I've got one, but have only spent a night in the back yard with it. A couple of points to note:

- It's not a freestanding tent

- Many people complain that the fiberglass poles are prone to breakage

It was worthwhile to set it up for a test run, as I ended up replacing the stock tie-out cords with much longer ones.

My experience was that it was tight -- especially once I got a thick ground pad in place. Aside from that it seemed like a great tent, and at that price it's hard to imagine feeling bad about it.

Bear
 
Well it is cheap, but at over 3lbs. there are lighter two person tents out there, but there prices may make them prohibitive.
 
I would skip the eureka and get something a bit lighter and with a better warranty.
I've had the seedhouse1 and I didn't like it. it was a pain in the butt to put up. I've had the blackdiamond lightsaber. it was a pain to get into and it had alot of condensation problems. Right now I am using the golite xanadu1. its a great tent so far. it has the poles on the inside of the tent. also it is single walled. the downfall is spindrift from sand or real light snow.
 
According to manufactures and vendors specs the weights are as follows
Solitaire-2 pounds 9 ounces to 3 pounds max weight, (1.16 kg to 1.36 kg)
Big Agnes Seedhouse 1 SL Tent (2 pounds 13 ounces) (1.3 kg)
MSR Hubba (2 pounds 13 ounces to 3 pounds 4 ounces) (1.3kg to 1.5kg)
So far the Solitaire is the lightest of the three.

Price wise the Solitaire is $60-$100 Canadian
MEC and local price for the Hubba is $280 Canadian
MEC price for the Big Agnes is $255 Canadian

I was almost sold on the Hubba before i came across the Solitaire.
If i had money to burn i'd go with the Hubba, but the videos and pics/specs i've seen of the Solitaire suggests its a good tent.
The saved $200+ bucks could easily be used to upgrade to a better sleeping bag.
My two primary concerns are new tent and new (down) bag.
 
Thanks for the input!
The not-freestanding thing doesn't bother me much, most of the tents i've owned or used weren't free-standing.
I have a few sets of tent fiber-glass poles here so i could probably built a new one from parts.
Did you find it tight length wise, height-wise or both?
How tall are you ? I'm only 5 ft 9 but pretty stocky, lol.
:D
Yeah when i buy whatever model i buy i will definitely be doing a backyard test first.
:)

Bear said:
I've got one, but have only spent a night in the back yard with it. A couple of points to note:

- It's not a freestanding tent

- Many people complain that the fiberglass poles are prone to breakage

It was worthwhile to set it up for a test run, as I ended up replacing the stock tie-out cords with much longer ones.

My experience was that it was tight -- especially once I got a thick ground pad in place. Aside from that it seemed like a great tent, and at that price it's hard to imagine feeling bad about it.

Bear
Click to expand...
 
Ive got the MSR Hubba HP. Its a real light-weight freestanding tent. If you drop the inner tent and go with the groundsheet/rainfly you can bring the weight down to abit under 900 grams. Excellent quality, acceptable ventilation and some real nice gear-pockets in the inner tent.

Ive used my Hubba in everything from warm summer nights to windy and snowy conditions. Its not an alpine tent but it handles winter wind/snow/rain just fine.

My only gripe is that its abit narrow inside, but with a tent that light its expected. Im 181 cm and it fits me fine. I can also sit up inside of it.

If you have any questions feel free to ask.

4049286741_b1565a56a2_z.jpg
 
Ive owned the Solitaire for about two years now. Ive used it on several weekend camping trips, in the rain, and an unexpected cold front. It has held up well and is still in use. Im' 5'9" 220 pound, I wear a 48 sized coat, and have had no trouble moving around in the tent. Once in really sandy soil i found the stakes to be inadequate, i just carved a few of my own, and i was good to go.

Getting in and out of the tent isnt a problem either. My model, not sure if its the same on current models has a zipper the full length of the tent across the top, sitting up is easy with the zipper open, getting in and out quickly is also a breeze.

On the cold night, with everything secured and buttoned up, I was more than comfortable inside. Its non freestanding but that hasnt really been an issue, I try to stay off established tent pads anyways. I use a big agness sleeping pad and it fits inside just fine. enough room in the bottom of it to store your shoes. Poles are still in great shape.

Biggest complaint, no gear vestibule, and that wouldve come in handy during the rainy trip.

