Showing posts with label ultralight. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ultralight. Show all posts

4/16/2011

Equinox Ultralite Mummy Bivi Review

Equinox Ultralite Mummy Bivi
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Great just as I suspected if not more.They shipped this on Wednesday and got it friday, just in time for my backpacking trip that weekend. It rained one of those nights. I was sleeping in that bivy under a tarp and woke up bone dry. Excellent product and super light

Click Here to see more reviews about: Equinox Ultralite Mummy Bivi

Product Description:
Equinox Ultralite Mummy Bivi Our Innovative Bivi Is Made From Super Tenacious 1.1 Oz Silicone Impregnated Ripstop Nylon.The Waterproof Bottom And Water Repellent, Breathable Top Provide Amazingly Lightweight Protection For Your Sleeping Bag. Measures 72-1/2" To Shoulder, 83" To Top Of Head, 33" Wide.A Mid-length Zipper (#4.5 Ykk) Provides Easy Access.Packaged In A Mesh Bag.Weighs 6.6 Oz. Made In Usa. This Item Is In Category:Packs, Tents, Sleeping Bags > Tents Brand: Equinox

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4/15/2011

Slumberjack Ultimate 20F Long Left Sleeping Bag Review

Slumberjack Ultimate 20F Long Left Sleeping Bag
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
First off I want to dispel both of the bad reviews that were written.No offense, but I'm assuming these two are not backpackers and that is what this bag is intended for.Yes it's light and not fluffy, that's why it only weighs a little over 1lb without the stuff sack.As far as 20 degrees, it's like the other person said, temperature is relative to the person.I'm a hot person so this bag suits me down to the rating and then some.The guy who said he couldn't get the bag back in the sack probably has never used a stuff sack in his life, I actually can get the bag small enough to fit in the sack + my pillow as well, so I have no idea what he's talking about.I give this bag for the price to weight ratio 4 stars, I don't think you can't find a better bargain.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Slumberjack Ultimate 20F Long Left Sleeping Bag

Product Description:
Double offset, differential cut construction eliminates cold spots.Flip Over Hood allows users to flip the hood inside out giving the option of a flat hood or a fully contoured hood.Easy Access Drawcords with Barrel Lock Closures permit closure of drawcords on hood and storm collar.The cords are either flat or round, allowing users to easily adjust storm collars and hoods in low light situations.Hook and Loop Closures provide firm closure of the bag and prevent zippers from separating or opening.Anti-Snag Zipper Protection is sewn along the draft tube and zipper to ensure reliable zipper operation.Internal Collars are baffles sewn to the liner, used to prevent heat loss from the neck and shoulders.Draft Tubes are baffles sewn adjacent to the zipper to keep cold air out and prevent heat loss through the zipper coils.Weather Wedge is a small piece of triangular fabric that is sewn at the base of the zipper to prevent heat loss at the zipper's bottom.This also reduces stress at the point where the zipper is sewn for greater durability.Vented Foot Box (patent pending) zips open to provide added room and thermo regulation for maximum comfort in a wide-range of temperatures and environments.Trapezoid Foot Box provides space in which the feet remain in a natural position for better comfort.Compression stuff sack included.

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3/21/2011

SpiderWire Stealth 300-Yard Fishing Line Review

SpiderWire Stealth 300-Yard Fishing Line
Average Reviews:

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Used properly, this line really performs well.If you are using a coffee grinder, make sure you dont overfill the spool and make it a point to slightly "underfill" it.I have also got into the habit of pulling the line tight with my free hand after I close my bail to avoid knots in the spool. I have found that what most people call "wind knots" start as a loop in the spool when the line goes slack after a completed cast.The only time I have had knots just appear in this line is when I overfill or completely fill the spool.

Click Here to see more reviews about: SpiderWire Stealth 300-Yard Fishing Line

Product Description:
SpiderWire Stealth, quiet smooth handling, Teflon treated microfibers, 300 yds

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1/09/2011

Big Agnes Gear Loft - Triangle: Fits String Ridge 2, Seedhouse SL Series, & Fly Creek Tents Review

Big Agnes Gear Loft - Triangle: Fits String Ridge 2, Seedhouse SL Series, & Fly Creek Tents
Average Reviews:

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This works well with my Seedhouse 3SL, and there are actually two pockets built into it. The tent alone has only one tiny pocket, so this is a must. I figured it was just like a little hammock for your gear but the two extra pockets built into the loft are a very nice touch. It does hold a fair amount of gear, pretty much everything you'd have in your tent with you.I would recommend this to anyone with a Big Agnes Seedhouse, especially for the price.

