Customer Reviews

Eureka! Assault Outfitter 4 - Tent (sleeps 4)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The Assault Outfitter is a great tent; it is made better than the standard tent, and is certainly up to 'expedition duty' quality. It is also roomy for this type of tent, with plenty of room for two large people and associated gear..and lots of gear, making this a true four-season tent.
It has been noted in another review that this is 'not a backpacking tent'; I would argue that it depends on your definition of backpacking. To me, it IS a backpacking tent. If I'm out for a week or more in rugged conditions, frankly, I want a bit more than the average ultra-light backpacking tent offers. No, you won't want to stuff this in your average weekend internal frame pack; not because you can't handle 13 lbs, but because it is bulky. However, if you're old school like me, and use a large external frame pack, like the Kelty Super Tioga, it will swallow this tent up with ease, and pack quite comfortably. Add a few quality compression straps to this, and break it down and distribute the load amongst two or three backpackers, and it becomes even more 'backpack-able'. I'll admit that I'm an old light-infantryman, used to packing sixty-eighty lbs for weeks on end, so 13 lbs of reliable and comfortable living space on my back is a non-issue. If you're an ultra-light minimalist, and want to backpack with only a fanny pack and three matches, this is not the tent for you.
I would add that if you're the type that keeps a 'bug-out rucksack' on standby, this is a great tent to have stuffed inside of it, as it is built heavily enough for serious and extended duty.
If I could only own one tent (and I own several), this would be the one that I kept.

This is a burly tent.

I've camped for extended periods in the Nevada desert, including 50 mph dust storms, and the tent stays rock solid. Ventilates well, with two large screen doors. Stops wind well if it's all zipped up. A friend took it camping for a torrential downpour weekend, getting 3+ inches of rain in three days, and claims he stayed dry. I took it to a swamp, and had no problems with bugs.

Two small issues. The doors are hinged at the bottom; that is, when you unzip them, they're attached to the floor. You need to tuck them under as not to step on them. Also, for desert camping, the black Eureka logo (!) becomes *hot* to the touch.

Neither are significant problems, and at this point, I prefer this tent to the Timberline Outfitter 4.

Also, I see that someone tagged this tent with "backpacking". This is *not* a backpacking tent, as it's almost three times heavier than a backpacking tent of it's size should be. "Durable, sturdy, roomy", sure. "Light, compact", not so much.

My family camps a lot and we got tired of cheap tents that fall apart after the first season and leak the first time they get rained on. Four or five years ago I splurged and invested in this expensive tent because it seemed durable and was good for 4 seasons. We would never use this tent for backpacking; it is far too heavy and bulky for that.

This has been an excellent tent. When the tent was new getting the first pole in was so difficult that I was afraid it would break, but now that the tent has been pitched dozens of times the first pole goes in easy. The tent has been water tight, with no need to apply seem sealer to it. We have camped at the ocean in the fall and still never had a problem with condensation inside the tent body. We have pitched it on sharp gravel multiple times and with out a ground cover and the floor had not been damaged.

The tent body is very durable and it the stitching is high quality. I like the side pockets and the optional loft. The heavy duty zippers never get stuck.

The roomy vestibules are great for storing gear and keeping the family dog dry. Due to the size and configuration of the front vestibule it is hard for me to reach the zipper. We have started using the back door as the main door because it is easier to get in and out of. I had really long arms it would be easier to reach the zippers in the front.


I love this tent. But there is one problem, the lame plastic window. I never cared about having a window in the fly sheet. The window is too cloudy to see out of and if I really need to see out I can just unzip the fly sheet a bit and still stay dry thanks to the roomy vestibule. But my real problem with the plastic window is that it has started falling apart. The plastic window had several holes in it when I unpacked the tent this summer. My tent in no longer waterproof thanks to this stupid plastic window. I'm going to see if Eureka will fix the window. If not for the problem with the window I would give this tent a 5 star rating. Would I buy this tent again? Yes if not for the plastic vestibule.

