So, I am looking to replace my old Coleman tent with something more durable... I am about a year (or less) from retirement and hope to do more traveling, fishing & hunting, and camping. Wondering what you tent hunters use and would recommend?
Here are some thoughts:
- 3 season, not a big winter camper
- Durable, years of use
- Solid floor for my dog (90lb lab)
- Solo set up
- 4 person seems the right size, I'll be camping solo or with another person at most
- Will take wet conditions for several days if necessary
- Will take wind - I've had several leveled in the past
- Standing room would be good
- Overhang or alcove for cooking etc. would be a plus
- Budget around $500 - $700 would be comfortable
- Not too worried about weight as this will not be a hiking tent, as long as it's manageable to set up
Really looking at canvas tents for durability, but open to other materials people have had good experiences with...
Thanks in advance for your recommendations,
Randy
Cabelas alaskan guide 6 or 8 man would be hard to beat for what you stated as wants, and as a tent you are not packing on your back. I've used the bigger ones, and own a 4 man... no standing room in the 4 man.
I have an alaknak from cabelas as well, nice headroom etc but setup much slower, the guide would be better for wind.
R
go to the Sportsmans Guide and check out the guide gear deluxe teepee tent 14x14 just for fun :archer:
For small canvas tents check out Kodiak Tents. I've had the 10X14 for a few years....easy set-up and solid quality.
I too replaced an old Coleman canvas tent.
I bird hunt with dogs a lot. I needed something fast to set up and reasonably fast to take down. Didn't want a roof top tent. I found Oztents. I purchased the 4 person tent. I am 6' and can stand up, there is room for dogs, the floor is super tough and the tent material is very tough. Literally 30 seconds to erect it once it's out of the zip bag. Then you pound a few stakes in, more if it's windy. It has a 5 footish overhang that you can put up if needed. I typically just tie that to my bed rack on the truck. My tailgate holds grill and other cooking stuff and it is covered by the overhang. The only thing that can be challenging is the tent in the bag is about 6' long. So it needs to be strapped to my bed rack. Not a big deal at all for me. But it's not something you toss in the back seat of a truck. Oztents have been tested to the max, they withstand wind, rain, snow, heat and are used extensively by the overlanding guys. Just finished my first season using it and am 100% happy with the purchase. There is plenty of YouTube videos on them. The pic is how I typically set it up when I'm bird hunting out of camp. If I was going to be driving to a spot, I'd just use the poles to support the overhang. It has multiple windows for ventilation. There is a window cutout just below where the overhang meets the tent. I usually leave that open as it really helps with condensation and provides decent fresh air if I use a buddy heater. They are a little over your set price range, but can be found in the 700$ range on some sites. Totally worth my money.
Kodiak canvas flex bow tent is hard to beat. I can set mine up in less than 15 minutes by myself
Kodiak 10x10 is what I have - best tent I've ever owned. Checks all your boxes.
X2 for Kodiak tents...
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Cabelas Alaskan served me well when I was traveling and hunting and angling.I had my Labrador and the tent never leaked in some severe weather and wqaa stable and solid in high winds.Fairly easy setup.
Check out Davis Tents here in Colorado. Just heard on the radio, they have several new models out this year. They have been in business for several years.
Another vote for the Kodiak Canvass flex bow tent. I have the 10x14
My choice is the Montana Canvas Spike Tent. Less than five minutes to set up or take down. Not sure what they go for now, I have been using this one since 1992. Plenty of room for two people with cots, all your gear, and a stove. Easily fits three people with cots without the stove, four if you squeeze a little. This model is the 10' x 10' with 2-foot walls. If I was to buy another one, it would be the 12' x 12' with 3-foot walls. Has a tarp that attaches over the door that goes out ten feet and is held up by poles, trees, or vehicles. Great for keeping your table and gear out of the weather or for shade.
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1999 Alaskan moose hunt
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I have a Springbar Vagabond, 8' x 10". Made in USA. Current cost looks like $899 includes shipping. Looks like they are also selling made in China tents of the same material and design for less. Nice solid floor, an awning. Pretty easy to set up with one person. BUT- you have to get the perimeter stakes in good and solid! Do that, and wind is not a problem.
Kodiak Canvas - Easy to set up, will last an extremely long time, handles high winds well, has a very durable floor for your dog.
Kodiak Canvas, spring bar I have a 10 x 10 . Easy 1 person set up :thumbsup:
Quote from: Ryan Rothhaar on February 24, 2023, 11:08:34 AM
Cabelas alaskan guide 6 or 8 man would be hard to beat for what you stated as wants, and as a tent you are not packing on your back. I've used the bigger ones, and own a 4 man... no standing room in the 4 man.
I have an alaknak from cabelas as well, nice headroom etc but setup much slower, the guide would be better for wind.
Ditto I used the 6 man for years still have it.
