"The Eureka Zeus Exo 1 is my first one person tent. It's easy to setup and weighs just 3 pounds 10 oz (including stuff sack, 2 poles and 8 aluminum stakes). The light weight is due to it's single wall construction - no rain fly. I camped for four days at 9,000 feet in good weather so I can't vouch for it's rain worthiness. The vestibule had ample storage for my Prophet 55 pack and boots. Condensation inside the tent wasn't a problem. The door zipper operated smoothly but kept getting caught in the vestibule flap. The inside height of 36" allows you enough room to sit up and get dressed and undressed. Adding a gear loft severely reduces overhead room so I just used a length of nylon cord for an inside clothes line.
I'm pleased with the tent and I'll be using it for all my future solo backpacking trips."
"Greetings, Campers!
My main pack is a Lowe Alpine Contour III internal frame pack, and to save space I've gone to a Eureka! Zeus 1EXO tent for solo sleeping excursions. A good choice for a shelter where weight is a major factor. It's setup is quick and clean, and I appreciate the lack of unnecessary frills that some call features. As a single-wall structure, additional repellency is crucial, and I use heavy duty Scotch Guard (the green plaid can) as well as either a GOOD commercial seam sealer or Thompson's Water Seal (yes for decks). A plastic waterproof ground cloth INSIDE is a must in any tent, and here too. Protects the floor of the tent and keeps you dry, folks. Ventilation is good and covers me and my gear from the elements. I made an attachable rain fly which weighs only ounces as a great extra, but the tent keeps me dry and happy without it. (But use s seam sealer and Scotch Guard on ANY tent!)
All in all, I am satisfied with my Eureka! Zeus. No tent is without drawbacks and limitations, but for the weight and cost versus functionality, this is a very decent buy! (Mine cost me $120)
I am Assistant Cubmaster (soon to be Cubmaster) for Pack 34, trained in Wood Badge, and a hard-core outdoorsman with military survival and Okpik (cold weather) training. Email me if you like at miteysix@bellsouth.net
Enjoy your Eureka! Zeus in the outdoor experience!
Andrew Woodard"
"I bought this tent because it was light for backpacking, I was very leery about the single wall tent, but the sales person assured me that it would be fine.
I have been hiking (backpacking) the Appalachian Trail, I started out with my new Zeus EXO 1 tent. I could not believe how much this tent would sweat inside (build of up condensation ). I even left the door open several nights, but that was no good, every thing in my tent was soaking wet every morning. My new down sleeping bag was now trash along with my spirits.
If it was a little windy at night when the wind would blow the condensation from the walls would make it feel like it was raining inside my tent.
I was soaked for weeks, not fun!!!! I cut my hiking short to get off the trail, to do something about the water problems!!! When I called New England Backpacker in Worcester MA to find out what I could do, the sales person said that they had a few of the same complains from other customers. He suggested to call Johnson Outdoors. I needed to head back to the trails as soon as possible, I did my homework and bought another one of their tents the “Backcountry” for 1. I do like this tent so far, there is a small amout of up condensation build up.
After doing some research on the Zeus EXO 1 tent. I am not the only person with this problem, the tent needs more ventilation, everyone I spoke with that had this tent, they were not happy with it either. When I bought my new “Backcountry” tent from Gleasons in Northampton MA they told me that Johnson Outdoors were already aware of the problems with this tent.
I was in a wet sleeping bag night after night, along with the rest of my things in the tent that got wet.This also made my backpack heaver to carry , do you know the weight of water? It's not light. Being cold and wet puts a real big damper on having fun.!!!!!
To top it off Johnson Outdoors did not stand behind their product after writing them and sending my tent to them at my cost. I made a lot of calls,with no answers I kept gettng the run around.
In the end they said there was not a problem with my tent. They lost me as a customer. I am very sorry to say."
