A strong and sturdy 3-person dome tent perfect for entry-level campers. Check out our review of the Jack Wolfskin Eclipse III tent.
Jack Wolfskin Eclipse III tent review
- Simple, highly practical strong dome design
- Dual-entrance design
- Inner can be pitched separately
- Made from 100% PFC-free recycled materials
- Heavy at just under 5kg (stripped down)
- Inner tent dimensions: 225 x 180 x 120 cm
- Vestibule depth: 75 cm
- Packsize: 54 x 22 cm
- Weight: 5200 g (stripped down: 4960 g)
- Material: 100% polyester
Jack Wolfskin Eclipse Tent Review
Available in both 2-person and 3-person configurations, Jack Wolfskin’s Eclipse range offers fantastic entry-level tents perfect for summer camping.
Founded in 1981, German brand Jack Wolfskin has grown into one of the most successful outdoor companies globally. Whether it’s bikepacking, ski touring, camping, hiking or trekking – Jack Wolfskin has some of the best gear on the market.
The team were kind enough to send us an Eclipse III for testing in the summer months and test we have. We’ve used the 3-person tent almost exclusively on campsites around the country and only have great things to say.
Pitching the Eclipse III
Pitching the Eclipse III is a breeze. The tent uses a simple dome design – there’s no confusing geometric wizardry – for a highly practical construction.
The free-standing architecture requires minimal pegs and guylines – great for pitching on hard ground. In the warmer months, where there’s minimal wind and rain, the inner can be pitched without the flysheet for stargazing without the bug factor.
The tent is pitched inner-first, pegging out the inbuilt ground sheet and securing the two main poles. The flysheet is then attached to the top, buckled at each of the four corners and pegged down to create tension in the canvas. An additional pole runs through the flysheet to provide the structure of the two vestibules.
Outside the Eclipse III
Once pitched, stand back and admire the handsome dome of the Ginkgo Green Eclipse III.
You’ll notice that there are two entrances to the tent, found on opposite sides of the canvas. Each offers a vestibule and a small window, making it super easy to ventilate the tent. When the doors are closed, a pair of air vents in the roof allow the flow of fresh air. When not in use, zip these away to retain warm air in the colder months.
Four guylines are used to give the dome its structure and keep the flysheet away from the inner. These use Jack Wolfskin’s unique tensioners that we’ve found to work well in testing conditions.
Inside the Eclipse III
Open the doors of the Eclipse and you’ll find a pair of vestibules, one on either side of the tent. Use these to store rucksacks, cooking equipment and other camping essentials for your trip.
Alternatively, we’ve found the Eclipse III to boast plenty of room inside the living space for gear storage. On particularly wet nights, rucksacks can be neatly stored between occupants in the large central area. It’s one of the benefits of choosing a 3-person tent for just two users.
For dedicated storage, there are four internal pockets, one on each corner, for stashing small items. These work well for storing easy-access items, but lack organisation for longer, gear-heavy trips. A central lantern mounting point is a welcome addition to the inner.
Materials and sustainability
The Eclipse range is made from 100% PFC-free, recycled polyester in the outer, inner and floor. There are no nanoparticles, no PVC and absolutely no fur or angora wool in any Jack Wolfskin product.
The brand is committed to creating sustainable products that you can rely on. Gear from the brand is made to last – lengthening the lifecycle of each product. For those unavoidable accidents (rips and tears) there’s a repair not replace service in service in Germany and Austria. It’s exactly what you’d hope for from a proper outdoor brand.
Overall verdict
The Jack Wolfskin Eclipse II and Eclipse III are fantastic entry-level tents for summer camping trips.
We’ve had the pleasure of testing the Eclipse in some of the heaviest, campsite flooding rain of the summer. There may have been thunderstorms outside of the canvas, but inside remained bone dry.
Dome-shaped tents are known to perform worse in high winds, but the strong, thick poles of the Eclipse provide confidence in the worst of weather. Just three poles are used to pitch the tent and create a reliable design that’s perfect for anything the British weather throws at it.
The III, as pictured, is our pick of the two and offers a little bit more room than the 2-person. If you’re car camping (and not carrying the tent for overnight trips), the additional room is worth the extra weight and slightly larger packsize.
FAQ: Jack Wolfskin Eclipse III tent
Have a question about the Jack Wolfskin Eclipse III Tent? Check out the FAQ below where we aim to answer all questions about the 3-person tent.
Although the Eclipse range is a fantastic entry-level tent, the 2-person design is unlikely to be a good candidate for backpacking. The weight and packsize are both a little too large for those lightweight adventures.
The main benefit of the Eclipse range is the strength, quality and simplicity of the design. For more comfort when car camping, we would recommend the Eclipse III over the Eclipse II for two occupants.
The Jack Wolfskin Eclipse III tent has two doors, located at opposite sides of the canvas. A pair of vestibules – great for gear storage – lead to the openings.
The Jack Wolfskin Eclipse III is offered in just one colour – the handsome Ginkgo Green (pictured).
The Jack Wolfskin Eclipse III is waterproof with a 4,000mm hydrostatic head (HH) for the flysheet and 10,000mm HH for the floor.
Still have a question about the Eclipse range? Reach out to us via email or on socials for tailored gear advice and problem-solving.