Customer Reviews

Eureka! Backcountry 1 - Tent (sleeps 1)

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I do a couple of bicycle touring trips per year. I wanted a lightweight solo tent that would be easy to carry on the bike, accomodate my 6' 3" height and also be easy to put up and take down. I tried the Eureka Solitaire and found it to be a little too confining for me. Also tried a Wenzel Starlite bivy tent that was a little smaller than I'd like. I think the Backcountry 1 is just the right combination of size and weight for carrying on a bike or backpacking. I have used it three times now and am very happy with it.

Bought this tent for use on a cold weather camping trip at the tail end of winter. Wanted something good; had been dissatisfied with cheaper ones at the discount stores - especially when it plainly said on the box "this tent is not waterproof." No such problem with Eureka, in fact the important seams on the Eureka are factory taped and it's very waterproof. It's a tent that I would take with confidence deep into the backcountry.

Had also wanted something light and sturdy enough for backpacking. Again, dissatisfied with cheap dome tents weighing over 7 pounds; this one is not much more than 3 pounds, being a "half" dome, and is very well constructed. The size is OK for one person; especially easy to get into with the wide side door. The poles and fly worked fine and set up quickly and easily by one person. The fly seems to be necessary for cold weather camping, otherwise there would be too much air flow; with the fly on it feels snug inside. Of course that air flow would be great for warm weather. The short pole for the fly was a bit tight - needed to "bow" it to get it to fit into its slots; may want to use a tube cutter to shorten it 1/4 inch or so.

I like the color; it blends in nice with the woods. For backpacking, will probably replace the steel stakes with something lighter. Then again, I have yet to stake it out. It's totally free-standing, and even in the wind just a few guy lines kept it in place.

I am 6'9". I need a tent to be 8' (96") for me to be able to fit and not wake up wet from condensation. I wanted a one-man backpacking tent. And this was the sole tent under $250 that fit the bill.

The cross-pole for the rainfly requires putting one end on the ground to get it to fit, but after figuring that out, I have a tent that's:

Light. Long. Durable. Inexpensive. Natural-ish in color. After a trip or two, I am very happy with this purchase.

I love this tent. Packs tiny, weighs almost nothing, cool colors. Three high quality copper poles. Takes seconds to set up and the rainfly simply snaps into place with four adjustable snap lock buckles and a small pole (also secures with velcro and stakes for storms etc.).

The first camp I used this tent we had _severe_ storms for hours (practically horizontal rains), and the tent was literally 1/2 inch underwater for a day. I was able to wipe up the water that got into the tent with a single bandana. You can't see it in the picture but the rainfly is secured all the way to the ground on the sides, and if you place the tent sideways into the wind it has a very small profile.

I could certainly have used a lightning rod that day however! I found there is plenty of room in the tent to sit up and write out your will...

Took a risk buying this tent on my way to my last backcountry hiking weekend on August 17-19, 2007.
It set up quickly with no struggle. I found that if I removed the poles from the stuff sack and packed them vertically I could gain even more space. This tent packs & compresses small. I love it.
Ventilation is awesome even with the rain fly. I did get rained on but stayed perfectly dry and NO condensation.
There's also lots of room and I'm 6'4" @ 235 lbs, easy to move around, sit up, get in & out. I kept my day pack at the side of my feet IN THE TENT and was not cramped. Temperature dropped at night so I had to put on some extra clothing - plenty of room to shuffle about.
I researched 1person tents for a while and I'm thriled that I decided on this one.

This tent raises the bar for all other solo tents, presenting a challenge for other manufacturers:

Why is Eureka alone in providing a great solo freestanding tent for around $100?

And why is Eureka alone in delivering one in environmentally-friendly colors?

I've taken this tent on more than half a dozen trips since I bought it in September, and I just love it. It packs down small enough (even smaller with a good compression sack), and leaves plenty of room in my backpack for everything else.

This tent is probably the best gear value I've found thus far.

Great freestanding solo tent. Easy to set up, plenty of head room, pockets for gear. The only problem is the pole for the fly. It is very hard to get in. I cut about 3/8" off mine as its not an issue any longer.

This quite simply put is the best of the best in 1 man tents for backpacking. It's small pack size and weight are only part of the reason. This roomy tent is wind stable with the cross top bracing that is only 17 inches when packed. Setup and especially repack seals the deal. I would recommend this tent to anyone just beginning to backpack or just wanting a light weight all around good solo tent.

Buddy and I went out to Yellowstone and Glacier area for about 1 1/2 and stayed exclusively in Eureka's Solo Backcountry 1 tent. Everything from hard rain to bright sunny days. Not a single complaint. Sets up easily. Packs small. Well vented (occational slight condensation on inside, but no more than other tents I've owned). I didn't get sick of being inside it. I'm 5'10" and didn't have my feet pressed up against one end while having my head pressed up against the other. I had about 6 extra inches of comfort. People over 6' might not be as comfortable, it's an individual thing.

I use this to carry on the back of my motorcycle. It is the perfect size and weight to strap onto the back of my bike, and take off for overnight trips.