Eureka designed a dual-purpose tent that can withstand the abuse of car camping, while being light and easy to set-up for backpacking.
By Dan Sanchez
Avid outdoor enthusiasts have a super-light weight bivy for ultra-light backpacking, a lightweight 2-person backpacking tent, and a heavy car camping tent for the kids and family. But Eureka’s new Apex 2XD tent can eliminate at least one of these, as it’s capable of taking the abuse of car camping, but is still light enough for a weekend backpacking trip.
The Eureka! Apex 2XT tent measures 7’4″ x 4’11”, making it large enough to comfortably fit two adults and a young child. It’s strong and unlike most car camping tents, it’s extremely easy to set up with only two free-standing fiberglass poles. We inserted the two poles and clipped the tent to them, and had it set up in a matter of minutes.
Two large vestibules and D-shaped openings make it easy to get in and out. The Eureka! Apex 2XD tent is a three-season design. It features large mesh screens that allow for maximum ventilation to keep it cool in the summer. Add the rain fly and it stays warm and dry during the spring and fall seasons.The fly is made of Eureka!’s patented 75D StormShield Polyester, making it very sturdy to stand up to a spring rain storm or a windy fall day.
As a backpacking tent, the Apex 2XT weighs 5 lbs. 6 oz. without poles and has a 5-inch x 24-inch packed size. While it’s not going to be the lightest backpacking tent in your outdoor arsenal, it’s light enough to do the job. But because it can also be used for other camping excursions, it can save you some money down the road.
We liked that the vestibule has 13 square feet to store gear, and features raised door seams and a bathtub style floor. So you won’t likely get wet during a sudden downpour. The fiberglass poles are 8.5mm in diameter and feature shock cords for easy assembly. We also liked that it featured zippered windows in the doors for added ventilation, four storage pockets, a gear loft with several loops, and a loop to hang your flashlight.
The Eureka! Apex 2XT tent retails around $129.90. The footprint is sold separately ($45) and weighs 10 oz. The tent also comes with sakes, stake bag and a carry bag. We also liked that it was easy to disassemble the tent, roll it up and get it back into the bag in the first try. For more information, visit www.eurekatent.com.
Specifications:
2 Person 3-season Tent Weight: 6 lbs, 5 oz with poles and stakes in bag (5 lbs, 6 oz without poles and stakes)Pack Size: 5″ x 24″
Poles: 8.5mm fiberglass
Construction: 75D 190T polyester taffeta, 800 mm coated (wall, fly, floor)