Showing posts with label cabin tent. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cabin tent. Show all posts

9/05/2011

Eureka Extended Stay 19-Foot by 14-Foot Eight-Person Family Tent Review

Eureka Extended Stay 19-Foot by 14-Foot Eight-Person Family Tent
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Eureka Extended Stay 19- by 14-Foot Eight-Person Family Tentis no good. Its poor design made it function like a huge parachute. I set it up in my back yard to apply seam sealer and the tent disintegrated in less than 24 hours in a 10 to 15 MPH breeze. I had attached all clips to the poles and the tent was fully staked except for one loop inside, which stabilized the door in the room divider. The two main fiberglass poles that supported the rain fly split lengthwise and then sheered in two. The tent collapsed to the ground and could not be righted without replacement parts. I cannot believe that Eureka put their name on this tent.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Eureka Extended Stay 19-Foot by 14-Foot Eight-Person Family Tent

Perfect for large families who enjoy their space and privacy, the Eureka Extended Stay family tent offers the largest floor space of any Eureka model--266 square feet. Additionally, it can be divided into two sleeping areas with the removable room divider and it includes a screen room for enjoying the evening sunset. With the removable zippered room divider you can have one (9' 6"by 14') or two (9' 6" by 7') sleeping rooms. The large floorless screen room comes with clip-on storm flaps, which keep you dry during inclement weather.
This large-volume tent is erected with 12.7mm fiberglass and 19mm cable-corded self-supporting steel poles. Set up is quick and easy thanks to the ring and pin attachments, color coded poles with central hub attachment points, polyester pole sleeves, and fly clips. It features a bathtub floor that keeps seams taut and high off the ground, and factory taped fly and floor seams for superior weather protection. Other features include large no-see-um mesh roof panels, two mesh gear pockets, three accessory hoops with clothesline, and a flashlight loop.
Specifications:
Area: 266 square feet (includes 133 square foot screen room)
Floor size: 19 feet by 14 feet
Center height: 7 feet, 6 inches
Wall fabrics: 1.9-ounce polyester taffeta with 800mm coating
Floor fabrics: 1.9-ounce 70D nylon taffeta with 800mm coating
Fly fabrics: 1.9-ounce 75D Stormshield Polyester with 800mm coating
Pack size: 12 by 32 inches
Weight: 45 pounds, 1 ounce

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.


Buy Now

Click here for more information about Eureka Extended Stay 19-Foot by 14-Foot Eight-Person Family Tent

BlackPine-14 x 12 Turbo Tent Screen House Review

BlackPine-14 x 12 Turbo Tent Screen House
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
The Black Pine Turbo Tent is just what we wanted. Excellent quality materials and some extra neat features. Video showing one-minute setup needs refining. After several dry runs we got it down to 5-7 minutes from unzippering the bag to installing the fly. .....very good for seniors eh! Well it isn't all praises here. The screen house has 6 sides and 6 poles that meet in the centre top hub. You really and I mean really have to push up hard to get the top to flip up into place. It goes up with quite a force but that's OK because there is only air above. But take it down by pulling the handle and watch out because now you are under it. I would venture to say that one could get seriously injured by the downward force created by the reverse procedure in lowering the roof/ceiling. So A+ for the tent and C- for the instructions and the lack of warning here.

Click Here to see more reviews about: BlackPine-14 x 12 Turbo Tent Screen House

A great choice for keeping your backyard gatherings bug-free or bringing along with your RV travels, the Black Pine Turbo Tent Screen House offers an amazingly easy setup that takes just a few minutes. Just pick your spot, pull the Turbo Tent out of its bag, grab hold of the four corners to lock the legs at the joints, then push the top up. Measuring 14 by 12 feet, this hexagonal screen house has a roomy center height of 7 feet, 5 inches. It's made of a PU-coated 150D canvas/ripstop polyester material, and it features large no-see-um mesh window panels and top mesh roof panels for added ventilation. The panels also offer interior zippered storm flaps for when inclement weather announces itself. Other features include a rain fly with six guy rope points with stow pockets, durable 1-inch aluminum frame set, and a carry bag.
Specifications:
Floor dimensions: 14 x 12 feet
Center height: 7 feet, 5 inches
Wall height: 5 feet, 11 inches
Floor construction: Open
Tent construction: PU-coated 150D canvas/ripstop polyester



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Click here for more information about BlackPine-14 x 12 Turbo Tent Screen House

8/29/2011

Swiss Gear 2-Room Eight-Person Square Dome Tent Review

Swiss Gear 2-Room Eight-Person Square Dome Tent
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
When we received the tent, since it was bigger than any tent we had ever owned, we decided to set it up in our yard to test it before our big camping trip the following week. The first thing we noticed was that the poles were super heavy-duty which made them very difficult to bend through the fabric to secure the tent. They were so thick in fact that when we tried to bend the first one, instead of breaking the fiberglass pole, it bent the aluminum connector area and then broke completely through. We tried fixing it with the infamous duct tape and set it up as best we could. We decided to let it stay up overnight to make sure it would be okay, and it's a very good thing we did. In the morning it was flat on the ground. I'm very glad that we made the decision to set it up before taking children on a "fun camping trip" where they would probably have ended up very scared of camping in the future! Now we have a giant tent with no support poles, and another new smaller tent with support poles that work just fine!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Swiss Gear 2-Room Eight-Person Square Dome Tent

