Eureka Apex 2 XT Review

"I just bought the Apex 2XT.
Great deal for $120 The vestabules are smaller than I wanted, but there are 2. The fly attaches quickly and sheds the rain well. 2 large doors make it easy entrance and exit without getting hung-up. Weighs in at 6 lbs+."

"I've used this tent camping and backpacking for the past year. Love it...wish it weighed less though! It even went with me on my snowcamping trip recently and held up just fine. I got it on sale for $99.00 and have had no complaints about it at all. In fact, I will use it more often than my other 3 just because I enjoy the space, air circulation and ease of set-up. Now if only they could find a way to take about 3 lbs off of it!!!"

"The "2" is a little exaggerated -- Apex 1.5 XT would be more appropriate. The opposing double-door design is very convienient. Other than the size, (just a few more inches all around would be perfect), the only weakness in the tent was that the corners of the fly do not extend all the way to core the walls at the corners. In a heavy night of rain, I experienced considerable leakage."

"Great tent with awesome air cirulation. With 2 in the cold and rain flap attatched it kept us slightly warm...however it isn't really reccommended for winter use. It kept me warm enough though:) It is heavy, but it's my favorite tent and seems versitle enough for any occasion."

"My wife and I purchased this tent for $100 on sale at Galyans...a great price for a good tent. We've used it in from the tent campground to the back trails and have found it quite satisfying. On all but one trip it has rained, yet we have remained dry inside. The free-standing design also makes it easy to flip over and dry in the morning, while the rain fly can be hung and dried in 1/2 and hour of morning sunlight.
Although it takes a little longer to set up than we'd like, the extra reinforcement options are a plus. It really holds its own in the wind. The double doors are great, although the vestibules are a little impractical and hard to get in and out of, as you much reach a long ways to get at the zipper.
Although it weighs in at nearly 6 pounds, it's a cinch when split up between my wife and I. All in all, we don't think twice about going to sleep when a storm is rolling in!"

"Great tent but too heavy for backpacking. I used mine for 3 years and still have it for campgrounds, etc. Never leaked, easy set up, great ventilation and lots of viewable areas with the doors unzipped and the screen closed to keep bugs out. I'd rate it higher if it was lighter."

"My girlfriend purchased this tent in 2003 and we've used it at least 20 times. Most of its use has been backpacking in Utahs Wasatch Range and some climbing trips in the desert. We encountered heavy rains while backpacking in Teton NP and in the Uintas. The fly works great although the ventilation could be better there was a considerable ammount of condensation when we awoke in the morning. The tent holds up great against wind, we were camping on the beach at Lake Powell and heavy winds blew in while we were out wake boarding the apex was the only tent still standing in good condition. Durring this storm a friend of ours who had a similar Mountain Hardware tent returned to find a huge rip in the tent walls. I like the orange color, dreary tent colors can cause depression. This tent packs small, has great alluminum poles the vesitibules work great. Other than weight and ventilation this is still an awesome tent. I'm planning on purchasing this tent for myself in the next week or two to take with this summer while working in Denali National Park."

"I've owned the Galyan's version of the 2XTA for 3 years and I find it to be a fine tent. I have used it as a solo tent in the Rockies and Appalachians with very good results. It certainly would be a good tent for two if you don't need to keep additional stuff in the tent. Each side has a huge door and a vestibule that is sufficient for housing my 5500 pack and boots. The zipper on the fly requires a reach, but I haven't found it to be especially difficult or annoying. The fly is attached by buckles halfway up one side so that it can remain attached but be pulled back fully to expose the half of the tent that is entirely mesh, which makes it real easy to pull the fly back on if it starts raining in the middle of the night. The only negative I can find is that while air flow is good, I did get some condensation with temps in the 30s. Half of the interior top is not mesh and I did experience some minor dampness from the non-mesh side of the tent on those cooler mornings. Although certainly not an ultralight at 6.10, I find that separating the very light tent section (with poles) and the heavy fly allows me to distribute the weight more effectively in my pack. I've looked extensively and haven't found another freestanding tent that offers the same floorspace and storage for any real significant weight savings, unless of course you're a gram counter with a higher paying job than me!"

"I've had this tent for a few years (Apex 2 XTA version). Mostly, I use it for backcountry trips. Even though it is 6 lbs, I normally use it as a solo tent, but fits 2 people and gear easily. I have been caught in downpours many times and never had water in the tent. The condensation isn't much of a problem either. The tent is easy to setup, but takes a little more time then other tents I've used. Also, I have had others "hangout" in my tent during storms. 4 or 5 people could sit in there and be comfortable (and dry). I recently bought the Eureka Solitaire tent to replace this tent when on solo trips, mainly for weight reasons. I will still use the Apex if wieght is not a factor. I also have a 3 man tent by coleman, but use it as a backup since it weighs close to 9 lbs... Ouch! and isn't made as well as the Apex.

Eureka! like a dog!"

"This tent is great, but too heavy for backpacking. I used mine for 2 years and still have it for campgrounds, etc. Never leaked, easy set up, great ventilation and lots of viewable areas with the doors unzipped and the screen closed to keep bugs out. I'd rate it higher if it was lighter.""

"Have had this tent for 3 years, and has probably seen 60 plus camping nights. Just used it as a solo backpacking across over 100 miles for 10 continuous days during New Mexico's rainy season. Set it up in the rain, camped all night in the rain, and put it away wet nearly every morning. At one point there was a flash flood and this tent was in 2 inchest of water. . .and not once did I get wet. While there are tents out there that weigh 3 lbs less; it's well worth it to carry the extra weight knowing that you could all but submerge this tent and still be dry. For the price, there isn't much out there comparable."

"Love the tent! have camped in it 6 times over the last 6 months. I love it so much I bought 5 more for our Boy Scout troop"

"I've used my Apex 2xt now for a little over 2 years and it has been a great investment. There is plenty of room for me, my spaniel, and our gear. I've never experienced any leaks in rain/snow storms, but do get some condensation in cool weather. The only complaint I have is the weight, which is tough to deal with on long backcountry trips."