User Review: Eureka! Solitaire

Classic utility inexpensive solo tent.

Bought mine ten years ago. It's been on four back-roads hitchhiking odysseys (CT to N.B. Can, Boulder CO to Sun Valley ID, the NW coast of France, around Martinique) and several 3-4 nighters over the years. I've done many setups in the dark, in tight forested spots, and have managed fine.

At one particular camp-out concert event in Maine, I remained dry when nearly every other dome-tenting concert goer was soaked through in an overnight deluge. Years afterward I ran into the shivering guy who I put into my tent and dry bag that morning-- he was certain I saved him from hypothermia!

The tent is out of commission these days, as the poles did eventually break, but only after *very* heavy use. I melted through the rain fly with the top of my candle lantern at one point, and one application of duct tape and some years later, the hole has not widened or ran.

I am six foot four, and was able to fit into this tiny tent. A significant other and I even overnighted in the Solitaire on a remote Martiniquan black sand beach once!

The NY Times just ran a piece on the newest ultra light solo tents, and they do seem to be more convenient and versatile than the good ol' Solitaire.

The design has its drawbacks, but you can't beat it at the price-- it certainly does its job.