The entire family will enjoy the next summer camping trip with Swiss Gear's spacious 2-room tent. Offering 144 square feet of total area, the tent includes a room divider curtain to provide two separate rooms for privacy or to create a living room effect. The curtain easily attaches with a toggle closure.
Constructed of a polyester fabric with a polyurethane coating and mesh, Swiss Gear's dome tent also features a hoop fly frame to make assembling the tent simple, while also providing extra stability once it's up. The tub style, polyethylene ripstop floor features a rain shingle layer for enhanced weather protection and superior water repellency.
Large mesh roof vents and two side windows offer ventilation to keep the tent cool and breezy. The windows also feature inside zip storm flaps to keep you dry during unpredictable wet weather. With a center height of 74 inches, even taller campers can move around with ease. For storage, use the gear loft organizer with mesh utility pockets to stash your stuff out of the way and out of your living space. Two flex doors allow easy in and out access.When packed up, the tent weighs 24.4 pounds, and can be easily toted around in the included carry duffel.
Feature Detail:
Base Size: 12 x 12 feet
Area: 144 square feet
Center height: 74 inches
Sleeps: 8 people
Carry Weight: 24.4 pounds
Type: 2-room square dome
Fabric: Polyester taffeta with a double pass polyurethane coating and mesh
Floor: Polyethylene ripstop
Frame: Shockcorded fiberglass
Door: 2 flex doors
Windows: polyester mesh, 2 side windows with inside zip storm flaps
Tub style floor with rain shingle for enhanced weather protection
Hoop fly frame
Gear loft organizer
Manufacturer Warranty 10 years
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.


Buy Now

Click here for more information about Swiss Gear 2-Room Eight-Person Square Dome Tent

8/28/2011

Wenzel Grand Lodge 14- by 12-Foot, 8 Person Cabin Dome Tent Review

Wenzel Grand Lodge 14- by 12-Foot, 8 Person Cabin Dome Tent
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I love everything about this tent except the rainfly. It does not deflect rain. It collects it. My first tent collapsed under the weight of collected rain in the fly. The steel poles fractured & tore multiple holes through the tent sides. We did have flood conditions in that storm so I let it go to 'the not so normal heavy rains'. I really liked everything else about it so I ordered another one. It is very spacious, has sturdy fabric & can be set up by one person very easily. However, the new tent also endured a thunderstorm & continued to collect rain. The best thing to do in rain is unhook the fly from the fly poles & stake the fly directly to the ground. It has a straight line & works better. Now that I figured that out I love it, but, it was an expensive lesson.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Wenzel Grand Lodge 14- by 12-Foot, 8 Person Cabin Dome Tent

Designed for privacy, this cabin-style, 14-foot x 12-foot two-room dome tent with 86 inches of center head room accommodates eight campers and has a divider curtain to divide the tent into two rooms. Two D-style doors provide separate entries. A welded-polyethylene tub-style floor keeps out ground moisture. The tent is made of rugged, weather-resistant polyester with a polyurethane coating for reliability. A removable fly keeps out rain. Double-stitched, lap-feld seams provide a shingle effect to prevent moisture seepage. A rain-shingle layer on the tent's lower portion provides a watershed effect. Other weather-resistant details include thread, zippers, and webbing treated with water repellents. Six windows and roof are made of polyester mesh. A shockcorded steel frame provides stability and quick set-up. A loft stores gear. The tent has a carry weight of 47.2 pounds and comes with a 10-year warranty against defects.
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.


Buy NowGet 22% OFF

Click here for more information about Wenzel Grand Lodge 14- by 12-Foot, 8 Person Cabin Dome Tent

8/15/2011

Coleman Montana Big Sky Seven-Person Dome Tent Review

Coleman Montana Big Sky Seven-Person Dome Tent
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
We have had this tent for 3 years now. Last year we took it on a 2 week trip, setting it up and taking it down every other day. My wife and I can set this up in 20 minutes taking our time, 10 if its raining. I have set this up by myself many times in my backyard to air out. It is not difficult to set up, even by myself. We did have 1 pole break on us, just got a repair kit at wal-mart for about 6 bucks and fixed it, good as new. And I'd say for as many times as its been set up (about 35 times) 1 pole breaking isn't bad. The loft is great for storage, we've been in it in the rain and only about 2-4 cups of water have gotten in, mainly in the corners.
We can get our queen size air matress in and it takes up 1\2 the tent, the other half has room for a pack and play crib and all our gear. (we dont travel lightly). The rainfly is great.
I couldn't imagine getting 7 people in there, I guess if everyone had a sleeping bag and nothing was stored in there it may be possible.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Coleman Montana Big Sky Seven-Person Dome Tent

The Coleman 9278-167 Montana Big Sky Seven-Person Dome Tent is roomy enough for the whole family to enjoy. This 16-feet by seven-feet one-room tent can sleep up to seven people at a time in complete comfort. The Coleman exclusive Weather-Tec system is guaranteed to keep you dry and includes: a waterproof floor, leak-free and protected seams, weather resistant fabric, a strong frame design, and the zipper guard system. With 75-inches of vertical space in the center there is plenty of head room, while the three large windows allow for increased ventilation and visibility.
The Coleman Montana Big Sky tent comes with a rainfly that covers the doors and windows for protection from the elements, as well as separate storage bags for the tent-poles and stakes and easy-to-follow set up instructions sewn into the carry bag. Features include a mesh vent to keep your tent fresh, a skylight, gear loft, two pockets for added storage, a heavy-duty welcome mat, and CoolAir ports to further adjust ventilation or access your gear. Shock-corded steel poles will keep this tent a sturdy haven from the weather for years to come.
What's in the Box? Coleman Montana Big Sky dome tent, rainfly, poles, stakes, carry bag
Manufacturer Warranty Five-year warranty
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, Tunnels and Sacks 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.


