Eureka Solo Solitaire Tent

Manufacturer: Eureka
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List Price: $79.90
Sale Price: $54.03
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Product Description

Perfect for singular trekking and walkabouts, the Eureka Solitaire is lightest, most compact three-season solo tent made by Eureka. It's also extremely well ventilated with a large mesh roof--great for stargazing during summer trips--and the zippered roof provides an extra exit in nice weather. This two-hoop bivy design offers an efficient tunnel design, with a durable 6.3 mm fiberglass frame is shockcorded for fast set up. The full coverage fly is attached, so it can be rolled back or put in place very quickly. Other features include nylon pole sleeves for easy setup, three storm guyouts on the fly, two storage pockets, and one flashlight loop.

Specifications:

Area: 21.33 square feet
Floor size: 2 feet, 8 inches by 8 feet
Center height: 2 feet, 4 inches
Wall fabrics: 40D no-see-um mesh
Floor fabrics: 70D nylon taffeta
Fly fabrics: 70D nylon taffeta
Pack size: 4 by 17.5 inches
Weight: 2 pounds, 9 ounces

About Eureka
Though the exact year is unknown, Eureka’s long history begins prior to 1895 in Binghamton, New York, where the company still resides today. Then known as the Eureka Tent & Awning Company, its first wares were canvas products--most notably, Conestoga wagon covers and horse blankets for nineteenth century American frontiersmen--as well as American flags, store awnings, and camping tents.

The company increased production of its custom canvas products locally throughout the 1930s and during the 1940 and even fabricated and erected the IBM "tent cities" just outside Binghamton. The seven acres of tents housed thousands of IBM salesmen during the company’s annual stockholders meeting, which had since outgrown its previous locale. In the 1940s, with the advent of World War II and the increased demand for hospital ward tents, Eureka expanded operations and began shipping tents worldwide. Ultimately, upon the post-war return of the GIs and the resultant housing shortage, Eureka turned its attention to the home front during the 1950s by supplying awnings for the multitude of mobile homes that were purchased.

In 1960, Eureka’s new and innovative Draw-Tite tent, with its practical, free standing external frame, was used in a Himalayan Expedition to Nepal by world renowned Sir Edmund Hillary, the first person documented to summit Mt. Everest only six years earlier. In 1963, Eureka made history during its own Mt. Everest ascent, with more than 60 of its tents sheltering participants from fierce 60+ mph winds and temperatures reaching below -20°F during the first all American Mt. Everest Expedition.

For backpackers and families, Eureka introduced its legendary Timberline tent in the 1970s. Truly the first StormShield design, this completely self-supporting and lightweight backpacking tent became one of the most popular tents the entire industry with sales reaching over 1 million by its ten year anniversary.

Eureka tents have also traveled as part of several historic expeditions, including the American Women’s Himalayan Expedition to Annapurna I in 1978 and the first Mt. Everest ascents by a Canadian and American woman in 1986 and 1988. In recent history, tents specially designed and donated by Eureka sheltered Eric Simonson and his team on two historic research expeditions to Mount Everest, this time in a quest for truth regarding the 1924 attempted summit of early English explorers George Mallory and Andrew Irvine. During the 1999 expedition, the team made history finding the remains of George Mallory, but the complete mystery remained unsolved. Returning in 2001 to search for more clues, the team found amazing historical artifacts which are now on display at the Smithsonian.

Amazon.com Tent Guide
Selecting a Tent
Fortunately, there are all kinds of tents for weekend car campers, Everest expeditions, and everything in-between. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Expect the Worst
In general, it's wise to choose a tent that's designed to withstand the worst possible conditions you think you'll face. For instance, if you're a summer car camper in a region where weather is predictable, an inexpensive family or all purpose tent will likely do the trick--especially if a vehicle is nearby and you can make a mad dash for safety when bad weather swoops in! If you're a backpacker, alpine climber or bike explorer, or if you like to car camp in all seasons, you'll want to take something designed to handle more adversity.

Three- and Four-Season Tents
For summer, early fall and late spring outings, choose a three-season tent. At minimum, a quality three season tent will have lightweight aluminum poles, a reinforced floor, durable stitching, and a quality rain-fly. Some three-season tents offer more open-air netting and are more specifically designed for summer backpacking and other activities. Many premium tents will feature pre-sealed, taped seams and a silicone-impregnated rain-fly for enhanced waterproofness.

For winter camping or alpine travel, go with a four season model. Because they typically feature more durable fabric coatings, as well as more poles, four-season tents are designed to handle heavy snowfall and high winds without collapsing. Of course, four-season tents exact a weight penalty of about 10 to 20 percent in trade for their strength and durability. They also tend to be more expensive.

Domes and Tunnels
Tents are broadly categorized into two types, freestanding, which can stand up on their own, and those that must be staked down in order to stand upright. Freestanding tents often incorporate a dome-shaped design, and most four-season tents are constructed this way because a dome leaves no flat spots on the outer surface where snow can collect. Domes are also inherently stronger than any other design. Meanwhile, many three-season models employ a modified dome configuration called a tunnel. These are still freestanding, but they require fewer poles than a dome, use less fabric, and typically have a rectangular floor-plan that offers less storage space than a dome configuration. Many one and two-person tents are not freestanding, but they make up for it by being more lightweight. Because they use fewer poles, they can also be quicker to set up than a dome.