[...]

Click Here to see more reviews about: Big Agnes Gear Loft - Triangle: Fits String Ridge 2, Seedhouse SL Series, and Fly Creek Tents

Product Description:
Don?t leave all your camping accessories lying on the floor of your Big Agnes tent. Instead organize it all in the Big Agnes Triangle Gear Loft. This loft fits the String Ridge 2, Seedhouse SL Series, and Fly Creek tents. It features one main loft and one small organizer pocket.

Product Features

    Material: Lightweight mesh
    Recommended Use: Camping
    Manufacturer Warranty: Lifetime


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12/10/2010

ALPS Mountaineering Mystique 1.0 AL Tent - 1-Person 3-Season Review

ALPS Mountaineering Mystique 1.0 AL Tent - 1-Person 3-Season
Average Reviews:

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Finally, a one person tent that will actually fit someone that is over 6ft tall!! This tent had ample room, and I'm 6' 3". Easy setup. The weight and size of the tent takes up very little space in your backpack. The only thing that could make this tent better would be to have a little bigger vestibule.

Click Here to see more reviews about: ALPS Mountaineering Mystique 1.0 AL Tent - 1-Person 3-Season

Product Description:
Alps Mountaineering designers created the 3-Season Mystique 1.0 AL 1-Person Tent for those who want to venture out into the wilderness on their own but don?t love sleeping with bugs.Its two-pole design makes it a breeze to set up and the Mystique can function as a freestanding tent but holds its shape better when staked down. An adjustable vent built into the fly adds to the already excellent ventilation provided by mesh panels in the walls and door. Alps Mountaineering designers sealed the fly and floor seams to ensure you don?t end up sleeping in a miniature pond during a storm.

Product Features

    Material: [Fly] 75D, 185T poly taffeta, 1500mm urethane coating; [Floor] 75D, 185T poly taffeta, 2000mm urethane coating
    Freestanding: Yes
    Poles: 2
    Pole Material: 7000 Series aluminum
    Doors: 1
    Clip / Sleeve: Clip
    Floor Space: 42 x 94in (106 x 238cm), 21sq ft (1.95sq m)
    Interior Height: 36in (91cm)
    Vestibule Space: 4sq ft (.37sq m)
    Packed Size: 6 x 16in (15.24 x 40.64cm)
    Ventilation: Mesh walls, 1 fly vent
    Weight: 3lb 11oz (1652g)
    Recommended Use: Lightweight backpacking, camping
    Manufacturer Warranty: Lifetime


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12/04/2010

Sierra Designs Lightning XT 1 Tent 1-Person 3-Season Review

Sierra Designs Lightning XT 1 Tent 1-Person 3-Season
Average Reviews:

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I had a really hard time finding reviews for this tent online, so I took a gamble and ordered it.I'm doing this to hopefully help someone out like me.To be clear, I never used this tent, just set it up to see how it would accommodate me and my gear.First off, it is very light weight.My friends each ordered the Eureka Backcountry and the Sierra Designs Zolo 1, and this tent was by far the lightest.After taking it out of the bag, I realized that the packed dimensions they advertise are not quite right.The tent and everything included is completely capable of compressing down to the size listed, but the bag they provide could easily fit 3 tents in it.This was a big concern for me since I'm limited on space and everything expands when in the bag.After setting up (a little confusing at first, difficult with just one person if you don't stake it down - again, I only set it up a couple of times), I was pretty satisfied with the look.I'm 5'9" and I fit comfortably in it, but any taller than 6' and you could be uncomfortable, especially since the walls are at such an angle.The design with the two poles sort of cutting off makes it seem like you couldn't hang anything of significant weight (like a large light) from the top without deforming the tent (hanging just the dead weight from my arm deformed it by a good 6 -8 inches on the "weak pole" side and an inch or two on the more solid pole side).I'm going to be backpacking for 2 months across Europe and have no idea what kind of weather and wind I will come across, but I think this would be more than okay for most situations.It is a good looking tent, extremely lightweight, and (can be) compact, and priced very well for the features - but I decided to dish out some extra dough for the MSR Hubba because I knew it would be something I would use for years and really like based on all the reviews and recommendations from friends.If you're small and looking for something relatively inexpensive and light, this should work for you.This is just my two cents, I have no idea how the rainfly holds up, ventilation, and durability are since I never used the tent the way it was intended.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sierra Designs Lightning XT 1 Tent 1-Person 3-Season

Product Description:
Are you the type who likes to get some solo time out in the wilderness? Us too, and that's why we know the Sierra Designs Lightning XT 1 Tent is a soloist's ultralight dream. This free-standing 1-person 3-season tent features an ample amount of living and gear space and weighs less than three pounds, so you can pack it in your bag and head off for adventures unknown.