Buy NowGet 36% OFF

Click here for more information about Coleman Montana Big Sky Seven-Person Dome Tent

7/30/2011

Eureka Titan Luxury Family 13.5-Foot by 9.5-Foot Eight-Person Two-Room Tent Review

Eureka Titan Luxury Family 13.5-Foot by 9.5-Foot Eight-Person Two-Room Tent
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I am an avid backpacker and typically use much smaller tents. However, I recently used a Titan for 5 days at a music festival. While the first three days were sunny and warm, the 4th and 5th days brought rain and micro-burst wind conditions with gusts over 60 mph. Winds coming straight down that caused the tent to pump up and down like a bellows. The word 'scary' comes immediately to mind but the tent and all contents came through dry and without damage. The corner guy-out points are the key!!! Use nylon cord and take advantage of these above-ground points to anchor and stabilize this tent and you cannot go wrong. All around us, awnings were being ripped off of very expensive RV's and lesser quality tents turned into big kites. Thanks Eureka! for making a very tough and dry tent!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Eureka Titan Luxury Family 13.5-Foot by 9.5-Foot Eight-Person Two-Room Tent

The large Eureka Titan family tent offers room to roam with a 128 square foot area and enough space to comfortably sleep eight campers. The near vertical walls help to maximize the interior space. It also comes with a removable internal divider to create two rooms for added privacy. It features a number of homey touches, including a corner closet that enables the use of hangers, clothesline rings, and mesh storage pockets on the ceiling panels. This tent has two large doors for easy entry/exit as well as a total of six windows for optimal ventilation.
It's protected from the elements by a heavy-duty bathtub floor made of 4 ounce 210D oxford nylon that repels water. The multi-coated 75D Stormshield polyester fly improves durability and resistance to UV, acid rain, and tearing. The stable, long-lasting frame consists of a mix of lightweight, shockcorded 6000 Series aluminum poles that easily connect to a hub, thanks to the color-coded clip system.
Specifications:
Area: 128 square feet
Floor size: 13 feet, 6 inches by 9 feet, 6 inches
Center height: 7 feet
Wall fabrics: 70D nylon taffeta with 1200mm coating/ 1.9 oz. permeable taffeta nylon
Floor fabrics: 4-ounce 210D Oxford polyester with 1200mm coating
Fly fabrics: 2-ounce 75D StormShield
Pack size: 12 by 29 inches
Weight: 32 pounds

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.


Buy NowGet 19% OFF

Click here for more information about Eureka Titan Luxury Family 13.5-Foot by 9.5-Foot Eight-Person Two-Room Tent

7/18/2011

Columbia High Trail Family Dome Tent Review

Columbia High Trail Family Dome Tent
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Don't mess around with cheap $100 tents. Spend the extra money on this one and you won't go wrong. I tried the $119 Costco special and was extremely disatisfied. The Kelty tent had too many large panels that kept catching the wind and waking us up all night. This tent is especially great in the wind and stays solid even for one this size. It's light weight and packs up nicely. The best feature is the room divider that will divide the tent into two symetrical individual rooms...A great feature when two couples are camping together or if you want to put the kids in their own space. Each side even has its own door so you won't disturb the whole tent when getting up for the bathroom in the middle of the night.
We used the tent without the rainfly for the first time last trip and loved sleeping under the stars with full mosquito netting over the entire ceiling.
This is a well-made tent that will rival The North Face tents costing $450 or more. My Dad took his North Face tent back to REI and bought this one for $200 less at the Columbia outlet store.
Happy camping!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Columbia High Trail Family Dome Tent

Bring the family to the campsite and still have room to spare with the Columbia High Trail dome tent. The High Trail--which sleeps up to eight people--is spacious and versatile, with a room divider that turns the tent from one large room to two smaller rooms. As a result, you'll enjoy plenty of elbowroom while you sleep. The tent also includes four large no-see-um mesh windows, roof vents, and side vents, so you'll enjoy optimum ventilation even during rainstorms. And thanks to the factory-sealed fly and floor seams and the polyester bathtub floor--which wraps up the sides and is protected by a rain shingle--the High Trail keeps the wet weather at bay.
The tent also stores plenty of gear in addition to its eight campers, with two mesh interior pockets, a gear loft for organization, and two hanging cupholders. Finally, the tent sets up easily thanks to its freestanding design and combo clip-and-sleeve assembly. Other features include two large D doors for easy entry and exit, a woven reflective zipper pull, a flashlight loop, a small Camp Port for stretching electrical cords into the tent, and two mud mats sheltered by an overhanging semi-vestibule. The High Trail tent comes with poles, stakes, and an oxford nylon carrying bag with expandable gussets.



