Eureka Apex 2XT Adventure Two-Person Tent

by Eureka

Product Features

• Lightweight backpacker tent sleeps two (7' 5" by 4' 11" floor; 36.5 square foot area)
• Full vestibules on each side (6.7 square foot apiece) for stashing your gear out of the way
• Double-coated StormShield polyester fly and polyester bathtub floor provide excellent weather protection
• Well ventilated by one entire wall of no-see-um mesh, protected by Stormshield polyester fly
• Center height of 43.5 inches; weighs 5 pounds, 12 ounces

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Nicely lightweight with a compact fold size, the Eureka Apex 2 is a great choice for three-season backpacking treks to the backcountry. It also offers good storage space, with full vestibules on each side (6.7 square foot apiece) for stashing your gear out of the way. The Apex XT balances maximal thermal efficiency with superior ventilation, thanks to one entire wall of no-see-um mesh--great for stargazing on clear summer nights. The other walls are waterproof while a sturdy double-coated StormShield polyester fly protects the mesh wall in inclement weather. It also features a factory-taped, bathtub floor that keeps seams taught and high off the ground for superior protection.

This free-standing, two-pole tent is quick and easy to set up with its durable shockcorded fiberglass frame, ring and pin attachments, pole sleeve attachments, and color coded webbing. A poke out vent in the sidewall provides additional ventilation when needed. Other features include:

• Twin track zippers for separate operation of the window in the door
• External guy points on the fly help secure your tent in high winds
• Two mesh gear pockets for internal storage
• Clothes line loop, flashlight loop
• 2 doors, 2 windows
• Tent, pole, and stake bags included

Specifications:

• Area: 36.5 square feet
• Floor size: 7 feet, 5 inches by 4 feet, 11 inches
• Center height: 3 feet, 7.5 inches
• Wall fabrics: 1.9-ounce 70D Polyester taffeta 800mm coating
• Floor fabrics: 1.9-ounce 70D Polyester taffeta 800mm coating
• Fly fabrics: 1.9-ounce 75D 185T StormShield Polyester 800mm coating
• Pack size: 6 by 18.5 inches
• Weight: 5 pounds, 12 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 Description

Original Apex styling with 2 mesh doors and 2 full coverage vestibules

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 18.5 x 6 x 5.8 inches ; 6 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 6.5 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B000EQCVQ6
• Item model number: 2628104
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (126 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #42,416 in Sports & Outdoors (See Top 100 in Sports & Outdoors)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

84 of 85 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great 2-Person Tent for Extreme Conditions!, March 3, 2007

By 

Todd Shillam (Seattle-Tacoma, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Eureka Apex 2XT Adventure Two-Person Tent (Sports)

I have taken my Eureka Apex 2XT on numerous car camping trips last year, and it worked great even in the pouring rain in the Cascade Mountains of Washington (and it rains here no doubt). The tent rainfly has a nice PU (Polyurethane) coating on the underside, and a factory DWR (Durable Water Repellant) treatment on the outside surface that beads water very well. The full vestibules on both sides is a must-have feature of this tent--great for storing gear, boots, and even cooking while under protective cover (unzip rainfly a bit before starting a stove). The two large entrance doors on both sides make entry and exit from the tent easy. I also like how this tent breathes very well--very, very little condensation (none if those doors are unzipped and rolled down). I also purchased the optional gear loft, and I found this addition worth the cost. I like how I can toss my wallet, keys, flashlight, and other gear into the tent loft.

The only downsides here are the two side tent doors do not have mesh bug-screens. However I found that with the vestibules fully zipped, those little critters have a tough time finding a way inside. If they do, I just zip the tent doors shut. For backpacking, the weight is a bit on the heavy side. However if you are going on a trek with an adult partner, given them a tent pole and the rainfly, and a ground cloth. Meanwhile,you keep a tent pole, the tent itself, and the stakes--that is just over 2 pounds (nice for the ultralight packer). The tent floor fabric is a light ripstop. Make sure you get a ground cloth. I would not recommend the Eureka ground tarps--too heavy and cheap plastic. I would recommend a cloth emergency all-weather space blanket--it will reflect back heat in colder weather, and its much lighter for about the same price if not less.

Otherwise, I do not think you will find a better tent for the money. I would even go so far as to say this tent is near expedition quality and craftsmanship. In short, you won't be dissappointed.

96 of 99 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great little tent, October 9, 2006

By 

AceCadet (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Eureka Apex 2XT Adventure Two-Person Tent (Sports)

I've taken this tent out three times so far. Once "car camping" and two backpacking trips. Two of those trips we had very heavy rains. Both times the tent stayed completely dry. I was very impressed. This is also one of the only two person tents that I've camped with that is actually comfortable for two people. The dual vestibules give plenty of gear room. Set up is simple even for one person. It's a little on the heavy side for backpacking - if that will be your main use I suggest looking at the Pinnacle Pass which is the same tent but with aluminum poles that make it about a pound lighter.

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well designed product, July 29, 2007

By 

D. Taylor (San Antonio, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Eureka Apex 2XT Adventure Two-Person Tent (Sports)

I used this tent while doing field research for 3 1/2 weeks straight. With set up and take down occuring every 3-4 days. It worked great and was sized perfectly for holding myself and my gear. Easy set up/take down and lightweight. The design was great for wind and rain resistance. During a storm with 45mph gusts my Eureka Apex 2XT stood its ground with no problem while my colleagues watched their tents bend and collapse. The only difficulty I had was reaching the zipper on the fly, when wanting to open the fly from the inside of the tent. The zipper on the fly is closed when the zipper pull is at the furthest point away. Nonetheless, that was a small aggravation considering the overall quality for the money. Great product.