Hope that helps.
 
tholiver:

It was tight around the girth. I'm 5' 8'' and 230 lbs -- pretty large around in the middle -- and that's where it seemed like I had the least room. Lots of head and foot room, moderate amoung of side room on the floor. I just felt like my torso was close to the roof.

Don't let it bother you though, it wasn't bad at all.

Bear

PS: I'm looking to get a backup set of poles in aluminum from http://www.polesforyou.com/. They said I should provide the length of each set, as they've seen some variance. It looks like it will cost $37 plus shipping.
 
I've been trying to get a Tarptent Moment for some time now, based on reviews I have read. No joy yet as they are always backordered a month or more from the manufacturer/designer Henry Shires. Rather than carry my heavier (6#) Mountainsmith Sanctuary, which I love for space, I bought a Eureka Solitare as a get-me-by tent.

To drop the weight some, I replaced the steel stakes with aluminum ones, taking the packed tent from 3# 8oz. down to 3# 2 oz., still not a featherweight, but pretty light for a one person tent with mesh inner and door. I could have gone with a lighter tarp, but I don't like sleeping with crawling bugs and mosquitos.

I do like the attached fly that can be reefed back during nice weather, and mine has the center top zipper too. There is a flashlight loop above my head and two small interior storage pockets.

Fit is OK. I am 6'1 and 185#. There is no way to sit up in it though, and not much room for a pack or gear.

Construction and finish seem good. The fiberglass poles are thin and I read reviews that said they broke them while inserting them into the pole sleeves, but I was careful and had no problem. It helps to prelube the rubber pole tips. They tend to grip the sleeve fabric when new. I seam sealed mine just to be sure of no leaks, but haven't had it out on a rainy overnghter yet. Best plus for a temporary solo tent (then loaner when I get the one I want) was the low cost, on sale for $60+, not a lot more than a kiddy tent at Wallyworld.

2zizo8k.jpg

2cyf6yr.jpg
 
Just to make your decision a little harder, here are some other solo tents you might want to consider... ;)

Single wall, Solo:
Tarptent Rainbow: 34 oz (965 g) $225 http://www.tarptent.com/rainbow.html

Tarptent Contrail: 24.5 (696) $199 http://www.tarptent.com/contrail.html

Tarptent Moment: 28.5 ounces (810g) $215 http://www.tarptent.com/moment.html

SMD Lunar Solo: 27 oz. (.76kg) $235 http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/shop/Shopexd.asp?id=36

Double wall, solo:

MLD SoloMid + solo inner net: 18.6oz $315 http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/shop/index.php?cPath=35

SMD Vamp + innernet: 27oz. $325 http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=66

SMD Gatewood cape + innernet: 18oz $255 http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=45

double wall, two person:

SMD Haven + innernet: 36oz. $355 http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=68

single wall, two person:

Several models from tarptent ranging from $230-$260 and 34oz. to 44oz.
http://www.tarptent.com/products.html

The more you spend the lighter you can go. You also want to consider things like ease of entry, single wall v. double wall, will you be able to set it up in the rain without getting the inside all wet, will you be able to get in and out without getting the inside all wet, freestanding v. nonfreestanding, do you hike with hiking sticks, etc.

If you're not doing more than 4-6 miles a day, maybe weight isn't as much of a concern. If you don't use hiking sticks, then the weight savings of non freestanding tents will be negated when you add poles. If you don't camp in raining conditions, then setting up in the rain may not be a concern. Depending on the climate you camp in, you may or may not want a double wall tent. These are just some of the things to keep in mind before spending a ton of money on a tent.

There has been a few other really good suggestions as well. I have heard a lot of good things about every tent mentioned in this thread. decisions, desicions...

Sorry for the long post, I'm in the same situation you are, so I've been doing a lot of researching too.
 
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Could you consider a hammock? Provided you could be comfortable it may suit your needs.
 
275 pounds, 5' 10"

The Eureka solitaire is one step up from a bivy. It MUST be tight when closed up or condensation will be severe. On the other hand, you can get by with four stakes if you are just using it as a bug net. For big guys, the spinal zipper is a great and wonderful feature, especially if you have to relieve yourself in the middle of the night. No vestibule can be a factor, but there is enough room to keep your boots covered.