Key Features

Capacity: 6 to 8
Dimensions: 15 by 11 feet
Weight: 28 pounds, 2 ounces
Area: 165 square feet
Interior height: 6 feet 6 inches
Pack size: 29 by 10 inches
Poles: 9
Pole size: 19mm steel (2), 9.5mm fiberglass (7)
Pole material: Fiberglass and steel
Doors: 2
Hooded fly: Yes
Windows: 4
Gear loft: Yes
Floor material: 190T polyester taffeta, 1,000mm coating
Fly material: 190T polyester taffeta, 800mm coating
Wall material: 190T polyester taffeta, 800mm coating/no-see-um mesh
Roof material: No-see-um mesh
Netting: No-see-um mesh
Style: Modified hybrid dome
Use: 3 seasons

About Columbia Sportswear Founded in 1938, Columbia Sportswear Company has grown from a small family-owned hat distributor to one of the world's largest outerwear brands and the leading seller of skiwear in the United States. Columbia's extensive product line includes a wide variety of outerwear, sportswear, rugged footwear and accessories. Columbia specializes in developing innovative products that are functional yet stylish and offer great value. Eighty-year-old matriarch Gert Boyle, chairman of the board, and her son, Tim Boyle, president and CEO, lead the company.

Columbia's history starts with Gert's parents, Paul and Marie Lamfrom, when they fled Germany in 1937. They bought a small hat distributorship in Portland, Oregon, and named it Columbia Hat Company, after the river bordering the city. Soon frustrated by poor deliveries from suppliers, the Lamfroms decided to start manufacturing products themselves. In 1948, Gert married college sweetheart Neal Boyle, who joined the family business and later took the helm of the growing company. When Neal suddenly died of a heart attack in 1970, Gert enlisted help from Tim, then a college senior. After that it wasn't long before business really started to take off. Columbia was one of the first companies to make jackets from waterproof/breathable fabric. The company introduced the breakthrough technology called the Columbia Interchange System, in which a shell and liner combine for multiple wearing options. In the early 1980s, then-60-year-old Gert began her role as "Mother Boyle" in Columbia's successful and popular advertising campaign.

The company went public in 1998 and moved into a new era as a world leader in the active outdoor apparel industry. Today, Columbia Sportswear employs more than 1,800 people around the world and distributes and sells products in more than 50 countries and to more than 12,000 retailers internationally.

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.




Buy NowGet 22% OFF

Click here for more information about Columbia High Trail Family Dome Tent

7/06/2011

Eureka Sunrise 9 4-Person 9-Foot by 9-Foot Family Tent Review

Eureka Sunrise 9 4-Person 9-Foot by 9-Foot Family Tent
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I have owned the Sunrise 9 since 2002 and have used it on dozens of camping trips in Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Arizona and California. At the time I purchased it, I was the only one using it and it's way more tent than one person needs, although I absolutely loved having it to myself.
For those doing intensive research on their next tent purchase, I will provide as much detail as I can, as I find reviews aren't terribly helpful if someone only says "the tent is great". Details are very important. :o) Read on..
SET-UP:
First and foremost, the tent is very easy to construct and only takes me [and my now partner] 10 minutes to stake and raise. I always stake tents first (and then raise them), as I never trust a free-standing tent. I don't recall ever having read the instructions, as Eureka makes this tent about as fail-safe as it gets. Staking out the corners first also allows the sidewalls to be very taught once the poles are raised.
SIZE AND COMFORT:
The center height of 6' is adequate for me and my partner, as we're both 5'7". We generally use a king size air mattress, which takes up the majority of the center of the floor, but we have plenty of room to store bags and shoes on either side of the mattress. Head room, on the other hand, is moderately compromised on either side of the mattress, as it is a dome tent. The tent would fit a queen air mattress and two children's sleeping bags with perhaps a little room to spare. It's a fabulous and very spacious two-person dream tent.
Cross-ventilation is superior, with large windows on all 4 walls (including the door), as well as a low vent on the bottom of the door to allow cooler air at lower levels. The ceiling also contains several mesh vents. Since the fly is elevated, air circulates throughout the tent and it never becomes stuffy.
There are very handy storage pockets below each window which provide a very useful space for sunglasses, reading glasses, flashlights and other gear. The hanging gear loft is great for things you use occasionally, but wouldn't need access to at night. It's also a great place to rig up a battery powered overhead lantern.
WEATHER:
Our Sunrise 9 has seen it all - rain, shine, snow, wind, hail and sleet. As noted above, I always stake first, then raise. Since the sidewalls are always taught, wind never conerns me. The tent flaps slightly, but integrity is always good and has never been jeopardized. I've never owned a tent that remains so confident during high winds.
Since Eureka tapes most seems, water has never been an issue. As always, we did waterproof each seem and the inside floor of the tent has NEVER seen a drop of water. The fly provides ultimate rain protection while still allowing a view out any window and without limiting air flow. The fly is genious and easy as pie to install. We also always place a tarp underneath the tent to prevent floor seepage.
We've camped at sea level in California and at 12,000 feet in Colorado and the tent has never disappointed when it comes to any weather conditions. Because of the excellent ventilation, the tent is never more uncomfortable inside than it is outside - an important note, especially in very hot temperatures. I've taken a nap in the tent with 98º outside and was perfectly comfortable (albeit quite warm).
BOTTOM LINE:
Without a doubt, Eureka makes one of the best budget-conscious tents you can buy if you plan to have your tent for many years. All tents require the owner to put forth a little effort and care to maintain its integrity. It's not going to remain perfect if you don't take the time to set it up properly, waterproof the seams, take it down carefully and re-pack it in the fashion you un-packed it. If it takes 5 minutes longer to ensure you're doing it right, spend the extra 5 minutes and your Eureka tent will provide you with years of enjoyable trips with your family.
I would like to think Eureka has good customer service, as I've heard they do, but my tent has not failed me in any way, so I've not needed their assistance. They make a great product, which is evidenced by the fact that they're still offering tents they've been manufacturing for many years with minimal changes.
I've recently ordered the Eureka N!ergy Screen House and the Eureka Copper Canyon 1512 so we have more room for lounging and relaxation and will post reviews once they've been put to good use!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Eureka Sunrise 9 4-Person 9-Foot by 9-Foot Family Tent

