Best Tents for Hiking Appalachian Trail: Marmot vs Eureka Tents

by Tim
(Alabama)

This past year I took a year off of school to go hike the Appalachian Trail, which goes from Georgia to Maine, with a friend.

We had very little knowledge of camping gear and initially left home with a Marmot Limelight two-person tent.

The tent had three poles and was not too roomy. It was lightweight which was a plus. This tent lasted through constant rain and rough terrain for about three months.

This tent eventually fell apart due to strong winds in New Hampshire through the White Mountains.

The poles snapped and ripped holes in the tent to where it was no longer usable.

We then went into town and pick up a new tent.

The second tent we bought was a Eureka! Zeus Two-person tent.

This is a tent that I would recommend to anyone.

It was a two-person but could pass for a three-person tent. The tent itself was a little heavier than our old tent but the extra room in the tent made up for that.

The rain guard that came with the tent was very waterproof and we found ourselves sleeping in puddles of water less. The tent itself is very durable not to mention it is a stylish green color with an exclamation mark which made it unique from all of the other tents that you would see.

The two poles it came with are sturdy and did not break, not to mention you can set the whole tent up in about 5 minutes.

The tent lasted the rest of our hike and we still use it for smaller camping adventures today.

I hope this information helps. Thank you.

My Favorite Camping Tents - Eureka Zeus for Backpacking, Greatland Family Dome Tent & Coleman Trailblazer

by Elise
(Bozeman, Montana)

I do love to camp, but my favorite camping tent depends on the camping experience.

For example, if I am backpacking, I prefer my "2-man" Eureka Zeus EXO. It says it's a 2-man tent, but it only comfortably fits one.

I love it for backpacking because it's a high-quality tent that is lightweight and easy to set up and take down.

This tent is water tight and has a nice vestibule. It is, however, small. If you camp with someone, you better really like them because you're going to be CLOSE to them.

When my son and I camp, if it's nice weather and I don't have a long distance to carry my gear from my car to my campsite, then I like to take my Greatland Family Dome Tent.

This tent says it's a 5 to 6 person tent, but my son and I love it because that provides so much room for us. We take our cots and enjoy the spacious interior.

It doesn't do so well if there is a lot of rain or if it's chilly though.

It really is only a 3-season tent, but in the summer, nothing can beat it. In fall to spring weather that will be mild to cold, I use my Coleman 3-Person Trailblazer.

This tent is a water-proof 4-season tent. It has a large vestibule and is very easy to set up.

If the weather is at all questionable, this is the tent to use.

It keeps you dry and provides a little extra insulation in colder weather. The large vestibule is really nice. I set my camp chair inside when I go to bed and it keeps the dew off of it and doesn't take up any tent room.

This tent is really my favorite and 2 people can sleep in it very comfortably.