Eureka is a company with a history of service and dedication beginning way back in 1895. Since then, it has supplied Eureka tents for World War II troops and has housed several Mt. Everest expeditions years ago.
That being said…
The Timberline is Eureka’s first free-standing backpacking tent, and its history is just as impressive as the company’s.
The Timberline’s technical design and innovative textiles quickly became favorite tent among Eureka customers, and it has since been a trademark piece of gear for the Boy Scouts of America.
The Timberline is a double-walled backpacking tent with a sturdy aluminum frame. It is engineered to combat high winds and rain to ensure you stay comfortably sheltered in spring, summer, and fall.
In this Eureka Timberline backpacking tent review, we will take a look at how each feature of this tent might affect your camping experience.
Pros
- Easy to set up
- Sturdy A-frame structure
- Shock-absorbing eaves
- Ventilated rain fly
- Breathable inner body fabric
Cons
- Heavier than many 2-person tents
- Only one door
Things to Consider Before Buying a Backpacking Tent
- the timberline 3 season, 4 person backpacking tent helps you stay comfortable…
- with shock-corded eaves to increase stability and absorb wind stress, this tent…
- hooded front and rear flies and a rear window help maximize air flow and protect…
- the freestanding 5-pole a-frame sets up in minutes, with shock-corded poles,…
- two mesh gear pockets; loops for clothes line flashlight, and optional gear loft
Since you’ll be relying on a tent as your only shelter from the elements when backpacking, there are several important factors to consider before purchasing.
Worst case scenario…
…your tent falls over or lets water in. The things you need to take into account to avoid these problems are tent structure, stability, and weatherproofing.
Legendary A frame tent like the Timberline performs well in harsh conditions because they have a sturdy pole structure, and they shed rain almost instantaneously.
Another important factor is weight.
The Timberline is slightly heavy for a backpacking tent. Nonetheless, it is categorized as a lightweight tent and is even easier to carry split between multiple campers.
When shopping for your tent, keep an eye on its rating. Many backpacking tents are rated for three seasons, meaning spring, summer, and fall. If you plan on camping in freezing temperatures with snowfall, a 4-season tent is a must.
The last major factor to consider…
…is your purpose in using a backpacking tent. Beginner or low-intensity backpackers, do not need a tent with all the bells and whistles. A tent like the Timberline is perfect for this purpose.
However, more experienced and adventurous backpackers may need a tent with more ultralight and versatile features.
Features and Benefits
Pitching the Eureka Timberline Backpacking Tent
Setting up the Timberline is quick and easy for one person. You don’t have to thread the tent poles through pole sleeves or clip the tent to the poles every five inches like you do for a standard dome tent.
The Eureka Timberline has a total of five poles. Two poles at each end of the tent join together to make A-frames, and one pole connects the two structures across the top of the tent. The Timberline has a ring and pin system to attach the poles to the tent body at the corners.
Once the free-standing pole structure is complete, the tent body can be clipped onto it at two attachment points, one at the front and one at the back.
The full-coverage rainfly drapes over the tent and attaches at all four corners. Two small poles affix to the fly to create a small awning over each door. This rainfly design performs well in poor conditions because it allows you to keep the windows open in the rain without getting wet.
More: How to Find the Best Seam Sealer for Your Tent
Size and Spaciousness of the Timberline
The Eureka Timberline is a 4-person tent. Its exact measurements are 8′ 9″ x 7′ 2″, which equates to 63 square feet. The peak height is 4’10”. For frame of reference, this space is larger than a king-sized mattress, which measures 6′ 4″ x 6’8″.
A space this size provides enough room for four people to sleep comfortably with some room for gear near the foot of the tent. The Timberline 4 features two loops to provide more floor space where you can attach an optional gear loft (sold separately) to store your belongings.
There are two mesh pockets for small item storage. And, the ceiling loops can be used to hang a clothes line flashlight or other gears. Features like these increase the livability inside the tent and allow you to really get comfortable.
For extra gear storage, you can also add an attachable vestibule (sold separately) to the outside of the tent.
Weatherproofing and Ventilation: the Timberline has Both
This tent will keep you warm with it is double-walled, which provides good insulation. Even with the rainfly on, air can flow between the two layers and into the tent.