Spacious enough to comfortably sleep up to five campers, the Eureka Sunrise 9 dome-style family tent is easy to set up and very well ventilated with four large hooded windows and no-see-um mesh panels in the ceiling. It has triple-coated fabrics and a heavy-duty bathtub floor made of 4 ounce 210D oxford polyester that repels water.
The fly is made of Stormshield polyester, which won't stretch when wet and resists UV breakdown. It has a shockcorded fiberglass frame (two poles) that features a pin and ring as well as combination clip and sleeve system for quick assembly. Other features include:
Twin track D door with window for easy exit/entry
High/Low door vents top and bottom to aid air circulation
External guy points help secure the tent in high winds
Hanging gear loft/organizer
Two water bottle holders
Corner organizer and wall organizer with mirror
Tent, pole, and stake bags included

Specifications:
Area: 81 square feet
Floor size: 9 feet by 9 feet
Center height: 6 feet
Wall fabrics: 1.9 ounce Polyester Taffeta 1200mm coating/1.9 ounce breathable polyester
Floor fabrics: 4 ounce 210D Oxford Polyester with 1200mm coating
Fly fabrics: 1.9 ounce 75D StormShield polyester with 1200mm coating
Pack size: 9 by 27 inches
Weight: 16 pounds, 4 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.


Buy NowGet 22% OFF

Click here for more information about Eureka Sunrise 9 4-Person 9-Foot by 9-Foot Family Tent

6/28/2011

Eureka Tetragon 1210 Family 12- Foot by 10-Foot Eight-Person Tent Review

Eureka Tetragon 1210 Family 12- Foot by 10-Foot Eight-Person Tent
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I had gone camping many years back and needed to upgrade my tent now that I had kids of age. This tent worked well for a family of five! We did a dry run of setting it up and it was fairly easy. I also took the opportunity to seal the seams. When we got to the campsite the dry run helped me to set up the tent in no time at all! Especially since it was starting to rain. The tent was dry throughout the night!
I also recommend a 16x10 tarp that can be placed underneath the tent. this will give you 4 feet of overlap that can extend from the tent entrance to place shoes etc. Great tent!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Eureka Tetragon 1210 Family 12- Foot by 10-Foot Eight-Person Tent

A great choice for car camping or use as a base camp, the Eureka Tetragon 1210 rectangular dome tent comfortably sleeps eight people and includes a divider to create two separate rooms. The double-coated StormShield polyester fly and the polyester bathtub floor combine to provide excellent weather protection. This free-standing, two-pole tent is quick and easy to set up with its durable shockcorded fiberglass frame, ring and pin attachments, combination sleeve and clip assembly, and color coded webbing.
It's well ventilated, thanks to large no-see-um mesh ceiling panels, six windows, and two doors. The hooded fly provides enough coverage over the front and rear door windows to enable you to leave the window partially open for even more ventilation even in rain. 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
Natural green color scheme blends into any campground
Attached hinged gear loft and two detachable interior storage pockets
Clothes line loop, flashlight loop
Mesh panels allow for clip-in accessories
Tent, pole, and stake bags included

Specifications:
Area: 120 square feet
Floor size: 12 feet by 10 feet
Center height: 6 feet, 5 inches
Wall fabrics: 1.9-ounce 75D polyester taffeta with 800mm coating
Floor fabrics: 1.9-ounce 75D polyester taffeta with 800mm coating
Fly fabrics: 1.9-ounce 75DStormShield polyester
Pack size: 8 by 28 inches
Weight: 17 pounds, 11 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.


Buy NowGet 28% OFF

Click here for more information about Eureka Tetragon 1210 Family 12- Foot by 10-Foot Eight-Person Tent

