I like looking at tents on the world wide web, and I also enjoy writing down my findings. This tent is no different. If you are wanting an honest opinion regarding this tent then I suggest you read my Eureka Apex 2XT Tent review below.
Frankly, there are too many people within the online world giving fake reviews trying to make a quick buck. I properly review tents and give my honest advice.
And by the looks of it, this product might not be for you if you’re an avid backpacker/hiker. Let’s get into it.
Product Overview
The Eureka Apex 2XT Tent is claimed to be lightweight (5.9 pounds), and I find that not to be entirely true especially for a 2 person tent.
This 2 person tent contains 2 doors and 2 vestibule areas. There are also mesh doors and a mesh roof so you can stargaze in the summer while it provides good ventilation.
The vestibules are a great waterproof feature for storing your gear, the rain fly covers all areas so you still get ventilation.
It has a freestanding design, making it a breeze to set up and take down. There is 2 internal pockets for storage, along with a flashlight/lantern and clothesline loop.
I see that it contains a bathtub-styled floor, these are amazing for keeping water out from the bottom of the tent.
This tent also comes with extra external guy points for when that thunderstorm passes through the night.
What Makes This Tent Unique?
The venting system is what stood out to me the most. With a High and Low option, you can have high ventilation for the summer hot days or a low option for the cold nights.
It isn’t the lightest 2 person tent, however it is still lighter than a lot of other tents on the market. The vestibule areas are much bigger than some other vestibules, which I find to be a bonus.
What Are Its Specifications?
Product Name: Eureka Apex 2XT Tent
Cheapest Place To Buy: Amazon.com
Material: [fly] 75D 190T polyester taffeta
Doors: 2
Pole Material: Fiberglass
Weight: 5.9 pounds
Color: Gold
Maximum Height: 46 inches
Guarantee: 30 day return policy
Who It’s For
Because this tent has a vestibule area and it’s semi-lightweight, it makes it a good choice for backpackers who go hiking in the wilderness for days and want something to keep their gear under without getting wet.
Some good combinations include:
- 1 person + a lot of spare room
- 1 person + child + gear
- 1 person + child + dog + gear
- 2 people + gear
Seasonal car campers can also benefit from this tent.
Due to it being so cheap, it makes a perfect choice for someone who wants to go inexpensive, yet still wanting something that will keep them dry if a rainstorm passes through. I find that this tent will do just that, easily.
Pricing & Purchase Details
This tent is easily accessible through Amazon.com. The price of this product varies between $60 and $80, which includes a 30 day return policy.
If the tent gets damaged you can send it back for a repair. Or if you don’t want the entire tent anymore, send it back for a full refund. However it has to be within the 30 day time frame.
Find Out What The Current Price Of This Tent Is
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Provides a lot of ventilation, with the High/Low option, makes it work incredibly well in all conditions
- The 2 vestibule areas created from the rain fly coverage make great features for that added waterproof storage
- There is also 2 doors. Now hopping in and out of the tent for a midnight pit stop is a breeze, especially because you won’t have to climb over the other person
- This tent is freestanding, so setting up and taking down can be completed in a timely manner (roughly 5 minutes after some practice)
- A lot of internal storage compartments, a free gear loft is included
- Incredibly weatherproof and capable of withstanding rain storms so you know you can stay bone dry while inside this tent
Cons
- Can be too heavy for backpacking unless you split the weight between 2 people
- I find that because it is so cheap, it isn’t designed to last you for years
- Just like most tents out there, the stakes aren’t the greatest
Do I Recommend This Tent?
Honestly, you get what you pay for. It is cheap and capable of holding up in the rain and strong winds.
That doesn’t mean that it will last you a lot of trips, because it won’t.
I would be surprised if you get 10 trips out of this thing without having to do additional maintenance (seam sealing, weatherproofing, DIY work) to it first.
All in all, it IS a good tent and good for seasonal car campers who want something cheap for a weekend out and not expecting it to last a long time. Then this tent is highly recommended for you!