"Not recomended for wet weather backpacking. The tent has a tendancy to pool water at the front and rear apex. I experienced a heavy rain during my last outing and woke to drips similar to a chinees torture. I turned 180 degrees thinking I could avoid the drips and was greated with more torture. All in all I had a miserable night and took the tent back for a refund. The tent does have an advantage for ease of setup and compactability, however this tent is not woth the money spent. Assistant Scout Master, Troop 60 Papillion NE. Kthelen@cox.net"
"I bought the Zeus 1 man tent and promply returned it for the 2 man. At 5' 6" it was still too short for my style. The 2 man had some leaks on its maiden voyage that I attributed to the missed seam sealer. When I went to bed the first night I swept the walls and roof for moisture, as I read several negative reviews about that problem, dry at the beginning of the night. By morning the tent was soaked inside (and that was with the front door open). I was very diappointed as I liked the ease of setup and weight of this tent. I also didnt like the fact that with the door open you expose the floor of the tent to the elements. Returned the tent and bought a Msr Fusion. Havnt tried it yet but a definate improvement in quality is obvious (I guess you get what you pay for)
I give the Zeus a 5 for weight and ease of setup and a zero for weather protection (the most important featur)"
"My experience with the Exo I tent is similar to what others found. I liked the fast setup, ample room, compactness when packed, and good wind resistance. But condensation is a problem, and the tent does not perform well in prolonged rainy weather. The steeply-sloped door lets rain fall into the tent when you enter and exit. The floor-to-wall seam leaks water, especially in the rear of the tent. On one trip, about a pint of water got into the tent thru the rear seam after a half inch of overnight rain. I was not happy about this. Apply lots of sealer to that seam before you head out into the wilderness!
In summary, this is not a tent to depend on in humid, rainy climates. In dry areas, the Exo I works fine, and it will fend off the occaisional light shower without problems."
"I am returning this tent. I had real problems with this tent on a recent trip to Great Smoky Mountains NP, 4 nights solo. Amazingly light with no rainfly, and great set up. Lots of condensation in the humid weather. But the heavy rain on the first night actually knocked the bead of condensation off the walls, and it was literally raining inside the tent. And the seams leaked, even after sealing. Not much room length wise, for a 6-1 guy, and the condensation soaked my feet every night. Also on the 4th night, one of the poles broke. Just not very well made over all. Surprised, as Eureka has a great rep, but they bombed with this one. A poor design overall."
"I've used my Exo 1 on two cycling trips now. I have honestly had some of the condesation problems but they just haven't bothered me as much as they've bothered others. The tent is big enough that I'm not touching the walls very much. I did sleep in it one night where we got two inches of rain in about five hours. The only leaking I got was from a collapsed roof vent that fell under the weight of all the water. I am overall fairly happt with the tent but I am aware now that there are better fish in the sea so I may be looking for a new one for next season. As of now I have one more trip scheduled for this year and I will most likely use the Exo."
"DANGEROUS,
I recently took this to 11,000 feet in a humid enviroment and if i would have had a down bag i would have died. Soaking wet first night. Had to wake up every 45min and wipe wall with extra wool socks. Condensation on walls before i even entered tent. But i made 50 bucks selling a floor model on e-bay. Rock on!
(p.s. buy a REI coupe)"
"a very light free-standing 1 person tent that stands high winds with relative ease. it collects lots of condensation in most conditions on NW. durability is low. it leaks under heavy rain. design is inadequate. it could be much better. it served me for 2.5 years and fabric broked recently."
"I really have to differ with most reviews of this tent that I've read. On a recent hike from Lynchburg to Front Royal, VA, it rained the entire time, and temps ranged from 25-70 degrees. Condensation was not a major issue with me. However, no matter what manufacturers say, I always prep the tent. So, I seamed sealed inside and out, and then sprayed the entire tent with scotchguard before I went out. In addition, when pitching, I guyed the side vents so the vents were open more--what a difference. I used a down bag, and except for the pint we all exhale at night, no worries, just wiped off a bit in the morning. that being said, on the plus side, short pack-up size, kept me dry, quick set up. Down side--I don't like the front door setup. Would give it a 5 instead of a 4 if tent had a plain old fashioned sip around door. There's not much of a vestible, anyway. If Eureka would do that, I would rank the Zeus right up there with sliced bread.--PEY"
"I have had this tent for 5 years. I have used it a lot and it sucks. There is no real rain fly and it leaks water. It is just a poorly made tent and a wast of money."
