I'm new to backpacking and I'm getting my first shelter. I'm thinking about either the eureka spitfire or solitaire. I don't really know what the difference is between them. Anyone have experience with these two? Any other recommendations? thanks.

Eureka makes okay products. From what I understand the solitaire poles have a propensity to break easily, and a review of the stats of the Spitfire indicate that it only has a 1200mm HH coating on the floor. This is a very low rating for floor fabric.

For around the same price and specs, I think that a Sierra Designs Light Year would be a better choice. http://www.campsaver.com/light-year-1-tent-1-person-3-season?gdftrk=gdfV21815_a_7c182_a_7c1830_a_7csid0171&avad=397_a2ac94e9

Also, the Alps Mountaineering brand also make some decent lightweight tents in that price range.

Six Moon Designs also makes the trekker, that falls into the same price range, but weighs less...http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/tents/SkyscapeScout.html

I researched these a while ago. The spitfire sounded popular, the solitaire a bit less so being almost a bivy. In the end I got a Wenzel starlight from Amazon and so far I like it a lot. There are a bunch of reviews you can read there but only a few are thoughtful.

I wanted something minimal and simple and this has been that. Like any shelter how much you like it probably depends on your circumstances. Here's my pros and cons:

- single wall. probably best for dry/cool climates like mine. Would guess a sweat box in hot/humid.
- if you replace the steel stakes and fiberglass poles this is a very light tent. (I use a trekking pole (or a tree) + grip clip to suspend the front peak and leave the two front poles at home.)
- small footprint
- dead easy setup but not freestanding
- entry/exit is awkward but inside is comfortable for one person.
- double front door: solid and mesh
- not seam sealed and canopy said to be only water resistant
- cheapest tent money can buy

Bottom line: I think of it as a kind of luxury bivy.

[Edit: I think this must be the current version]

Edited by theronr on 03/29/2012 19:30:20 MDT.

Other recommendation:

I'd start off with a tarp. A tarp can be much roomier when you want, but you can also change it to a better configuration for foul weather. A 9.5'x10' is a bit heavier, but it's a little easier to set up in a tarp tent-like configuration, which is nice if the wind doesn't consistently blow from one direction. I like the tarp below because it is light, big and has ribbon tie outs. If it were me, I'd get it configured with Lineloc 3's installed.
www.bearpawwd.com


Since you're on a budget and still probably want bug protection, you should check this out:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/120872952423?var=420067931932&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

That puts you at about $150 total for a shelter that can sleep 2. It is also a slightly heavier system if you're the only person using it. I personally think it's well worth it for the extra space.

I own a Spitfire Ultralight. I have been happy with it except for in heavy rain.

This could be user error but I don't think it is. Where the tent goes down towards your feet, water seems to pool on top. With the tie outs that come with the tarp and as far as I can tell, you cannot get the pitch tight enough to prevent this. I am going to add a tie out to it this year or possibly two. The space I am talking about would be right above your hips to your feet. When rain hits it starts to sag and then eventually leak.

I woke up to dripping at about 4am and it started to fail extremely fast after that. So I had to pack all of my sleeping gear as fast as I could and ended up sitting on top of my z-lite in about two inches of water with my rain poncho on for about two hours until it stopped. The bottom was waterproof enough to hold everything though so that tells me its decent enough to keep water out in light rain.

If I were to take it out again I will put some tie outs on that sections and possibly bring a small tarp to cover the area. I think I'm going to ditch it for a 10x10 silnylon tarp though.

Anyways its a decent tent, just be careful of heavy rain.

Only commenting on the Spitfire. Two versions, one of which was an UL in Silnylon and which proved to have problems here at BPL because of strut fit. Solutions are at Amazon. Otherwise limited vestibule which also blocks entry. Competes with LL Bean Microlight with unlimited Warranty. A side entry is much preferable especially if the wind shifts or 2 people are using it. Examples. ALPS Zenith 2 0r 3, Coleman Cobra Peak 1. Lighter versions are now popular -look at the basic design and figure out your budget, use, weight, resale.When in doubt look at Gearswap and how much your potential choice gets dumped or holds value. But first of all be clear about the configuration and whether it works for you now and into a near future.

Edited by Meander on 03/30/2012 10:48:53 MDT.

