Tents n Rain

[mykl]

HI everyone, I want to get some opinions about camping in the rain. Come summer, I do a lot of 1 or 2 night solo trips, as much as I can, rain or shine (in NY/NJ and surrounding areas). I actually really like going in the rain, and the problem I have been facing is setting up a tent in the rain. seams the inside of my double wall gets wet ever time. I am thinking a single wall tent could be the solution. I just found a Eureka Zeus 1 classic at a local place at a good price. I believe they stopped making the 1 person version, so I got it while I can. I have read a lot about their condensation problems, but not so much if they are set up/staked out properly.
I'm looking for some opinions as to how this tent will be using/setting up in the rain.
Any info/solutions will be appreciated.
thanx....

[Franco]

I don't have one but all you do is peg down the four corners, insert the poles, clip the fly up , peg out the sides (as much as you can ) and you have a dry floor waiting for you.
If it rains hard enough you will get some rain inside during ingress/egress, but every tent has some downside.
See if you can find a Zeus LE, that looks much better to me as far as condensation management.
Franco

[leaftye]

That looks interesting, but not especially light for a 1 person tent. I've been thinking about trying out a conventional tarp. Hmm...maybe tomorrow when our next storm rolls in.

[JustaTouron]

The UL folks are gonna cringe......

But when I camp with my kids in addition to bring the tent we also bring a lightweight tarp and tie it from a tree to eat, cook, etc. under. By keeping them out of the tent, it keeps the amount of mud they bring into the tent down to a managable amount.

The tarp is larger than the tent.

So I set up the tarp. Set up the tent under the tarp. Take down the tarp. Set up the tarp in our cooking/eating area.

This keeps the rain from getting the tent wet while it is being set up.

[Blissful]

We only had to set up once in the rain on our 07 hike. With two of us we just set it up really quick.

[Cabin Fever]

I don't have one but all you do is peg down the four corners, insert the poles, clip the fly up , peg out the sides (as much as you can ) and you have a dry floor waiting for you.

This is what I do. Works in reverse for taking your tent down in the rain too. Did it yesterday on the Art Loeb Trail.

[ShelterLeopard]

The UL folks are gonna cringe......

But when I camp with my kids in addition to bring the tent we also bring a lightweight tarp and tie it from a tree to eat, cook, etc. under. By keeping them out of the tent, it keeps the amount of mud they bring into the tent down to a managable amount.

The tarp is larger than the tent.

So I set up the tarp. Set up the tent under the tarp. Take down the tarp. Set up the tarp in our cooking/eating area.

This keeps the rain from getting the tent wet while it is being set up.

Last time I hiked with a group this is exactly what we did- worked beautifully. (Except we set up the kitched tarp where we wanted it, and put together each (freestanding) tent under the tarp, and ran it over to where we wanted to put it. It was faster that way, but your way would be drier.

I'm bringing a small and lightweight kitchen tarp on my thru. Best part is, it cost be less than 25 cents to make, so if I really don't use it, I can drop it in the trash. It'll be worth it though- last year it rained on around 50% of the days (according to most thru hikers, anyway).

[mykl]

I agree that the Zeus LE design looks like it can battle condensation better, but they are no where to be found. I don't understand why they only made this tent for one year. Feedback that Eureka got, maybe.
I will be trying this tent out soon. I did set up the tent up a little while ago, and its pretty roomy and the 3' height is not as bad as I expected.

[Toolshed]

There was a guy on here recently trying to sell a 1LE for $125 or so. I thought it was well over-priced.
I don't believe the Classic is the same as the LE, the LE has a 2nd vesti IIRC.
I had a couple of Zeus's. I always picked up a few Class A Eureka Tents in Binghamton at the outlet every year. in 2003 I bought the Zeus 1 & 2, The 1 was a swamp - fully vented (as much as it could be) I was always wet. I returned it and took the 2 to Alaska. Same thing - Constant moisture due to inadequate air circulation. Yeah I know Alaska is a damp wet state, but in August 2003 Car theft was at an all time high as alaskans were leaving there car running when they did errands to keep the A/C on since it was so hot (low 80's)

I returned home and first thing, I sold the Zeus 2 on eBay. glad to be rid of it.

I had always been a fan of Eureka, having sold their tents for a few years - I had at least 10-12 of their tents over the decades and was always very pleased - until the Zeus. I have a hard time believing anyone could stay dry in one of those tents. They just didn't vent well enough.

[FamilyGuy]

There are some other options. Some designs allow the outer fly to be set up first as the inner 'tent' is attached to the outer fly. Ex. include the Hilleberg Akto, Tarptent Scarp, Terra Nova Laser, etc.

Unfortunately they are expensive.

Aren't you all glad I didn't recommend a hammock?

[DAJA]

From my past experience with this tent I suggest you rename this thread, " Rain in Tents".. This thing creates its own climate..

[RichardD]

The Zeuss 2 was my first backpacking tent, most of it's use was Colorado, S Dakota, NM or California so condensation was not a big problem in these climates. It is the fastest tent to errect that I think you will find. I often put the tent up in the middle of the day if I got caught in a storm while hiking. I am sure I could get the tent up faster than I could get raingear on. I was very satisfied with it, it was a very stormproof tent.

[Franco]

My take on the Zeus LE is that it is a bit cosmetically challenged and therefore was provably overlooked by some.
Tents like the Eureka are made in batches of several hundreds, therefore need volume sales.

Franco

[thelowend]

ive heard really good reviews with rain and tarptents so far. i have a sierra designs 1 man and i am looking to buy a moment form tarptent. they are really light and reasonably priced too. www.tarptent.com

[wudhipy]

I will be taking my Zues on the thru hike this year. Single wall. large hooks for erecting...especially nice with cold wet fingers. Easy to set up if a hurry up is required to get out of a storm, and can withstand a pretty fair wind load...by far the most hiker friendly tent I've ever had.

[ShelterLeopard]

If I had an extra $500 laying around, I'd seriously consider the Hilleberg Akto.

[Hosaphone]

The UL folks are gonna cringe......

But when I camp with my kids in addition to bring the tent we also bring a lightweight tarp and tie it from a tree to eat, cook, etc. under. By keeping them out of the tent, it keeps the amount of mud they bring into the tent down to a managable amount.

The tarp is larger than the tent.

So I set up the tarp. Set up the tent under the tarp. Take down the tarp. Set up the tarp in our cooking/eating area.

This keeps the rain from getting the tent wet while it is being set up.

Why cringe? Tarps are great! Now just leave the tent at home and you're all set

[ChinMusic]

My first tent was double wall and didn't allow for setting up the fly first. The inside of the tent would be a swamp before I could get the fly over it.

I now use single-wall tents exclusively and don't have that problem.

I would NEVER recommend a double-wall tent that didn't allow for setting up the fly first or at least under the fly somehow.

[FamilyGuy]

If I had an extra $500 laying around, I'd seriously consider the Hilleberg Akto.

Here is a used one for $250:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-...hread_id=27899

[ShelterLeopard]

Wish, wish wish!!!!! I'd love it, but it has been spoken for, and I really need to hold onto my money for my thru. (Definitely looking for one when I get home though)