Eureka Tent from Walmart?

“My son needs a tent for Boy Scout "car camping." We own a really nice Eureka Tent and have always loved it, but it is too big for my son alone. I found a Eureka Getaway tent at Walmart for $35. I'm confused. Eureka is supposed to be a good, solid name brand tent. Walmart isn't where I'd expect to find a Eureka tent, especially not for $35. Does anyone know about these things? Are they solid or are they crap?

Thanks!”

“solid crap. we use them for carcamping. the kids love them. prolly wouldnt want to sustain a snowstorm or bad thunderstorm in one. i remember one night the boys woke up wet the next day. they will work for most nights just fine. i'd say get the best you can afford.”

“Just about every manufacturer makes different quality goods for sale by different outlets.

When you buy a "name brand" at Home Depot, you do not always get the same quality product that you get at a haedware store. Same with gear.

I would imagine that for Boy scout camping it would be adequate. make sure you waterproof all the seams first because I am sure none of them are taped. It probably doesn't have a "bathtub" floor either so that is another source for it to get wet and it will probably wick moisture inside easier then better tents.

I do buy some gear at walmart but not tents or sleeping bags.

"Caveat Emptor"”

“you could get it and then set it up at home. if it looks like crap, wal mart will let you return it with no hassle as long as the packageing is still intact. I bought a "three man" dome tent at wal mart a coulple of years ago and have been pretty satisfied with it, but I wouldn't use it in the winter unless I had too. It's stood up to wind and heavy rain pretty good on two occasions, but it does "wick" worse than better tents and the rain fly is minimal coverage.”

“I like Eureka tents and own three different models. The Getaway looks like a good tent for Scouting as long as a full rain fly is not really necessary.

Product Information

Weatherproof: Sealed fly seam and welded door seam

Dimensions: Tent size: 7'L x 5'W x 4'H

Features: 2 large clear-view side windows and 1 door

Description

Key Features
Sleeps 2 adults
Dimensions: 7' L x 5' W x 4' H
Weighs 6 pounds, 4 ounces
2 large clear-view side windows
1 D-shaped door for easy entry and exit
Ring and pin corner attachments
Clip set-up with color coded tabs
68-denier polyester mesh windows, roof vent and "breathable" 70-denier nylon fabric for superior air flow
Sealed fly seam and welded door seam keep water out
Includes a mud mat and detachable gear loft
7.9 mm, shock-corded fiberglass frame
Heavy-duty, polyethylene rip-stop floor
75-denier polyester taffeta fly with 800 mm polyurethane coating
70-denier nylon taffeta walls with 800 mm polyurethane coating
Stay Dry and Comfortable With Stormshield Technology

Double-wall construction minimizes condensation
Hoods allow partially opened windows during rain for ventilation
Bottom venting fly improves air flow in vestibule area
Wrap-up bathtub floor seam is high above ground
Self-supporting frames flex away stress from wind and snow
Reversed silicone-treated zippers minimize water entry
Guyout rings, loops, webs anchor in stormy weather
Big windows, vents, permeable fabric, netting aid air flow”

“Well, given this is his first year as a Boy Scout and we want to make sure he really likes it before we heavily invest in gear, it sounds like this tent will work for us. We'll waterproof the seams, get a good ground tarp, and see what happens. Another thing to consider, he's 11 years old. Boys at that age can be really hard on gear. Granted, I don't want to buy crap (even if it is "solid" crap) repetitively, but for his first year, it sounds like this will do nicely.”

“i agree. no way i'm letting my boys out in a 200 dollar tent”

“I have a Eurkea Tetragon 7 for a awhile now. I've used it for about 8 years or so as a "bigger, light duty" tent. A few repairs might be able to get that thing back into rotation.

Good going on the seam sealing. That really goes a long way. If you have any reservations, spray the whole thing (after you test spray it in a small area so you can check to see if it will discolor the material) with some sil based, waterproofing spray.

I haven't bought one in a real long time, but I am in the market for a new family tent. Eureka is a brand that I am considering. We're going from a pop-up camper, back to tenting.

Good luck and let's us know ow you lke it after ya get it home and set it up.”

“If you want it I can sell you my ALPS Mountaineering Mystique 1.5 for $50 + shipping. Althoguh some people's enthusiasm over the brand has given the brand a bad name it's a very durable well designed tent (should be a good design since they stole the MSR Zoid design). It's only been used on one over nighter, and set up in the yard 2-3 times.

The one time the Mystique was used

It will be a MUCH nicer tent then the gateway and at only 4lbs 5oz considered fairly light by most people. It's about 2lbs too heavy for my tastes... I have no idea why I bought it except it was on clerance for $75.”

“solid crap.

Hey, why don't you liberals quit caling our grate president names?”

“If nrusinak doesn't want it, I'll take it. Do you think you could 2-3 day ship it and how much that would cost?”

“E-Mail me asap.”

“Hey nrusinak,

I have a Eurkea Apex 2AT and love it. Been using it for canoeing camping mainly, but sometimes backpacking (kinda heavy)

It has been in several doenpours and I have been dry as a bone.

This may be a model to step up to in the future. I wanna say I paid like 100 bucks for it.”

“I just used this tent in the Guadalupe Mountains. The tent with stood 50-60 mph wind gust, the tent would cominon us a little the flex back out, did place rock over the tent stakes and everything was fine....
this past weekend used the tent in the rain and had no problems... This tent was on sale at walMart for 15.00 , and is going to be my Scout camping tent... I have a smaller 3lb tent for backpacking.....”

“Nothing wrong with using cheap gear for kids under low stress conditions.
Go for it. Set it up in the backyard and test it with the spray from your water hose.”

