Eureka - Solitaire

I have backpacked for weeks and weeks on the AT and elsewhere with a Eureka Solitaire. It is the best solo lightweight tent if you can't spend much, IMO. Kept me comfortable in heavy rain, snow, and once down to 15 deg F on a North Carolina mountain in April. Never noticed bad condensation. Wonderful ventilation on a dry night with the roof retracted, fine enough in rain. I can keep my frameless pack and stuff inside, with shoes in the vestibule. Being older and not-rich, I care about weight and $, not headroom.

I had sierra designs' version of eureka solitaire. It was "waterproof-breathable," and its forward hoop was offset, providing a better door. I used it a lot. Very cramped. Very easy to set up on small sites.

And with that comes major issues. Can't sit up, condensation, crawling in, etc. Had one, sold it.

Eureka Solitaire. Less than $100, weighs about 2lbs. I used it on my AT thruhike in 2013.

It’s definitely not for everyone. I’m 5’11” and spent about 125 nights in it on the AT. Condensation was an issue sometimes, but not a big deal. Most night I slept with the fly rolled up and only a few times did I need to unroll it and tie it down. It was less than a minute before I was protected from the rain. Not being able to fully sit up was limiting sometimes, but I got used to it. If it was raining, I’d crawl in, but I’d use the top zipper to step into most nights. With that said, I haven’t used it since finishing the AT. I was on a budget for that hike and have since purchased a different tent. I think the Solitaire serves a purpose, but wouldn’t be something I’d recommend to a hiker that could afford something nicer.

Just like other people have said I'd go freestanding 2 person. I started with a similar tent. Eureka solitaire. Still have it and occasionally get some use. I'd highly recommend the REI half dome 2+ in that price range. Might be just a hair above but it is super solid and quality

It was a great tent up until the fiberglass pole snapped on a trip last year. I camped in it several dozen times before that, and it's been on many trips with me. The tent is still in great shape, so I contacted Eurica and learned that they sell an aluminum set of poles for it. I bought them and they are much sturdier. Not sure what the tent you have came with, but that would be my only recommendation.

I bought a Eureka Solitaire last season and just got a Eureka Midori 1 this Christmas for a bit more headroom. I saw this one on sale and would have jumped on it but I really wanted a 1p tent for solo overnights. They are decent tents for sure, especially at the price point. They tend to review well and are well ventilated and have a rain fly that offers a vestibule for your extra gear, which is a must for wet weather IMO. No need to pack your tent with extra stuff just to keep it out of the rain. Eureka is generally well respected as a brand, although more on the budget-conscious side, so appealing to the mass consumer base vs. the more niche and ultralight backpacking market. As others mentioned, Eureka is ceasing operations but unsure how impactful that is. I’m not a die hard camper so I don’t know if I would be concerned about replacement parts, etc. years down the line. You may wish to check out Eureka’s Midori and Suma lines too as they offer 2p options, and may even be cheaper. Depending on what you’re looking for.