Judging by sales, a lot of hikers choose the Eureka Apex 2XT Adventure as the tent that meets all this criteria. So today we are going to take a close look at this popular two person tent to see if it really does tick all the boxes.
Eureka the CompanyEureka are a US company and have been making tents for over 100 years. Their tents have been chosen for some of the toughest and longest expeditions – for example the 3000 mile Blue Nile expedition in 2004. So Eureka are definitely a leading tent manufacturer who make top quality gear.
Weight – Is it a lightweight tent?
The weight of a tent is crucial as you’ll be carrying it on your back all day. Making a tent lighter increases cost and decreases size, usefulness and toughness.
The Eureka Apex 2XT Adventure Two-Person Tent weighs in at 5 pounds 12 ounces (2.6 kilograms). In the box there is 1 Tent Body, 2 Tent Poles, 1 Tent Fly, 1 Carry Bag, 1 Pole Bag, 1 Stake Bag/ Stakes.
While this isn’t the lightest tent available, this is definitely light enough for one person to carry in their pack all day, and is definitely a lightweight tent.
Size – We Want Both Big and Small
There are two sizes to think about here. The first is how roomy the tent is when erected. The second is how small the tent will pack to so it takes up as little room as possible in your pack.
Improving one of these criteria makes the other one worse. So again, a balance needs to be struck.
This is a two person tent. If you are sleeping two people in the tent you’ll be close but you’ll fit ok. There are two vestibules for storing packs. If there’s just one of you you’ll have plenty of room.
Another thing to consider is if you have to spend a day inside your tent due to inclement weather. As this is a two person tent you have a bit of extra room to get changed and lessen claustrophobia.
The pack size is 6 x 18.5 inches (15.4 x 45cm). If your tent is going to go into your backpack (rather than tied onto the outside), you usually like to pack the tent horizontally as this is a bit more convenient.
Most backpacks are around 18 inches wide. So to pack this tent horizontally you might need to squeeze it in and stretch you pack a little. But the great majority of packs will be fine. Overall the pack size is excellent and very compact.
Toughness – Coping With Wind, Sun and Rain
The Eureka Apex is a 3 season tent so is not suitable for winter conditions. 4 season tents that can handle those conditions weigh more and cost more.
This tent is quite tough for a 3 season tent though. It has
- Double-coated fly. The fly is the outer covering of the tent, and it has a double coating of Eureka’s propriatry coating technology, Stormshield
- Bathtub floor. i.e. The floor rises a few inches above the ground to water is kept away from seams.
- One wall is ventilated by no-see-um mesh, and protected by the Stormshield polyester fly
- Shockcorded fiberglass frame, ring and pin attachments, pole sleeve attachments
- External guy points on the fly help secure your tent in high winds
A small tent like this one should be easy and quick to erect and the Eureka Apext 2XT doesn’t disappoint. Erection is a 3 step process : 1. Lay out the tent and put poles in, 2. Attach tent to poles and 3. Attach the fly and stake the tent.
Extra little features we like:
- High/low venting. This allows cooler air in through the low vents and warmer, moist air up and out through the high vents. When rain and wind prevent the low vent from being
opened, the high door vent can still be used as the fly overhangs or vestibules protect it.
- As an optional extra, there is a place in the roof of the tent to store stuff – a gear loft. Owners find this very handy for keys, wallet etc.
- There are 2 side-opening, twin-track doors, one fabric panel and one mesh panel. This allows flexibility for venting and insect protection.
- Clothes line loop, flashlight loop
- 2 doors, 2 windows
Cost
Right now on Ebay it is around 89-120 USD. Which is a steal. We haven’t found it cheaper anywhere else.
What Do Owners Think?
- “I do not think you will find a better tent for the money. I would even go so far as to say this tent is near expedition quality and craftsmanship. In short, you won’t be disappointed”
- “I was very impressed. This is also one of the only two person tents that I’ve camped with that is actually comfortable for two people. The dual vestibules give plenty of gear room. Set up is simple even for one person.”
- “The design was great for wind and rain resistance. During a storm with 45mph gusts my Eureka Apex 2XT stood its ground with no problem while my colleagues watched their tents bend and collapse.”
- “I have already taken this tent out camping twice both in severe conditions and it has held up to everything.”
Conclusion
Overall I think Eureka have done a fantastic job of balancing the 5 criteria of weight, size, toughness usefulness and cost in the Eureka Apex 2XT Adventure Two-Person Tent. Indeed better than any other hikers tent I know of. Click here to buy.
