Review on Eureka! X-Loft Three-Season Camping Tent: Unmatched Performance and Durability by Stanley Molden

First of all it looks like a tent designed by a team of people who actually use tents. Everything was intuitive and there were thoughtful extras (like mesh pockets, attachment points, etc.) that were exactly where I wanted them.-=ASSEMBLY=-The tent comes in a bag that is divided into two parts. zip compartments. Each compartment has a pocket - one with stakes and the other with stakes (reinforced). The tent is in the pole compartment and the raincoat is in the pole compartment. The instructions are printed on weatherproof paper and attached to the inside of the bag. I still recommend taking a picture of the instructions and saving it on your phone. Setting up the tent took less than ten minutes the first time for seasoned campers, but it's definitely a job for two. Unlike the rain shelter, there is no front or back, so all you have to do is unfold the four corners, insert the first two poles, and then the cross-shaped blue support post. We took it apart and laid everything out, but it also took less than ten minutes to use it the first time. There is a pointed vestibule for the back and a slanted vestibule with double zipper for the front. Guylines worked great and placement was intuitive. The height of the tent and the size of the raincoat mean that it is useful if at least one of the people gathering is tall enough. Also, it would be difficult to put it on in heavy rain and wind just because it would turn into a sail.-=UTILITY=-X-Loft LARGE. For backcountry camping, even with large lobbies, I think it might be a bit cramped for four people with gear, but there will be plenty of room for three people and their backpacks. Since it is more of a car camping tent, four people of average height can sleep in the X-Loft. Ventilation. That's important, because even in the spring with a raincoat, it quickly got very warm. You can also roll up the front door and tie it with the attached latches for even better ventilation. There are handy mesh and fabric pockets in various places, and the tent also has a large organizer that can be hung on either side. . There is also a hook for a flashlight in the middle of the roof. Depending on your needs, the tent is light enough for *occasional* rural use when traveling short distances. If it's close enough to bring a cooler, you can also take the X-Loft. -= DURABILITY and CONSTRUCTION = - There is always a trade-off between durability and weight. At just 10 pounds, the X-Loft feels as light as can be. Consequently, the floor seems to be as thin as I would consider safe for a tent. I would recommend floorcloth. Likewise, the insect screen that makes up the walls seems to tear easily, again likely a compromise for weight. With those caveats, this is a well thought out design with good materials. If you are traveling with children or unwary people I would advise not to stress the tent too much and it should do the job well. -= DISMANTLING= - I timed it and it took us less than 13 minutes to completely set up the tent. tent and raincoat and packed them in a bag (which, believe it or not, actually contained everything when we packed it back). The organization in the bag is excellent. My only suggestion is that you might want to bring some guy line ties to make unpacking easier next time. -= CONCLUSION = - The X-Loft design is excellent, with easy assembly, disassembly and storage as well as great utility. The only compromise it makes is that the fabric is very thin, which can lead to damage over time. This giant tent is a great choice for backyard camping with kids, car camping, or short nature trips. I recommend using a rag with it and bringing a bunch of patches for your gear.