One large rear window and two mesh gear pockets on the tent walls are the main sources of Ventilation. The hooded rainfly that extends over each door allows you to keep the windows open to ventilate and dehumidify the tent.
The zippered door and windows on either side of the tent provide high/low Ventilation. This means you have both low and high vents to allow fresh air in and circulate the old air out through the higher vents.
Airflow is great, but too much airflow could mean that your tent is flapping in the wind. The Timberline is stabilized with shock-corded eaves, which means it sways less in the wind and is less likely to blow over while you are setting it up.
A shock-absorbing structure makes all the difference for getting a restful night’s sleep in windy conditions. I’ve lay awake in my dome-style tent while it flapped back and forth in a storm one too many times. An A-frame structure with shock-corded eaves that will brace the tent against forceful gusts is worth every penny.
More: Marmot Limelight vs Tungsten: Which is the Better Tent
What the Eureka Timberline Tents are Made of
The Eureka Timberline 4 is made of 75D polyester, durable,lightweight, and weather-resistant. The floor and rainfly are also made of 75D polyester with an additional 800-millimeter coating to improve water resistance. The frame of the Timberline is made of sturdy aluminum poles that are thick and lightweight.
In total, the Eureka Timberline 4 weighs 7 pounds 13 ounces. This is on the heavier end of the spectrum for backpacking tents, but it can easily be split between packs to lighten the load. The packed size of this tent is 7 x 24 inches.
| Feature Type | Feature Specs | What This Means |
|---|---|---|
| Tent Type | A-frame | This tent is free-standing and sturdy, even in the wind. |
| Size | four person tent | This tent has a maximum sleeping capacity of four people. |
| Raitng | three person tent | The Timberline is suitable to use in spring, summer, and fall. |
| Material | 75D polyester | This material is durable, lightweight, and water-resistant. |
| Weight | 7 pounds 13 ounces | The Timberline is on the heavier side for a backpacking tent, but lighter than many comparable tents. |
| Star Rating | Customers have been highly satisfied with this tent. |
Social Proof
The Eureka Timberline Backpacking Tent’s user reviews are possibly the best I’ve ever come across for any product on the internet. The customer satisfaction for this product is through the roof, and it is praised as a product that lasts through generations. We’ve included a few reviews, so you can see for yourself.
More: Full Review of the Marmot Halo 6 Person Tent
Alternatives
Eureka Timberline Backpacking Tent vs Eureka SQ Outfitter Tent
- Strong, weatherproof, and spacious, the Eureka! Timberline SQ Outfitter 4 sleeps…
- Eureka!’s proprietary SQ frame incorporates a mid-span spreader bar to increase…
- Lengthening the fly and extending the ends creates a pair of vestibule wings for…
- The generously-sized D-style door features a raised entry height at the fly…
- Stay cool on warm nights and drier on damp mornings thanks to the High/Low…
The Eureka Timberline and the Eureka SQ Outfitter Tent make for a pretty even match up. They are both A-frame tents with almost identical measurements, give or take an inch. However, the SQ Outfitter looks more like an A-frame/dome hybrid because it has thinner poles and more clips.
This is one benefit of the SQ Outfitter. Having three times the amount of clips as the Timberline, with an additional pole at the peak pulls the tent body out towards the frame. In turn, more interior space is created.
Although the SQ Outfitter uses featherlight poles, it is still heavier than the Timberline. The SQ Outfitter weighs 9 pounds 14 ounces, a whole two pounds more than the Timberline 4.
The Timberline Backpacking Tent has more mesh panels and windows than the SQ Outfitter. This allows the Timberline more Ventilation than the SQ Outfitter.
More: Tentsile Una Tree Tent Review
The Eureka Timberline and the Eureka SQ Outfitter serve slightly different purposes. The Eureka SQ Outfitter 4 Tent is a good option if you are impressed by the Timberline, but want more head and elbow room. However, keep in mind that this will cost you $200 more dollars from your wallet and two extra pounds in your pack.
Comparison:
- The SQ Outfitter has featherlight poles
- The Timberline is $200 less than the SQ Outfitter
- Both have full coverage rainflies
- Both have the same amount of space.
