Eureka! Forte SQ 2 XT

I purchased this tent because I really like the design of it. It does have a good share of pros and cons.

Pros: It breaths very well, the "poked out" windows on the ends allows air flow in any weather. Also, the green part of the door is waterproof (same material as the fly and floor) which allows you to leave the vestibule open in light rain. The zippered window cover in the door is a cool feature (as most Eureka tents have) for controlled air flow and privacy. The added rear vestibule is small but useful and the front one is big with a few different options to configure it. When staked out, this tent is very sturdy, doesn't flap or move around in the wind at all.

Cons: The pack size. The hubbed poles do not pack nice or easily at all. Be sure to use rubberbands (provided) or something to hold them closed or your pack size will be bigger. Set up is not hard, but a little more time consuming than I am used to. If you ever set up a Timberline A-frame, its pretty much the same with some added poles/steps. I'm not crazy about the ring and pin setup. Of course, as always, Eureka provides really bad stakes. Get better ones (Kelty Nobendums are my fav).

I don't like the two zippers for the door (one on the side, and the other the bottom), its just annoying and sometimes left open just a little bit to let some critters in. The stuff sacks provided are huge and should be replaced (though the one for the poles fit them fine) Finally, the length. I'm 6'3", and would like a little extra room to stretch out a bit more. A few more inches would have been great. The tent does have pretty straight end walls, so the 7' length is not as bad a s a 7' dome with angled walls.

The do make a fitted footprint for this tent that allows you to set up fly only. I didn't purchase the footprint so I can't say anything about that.

In conclusion, this is not a bad tent, especially for the money, it's a good deal. The weight is a little high, but not that bad. I've used it with two people in the tent and it was ok (good tent for couples). Using it with just the dog and me was better.

All in all, great bang for the buck!

I purchased this tent as an alternate for two guys to carry in separate bivy bags or one-person tents on backcountry hunts. I've done the bivy bag (never again), and most one-person tents have left me wanting.

This tent is a bit heavy to be used by one person for backpacking, but it can work if needed. I'm six foot tall, the seven foot rating is generous as I can barely stretch out in it, if you're much over six foot, this tent may be tight unless you go corner to corner.

There is plenty of room for two average sized adult men though. If by yourself, there is ample room for gear as well. Vestibule is very spacious, holding two individuals gear easily. Rear vestibule is small and worthless in my opinion. 

Several things I would like to see different:

• The door is a triangle shape and requires two zippers. I would rather see a "D" shaped door with one zipper. Not a big deal as it is, just kind of difficult at times.
• The door has a zip open window near the top, I would like to see another on the back wall of the tent. It is very well vented as is (the protected "windows" in the storm fly on either end really vent moisture well), but another vent on the back wall would be nice for hotter days/nights.
• Pole hubs are a bit cumbersome and don't pack as nicely as they could. An all aluminum, compact hub like (Like the MSR Hubba Hubba) would pack much better, and be stronger.

I haven't used this tent much yet, but feel it will give good service for quite a while if properly cared for. Its very simple and easy to set up alone, and fairly stable by itself, and very stable when tie out points are utilized.

At full retail price, this tent is good. If you can get it cheaper, it's a heck of a deal.