R
I have a mountain tent, 4 season. and think a teepee tent would be easy to setup, and meet most or all your requirements, although some have floors, some don"t. The last link offers a rating system. Take a look.
https://kifaru.net/product-category/shelters/
https://seekoutside.com/tipi-tents/
https://www.divein.com/outdoor/teepee-tent/
This is an Alaskan atuk. It's 8x8, one 7 foot pole in Center, sides tied out. This one has 18" walls but normally comes with 30" walls. No floor. I bough the floor in with fir boughs. Look into "snow trekkers ". They make different models. This one weighs 10-12 lbs rolls up the size of a bulky sleeping bag. It's good for me as it's only me and the dog. Few times a friend and myself went moose hunting. Or just winter camping. But not sure these are what your looking for...
I am also partial to canvas,using an old Blue Star with the thick rubber floor.Am also partial to tipi shaped as the can handle high winds.
Yes. Most wouldn't think pyramid shapes hold wind. But once the poke is up and the outside is anchored. Then 30" up the strings are tied out it's harder to knock it over no doubt. I had it up in some wind but usually try to hunker down where there's none. Just cause it moves the stovepipe a bit.
Here's another few
Not to hijack the thread , but for you guys with the Kodiak tents. Is it worth getting the deluxe? More interested in the extra vents in the eves than the extra storage, although extra storage would be nice too. Concerned about condensation in the basic model. Maybe it isn't an issue.
Extra ventilation is always appreciated if you're camping in real hot weather. That said, I stayed in my 10x10 std flexbow model +/- 220 days the first 3 years I owned it and only rarely wished for more ventilation.
Condensation is not an issue with Kodiak canvas as it breathes from the inside while waterproof from the outside. Their canvas is 5 star in my book.
Hey Mike, I think it's worth the extra money to go with the VX model. Especially if most of your camping is in SC because it's humid most of the year. I'm bringing the smallest tent that Kodiak makes on the hog hunt next week so you can check it out. I'm 6'3" and have plenty of room
That would be great. I'm hoping my old tent holds up if there's wind. Looking forward to next week myself.
Another vote for the Kodiak. Had mine two years now and love it. :thumbsup:
Great responses, thank you all!!
Follow up on canvas tents, should I go that route - what do you suggest for regular maintenance, do they require regular waterproofing of any sort?
Randy
I don't know a lot on it really. One of the other guys may be able to help you more. However, I have a 7oz sun forger canvas. Apparently weather resistance longer. I use mine mostly in the winter so it it's drier than if in the rain all the time. I am alone most times, so my tent is small. But it is easy to open and store. I drape mine over a 12 foot step ladder to air it or ensure it dries. So it's easy. A friend of mine has a large 12x16. He cut one trip short as he didn't have anywhere to dry the tent.
Quote from: Rando on February 28, 2023, 09:09:50 AM
Great responses, thank you all!!
Follow up on canvas tents, should I go that route - what do you suggest for regular maintenance, do they require regular waterproofing of any sort?
Randy
My Montana Canvas tent is not canvas (You can get it made out of canvas), it is a light weight material that is kind of a cross between a rip-stop nylon and canvas. It is about half the weight as canvas and needs waterproofed every ten years or so.
For me, picking out a tent is about like picking a canoe ;^)
First thing is to set down and make an HONEST evaluation list of what the primary usage will be for ...
Near the truck needs are a lot different than backpacking several miles in needs....Nothing could beat a nice canvas tent with woodburner and all the fixings for comfort.....but the thought of getting all that WAY BACK in the bush without mules is why they invented lightweight modern backpack tents;) You just have to be honest with what /how you will be camping and $ to be spent and go from there with your quest.....
I just picked up a used Grizzly tent 10x10 flexbow , because of all the recommendations on this post. Got it because I was afraid my old tent wouldn't hold up to much wind on an upcoming trip. Think I'm going to like the Grizzly and it will serve my needs for hunting, fishing perhaps an archery tournament or music Festival. It is heavy, and as Mr T used to say " I pity the mule who has to pack it in " :biglaugh:
When we first got ours we made sure and sat it up in the yard so we knew just what we needed to do ahead of time. Left it up for week to see how wind and rain worked on it. We had no surprises, and it worked great. I may have a stove pipe hole put in it as that seems to be the only thing missing.
Another Kodiak Canvas recommendation
For a number of years now, I have usee the REI Base Camp 6 for 3 season camping. I perfer an Dave Ellis Prairie Tent for the colder months.
Another positive vote for the Kodiak. 10x14 can fit a disco bunkbed cot and there's plenty of room for two guys as gear. 10x10 might even work better when it comes to finding a level spot easier. Mine has survived days of extreme winds without a hiccup. Heavy, yes but way more compact than a wall tent and lightning fast to setup by comparison.
Just got back from a hunt where a cold front blew through with winds in excess of 80 mph. Kodiak tent held up to these winds like a Champ! I rolled up the front awning and never looked back...I will own another Kodiak tent when it's time to buy again!
I really like thee Cabela's outback lodge 10' x 10'. It's not canvas but meets all your other requirements. It is sturdy, comfortable, and easy to set up for $300