- The SQ Outfitter has more clips for added head space
Eureka Timberline Backpacking Tent vs Eureka Timberline SQ 4XT Tent
- Strong, weatherproof, and spacious, the Eureka! Timberline SQ Outfitter 4 sleeps…
- Eureka!’s proprietary SQ frame incorporates a mid-span spreader bar to increase…
- Lengthening the fly and extending the ends creates a pair of vestibule wings for…
- The generously-sized D-style door features a raised entry height at the fly…
- Stay cool on warm nights and drier on damp mornings thanks to the High/Low…
If you thought the Timberline and the SQ outfitter was a close match up, brace yourself because the SQ 4XT is and the SQ outfitter are even more similar. This is Eureka’s way of providing their customers with exactly what they want.
The Eureka Timberline SQ 4XT is highly comparable to the Timberline Backpacking Tent. If you’re looking for something slightly more advanced than the Timberline, the SQ 4XT is your tent.
Like the SQ Outfitter, the SQ 4XT is virtually identical to the Timberline in size and shape. The SQ 4XT has more clips that draw the tent out and create more interior space.
Where the SQ 4XT shines is in its ventilation features. This tent has large mesh panels on the sides of the tent that encourage a good amount of airflow. And, the SQ 4XT has two doors, which is a huge benefit. Especially if you have four people sleeping in the tent, it is nice to have two doors to make getting in and out easier for everyone.
The Eureka SQ 4XT tent is about $70 more expensive than the Timberline Backpacking Tent. This price reflects the added features that improve comfort and Ventilation.
Comparison:
- The SQ 4XT has more elbow and headroom
- Dimensions are the same on both tents
- The Timberline is 2 lbs lighter
- The SQ 4XT is $70 more than the Timberline
- The SQ 4XT has two doors
Eureka Timberline Backpacking Tent vs Kelty Grand Mesa Backpacking Tent
- Fully featured and refreshed for 2020, the reliable backpacking companion Grand…
- 2020 Updates: Kelty Quick Corners keep poles in place during setup, EZ-Zip…
- Dependable Materials: 2 compact folding, DAC pressfit aluminum poles, weather…
- Freestanding, Lightweight Design: Freestanding design allows for the tent to be…
- The Nitty Gritty: Overall size (in inches) 98×80, 54 square feet interior space,…
The Kelty Grand Mesa Backpacking Tent is comparable to the Eureka Timberline Backpacking Tent in many ways. Both are 4-person, 3-season backpacking tents, and they are comparable in price.
The major difference is that the Kelty Grand Mesa is a dome style tent instead of the A-frame style we see with the Timberline.
This dome-style tent will take slightly longer to set up than the Timberline, but it has less poles to carry. The thinner poles of the Grand Mesa are also more prone to swaying in the wind than the Timberline’s.
Beneficial features of the Kelty Grand Mesa include the included vestibule and the large mesh panels on all four sides of the tent body. In addition, the Grand Mesa weighs 6 pounds 13 ounces, which is a whole pound lighter than the Timberline.
More: Best 4 Person Tent Reviews and Buying Guide
Although the two tents are comparable, they serve different campers. We recommend the Kelty Grand Mesa for a more experienced backpacker who values a vestibule for gear storage. The Kelty may also be better suited for colder temperatures because of its zippered vestibule.
Comparison:
- The Timberline has more square footage
- The Grand Mesa is lighter
- The Timberline has an A-frame structure
- The Grand Mesa is less expensive
- Both tents have one door
Final Thoughts: Eureka Timberline Tents
The Eureka Timberline Backpacking Tent Review is a tried and true tent. The Timberline tent is engineered to be easy in all aspects.
Easy to carry, easy to set up, easy to enjoy.
Even more, the Timberline is made of tested good quality materials that you can rely on. This new tent is spacious inside with many attachment points for gear storage accessories., making it a great tent not only for outdoors but car camping as well!
This makes the Eureka Timberline tents great for casual backpackers or first-time explorers. With over a million Timberline Backpacking Tents sold and a history of customer satisfaction, Eureka is a brand you can trust.
Click here to check out the Eureka Timberline Backpacking Tent for yourself.
