Correction to my previous review: we camp from the southWEST into Canada. If we we were back east, we probably wouldn't have this tent.

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We picked our Skyview 5 up when our old tent failed in mid-vacation last year. We love it. Every time we put it up, we say "the spaceship has landed". Architects and engineers seem to love it.

User data: 2 adults, 2 teenagers, no pets. Enough discretionary income to buy this thing. As a family we camp in places ranging from semi-developed Forest Service campgrounds to backcountry BLM lands, from early spring into the fall, from southeastern USA into Canada. We spend a lot of time in the desert, which this tent seems made for. I backpack although my family does not. I camp in winter although my family does not.

As far as weatherliness goes, I'd say it's bombproof. Been through some serious storms with no discomfort or even concern on our part. 4 mesh panels (3 of them are doors too) make for plenty of ventilation options. The big fly/vestibule doors are pretty flexible too so there are a number of modes you can pitch this in.

As far as backpacking goes, this tent has potential. It requires a bit of muscle to carry, and has a fairly large footprint especially with the fly and vestibules staked out. Carrier and site size/condition would be limiting factors. Small brushy areas would not accept this tent. Again, it seems to be made for the desert. It would probably make a great base camp tent, too. I plan on using it for 3-4 adults backpacking in late fall and snowshoeing in the winter. It breaks into at least two packages. It will easily handle 4 full-size guys in snow gear and we could cook in one of the vestibules if we had to.

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Having a family of five, with two dogs, it was important to find a packable tent that I wouldn't have to break my back to carry, considering I was carry for my one year old and wife, while she carried him. I am not sure I found it in this. True, at 18 lbs, its about "normal" for a tent this size, the problem is that it came in two huge stuff sacks, which of course, you will never be able to match the initial packing of. So, two compression sacks and the poles is what it comes down to. My 10 year old helps me by carrying one sack (I carry his sleeping bag as a trade off) and I carry the poles and other sack.

We have used this tents in major downpores and 20 mph winds with no leakage or noticeable break in integrety without additional seam sealer. (They send you three bottles with the tent even though it is factory sealed) It was roomy enough for the entire family to stretch out, with some space left over for the dogs. 30 degree temps and the side walls stayed dry without too much condensation. The vestibules where adequate for our needs although it would have been nicer if the was some more vertical room. I am sure as the kids grow, as well as their pack size, there will not be enough room to fit all in.

At $750 dollars (we paid less) this is a BIG tent which is better suited to a car-camping family, but until my three are old enough to sleep (and pack) in their own tent, this is the best I had found at the time.

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Eureka Expedition