Size Matters
Ask yourself how many people you'd like to fit in your fabric hotel now and in the future. For soloists and minimalists, check out one-person tents. If you're a mega-minimalist, or if you have your eye on doing some big wall climbs, a waterproof-breathable bivy sack is the ticket. Some bivy sacks feature poles and stake points to give you a little more breathing room. Also, if you don't need bug protection and you want to save weight, check out open-air shelters.

Families who plan on car camping in good weather can choose from a wide range of jumbo-sized tents that will accommodate all your little ones with room to spare. A wide range of capacities is also available for three- and four-season backpacking and expedition tents. Remember, though, the bigger the tent you buy, the heavier it will be, although it's easy to break up the tent components among several people in your group. It's also helpful to compare the volume and floor-space measurements of models you're considering.

Product Details

Two-hoop bivy-style tent for one sleeper (21.33 square foot area)
Ventilated with a large mesh roof; attached full coverage fly
Zipper in roof cloth for easy entry/exit
Includes two storage pockets and one flashlight loop
Center height of 28 inches; weighs 2 pounds, 9 ounces

Video Reviews

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Customer Reviews

Very Good for the Price

Review Date: January 12, 2009

Reviewer: Turtle, Abingdon, VA

This tent is extremely good for its designed purpose; a lightweight backpacking tent. It packs extremely small and light. Have used it in all night rain and wind with no leaks (without sealing the seams or additional waterproofing). I am 6'2" and can fit in the tent without touching any sides, but space is very tight and there is no room for gear. Plan for your boots and pack to be outside. I have found a large black trash bag is sufficient to keep everything dry outside of the tent and adds no additional weight to my pack, plus I have something to put wet stuff in the next day. It takes some practice to learn to get into and out of the tent, but it is worth it for the light weight and weather protection this tent provides.

Great SOLO tent

Review Date: May 25, 2009

Reviewer: D. Yordy, USA

I have no idea what the people complaining about long setup time or needing 12 stakes to set it up are talking about. The first time I ever set this tent up was in a snow storm at night by flashlight and it was up and ready in no time. It was much warmer than expected, the night temp got down below 13 degrees but I stayed warm. However I do not recommend this tent for that! I am 5'10" and 220 lbs and I fit in it with my boots and pack inside. It is not a roomy tent, but anyone should be able to see it is NOT a family cabin tent! I have used this tent for backpacking over 150 miles of the AT and dozens of other trips with NO problems. No broken poles nor moisture leaking inside. My only complaint is I wish it was about 4 inches taller at the entrance.

8 of 10

Review Date: May 17, 2007

Reviewer: Peter A. Dolan, Southern California

great price. poles need improvement. mesh netting sags by morning and your bag is partly wet. Performed great backpacking in the Sierras last February with me and my 60 lb dog. I think for the price it is the best deal going. Im also pleased with my Eureka Alpinlight winter tent.

Both I and My Gear Fit Inside

Review Date: December 2, 2009

Reviewer: Sharon Heath, Susanville, CA. USA

This is Just the right sized tent, I'll bet I could even get my daughter in here too and she is taller than I. Although I read all about how you would have to store your gear outside. Hmmm. Those people must have been Giants, the floor length is 8 feet long and at least 1 and a 1/2 persons wide. I was able to put my pack in the foot end and over to the right, there was plenty of head room up by the door. As I do admit I am pretty small (5 foot tall and 130 pounds) but both myself and my backpack fit nice and snug in this tent, I might even have had enough room for a small Black cat heater, if I remember to turn it off while I slept. Now if I DID add my daughter THEN the Gear Goes Out... I only tested in the back yard. I did like the way it can go from all screen to enclosed. Only 2 things bothered me, One, it isn't free standing (bummer), and the other was how the center of the rain cover couln't be tightened taught to allow rain to shed. I like a tight tent. The poles are thin as mentioned by others, but if you are not a brute and take care they are just fine. I am not too sure about the stepping in part, my legs are pretty short and I don't have any trouble climbing backwards. Just wanted you all to know the size is just what I was looking for and I am a big fan of tub style floors, you can't always trench your tent. I was looking for something that would keep the water (and bugs)out and one review said she had awoke to several inches of snow and was dry and cozy... I believed her and can't wait to find out.
Please don't stop after a few reviews, they all have something to help, both good and negative are very helpful in choosing the right tent. I am looking forward to testing it in the rain and any other weather I can find... I want to thank all those who did leave reviews which made my descision easier. I appologize for not having more to say.

I love this tent

Review Date: March 26, 2008

Reviewer: M. Carney,

This tent is great. Its small enough to fit in my pack and really easy to set up. Its not free standing but as long as you can use stakes setup is easy. The mesh ceiling is awesome, its great to sleep under at night if there is no rain. You can see everything around you and not be eaten by bugs. I'm 6' and fit in great. I wouldn't want to be much taller though and be in the tent. I could fit myself, my back, boots and another book bag in the tent while I slept. The top access is also amazing. I've had other tents where you have to get in from the front and with a tent this size its annoying. Being able to just step into this tent is really nice.

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