“Yeah, overall the Eureka brand tents are really superior. It's just that I didn't expect to find one at Walmart. I think the Getaway tent is made especially for Walmart, since I can't find it for sale anywhere else. But I can't imagine that Eureka would want to jeopardize their good reputation by selling crap at Walmart with their name on it. Thanks, everyone, for the advice and the offers on other tents. I think I'll stick with this one.”

“just had a thought, double check the name spelling and such - slight chance it could be a knock off, like Leki and Leki Sport, (but those aren't really knock offs).

I used to have a bunch of the Eureka Apex 2AT's with a scout troop I used to work with - they were great tents, durable, dry, etc, etc. Only complaint was the fiberglass poles, we did have one or two break - and not under an extreme amount of stress.”

“Low stress conditions?
That would not describe our Scout Troop trips.”

“Eureka Makes all of the tents the military uses.”

“I saw that tent last night in WalMart and, well, it was so small only my old G.I.Joe would fit in it.”

“well, let me clarify a little.

when I said low stress, I really meant the kids didn't use the poles for baseball bats or pole vaulting. They actually didn't beat on the tents too much. They were brand new and each kid had just worked pretty hard to raise the funds - and the troop had gone through a period of a couple of years with virtually no gear at all.”

“My G.I. joe sleeps in my tent with me. He dosn't need his own tent.”

“Where there's adventure, must hike, G.I. Joe is there.”

“My 11 year old isn't much bigger than G.I. Joe. It should be ok.”

“Buddur - your G.I. JOE have the kung-Fu grip??”

“..and don't call them dolls!
They are Action Figures! ;-)”

“ok, so it's not a eureka but anyone know anything about this tent?


SwissGear Hiker Tent and Hiking Pole

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4697882”

“I looked at one. Doesn't it weigh like 6 pounds?”

“it's got a shipping weight listed of 2.5 pounds”

“Features & Specifications


Perfect for your next backpacking adventure, the lightweight, compact SwissGear hiker tent offers an easy set-up design that requires no additional poles to assemble — just stake out and your all set. With a welded floor, sewn-in mud mat and a high-quality SwissGear hiking pole which doubles as the center pole for your tent. Sleeps 2.
Measures: 5'-1/2" x 7"
Large covered porch area is perfect for gear storage
Hanging storage pocket inside tent for valuables
Easy set-up design — just stake out and your all set
Welded floor for tremendous weather protection
Sewn-in mud mat in porch area helps keep tent clean
High-quality duffel bag makes storing and transporting your new hiker tent a breeze



Model No.: 36259F

Shipping Weight (in pounds): 2.5

Product in Inches (L x W x H): 84.0 x 66.0 x 48.0

Assembled in Country of Origin: Imported

Origin of Components: Imported”

“Is there a fly? Doesn't look like it.

Ventilation may be an issure with this guy. Hard to tell if there is any mesh on this at all.

I would see if the local Wal Mart has one in stock. Also, ace the mud mat that looks attached to the tent. That is a handy add on, but you can probably cut off some ounces there.
last edited: 8/16/06 11:19:40 AM”

“It looks like the offwhite fabric disappears under a blue flap at the top. This may be an opening for vapor, but it does look like it would have condensation like a mofo.”

“Do you use trekking poles? I cannot remember the last time we hiked. You may be able to ditch the tent pole and support the roof with a trekking pole.”

“H#ll, for $35 you cant go wrong. you would prolly have to seam seal it and I'd prolly loose the foot mat. If it sucks you can just donate it.”

“click on the other images and youll see it has a vent on top”

“at the foot and at the peak...

Uses a trekking pole (Supplied) as a center pole...(Ditch it and use a better pole..Leki?).

Mud mat would be overkill...just extend a TYVEK ground cloth to cover the vestibule and cut out the Mat...(CAUTION: the Mud Mat may tension the vestible or the body of the tent...).”

“i see one on ebay . New Aprox 31$ including shipping closes in 45 minutes.”

“I would sell you my MSR Microzoid at a rock bottom price, however, I don't think you will like it. It was way to small for me and you, like everyone else has some pounds on me. Only room for you and a bag, that is it.”

“I'd say that it would probably do pretty good for light duty use. I'd use it anywhere that you could use a tarp-tent. Heavy rain or snow may test it's limits. It's cheap go for it. Just stay away from gear snobs.”

“looks like a single wall.
From my use of my TarpTent, I would say that thing does not have nearly enought vents.
Water will be running down the inside walls and puddleing under your sleeping bag.

The key to single wall tents is ventilation!”

“Simple Stovie!

Cut a few holes in the roof...er, wait a minute!”

“H#ll, for $35 you cant go wrong. you would prolly have to seam seal it and I'd prolly loose the foot mat. If it sucks you can just donate it.

exactly what i was thinking

it does look like it has some venting, but i wouldn't use it in high humidity or if i knew there was a storm a comin”

“...and puddleing under your sleeping bag.

i've already got that but it ain't from condensation”

“Eureka! is owned by the same parent company that owns Coleman. Outdoor Recreation Equipment Co.?

Got my Aurora I (no longer avail) in '99. It's been pitched in every region of the country. It won out over a half-dozen other solo tents (all top names) in a BPer mag field trial, so's I went and got me one. It weighs five pounds. No matter - I'd still use it if it weighed nine...”

““...and puddleing under your sleeping bag.

i've already got that but it ain't from condensation”
thriftyhiker
12:45:45 PM
8/16/06

Sick bastard!”

“LMAO!
I've gotta hike w. you guys!”

“Is that anything like Poodleing?”