6/27/2011

Columbia Cougar Flats II Family Cabin Dome Tent Review

Columbia Cougar Flats II Family Cabin Dome Tent
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
BUY THIS VERSION! The tent listed here is model number CB-9001-10. The other third party buying options listed on amazon are CB-9001. I first called amazon and they couldn't give me an answer about the difference. I then called North Pole at 1-866-706-9377 and got the low-down. The CB-9001-10 is the newest, 2010 version.
After a tremendous amount of research, I decided this tent was definitely the way to go for our family of four. I will not repeat everything previous reviewers have said here (read all reviews under other buying options on this site as well as additional reviews outside of amazon), but I do want to pass on newest model info.
The difference with newer model:
1. Added awning: a good addition, but it is not over the door, which would have been more helpful, especially if you wanted to leave muddy shoes at the door.
2. Pole issue has been resolved.
3. Floor is now made of nylon. The rep says this cuts down on noise and is also less prone to holes. They do strongly advise using a tent saver underneath. Most "tent savers" I researched seemed very flimsy, but I found a great tarp that fits this tent exactly and it is sold here on amazon: "Dry Top 210156 10-foot by 15-foot Full Finish Size Reversible Tarp, 10-mm, Silver/Brown". A regular tarp would work fine too, but make sure it is slightly smaller than the tent footprint, otherwise when it rains, water will pool underneath your tent.
Additional Info missing from previous reviews:
1. Rainfly has a 800mm coating. Tent buying guides usually recommend 1000-1500mm, but this tent does seem water resistant.
2. Mesh netting is no-see-um rated.
3. Seams are factory sealed, however rep said you can use Kenyon 3 sealer as extra insurance. A bottle comes with the tent. It's a good idea to seam seal before each season.
4. Columbia does not recommend coating the tent. This can have a reverse effect on moisture control!
5. There is a limited-lifetime warranty on tent, but you must save original receipt.
6. Yes, the second room does not have its own entrance, but we have a 6 and 5 yr old, so it is decidedly a safety PLUS for us.
Hope this helps! I researched the bejeezus out of family, cabin-style tents and this one seems to be by far the best all-around tent for the price, factoring features, materials, quality and price. The only other tent I seriously considered was Eureka's Titan Luxury Family Tent. It does have slightly higher quality materials, but at nearly $200 more, not enough of a difference to justify the price jump.
In Summary: This is the newest model of this tent (verify model #CB-9001-10). Amazon's price is the same as competitors (I researched that too) and you get free shipping. Happy camping!!!
UPDATE: Our tent has been set up and camped in, and we absolutely love it! Can't think of much I'd like improved, except the location of the awning (in front of door would have been much better). We had one night of driving rain, with it pooling on the rain fly because hubby hadn't staked it tightly enough. Same said hubby also admitted he hadn't finished seam sealing. A few drops of water was the only price we paid. We especially love the big windows and ventilation.
If you're thinking of buying this tent, don't hesitate! I can confidently say you will be very happy with your purchase. It's a great value--well built, good looking, with great features all around. We look forward to many outings and building lifetime family memories with our children in this tent.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Columbia Cougar Flats II Family Cabin Dome Tent

Bring the family to the campsite and still have plenty of room to spare with the two-room Columbia Cougar Flats II cabin dome tent. The Cougar Flats II--which sleeps from six to 10 people--is equipped with both a Cyclone venting system and a GoBe Dry rain protection system. The Cyclone system greatly increases the air circulation within the tent, helping you stay cool on warmer days or dry out after a nasty rainstorm. The GoBe Dry system, meanwhile, ensures that the pounding rain won't find a way inside. The tent even includes a patented bay window design that lets you keep the windows open during the storm.
The real highlight of the tent, however, is the spacious interior, which divides its ample sleeping space between two different rooms. As a result, you can give the kids one room and the adults the other, or you can use one room as a bedroom and the other as a living space. You can even zip up the divider and turn the tent into one large room. In addition, the interior of the tent offers plenty of organizational features, such as internal pockets, hanging cupholders for coffee or soft drinks, storage lockers for your clothes, and a gear loft that holds your valuables out of the way. And once it's time to leave the campsite, the tent collapses quickly into a wheeled EZ Pak storage bag, which features an expandable zippered gusset for easy stuffing.
Other features include a sturdy hybrid steel/fiberglass frame with steel and fiberglass poles, two separate doors, a Camp Port for easy cable passage, and a fully seam-taped polyester fly with an 800mm waterproof coating. The Cougar Flats II measures 15 by 7.16 by 10 feet (W x H x D) and weighs 54 pounds.
Key Features:
Tent type: Family
Sleeps: 6 to 10 people
Rooms: 2
Weatherproof: GoBe Dry rain protection system
Venting: Cyclone system for air circulation
Camp Port: Yes
Windows: 2
Doors: 2
Extras: Internal pockets, hanging cupholders, storage lockers, and gear loft
Storage: Wheeled carrying bag
Rainfly: Yes, with 800mm waterproof coating
Dimensions: 15 by 7.16 by 10 feet (W x H x D)
Weight: 54 pounds

About Columbia Sportswear Founded in 1938, Columbia Sportswear Company has grown from a small family-owned hat distributor to one of the world's largest outerwear brands and the leading seller of skiwear in the United States. Columbia's extensive product line includes a wide variety of outerwear, sportswear, rugged footwear and accessories. Columbia specializes in developing innovative products that are functional yet stylish and offer great value. Eighty-year-old matriarch Gert Boyle, chairman of the board, and her son, Tim Boyle, president and CEO, lead the company.
Columbia's history starts with Gert's parents, Paul and Marie Lamfrom, when they fled Germany in 1937. They bought a small hat distributorship in Portland, Oregon, and named it Columbia Hat Company, after the river bordering the city. Soon frustrated by poor deliveries from suppliers, the Lamfroms decided to start manufacturing products themselves. In 1948, Gert married college sweetheart Neal Boyle, who joined the family business and later took the helm of the growing company. When Neal suddenly died of a heart attack in 1970, Gert enlisted help from Tim, then a college senior. After that it wasn't long before business really started to take off. Columbia was one of the first companies to make jackets from waterproof/breathable fabric. The company introduced the breakthrough technology called the Columbia Interchange System, in which a shell and liner combine for multiple wearing options. In the early 1980s, then-60-year-old Gert began her role as "Mother Boyle" in Columbia's successful and popular advertising campaign.
The company went public in 1998 and moved into a new era as a world leader in the active outdoor apparel industry. Today, Columbia Sportswear employs more than 1,800 people around the world and distributes and sells products in more than 50 countries and to more than 12,000 retailers internationally.


