Eureka Solitaire

Review Date
August 5, 2009

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: locorogue ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $40.00 at Flea Market

Summary:
Fantastic tent.
Size: 5 stars. I'm 6'3" and had enough room to lay my pack flat in the 'vestibule', + enough room for other items next to me, and i could still curl up into a little ball. Packs super small if you lash the poles to your pack.

Weight: 5 stars. Not much heavier than my military issue Gore-tex bivy.

Protection: 5 stars. the fly fits snug, and solid, it is permanently attatched(i'd love to see this tent with a seperate fly). The bottom and sides offer excellent "tub" effect(protection from ground water, splash).

Ventilation: 4 stars. The amount of netting is great, essentially the whole top 3/4. I would love to see better ventilation for the fly when it's sealed up(less condensation, which wasn't too bad for me anyway).

Access: 4-5 stars. It's zippered on top and entry is good, the front is a little tight to get into, but it's nice to have the option.

Overall I would recommend this tent to anyone who is looking for something more than a 'strict' bivy as the whole shelter, but also offers room to move. Aside from me finding this new for $40, the regular price is excellent.

Similar Products Used:
Catoma Bed-net, Kelty Dart2.

Review Date
June 8, 2009

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Reviewed by: donnieN ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $69.00 at Dick's

Summary:
The tent is really simple to set up. Lightweight. Compact.
Two cons: condesation in the mornings will make whatever is touching the sides wet. Also its just a little squatty.

Review Date
April 21, 2009

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: spinner01 ,  Mountaineer

Price Paid:  $55.00 at gift

Summary:
The tent works well. The front/head pole splintered on initial set-up. Had to use duct tape to use. Wish it was a free stand tent, it would make more versatile. However, can't understand others complaints about enough headroom. This tent is to be one size up from a bivy sak. Light weight and less constricting than a bivy, this one person tent fits the bill.

Customer Service:
I have emailed customer service about a replacement front/head pole. Hopefully, they come thru. It is apparently, reading the reviews, a bit of a problem. The tent still works if you duct tape the pole, but still a bit of a let down when something breaks right out of the package.

Review Date
March 16, 2008

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Reviewed by: RyanWilliamCantrell ,  Car Camper

Price Paid:  $60.00 at Joe's Sporting Goods

Summary:
I purchased this tent due to it's small pack size and light weight for motorcycle camping. I've been very pleased with this tent EXCEPT that the front pole split and shattered upon it's 4th use, which was very disappointing. I used Gorilla tape to mend it, and have used it a dozen times since then. Very water proof in the rain, but condensation will soak the sleeping bag, and anything else that touches the side wall. Very quick to put up and pull down, which was the draw for me. Packs down very small.

Review Date
February 16, 2007

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: outbound ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $50.00 at Amazon.com

Summary:
Eureka Solitaire is a great little bikepacking bivy and you can't beat the price. Yes, the pole sleeves are a little tight, so you have to be gentle. Although I haven't had pole splitting, I had another tent that did. To prevent this you can reinforce the fiberglas by winding electrical tape as if you were taping bicycle handlebars.