Eureka Midori 6 Review
Our Verdict
Our Analysis and Test Results
Performance Comparison
Comfort
The Midori 6 stands about 6 feet tall inside, which makes it comfortable for most campers to stand up inside. However, it's dome style (two crossed poles) means it tapers quickly from the maximum height in the middle, so this tent does not provide the same quality hang out space as our award winner, the REI Kingdom 6 or the Nemo Wagontop 6.
The Midori has a relatively generous vestibule that is indeed easy to tension, as advertised by their V3 venting system designed with a vertical strut (short section of pole) at the base (or nose) of the vestibule. The second, back door also provides ease of access for all six campers sleeping inside.
If you are actually maxed out, with six campers sleeping in the Midori, the inner storage pockets might seem a bit small or sparse. However, the mesh gear loft provides extra space (though at the expense of head room), and also provides an area to throw a headlamp or flashlight for some tent ambiance lighting.
Weather Resistance
The vestibule and V3 venting design helps improve this tent's weather resistance by pulling the fly away from the tent if you stake out the corners and the walls of the fly. But overall it was not our favorite tent for the rain. The inner tent is largely constructed of mesh, great for ventilation, but in driving rain the fly will stick to the mesh and it will be difficult to keep rain or condensation from dripping inside the tent. Higher sidewalls on the inner tent (instead of mesh), or a more generously designed fly, would improve weather resistance.
Ease of Set Up
This is a simple, two-pole tent that is straightforward and easy to set up. The only glitch in the setup process involves clipping the tent to the poles. Most of the attachment points are simple clips that clamp easily onto the tent poles; however, the top attachment has a hook-and-loop style attachment which often demands two hands to thread it up and over the two crossing poles. This is best to do while the tent is flat on the ground, before you tension and stand the poles up.
Workmanship
The Midori 6 will be sufficient for most car camping and light backpacking uses. It is not the most rugged tent we tested, but it is simple and we had no issues with durability or product quality. For the best illustration of quality workmanship, check out the Marmot Limestone 6, perhaps the most well-crafted and long-lasting tent in the review. The difference in workmanship can be observed in the thoughtful paneling of mesh vs. solid tent fabric, the taut fly, rugged materials, and strong stitching. The cost, however, is several more pounds and a little more bulk.
Packed Size
The Midori 6 is by far the lightest tent in this review. As such, it packs into a smaller stuff sack and is easier to pack in a vehicle crammed with five of your best friends for a weekend camping getaway. It does not have a carrying strap or handle, but it is small and light enough to be carried under an arm. This is the only tent in the review that we might consider bringing on a short summer backpacking trip for a large group or family.
Best Applications
This is an excellent tent for light and infrequent use. It is easy to fit into a car jam-packed with five of your best friends, or an excellent choice for a summer family camping trip in fair weather. As our lightest tent in the review, it can even be carried in with a large group for a short backpacking trip.
Overall, this is a great starter tent that won't break the bank. If you're not sure you're going to be doing a lot of camping, and you don't want to spend a lot of money on a large family-and-friends size camping tent, this will provide plenty of fun and adequate comfort, and you can save your cash for other things that matter, like bicycles, beer, or gas money.
Value
The Midori 6 is a very affordable tent, and a great starter tent for anyone unsure if they're going to end up camping a lot. It is not the most durable or most weather resistant, but it'll suit most uses without breaking the bank.
Conclusion
The Eureka Midor 6 is a decent tent that was largely out-competed in this review. It had no major issues, but a few details in important categories forced it to fall behind the curve. It is simple and adequate, however, for most moderate-intensity uses.