The mesh is only on the large doors front and back, and the small hooded vents in the front corners. Both the doors and the corner vents have zip-up covers. In the picture of the tent without the fly the door panel is unzipped and rolled up at the floor. The rest of the upper portion of the tent body is breathable nylon - not mesh. The dark area you see inside the tent on the far side is a large mesh pocket - there's one on each side.
On the Eureka Assault web page, click on the "Floor Plan" link just above the specification list. The light grey areas are the mesh doors and vents - again, both have zip-up nylon covers (I can't recall if the inner doors are waterproof nylon or are breathable nylon - I think its breathable). The dark areas are breathable nylon. The dotted areas are the floorless vestibules that are part of the fly.
Eureka stopped selling the 2-person version, but you may still find some out there. I recommend the 4-person version anyway.
You have to slide the poles through cloth sleeves, old style. I suppose the advantage is that it's stronger than clips. Disadvantage is more of a pain taking the tent down, trying to slide the poles out without them coming apart while in the sleeves. I can live with that. On my larger 9 x 9 x 6 cheapo tent, the sleeves are starting to wear out. Can't replace sleeves like you can clips (I think). I noticed a lot of the North Face tents still have sleeves. Everyone else seems to have gone mostly to clips.
Another chink I picked up from a review, and obvious from the pics when I think about it, is that the doors unzip from the top and lay on the ground. Easy for them to get stepped on. Could damage the mesh. I think side zip doors would be better.
Last is that same reviewer that mentioned the doors said water can collect on the top where the three poles make a triangle. Material can sag and collect water. Have to push it off from the inside.
Still looks like a great size and tough tent and I'm seriously considering it. Just looking for any issues. Happy to hear alternative views on the issues above.
This looks like a winner for a large base camp tent for family, or for myself in total comfort. I’m 6’ 2" so the 6’ 7" center is great. Also has the covers on the mesh.
Mesh covers I know, this is probably a hold over from my owning a 22 y. o. and 15 y. o. cheapo tents. I’ve never experienced the full rain fly, close fitting, down to the ground. If I tried one at 40 F and windy, I might find it’s fine. I know, wanting the panels cuts down on my options. I don’t like a breeze though, if that were to occur.
Would use the tent for 40 F nights often, occasionally approaching 30F, fall in the Sierras. Just a maybe, but might try winter in the foothills, which would be down to 30F. Wouldn’t camp if the weather called for lower. Heck, I was kayaking yesterday, lake in the foothills, 35 F, blowing rain by 4 PM, but didn’t want to go home. It’s just so awesome out there when no one’s around. Not even any fishermen out yesterday. Never hot and humid here, compared to East Coast. I’ve never felt too hot in the cheapo tents. It’s just that they’re not so water tight.
The Hammerhead is supposed to vent very well, with huge mesh areas. It’s just that there’s zipped panels over them in case I want to close it up. I don’t see a down side, given the HH and Eureka Assault meet my needs and have the covers.
Thanks for the other recommendations on models, too. I still have to look up one or two. Yeah, the Bedouin caught my eye. If I decided to go bigger, and ok with no panels over the mesh, this would be a good one. Though, below now, SuperTroll pointed out the Eureka Equinox, slightly bigger and with panels.
I’d love to try one. In a bed, I like to sleep on my side. If cradled like that, on my back might be good. Would be a few apps, like open field at a fair ground, or with family, or possibly not allowed to string a hammock to the trees, where I would still want one tent.
This might be a pipe dream, but when paddling lakes in the Sierras, sometimes I think, man, instead of going back to base camp, I’d just like to pull over for the night, walk into the Doug Fir woods, albeit heavy underbrush, curl up for the night, then continue the next day. No frills. A sleeping back, cold food, and shelter. A hammock might work good for that. First I should pull over and actually walk into the woods and see what it’s like :-).
I bought one in 2005 when I took a road trip in my then-topperless truck and the very old tent I had brought with me sprung some leaks. I managed to find a Hammerhead 2 on sale in the area (near Bend, OR) and bought that. But I only used it for 4 or 5 nights on that trip. My truck topper arrived soon after I got home, and the Hammerhead is too bulky for me to use in kayak camping (I have a single-person tent for that purpose).
