Eureka! Zephyr XT

Needs to be produced again by Eureka with minor upgrades, and is an Awesome one person tent.

I bought this tent for $80 Campmor closeout sale back in 2000. Have not seen one since, sort of like Hens teeth. This little tent is so much better than the Eureka Backcountry. Both these model are similar to the U.S. Military issue Eureka one-man tents, but not as bomb proof. As a matter of fact I have used the XT fly on my Camo model to lighten the load.

It has a cool window and a vent on the fly. The vent is a good setup but wish Eureka would have installed one of those flip out jack stands to keep it open instead of the stiff rubber bar sewn inside the vent lip.

The High Low venting works well as does the bathtub floor, floor material is a little thin could use a ground cloth.

I would also like to see a trim around the front fly zipper to keep the water out but I have never seen this happen.

Front vestibule is large for pack and rear for boots. You can easily cook under it as I have done this in a few rainy evenings in New Mexico and Colorado.

Two poles that fold down to around 12 or 13", packs down small, it's light, easy as Hell to set up, and if tied down holds up to some good wind.

I keep a candle lantern with me. It will heat up this tent when it gets cold and damp.

I am 6'3" 54" shoulder width 321 pounds and use a 25" Thermarest pad that fits perfect in this tent. I am able to stretch out and sleep well in it.

All in all I would buy this tent again if Eureka started making them again, even without the small improvements I mentioned.

The Eureka Zephyr XT is a great solo tent. Despite being a solo tent it is very roomy and functional inside. An average size person can easily sit upright in the center, and there are plenty of points to hang things from on the ceiling. Two very handy mesh pockets are positioned at the head and foot of the tent and provide plenty of room for all of your small items. The Zephyr XT has more vestibule space than some larger tents. The fly provides two vestibules - 13 sq. feet in the front, and 9 sq. feet in the back.

Set up is easy. The tent has two shock-corded aluminium poles that attach to the tent with clips, and a full coverage fly that attaches with buckle straps. The tent has plenty of venting - two small vents in the ceiling and a large screen door. It has never given me problems with condensation. The Zephyr XT holds up extremely well in heavy winds as long as the fly is properly staked down. I've used it in very windy open desert situations and it has always stood up to the wind without collapsing or moving from its original location. The tent can pack down to about 6" x 12", but the stuff sack that Eureka provides is much too big. A stuff sack of 6 x 12" will hold everything just fine.

Overall the Eureka Zephyr XT is a very functional and durable tent. It is well worth $140.