Otherwise if you’re expecting this tent to last you for many years while you use it a lot of times, then do not purchase it, because it is not for you.
Alternative/Similar Products
The Slumberjack is still my favorite 4 person tent and a lot better suited for you if you want to go car camping, however a little more expensive, but at least it will last much longer. Because it isn’t as lightweight as the Eureka 2XT it will be no good for backpacking or hiking.
The Mountainsmith Morrison (2 person tent) is roughly the same price as the Slumberjack, BUT it is only a 2 person tent, but much lighter, making it a good choice for backpacking. This tent will also last longer than the Eureka 2XT.
My Final Opinion
What I like the most is how roomy it is, especially because it is only a 2 person tent. The vestibule areas make it so much easier for you to sleep in a cramped-free zone.
It is a good tent for seasonal car camping and that’s it. If you plan on using this tent for many backpacking trips, don’t expect it to last you for many years. The price is not that high, so you literally get what you pay for.
I can easily say it’s a high quality tent, which is why it has been given such great reviews. If you want to go car camping with your friend or partner then by all means get this tent because it will work perfectly for you.
If you want to go for a backpacking trip into the wilderness then this is also a great tent for you.
But to expect it to last you for a lot of future backpacking/camping trips every year then it is a waste of time.
After thoroughly researching this tent I have come to the conclusion that it works perfectly and as described, which is hard to say about some tents at this price range, making this tent a great choice and highly recommended!
See If This Product Is Still Available On Amazon
If you want a tent to last you many years while still being lightweight then you should definitely read my review on the Mountainsmith Morrison 2 person tent.
Thanks for this very helpful review! As a traveler, I do a lot of hiking and am always looking out for affordable but effective products. A good tent is very important to have. It sounds like the weight can easily be split between a couple hikers, and with the amount of unpredictable rain in New Zealand, a waterproof tent is crucial. I’ll look into getting this, thanks!
Hi Lauren. Thanks for stopping bye 🙂 And yes, a good tent is the small piece of fabric that’s going to keep you safe from a harsh rainstorm! So it’s simply not worth the risk if you decide to just purchase the first one you see. Most of the time manufacturers can’t even get the basics of a tent right. However, Eureka always do a good job – which is why I can’t recommend this tent enough.
Good luck out there,
Brandon
I am not an avid camper but if I were, your post is so detailed that I would be able to pick a tent that truly fits my needs and that is what a good review should do. Again I have not camped in over 30 years. This is going back to my boy scout days and I did not have any say in the tents we used but I can tell you they were not high quality. Thank you for the great review and comparable items.
Marc
Thanks for the wonderful feedback. Yes, they make them a lot better than they use to. I’m glad you liked this tent as well.
Good luck,
Brandon
What a neat little tent! It has some really keen features – love the two storage pockets inside and the ‘bathtub’ floor… I camp maybe a couple of times a year so for the price, this looks ideal. Thanks!
Thanks, Steve. I agree with you, it is a good little tent. But due to it being on the less expensive side, it won’t last for many years unless you’re a seasonal camper.
If you know how to look after your tents, that knowledge will also go a long way. Use a tarp if you want to protect your investment.
Cheers,
Brandon
Hi, what would you say is the best tent to buy for two people, and also for four? Ideally, I would like something that isn’t bulky to carry but also gives enough room and that has your stamp of approval. Thanks!
First and foremost, thanks for the comment 🙂
The Alps Mountaineering Extreme 3 Tent is GREAT for 2 people. It offers awesome ventilation, a lot of space, 2 vestibules for your gear, AND does an amazing job at keeping the rain out.
The best 4 person tent is hands down the Kelty Grand Mesa 4 Tent. It’s a little heavier than the Alps Extreme 3 tent, but that’s because it can house 4 people, not 2-3.
Good luck,
Brandon
ive had the same eureka apex 2xt tent for over 10 years now having used it regularly for camping, backpacking, and canoeing trips. while cheap it has never let me down and is still going strong all these years later. the only thing Ive had to replace was the stakes that came with it.