It is a terrific car-camping tent, or for two backpackers who will split their load among them. I love the huge ventilating yet covered panel, and it is a much warmer tent than any I have owned. I specifically chose it because I too wanted full fabric covers that could be rolled or removed, over the mesh parts. I had spent too many cold or dust-ridden nights in the damned mostly-mesh tents manufacturers have been pushing for the last few years. If you use one of those mesh-ridden tents in the desert, BEWARE, you'll get dust all over everything inside with anything more than a slight breeze.
I have been dithering over whether to sell the Hammerhead 2 because I don't really need it, yet it's such a nice tent I am reluctant to do so. For one person, there is LOTS of room, and it has two vestibules, a handy thing even when you're alone. It got poured on overnight in WA yet there was no condensation inside, and not a drop got in from outside. Very nice having a real double-wall tent, yet with the option to vent a huge portion of it.
I use a Eureka Alpine Meadows 4 for base camping solo or with a dog. Plenty of room for my cot, table, chair and gear. It’s like a Timberline (A frame) but with a center hoop that pulls out the walls for more usable space. I can just about stand in it. It has weathered many a stormy nite without fail. No vestibule though.
Yup, it has pole sleeves. I too think it is because in extreme conditions the sleeves are much stronger than the clips. The seams on the sleeves are sewn such that they don't catch, and sliding the poles in is pretty easy. Since the sleeves are lightweight mesh, I can usually pull the poles out without them coming undone as long as I'm careful.
The door does unzips down, but it falls on the inside of the tent, not the outside. It is easy to roll it or scrunch it and use the provided "holders" to keep it out of the way. To be honest I can't remember if the holders are velcro tabs or elastic turnbuckles - either way works.
The door on the front vestibule is fastened on the left side (facing the tent) so I tent to flip it over to the side rather than roll it up. The rear vestibule door zips up the middle - like the older tents.
Yeah, I remember reading that somewhere too. I've used my Assault when it was pouring outside and I had no problem with water accumulation.
My only frustration is that when exiting the tent with the front vestibule closed, it is quite a reach to grab the zipper tab at the right front bottom (facing the tent). I've thought about tying a 2 foot piece of cord to the zipper pull to make it easier.
hammock I tried my hammock in the backyard before I was adventurous enough to take it on a trip. While packing for a solo 3-day kayak trip I realized my tent was taking up too much room, so I opted to leave it behind. I was nervous about just having the hammock, but it worked out very well. Lying on the diagonal I was able to sleep on my side, or back and found it very comfortable. You really need a good sleeping hammock, though, not just any hammock. I have not tried the others, but I love my Hennessy. You can use just about any hammock for your gear if you want to keep it off the ground and you can even make your own. Directions to make your own can be found here:
Hammocks in winter That Hennessey is far and away the most refined hammock available, but the bottom entry precludes using a full length thermarest. One’s legs slip through the slot with the pad. Clark and Crazy Ck are warmer off-season for that reason.
Good advice, thanks. I’ll try that. I need tent tips like that.
One of my tents is a Sears Hillary family dome tent, 9’ x 9’ x ~ 6’with a rain fly that just comes about half way down the tent. It’s about 12 years old, still in good shape. Last fall I took it camping up in Washington. It rained like a dog one night. I’d done a stupid stupid thing. I left the plastic ground tarp out a couple inches past the edge of the tent. Rain ran down the side of the tent, onto the tarp, under the tent, and through the floor. Luckily I was on a plastic thermarest type matt, and it was just me. Edges of sleeping bag, pillow, etc., got wet though. Also water came through the walls some where stuff was touching. I know not to let stuff touch the walls, but still it happens.
The spray and tape should help with that for sure. I want to get tents with rain fly’s all the way to the ground, too, though. The other thing I’ve read about just recently is you can put a tarp on the floor inside the tent as a vapor barrier, in a pinch. I wish I’d known about that on my Washington trip. Of course if I hadn’t left the ground tarp sticking out, that alone probably would have been enough.
My other tent is a Golden Bear dome tent, 6’ 6" x 4’ x ~ 3’ 6" H, for back packing. I bought it for $40 I think, in 1983. Used it last year, too, not for back packing. It’s too small for me, and has some little ~ 1/6" holes now at the edges of the floor. I suppose I could tape the little holes to extend the life, as an extra fair weather tent.