I had a Spitfire 1 and bought the Solitaire but returned it. The Spitfire 1 is a decent tent, the Solitaire is a glorified bivy in my opinion. I have heard complaints about the Spitfire UL (ultra light) but those same complaints do not apply to the Spitfire 1 non-UL (regular model) I don't think.

Another good, cheaper option would be the Six Moons Designs (SMD) Skyscrape Scout http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/tents/SkyscapeScout.html at $125

Another good one, very light would be a TarpTent Contrail http://www.tarptent.com/contrail.html at $199 You might be able to find one used cheaper.

either one of these are excellent choices the six moon designs skyscape scout at $125 this is a picture of mine and i really like it

the other is a tarptent moment these are very popular and very light tents but a little more $

either would be a great choice although i did have a spitfire 1 for a while and liked it too though not as roomy as the other two its still a good choice for the money

kevin

For the price, there are probably better cottage offerings as others have stated.

If however you are looking to go cheap until you can afford your dream tent, look into the hi-tec vlite. I just picked one up and am currently testing it out. I'll post something on it when I'm done.

For $40(1 man) or $50(2man) it is super cheap. If you replace the provided pole and carry sack, the 2 man should come out to around 2.5lbs. Not bad for $50. Craftsmanship is poor, but it is pretty roomy and has a HUGE vestibule, so if it keeps water out it may be a good poor man's option.

I have a friend who has one and I always thought it pretty good for the money lots of room. He graduated lighter last year and is looking to sell it let me know if you are interesred

I just went on a 3-night with a friend who was using the Spitfire. It rained 3 nights. He got wet 3 nights. He had the same sagging Corey mentioned. He also complained of a small vestibule to spread out his wet gear. I'm not sure I would buy it. I was in a tarp and stayed very dry.

I've got a Spirfire 1. For the money, it is a decent tent. It is big enough to just barely sit up in and I like being able to see the stars on clear nights when I don't use the fly. I'm 6'3" and I just fit in the tent. If you're any taller, it might not be the best option.

I've had it for years, but it has only been used a few times. Never had any issues in rain.

I personally prefer a tarp. Much lighter and much more space. The biggest downsides to the Spitfire are:

* Weight - It is pretty heavy compared to other shelter options in the price range
* No vestibule - There's enough space to put your boots under the fly, but not enough space for a pack and definitely not enough space in the tent. You'd need to keep that outside and when it is raining that can be a PITA.

Quality is very nice for the money, but there really are better options as others as suggested already.

Skylar, if you are on a budget, or just want to thy this out, I have a Eureka Gossamer Tent you can have for free. Just send me a PM with your address. Several years Eureka sold the this tent and the Solataire which were identical expect the Gossamer had aluminum poles whereas the solataire had fiberglass. I only used it a couple of trips and it's still in great condition. I had it in a prolong rain storm at it held up well.

Here's a desciption and picture I extracted from the web:

The Gossamer is a two-pole tunnel-style tent, with the rainfly permanently attached to the tent body at the forward hoop. Most of the tent body is mesh, so ventilation is no problem. The rainfly covers well, except for the foot of the tent, which is constructed of waterproof floor fabric. The Gossamer features a low peak height of 26 inches and only 16 square feet of interior space. Despite the small size, the Gossamer has a tent feel, rather than the mummy-bag feel of a bivy.

I've got a spitfire and really like it. I give in to peer pressure sometimes and look at the more $ solo tents and am still happy with the spitfire. Just like any tent, figure out how to set up properly. about half of hikers I see do not set tent up nice and tight, then say it has problems. Seam seal it. Change the pegs to lighter ones.

I bought a Solitaire for super cheap years ago, used it one weekend and discarded it! It is 28"tall which at 6 foot there was no sitting up. It is basically a heavy 3 plus pound so so bivy!

+1 for the Eureka Gossamer. it is the exact same tent as the Solitare only with aluminum shock-cord poles, which hold up much better than the Solitaire's carbon Fibre poles. I used mine for years in everything except heavey snow and it never failed. I finally gave it to a buddy of mine last year when i bought a new UL tent. but for the price, the Gossamer was a great litte tent.

I think the weight without all the extra stuff it comes with (like storm stakes) was just under 3 pounds. So if you're on a budget, it's not a bad choice. Check Campmor, they usually sell either the Gossamer or Solitaire for about $60.00. Of course, Erik's 'free" price is even better!

BTW, I'm 5'-2" and had plenty of room and could sit up in it, if you're over 6' I could see how it may be a bit tight.