Good or bad, it is Yellow.

Fast set up, tight in all directions IF you take care, and the lines are fairly close to keep tripping over them to a minimum. there is enough room inside to change clothes while lying down without too much contact with the tent fabric, and reading and turning over are no problem. Six footers might contact the fabric head and/or toe.

Side view while lying down is somewhat blocked, but unless you are afraid your movement might frighten some creature in your camp, probably not an issue.
 
It really depends on intended use, but Eureka makes a no BS solid quality product. The North Face has a Bivy that rolls up into the size of about two fists, and has a PVC lined bottom, kind of a built in footprint for durability when sleeping on abraisive surfaces or when it's wet. I forgot what it's called but it's an ideal utilitarian design. Kelty makes more of a pup tent style 1 person, I believe it's a part of the Teton series? It almost looks like a tarp rig. I wish I could explain the design more in detail but it's ideal for cross country backpacking. For the life of me I can't find a picture, it must be an old model. They have the Crestone too which sure is a nice little one person rig for 75 bucks...
 
I have a Big Agnes Seedhouse 1 (standard model) and LOVE it. I just got home from a week-long bicycle trip and the Seedhouse performed as perfectly as always. I'm 6'2" and 250lbs and I find the tent very roomy for a solo. The Seedhouse has plenty of room for me to sit up and easily get dressed. I often wonder if I should have chosen the ultra-light version, but the standard model is plenty light enough for me.

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
Bumppo said:
... The Eureka solitaire is one step up from a bivy...
Click to expand...

My first impression exactly... a crossbreed between a bivy and a tent.


Bumppo said:
...Good or bad, it is Yellow...
Click to expand...

Very yellow! But... the bright color is cooler in warm weather than a dark color (solar-gain-wise it is equivilant to gray), but it is not nearly so cave-like and oppressive as dark colored tents when bad weather keeps you inside.

Bumppo said:
...Fast set up, tight in all directions IF you take care...
Click to expand...

I was surprised how quickly it set up after a few practice sessions. With only two shock-corded poles fed thru external sleeves (different lengths but easy to tell which is which), it can be set up pretty quickly. There are four "hafta" stake out points, but best setup uses all of the guy points too, eleven shepherd-crook stakes.


Bumppo said:
... Six footers might contact the fabric head and/or toe...
Click to expand...

I don't, but I do have to scoot just right after laying down... not a lot of extra room to slide up or down.

I still want to get the Tarptent Moment for it's vestibule, room to sit up inside, and other features, but I think the Eureka Solitaire is a good inexpensive compromise. And it never hurts to have spare gear to loan when you can afford to upgrade.
 
tholiver said:
Hey guys. I'm looking to buy a relatively light solo tent.
Was looking at the MSR Hubba and the Agnes Big Seed but i just noticed the Eureka Solitaire. The Eureka has similar specs and is about 1/3 the price of the other two. The last tent i had was a Eureka (Hike and Bike?) solo tent which lasted me a looong time. If the Solitaire gets a thumbs up i can use the money i save to get a better grade bag/etc.
Anybody have opinions/experience on/with the Solitaire? Any feedback on the above tents is welcome!
:)
P.S Any Canadian forumites know a good Canadian online source for the Solitaire? Lebaron probably has them but i'd like to actually get the tent before the snow is on the ground,lol!
Click to expand...

I just reallized I still have my seed house SL1, maybe we can work something out and save you some money.
 
BOOMSTICK said:
I just reallized I still have my seed house SL1, maybe we can work something out and save you some money.
Click to expand...

YES!

Please do this. It was really breaking my heart to see this poor fellow get stuck with an tent that used fibered glass poles and no sit up room.
 
I have been using a Eureka Solitaire tent for about three years now. I find it a good, serviceable tent for back pack camping. I am 6'2", and fit inside the tent with room to spare. Even have room for my pack inside the vestibule.
It is a bit heavy, at three pounds, but it is sturdy, very weather proof, and works in cold as well as in warm weather.
I don't do a lot of back pack camping anymore. The lower price (I bought mine at Gander Mountain for $70 USD) offsets any short comings. If I were going to use the tent 20 times a year or more, I would spend more up front, but for me this tent offers a great balance between price and utility.
hantypondcamping.jpg
 
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