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6/13/2011

Coleman Red Canyon 17-Foot by 10-Foot 8-Person Modified Dome Tent Review

Coleman Red Canyon 17-Foot by 10-Foot 8-Person Modified Dome Tent
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
My husband and I were able to set the tent up easily. The second day of camping it started to sprinkle , then during the night and early morning it poured. We didn't have one drop of water in our tent. It was wonderful after prior
experiences with two different tents. (Indoor pools in our tent)
There are two panels you can hang to divide the space. My kids each had their own room on the ends.
We liked the little mesh panel for the ceiling used for a small cargo hold.
Highly recommended!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Coleman Red Canyon 17-Foot by 10-Foot 8-Person Modified Dome Tent

Measuring 17- by 10-feet, Coleman's Red Canyon tent is spacious enough to comfortably sleep eight campers. Ideal for weekend camping trips with family and friends, the Red Canyon features removable privacy walls, allowing you to create up to three separate rooms. Designed to keep you dry and comfortable regardless of the conditions, Coleman's exclusive Weathertec System is guaranteed to keep you dry and offers leak-free protected seams, weather-resistant fabric, waterproof floors, zipper protection, and a wind-strong frame. The Red Canyon also features Coleman's Variflow system and Cool-Air port, which also provides outside access to your gear.
Setting up the tent is quick and easy with shock-corded, color-coded poles and simple instructions that are sewn right onto the storage bag. Separate storage bags for the poles and stakes keeps everything well organized. To top it all off, the included welcome mat and interior pockets help keep everything tidy on your camping adventure.

Key Features:
Features Coleman's exclusive WeatherTec System
Footprint: 17 feet x 10 feet
Center Height: 72 inches
Rooms: 1 to 3 (with removable privacy walls)
Sleeps up to eight people
Shock-corded poles for easy and quick setup
Welcome mat and pockets keep interior tidy
Access gear or adjust ventilation with Cool-Air port
Variflo adjustable venting system increases airflow
Separate storage bags for tents, poles, and stakes
Simple instructions sewn onto storage bag

Coleman’s Exclusive Weathertec Protection System Details:
Leak-Free Seams: In addition to fully taped rainfly seams, the rainfly covers doors and windows and incorporates easy-to-use Velcro frame attachments.
Weather-Resistant Fabric: Coated polyester fabric combined with anti-wicking thread, webbing, and zippers are designed to keep you dry.
Protected Seams: Inverted floor seams dramatically increase weather resistance by hiding needle holes inside the tent, away from the elements.
Waterproof Floors: Welding technology strengthens the tent floor and eliminates needle holes.
Zipper Protection: Zipper cuff adds protection from the elements to the door.
Wind Strong Frame: Engineered to be a stronger, more wind-responsive frame by using redesigned poles and guy-out triangles to anchor tents and increase performance.

What's in the Box? Red Canyon tent, shockcorded poles, stakes, quick clips, privacy walls, welcome mat, storage bags
About Coleman The Coleman Company has been creating and innovating products for recreational outdoor use since W.C. Coleman started selling gasoline-powered lanterns in 1900. Inventor of the hugely popular fold-up camp stove, Coleman developed a plastic liner for his galvanized steel coolers in 1957--the birth of the modern cooler--and the company has been improving their utility and design ever since. The array of products that bear the Coleman name now includes just about everything you might need to work or play outdoors, from tents and sleeping bags to boats, backpacks, and furniture.
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, Tunnels and Sacks 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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Click here for more information about Coleman Red Canyon 17-Foot by 10-Foot 8-Person Modified Dome Tent