Product Features

    Material: [Fly] 40D HT nylon; [Floor] 70D nylon
    Freestanding: Yes
    Poles: 3
    Pole Material: DAC Featherlite NSL
    Doors: 1
    Clip / Sleeve: state which one
    Floor Space: 83 x 32in (211 x 81cm), 19.25sq ft (1.8sq m)
    Interior Height: 38in (96.5cm)
    Vestibule Space: 9sq ft (0.8sq m)
    Packed Size: 19 x 5in (48 x 13cm)
    Ventilation: Mesh walls, top vents
    Weight: 2lb 15oz (1332g)
    Recommended Use:
    Manufacturer Warranty: 1 Year


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10/31/2010

Suisse Sport Adult Adventurer Mummy Ultra-Compactable Sleeping Bag Review

Suisse Sport Adult Adventurer Mummy Ultra-Compactable Sleeping Bag
Average Reviews:

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I decided to give this a try even though I could not find any information on the web about them.
The short version is, this is an excellent bag and you would have to spend over $100 to get a better one.

its well made and so far has been very warm in sub 50'F temps. I would not hesitate to use this at its 30' rating. It has all the same features as the rest of the bags on the market. Its comfy and very light, Although I would not really call it ultralight, but since it compresses down so small, it fits my needs just fine.
the guy holding it in the picture must have massive hands! its not quite that small unless you spend an hour compressing it.
But, Its small enough just by stuffing it into the compression sack and synching up the straps, I can fit this, with the rest of my gear into my 3000ci pack. So I really don't care if its half a pound heavier than the $100 bags.

The compression straps are slightly different than the photo. But otherwise, The description on amazon is accurate.

I had no problem getting the bag back into the stuff sack and I was not afraid to pull as hard as possible on the compression straps. Although I found that its not necessary to compress it very much, Its good to know Its built well. If you really wanted to save another ounce or two, you could do away with the compression straps alltogether.
Once in the stuff sack, it only measures 14x7 then it only compresses down to 12x7 (maybe smaller)

Its not primaloft, but its very warm. and seriously, for this price you'll be able to afford that marino wool baselayer and a silk liner anyway!:)

Click Here to see more reviews about: Suisse Sport Adult Adventurer Mummy Ultra-Compactable Sleeping Bag

Product Description:
The Suisse Sport Adventure extra-small sleeping bag is ideal for long treks when a few inches or pounds can make the difference between a pleasant hike and an unbearable slog. The mummy bag is ultra-compact, compressing down to 12 by 7 by 7 inches when in the stuff sack. How small is that? Well, it's petite enough to hold in the palm of your hand. That means you can easily fit the bag in your hiking pack without using up a third of your pack space. At the same time, the bag is warm and comfortable, with a 100-percent polyester ripstop outer and inner lining, a double-layer construction, and a 700-gram Micro Tekk.7 high-performance microfiber insulation. The construction materials ad up to a 30-degree F temperature rating, making the bag a good choice for summer, spring, and fall camping trips. Other details include a full chest baffle, a draft tube, and a utility pocket. The Adventure sleeping bag measures 29.5 by 84.5 inches (W x L) when open and weighs 2.9 pounds in the stuff sack. The bag is also machine-washable for easy cleaning.


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10/10/2010

Eureka Spitfire Tent 1-Person 3-Season Review

Eureka Spitfire Tent 1-Person 3-Season
Average Reviews:

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In January of 2008, REI put their Chrysalis UL single person backpacking tent on sell (115 dollars). I had just received an Eureka Spitfire (not UL) tent as a Christmas gift (89 dollars). Both of these two wall tents received many favorable reviews on the internet. Both tents advertise a weight of ~3 lbs. I decided to do a non-outing tent to tent comparison. If you look at all the web reviews available, it is clear both these tents can handle weather that you would prefer not to be out in. That was not my concern. I was more interested in which of these tents worked best for me and if there were any show stoppers between the two.