I have called Eureka (Johnson Outdoors) about getting the window repaired. They said that it might be covered under warranty but they will not replace the window, instead they will sew a piece of fabric over it. Also I have to pay the postage to sent it to New York State for repair and it will take Eureka 4-6 weeks to repair my tent add to that a week for it to reach New York and another week for it to be mailed back and the entire summer will be gone. I am very dissapointed!

This is one strong, rugged tent - probably due to its military roots. I have used this tent when there was hard rains and straight line winds. Several of my fellow campers had their tents buckle, but this one barely moved, and I stayed completely dry.

Seen some argument from other reviews on whether this is a backpacking tent or not. If you're an ultra-lite hiker, then this is not the tent for you. In fact, at 13 pounds, for most hikers this would be a bit heavy for a single person. But it sleeps up to four average size people so you can split the weight. If you're car camping or not hiking far (hunting, canoeing), I wouldn't worry about it.

You'll want to buy more stakes, it doesn't come with enough for the guy out points, and the stakes that come with it are flimsy.

Pros: Holds up well in high winds. Sheds water well. Fairly easy to set up. Condensation has not been an issue for me. Lots of guy out points. Two doors and a vestibule at each door (big one in front, smaller one in back). Vestibules hold plenty of gear. Good tent in cold weather.

Cons: Somewhat bulky for a single person if you are hiking. Stakes that come with the tent are weak, plus not enough stakes for the guy lines. It can be hot in the summer, I had to experiment with the vestibule openings to get decent ventilation.

Overall, a good tent, I'd recommend it.

I have used this tent camping about once a month year round as a scout leader and I love this tent. Quick set up and sturdy. I camped in 30 mile per hour gusts in Galena, IL and never even knew how windy it was outsite. Water tight also in the driving rain we had. I would highly recommend it.

It's Marine Corps heritage sold me. It is very sturdy in wind (you can useup to 10 tie-downs) but just two or four are normal.Both tent and poles fit inside one of the side cases on my Honda ST-1300. I also use a compression sack to get it very small. Four people in it would have to be very friendly, but two and a kid, or just two are perfect. There's enough height to get your pants on standing up if you don't play for the Lakers. It's well made and things fit. There is enough overhang over the front door to leave it open in anything less than a driving rain. I do wish the front door attached at the side or had a center zipper. Being attached at the bottom takes some getting used to. I found one for $275 with some looking.

Hoo-Rah!

John

After setting up the tent I noticed that two floor seams where the stake loops connect where repaired with seam tape. There are other indications of marks on the tent fabric that this is not a new tent but rather a second quality of some kind. Avoid this seller. The tent works but I feel cheated. Next time I will buy direct from Eureka!

Tent is made of quality material and does its job as a 4 season tent. However due to 2 challenges after using for almost two years Ive moved to another tent. One, the doors are hinged on the bottom causing you to tuck it in every time you come or go so you dont step on it, and in bad weather I always tend to get more snow or wet in the tent. Not from leaking but from above, the vestuble is not big enough to close behind me before opening the door. Last, between the tiangle on top there is a spot that collects snow and water causing a person to constantly push it off from inside. Im still tru to Eureka though. Moved into a Equinox,too old to do snow trips anymore,HaHa

I have been away from camping for over 25 years and wanted to get back to it. I researched many tents before deciding on this one. This tent is very well made. It is fairly easy for one person to put up and take down. I have used it in 40 to 90F weather with better results below 80 F. It withstood moderate rain very well with no leakage. It has more than enough room for my type of camping (usually me and my gear, one or two nights, not far from the Jeep). Four good size adults and gear would be a little crowded. As mentioned in other reviews, for backpacking it is on the heavy side, but straps very well to a MOLLE main ruck or other external frame pack. Overall, I am very pleased with this tent and would recommend it to anyone looking for a sturdy all-season tent.

I finally had the opportunity to rain test this tent over Memorial Day Weekend. It kept my buddies, and their gear, bone dry through four thunderstorms. Even with the rain fly on, it was able vent well, so there was a negligible amount of condensation inside the tent when they woke up in the morning. There was enough room for four people and their gear as well. I highly recommend this tent, just be sure to change out the stakes the first chance you get.