I figure the family tent will still work for awhile. I want to get a good “4 man”, actual 2 man tent for me and occasionally me and one other person. Maybe later replace the family tent, too.
Big Agnes Seedhouse 1 SL Just bought one - only $199 thru Campmor. Just 2 lbs 13 oz. complete. 22 square feet with a 5 sq ft vestibule. Very highly rated. This replaces my 25+ yr. old Eureka Timberline. Next comes an ultralight (1 lb. 3 oz.) sleeping bag and I’m off to the races!
I’m going a week long paddle and hike in trail maintenance volunteer vacation in BWCA in August and I really look forward to going light.
Hub Problems I have a similar Eureka and I had problems with the plastic hub failing in the peak. I went through two of them and the tent was nearly new. Both times far from civilization. Thank goodness for duct tape.
I finally had a machinist mill me one out of block aluminum. Problem solved.
Something to consider if this version has a plastic hub in the peak.
Springbar When I’m car camping, I’m looking for comfort. I use a Timbeline 2 when canoe camping, but for car camping, I like to be comfortable - cot, table, chair, and I insist on being able to stand up to dress. So I got a Springbar tent - canvas and bulletproof. Easy to set up and it has withstood drenching rain and hail.
Thanks everyone! I almost said this in my OP. It’s even more clear now. Like with boats, there are a lot of good tents and a lot of good tent manufacturers. Choosing the right one has to do with your needs and preferences. Even then, there’s a number of makes and models for which you can’t go too wrong.
I realize my specs in my OP implied either a contradiction; car camping vs kayak camping; or a compromise. Some of your comments have helped me face that. Do I want a mini light for kayak camping or a hotel room tent for base camp, or both, or a compromise.
I’m still gonna go with the compromise. Two reasons. 1. I anticipate sharing a campsite with other kayakers a number of times next summer. That means I might not get the 12’ x 12’ spot. Being base camp though, I don’t want to spend the weekend in a mini either. 2. I have a old cheapo mini, and a cheapo hotel room, and my daughter has a new mini light (which I paid for actually) which I could borrow (when she’s not with me, and not otherwise using it.)
I’m gonna arrange to set up the HH3 at RIE, crawl inside and try it out for size. If it seems big enough, and I otherwise like it, then I’m done. If not big enough, I’m gonna think seriously about the assault outfitter. Maybe it’s the Marines appeal?
I can add a nice mini or hammock or family hotel room later if necessary.
Thanks again. I’ve really valued the conversations, and have a lot better feel for what’s out there now.
confirmed hammocker I too made the switch to using a Hennessy, 4 years ago. And I’ll never go back to ground sleeping. I solo bushwhack and never have any trouble fiinding a couple of trees with the right spacing. No need to worry about ground conditions underneath. Much easier than searching for a tiny flat piece of dry ground for even a small solo tent in the Adirondack backcountry. I sleep on my side nearly perfectly flat very comfortably.
I don’t find the Hennessy bottom entry is a problem with it opening at all. Just be sure to match the velcro closure together. Since the hammock is cut so that you sleep on a diagonal, there should be little weight on the opening slit.
The biggest problem with a hammock is using an insulating pad beneath you, which is necessary for all but the warmest nights. If you simply try to lay on top, the whole pad wants to “squirt” out and ends up on top of you rather than staying underneath. Solve that in one of 2 ways… either buy or make (fold over and sew a bedsheet together) a loose fitting overbag for your sleeping bag and pad to fit into. The other way is to use a Big Agnes type of sleeping bag with a built in bottom sleeve to hold the pad in place. Either method works great. You’ll not want to go back to ground again.
Decision - Hammerhead 2 I decided to go with the Hammerhead 2. I saw the package size for the HH3 and decided it would take up too much room in a yak. Even though it’s mostly for base camping, I decided I want it to double as a kayak camping tent, too. Specs wise, the HH2 isn’t any bigger than most of the stand alone 2 person tents.
Later I can go for a bigger family size tent, for a bigger base camp tent, if I decide I need to replace the old cheapo one I have now (after I try seam seal and camp dry spray on it.)