Component weights (ozs):
--------------------------------------------------------
Eureka Spitfire
Poles:................8.875
Fly:...................18
Body:..................17
Stakes:...............6.25
Stake Bag:............0.375
Pole Bag:.............0.625
Stuff Sack:...........1
Guy Lines:...........0.5
---------------------------
Total wt:...........52.625
Ti Stakes:...........2.5 (8)
Total wt. with
Ti Stakes:..........48.25
---------------------------
Min wt. (poles,
fly, body,
Ti Stakes,
Guy Lines):..........46.875
................(2 lb 14.875 oz)

--------------------------------------------------------
REI Chrysalis UL
Poles:.................12.125
w/o pole repair tube:..11.75
Fly:...................16.125
Body:..................17.375
Stakes:.................3.375
Stake Bag:..............0.25
Pole Bag:...............0.5
Stuff Sack:.............2.75
Guy Lines:,.............1.375
------------------------------
Total wt................53.875
Ti Stakes................2.25 (7)
Total wt. with
Ti Stakes...............52.375
-------------------------------
Min wt. (poles,
fly, body,
Ti Stakes,
Guy Lines)..............49.25
....................(3 lb 1.25 oz)
--------------------------------------------------------

The component weights show some of the compromises that were made in packaging the tents for sell. The fact that the Chrysalis is free standing results in a higher pole weight. The steel stakes that are standard with the Spitfire weigh too much. The Chrysalis UL's stakes are lighter, and of better quality, however I personally do not like the design. I strongly suggest the stakes for both tents be replaced with Ti stakes. The stuff sack used on the Spitfire is a simple no frill sack. The Chrysalis UL stuff sack has provisions for compressing the radius of the sack. This results in extra weight without any real advantage. If you wanted to use a tent compression bag, it should be the tent fabric parts only, and compress both the radius and length.

Both tents have a vent in their fly to help control condensation. The Spitfire also has a zipper at the top of the tent body that allows you to access the vent. When examining this zipper, I noticed as others have that the zipper does not completely close. A small opening about 1/2 the size of the radius of a tent stake remains open. A little better zipper termination would have eliminated this issue. This should be of no major concern, but it distracts from the tent's design.In the Chrysalis, the tent door needs to be opened to reach the vent.

The overall quality of the materials, sewing, and finishing of both tents is very good. The Chrysalis is a little better than the Spitfire, but this should not be an issue for either of the tents. When examining the fly coverage of the tents I noticed that the very end of the Spitfire tent body was not completely covered by the fly. There is about 1 to 2 inches of seam right at the end buckle that you would need to be sure you sealed.I do not consider this a major issue, but again something that could have been avoided in the tent design.

Both tents are very easy to set up. As mentioned before, the Chrysalis is free standing. The Spitfire is not free standing. The Spitfire is so easy to setup, I do not consider this a major reason for choosing one tent over the other. One of the advantages of a free standing tent is that the poles and fly can be put up first in rain and the rest of the tent pitched under the protection of the fly. In the case of the Spitfire, Velco ties on the underside of the fly and the tent body's external clip system also allow the fly to be setup first in the rain. You do have to improvise a loop on the fly end snaps (both ends) to do this. In this manner, both tents can be setup as a fly/poles only tarp.

The Spitfire's vestibule is only large enough for boots. It is triangular shaped with a ground apex of ~ 1 foot. A second similar area is available under the fly, but only accessable by being outside and reaching under the fly. The vestibule is considerably larger in the Chrysalis (apex ~2.5 feet). You could put your boots and a small pack in it. A large pack would not fit. The Spitfire has some built in pockets in the mesh side that are big enough to hold glasses and a flashlight. Head room in both tents is adequate for me to sit without touching the roof. The Spitfire has a few extra inches of head roomcompared to the Chrysalis UL.

The Spitfire has considerable more mesh than the Chrysalis. This would be an advantage when a person wanted to do without the fly. The Chrysalis has a little porthole window in the fly, and the tent body has some panels of translucent fabric that make it very light inside. The porthole window is intriguing. It would be easier to look out at the weather with the fly on, but I would need more data on whether it would hold up. It seems a little like a gimmick.

When I lay in both tents, I came across a show stopper.I was able to lie in the Spitfire with over 6 inches at both ends of the tent to spare. Not all of this space would be usable by a taller individual, but it was there never the less. I was able to roll side to side without touching the tent sides. In the Chrysalis, my feet were touching the bottom of the tent and my head was touching the front of the tent. It was very uncomfortable. I'm 5 feet, 8 inches tall. The Chrysalis floor plan is nonsymmetrical at the wide end and narrow end of the tent. It forms an uneven parallelogram like shape. This results in an large unusable area next to your head and a similar small area at your feet.

My decision was to keep the Eureka Spitfire and return the REI Chrysalis UL.



