Eureka Gossamer tent

“anyone know anything about this tent, likes or dislikes?”

“Never heard of it. I do like Eureka products though.”

“I have it and the reason I bought it was in the Smokies there never seems to be enough room at some of the campsites for a larger tent. It has kept me dry except for one night when the water was running under it like a river and water seeped up through the bottom. At least I found out where I needed to seam seal it at.
I like it and have used it since but I like bringing everything in my tent at night and with this one there is no room.
This tent is the same as the Eureka Solitude except for the poles.”

“I don't have one, but I see Campmor has it for $90.00”

“Good tent. Nice for solo camping. You can't sit up in it and you will have to crawl into it.

I'd bring a small piece of plastic or a big garbage bag so you won't have to crawl in to mud to get into your sleeping bag,”

“I have it and it is a good tent do you want mine I could give you mine for free if you want it just let me know ok.

8)”

“I have this tent, too. To see a photo of it set up in the real world, click on my name in the Phil's Photo Page list and scroll down near the end of the pics. I got mine mail order (Global Mart maybe) a couple years ago for a really low price ($70?) and thought it would be worth trying for lightweight solo outings. While I remember it was advertised as green and brown, just as at Campmor now, when it arrived it had a gold rain fly. Oh well, it works just fine if a bit bright (looks good in photos, lol).

It is a matter of crawling or sliding in and out, but it is long enough that you can push some items down to the foot if you are medium height or shorter. The laying down room is fine for tossing and turning.The vestibule is enough for your boots for sure.

Since it has a mesh roof, it is fantastic for stargazing in warm weather w/o dealing with bugs, but when the temp dips, that mesh does nothing to hold in the heat. The rain fly protects from rain, but the ventilation is actually good enough that it got pretty frosty the time I used it with the Michigan Mountaineers on a March trip in Lower Michigan when the winds were up and the temp went below freezing.

Easy to set up, light weight, more space than a bivy sack, but not really quick in or out for a midnight pee, and tough to undress inside.”

“TNF Rock 22 tent for $99 is a score.”

“i like the looks of that rock. we need a new two person. it appears to have a nice sized vestibule also.”

“My buddy had a Gossemer, he hated it. The condensation build up was astronomical. AFter three tries, he was so pissed he chucked it.”

“This Dana Design A Tarp Tent for $99 is another score.

However, I'm not sure how big it'd be for 2 people.”

“This Marmot Eclipse looks like a decent 1-man tent for ~$140.”

“This MSR Bug Hut 2 has been screaming at me to buy one for about a year now. And for $83, I just may have to jump on one.

It doesn't come with a rainfly, but a tarp would do just fine”

“Ah, the search for the perfect shelter. The Rock weighs twice as much as the Gossamer, so not sure that's what jmitch is looking for.

I figure that for most solo needs, I'll rely on my Hennessy Hammock now, as there are plenty of trees to use in my vicinity. Pitched on the ground with trekking poles, though, it wouldn't be much different than the Gossamer, except for more options in rigging the rain fly.”

“JM - Tea has a Gossamer if you recall seeing it on any of our trips. He seems to like it. I'd go for the freebie from CMB. Ya can't beat that.

When ya buying a stove?
When's your PA backpacking book gonna be ready?”

“Criteria for Tent selection-

1. Construction and durability
2. Weight
3. Price
4. Form Factor

Most importantly, will it repel Sierra skeeters? Will it withstand gale-force winds? Does it dampen the bursts of lightning just outside the door? Does it transfer body heat well enough to melt snow build up efficiently? Can you sleep in a pool of collected rain water with your down bag and be confident it wont get wet?

Questions, questions, questions..”

“CMB- email me re: tent, i'm interested.

can't but help to ask, if you like it, why do you want to get rid of it?”

“You have mail.


8)”

“I'm thinking of making a bivy sack for winter use. I've never used on. Anybody got any comments about them plus or minus. I'm mainly thinking about the Savage Gulf trip in Jan and possible cold temps since I'm not really equiped for the cold. Any advice would be great.”

“I know a TTer that needs a good light tent and has no money.
(No, it's not me)

Email me if anyone has one super cheap or free.”

“Let me work on it ok.


8)”

“The tent will go out on Monday free of charge.

You don't have to pay for shipping.

8)”

“CMB, I don't suppose you know of a bivy I could borrow for the Savage Gulf trip in January do you? I'd kind of like to try one before I make one. The other thing is that I'm thinking it would be good to have one to add warmth since it'll likely be colder than the rating on my bag.”

“I have a Bibler Bipod.

Would you like to use it?


8)”

“I would, but that's not your run of the mill bivy. That's a nice one. If you're cool with that then I'll take you up on it. It'll also give me a chance to see one up close and personal before making one. I'm thinking of making one and combining it with a minimal tarp for winter trips. For summer I use a tarptent.

PS. I'll try not and fart in your $200 bivy.”

“Send me your address.

nwihbc@yahoo.com


8)”

“I have used one for about 3 years now and like it. I solo backpack. This tent only weighs 3lbs, 8oz trail ready including a home made foot print. I am 6' 5" and weigh 280. Definitely one person. Crawl in and crawl out. No sitting up! Rain fly and open mesh without the fly. I sealed the lower seams. Additional info? email me at DD1990@aol.com.

Happy Trails, Dave”

“I have a solitaire (gossamers fiberglass counter-part)for those solo winter trips, and have no serious complaints. Requires an excessive number of stakes for effective storm pitching, though (17 stakes??). Also it is quite strong and lightweight, and i have heard that the gossamer's poles are FAR more reliable that the solitaire's. the only serious complaint i may have of the design is the foot region of the tent. Even if the tent is pitched properly, the fly sags slightly in the rain, soaking the foot region. But it is seemingly unavoidable through the use of a nylon fly instead of Polyester.
Hope i was of some help!”

“This was my thru-hike tent from mid-VA to Katahdin, no complaints whatsoever. Even on them 7 day rains. I'd hang my mostly empty pack on a limb or somewhere and could get me and most of the other gear inside. It was tight, me being such a huge guy and all. But it was dang sure better than the 2 person tent I started with! I thank that one was a clip flashlite. The Gossamer was a godsend compared to that.”