Eureka Pinnacle Pass 2A Performance 7-Foot by 5-Foot Two-Person Backpacking Tent

by Eureka

Product Features

• Dome-style backpacking tent sleeps two (7' 5" by 4' 11" floor; 36.5 square foot area)
• Two built-in semi vestibules for added gear storage (5.4 square feet)
• Two doors, two windows, two mesh roof vents, and a poke-out vent in the sidewall for additional ventilation
• Two mesh gear pockets; loops for clothes line flashlight
• Center height of 43.5 inches; weighs 4 pounds, 6 ounces

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

An excellent choice for three-season wilderness backpackers, the Eureka Pinnacle Pass 2A dome-style tent comfortably sleeps two campers. It includes a lightweight aluminum frame and two built-in semi vestibules for added gear storage (5.4 square feet). Eureka's patented High/Low doors vent from the top and/or bottom, providing options for moderating air flow. It's easy to set up, thanks to the 8.5mm 7000 series aluminum frame, ring and pin assembly, and extended pole pockets.

It has two doors, two windows, two mesh roof vents, and a poke-out vent in the sidewall for additional ventilation. The high perimeter seams of bathtub floor combines with factory taped floor seams and fly seams to keep water out. Other features include:

• Twin-track zippers for separate operation windows in the doors
• External guy points help secure the tent in high winds
• Two mesh gear pockets
• Clothes line loops and flashlight loop
• 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 nylon taffeta with 800mm coating/no-see-um mesh
• Floor fabrics: 1.9-ounce 70D Nylon taffeta with 800mm coating
• Fly fabrics: 1.9-ounce 75D 185T StormShield polyester with 800mm coating
• Pack size: 6 by 18.5 inches
• Weight: 4 pounds, 6 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

Multi-purpose and compact with 2 twin-track doors, 2 demi-vestibules, and lightweight aluminum frame.

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 18.9 x 6 x 5.6 inches ; 5 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 5.7 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: B000EQ81AG
• Item model number: 2628100
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #277,783 in Sports & Outdoors (See Top 100 in Sports & Outdoors)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great light tent for 2! No Really 2 People, February 24, 2010

By 

Frank T. Steele (Phoenix, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Eureka Pinnacle Pass 2A Performance 7-Foot by 5-Foot Two-Person Backpacking Tent (Sports)

I laugh when I see people say "There are lighter tents out there, but for more money". Oh really? name one.... That is 59 inches by 89 inches and weighs less than 5 lbs. Hmmm, Big Agnes Seedhouse 2? Nope they are 84" x 52" x 42", not even rectangular, only 6-8 oz lighter (I bought titanium stakes, which I use between different tents, the Pinnacle is 4 lbs 12 oz in the bags with light stakes) $70 more expensive ($120 since the pinnacle can be found for $99) with 9 less square feet and no real vestibule(s).

The Pinnacle Pass 2 A
1. Weighs 4 lbs 14 oz with all the bags, mine is 4lbs 12 oz with lighter stakes
2. 36.5 square feet, its 89" x 59". When I car camp I put a Coleman Queen size air mattress in it and it fits perfectly (A solo air bed tent that is super comfy for one or two) can't do that with ANY other "2 Man" backpacking tent!
3. Has two LARGE gear vestibules.

Hmm what else, REI half dome? Nope 5 lbs 8 oz, $150, only 31.8 Sqft

new REI quarter dome T2? Nope 4oz lighter, but 6.7 less sqft and $269

bigger REI Quarter Dome T2 Plus, almost, same exact weight, but still .84 sqft less room and $300!

Lets go extreme, the MSR Carbon Reflex 2 at $500, weighs 24 oz less, BUT is not free standing and has only 29.2 sqft, 7 1/4 less.
or maybe a Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2? (much better than the Carbon reflex) It is 2 lbs 2oz lighter, but again 5.5 sqft less area and $350.

How about "The fly doesn't cover the whole tent" Uh, Hello... McFly, it's a backpacking tent, they are trying to cut down the weight. The fly covers ever place that has noseeum mesh, and not the other water-proof areas, plus it creates two good sized vestibules for gear. Backpackers don't normally store their gear in the tent with them like car campers.

Speaking of water-proof, ALL tents should be seam sealed by the buyer, yes, even that $500 MSR Carbon Reflex 2, read the manual.

I own a lot of tents (even more sleeping bags). Are there lighter 2 man FREE STANDING tents out there, Not really. Most of you seem to think these "2 man" tents are too small, including this one. Is a Queen sized bed too small for two people in your world? because my Queen size air mattress fits in this tent.

I have a tent with 5.5 sqft MORE room than this tent that only weighs 2 1/2 lbs, BUT it is not free standing AND costs $265 (not bad really, a Tarptent Rainshadow 2). So it is $165 more and is a single wall tent so you have to watch out for condensation.

At $99-170 for 36.5 sqft tent that weighs less than 5 lbs with the stakes, guy lines, poles, fly and bags. This is hard to beat.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great bang for the buck, June 25, 2006

By 

Joeseph Schmeau (Oregon) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Eureka Pinnacle Pass 2A Performance 7-Foot by 5-Foot Two-Person Backpacking Tent (Sports)

I bought this 2-man tent to use while backpacking.

It sets up in a hurry, is very durable, and is very light for a 2-man tent.

I generally backpack with one of my kids, and this will hold two of us, plus a change of clothes and our small gear with no problem. There are two doors, which is great, so that we don't have to climb over each other to get out of the tent. Outside each door is a small vestibule, which is a great place to put your shoes to keep them dry. The tent poles (2) are aluminum, and they are very strong and light. I also like the fact that this tent is free standing. Once you get it set up, you can move it around easily if you're not happy with the location.

This is a great backpacking tent for the money. It will hold two people with just a few things comfortably, or one person with all your gear comfortably. There are lighter tents out there, but you'll pay for them.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great little tent!, June 14, 2007

By 

No Schist (Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eureka Pinnacle Pass 2A Performance 7-Foot by 5-Foot Two-Person Backpacking Tent (Sports)

I love this tent! It's perfect for 2 people for backpacking, and also for just one. The setup take literally 30 seconds in the dark (I've done that many times). What I often do is attach the fly to only one end so I can look at the stars at night. If it rains, it takes 2 seconds to hop out and snap the fly on the rest of the way. It's one of the best tents I've found for backpacking!