5/13/2011

Eureka Copper Canyon 1312 Eight-Person 13-Foot by 12-Foot Family Tent Review

Eureka Copper Canyon 1312 Eight-Person 13-Foot by 12-Foot Family Tent
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I am new to tent camping, so I cannot speak as an expert. I did do a great deal of internet based research to try to find the right test for our family of 6. Like the other reviewer, the Cougar Flats also looked like a good option, but I ultimately choose the Eureka due to the Eureka brand name and it's reputation for quality. We did have a backyard campout with the tent which at least gave me the opportunity to run it through a basic checkout. My impressions:
1) It's big! Great height. I'm short (5'6") and I can't even reach the top of the tent without a stool to hang the tent divider. We had three queen air mattresses in and that still left us with a reasonable spot for gear. There are two doors, one at opposing corners (to match with the divider when it is in use)
2) Divider: It is not a zipper, but it hangs on hooks. Because it is not a zipper based divider, it simply hangs over the floor and there is a gap all around (maybe an 1"?). So it provides some division, but not "real" privacy if you were concerned about that aspect. ( But if you have it up and "fold it back" the tent looks very "fancy". My kids got a big kick out of it.)
3) Very easy setup. Due to my height, I'm not sure I could put it up by myself, in particular the fly. Although I was embarrassed trying to put up the awning. Instructions are not terribly clear on that point. (There are extra guy lines for the awning poles to latch them to the ground.)
4)Seams: Most seams are tape sealed, but you will need to seal up the others. No experience in rain.
5) Door Zippers: The flap which protects the zippers from the rain sure seems to get caught very easy in the zipper. I'm not sure there is much that can be done about that other than use care when getting zipping the door closed.
6) Awning: Nice touch, not terribly wide but would provide coverage in the case of rain when getting in/out of the tent. (see my comments about setup) It does look quite nice and could get you somewhat out of the sun.
7) Other: Nice touches with the partitions in the roof to be able to zip in a small screen to block the sun during the day and open them at night. Lots of small latches for things. Zipper on both sides for power cords (great addition). Top is totally open and would be quite dramatic without the fly cover IF you could trust it wouldn't rain. Fly Cover is not that easy to just "throw on". I'm not sure what you would do if it started to rain with the rain fly on. Comes in a bag with cloth handles that seems reasonably robust. And yes, we did get the tent back in the original bag, although I kept the poles and stakes separate. I'll post up additional comments once we've used the tent a few times more.
Edit: June 8th, 2007
We've done a number of "backyard" trips, and finally went to the wilderness to briefly try it out. I think most of my original comments are still accurate. Here's some updates:
1) The stakes are junk! We had some serious winds and the stakes would simply not hold the tent down. Fortunately I had purchased some Colman stakes (Coleman Tent Kit) for backup and at 2:00am I was out using them to get the guy lines to stay down. Having said that, the tent did ultimately hold up well in some very serious winds. (Hint: buy some good stakes and take a hammer)
2) Setup was as easy as ever. Tent fit well into our spot with no problems. Lots of room with 3 queen air mattresses.
3) Didn't use the awning. This seems to be a weak part of the setup. In a few nights in the backyard it simply can't hold up to any wind at all.
4)Tent fits nicely back into the original back and is light-weight (minus poles) I carry the pole bag separate but put everything else into the tent back. Not a big challenge, which is nice.
5) Continued issues with the zippers. I'm tempted to cut the black flap and Velcro it back when it isn't raining. You have to be very careful not to zipper the flap into the zipper. We've done this a number of times and you can fix it, but not a good thing during a middle of the night bathroom break.
6.) We used a combination of overhead lighting (Coleman Tent Light)and a small florescent lantern (Coleman 4D Pack-Away Lantern) and the combination worked out well.
Additional Feedback, June 23, 2007: All still accurate, a few more trips completed. The one issue I am starting to have is corner poles collapsing under very strong wind gusts. I'm no expert, so I'm not sure if this is a design defect or my inability to correctly put up the tent. See discussion below.
August 2010: The tent is still holding up quite well. We use it a few times each summer, nothing too rough. The overall quality is still there, no major issues. I still think you run a risk in high winds due to the high sided design, not sure there is much that can be done about that. I'm now back in the midwest, so no more strong canyon winds to worry about. But overall, good quality after 3 years of use.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Eureka Copper Canyon 1312 Eight-Person 13-Foot by 12-Foot Family Tent

Featuring vertical walls for maximal internal space, this 13-foot x 12-foot (156 square feet) freestanding cabin-style tent accommodates up to eight campers on cots. The tent includes a removable curtain so it can be divided into two rooms as well as being configured as a single room. Two D-shaped doors with side flaps permit private entry into each room and have large #8 zippers with covers for durability and rain protection. Six large zippered mesh windows open for visibility and airflow and close for privacy. Toggles keep window flaps off the floor and out of the way. A detachable awning shades the front. A fly with clear-panel skylights permits stargazing and includes pockets for storing storm guyouts when not in use. A port allows an extension cord (not included) to be run into the tent. A sweep-out point facilitates housekeeping. A hanging gear-loft supplies convenient storage.
Made of 1200mm, 75D polyester, the tent has nine steel and fiberglass poles that slip into sleeves during setup. Frame clips and ring-and-pin assemblies also facilitate setup. Mesh screens out insects as small as no-see-ums. The tent weighs 37 pounds and has a center height of 7-foot-3.
Eureka! tents' standard design features include bathtub-style floors that wrap up the sides to keep water out; nickel sliders and self-healing zippers; and factory-taped major seams to seal out weather.
Key Details:
Floor Size: 13 x 12 feet
Pack Size:10 x 28 inches
Center Height: 7' 3"
Minimum Weight: 37 pounds
Tent Area: 156 square feet
Seasons: 3
Sleeps: 5-6
Doors: 2
Windows: 6
Wall Fabric: 75D polyester taffeta, 1200 mm
Fly Fabric: 75D StormShield polyester, 1200 mm
Floor Fabric: 75D polyester taffeta, 1200 mm
Mesh Fabric: 68D no-see-um
Frame: 12.65 mm fiberglass and 19.5 mm steel

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.


Buy NowGet 26% OFF

Click here for more information about Eureka Copper Canyon 1312 Eight-Person 13-Foot by 12-Foot Family Tent