Click Here to see more reviews about: Eureka Spitfire Tent 1-Person 3-Season

Product Description:
Looking forward to a weekend with a little "you" time? Eureka's Spitfire 3-season 1-person tent is an easy choice for fast-and-light solo travel. It has a little more room than most solo tents, so you don't feel like you're stuffed in a coffin when you're getting some sleep or staying out of the rain. Set the Spitfire up quickly and easily with post and grommet corner attachments and clips to attach the tent body to the frame. You only need two stakes to secure this Eureka tent's body to the ground. A removable fly detaches to reveal sizable mesh areas in the tent body for air flow on warmer days. An inside storage pocket holds essentials like your headlamp and water bottle.

Product Features

    Material: [Fly] 75D StormShield polyester; [floor] 70D nylon taffeta
    Freestanding: No
    Poles: 2
    Pole Material: Featherlite 7000 Series Aluminum
    Doors: 1
    Clip / Sleeve: Hoop
    Floor Space: 3ft 6in x 9ft (107 x 23cm), 18.12sq ft (1.9 sq m)
    Interior Height: 3ft 4in (101cm)
    Vestibule Space: 4.4sq ft (.4sq m)
    Packed Size: 5 x 22in (12.5 x 56cm)
    Seam Sealed: Taped
    Ventilation: Full mesh windows
    Weight: 2lb 12oz (1247g)
    Recommended Use: Solo backpacking
    Manufacturer Warranty: Lifetime
    Country of Origin: China


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10/09/2010

ALPS Mountaineering Mystique 8- by 5-Foot Two- to Three-Person Lightweight Backpacking Tent Review

ALPS Mountaineering Mystique 8- by 5-Foot Two- to Three-Person Lightweight Backpacking Tent
Average Reviews:

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I am a GEARhead. I own or have owned over 30 tents plus all the fixings... Both backpacking as well as car camping. This tent as far as I know did not exist when I rewalked Colin Fletcher's 1000 Mile Summer through California. Had it, I would've of used the 1.5 model. After getting home and settling in from my walk I ran across both the 1.5 and 2. I own both now and can say they both are killer deals in their price range. And yes I own SD, REI, Kelty, Coleman/Exponent, Moss, Slumberjack Bivy (I used) and on and on and on... I have tried many while hiking in the Olympic Mountains in WA. I would put this model(s) up against any listed. If you have money to burn yes there are some that may be better at lasting a little longerbut I question that too... and yes you can go lighter in weight... but by going lighter you'll give up a lot of comfort and the security you get knowing that you have a shelter that will handle just about anything Mother nature throws at you. Alps other models I'm not sure of size VS. weight and the value VS. dollars. But this model is absolutely great.

Good luck on your hikes,
Hersh

Click Here to see more reviews about: ALPS Mountaineering Mystique 8- by 5-Foot Two- to Three-Person Lightweight Backpacking Tent

Product Description:
The Mystique 2 utilizes a lightweight 2-pole design with shock corded 7000 series aluminum poles. The walls are a breathable nylon taffeta. The polyester fly and nylon floor are urethane coated, with factory sealed seams for maximum weatherproofness. Entry and exit are easy with 2 doors and 2 vestibules. We have added an additional rear fly zipper for our 2006 models to make getting in and out of your tent even easier. Ventilation is fantastic with the 2 large mesh doors and the end mesh panels. The full coverage fly keeps you dry in even the biggest rain storms and the large vestibules form "porches" to give you places to store extra gear ... and to look outside without getting soaked! A vent is placed on the end of the fly to increase ventilation even further. It has the option of being zipped open or closed, depending upon the weather. Mesh storage pockets are included inside the tent to help you keep track of your small valuables. Instructions are sewn into the tent storage bag so you never have to worry about not having them with you. All stakes and guy ropes are included.

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10/05/2010

Eureka Solo Solitaire Tent Review

Eureka Solo Solitaire Tent
Average Reviews:

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The Solitare is exceptionally light and packs very compactly.It is fairly easy to set up even if it is non self supporting.Unfortunately, being non self supporting means you MUST have sufficient soil to plant the stakes which is difficult in extremely rocky sites.

Practically, the Solitare is a pain in the [...].It is actually more of a bivy sack than a tent. Even when it is correctly set up it is so small that you can expect to be touching tent walls on 3 if not 4 (or 5) sides at once. There is no space inside for any gear stowage and the vestibule is so low overhead that storing your boots out of the rain is about all that is possible.It takes great flexibility to get in and out of the Solitare without stretching the fabric unacceptably.Getting in and out of the tent in more than a light drizzle will ensure that you get soaking wet.Getting dressed within the Solitare is impossible.

I would buy this tent again, but only for situations that require extremely light gear and temperatures above 50F with virtually no rain.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Eureka Solo Solitaire Tent

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.


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