Hey Gang,
I was wanting some recomendations on tents. I am looking for a multi season tent that that my family and i can use up here in AK and everywhere we travel in the spring and summer camping and then into hunting season. I want something that is water-proof and can stand up to the nasty weather that AK has to offer and that I can stand up in (im 6'1") of at least almost stand up in. I know there are some super expensive tents out their and I dont want to spend a fortune, but i do want a quality tent that can be used a lot and last.
We have had only cheap tents and keep getting wet while camping. Ease of setup is a factor as well because it seems that we set up in the dark a lot. weight isnt a huge factor but if its lighter and more compact it would fit in the boat better.
Any suggestions would be appreciated and any other advise on what to get would be great. If you have a tent you recommend id love to see a pic if you have one.
thanks
Fin
P.S. just a side thought, does it mean you are hopelessly addicted to Trad when you start selling guns to pay for Trad gear you need? :)
What is your budget? Cause a fortune for you might be just the right price for an other! I would look at Hillberg, they are great tents that would last a long time!! I use to have a Arctic Oven, made in Alaska, they are great tent, but a bit heavy and bulky, but you can use a wood stove in them and they are well made! That said, I sold it to buy a an Expedition Short Wall from Snow Trekker Tent, and it is a great tent so far! it won't do really well in down poor, unless you put a tarp over it, since it is canvas, but again, you can use a wood stove in it and it is really light for a wall tent,at 27 lbs with the frame!! I'm in the Yukon, where it is quite a bit dryer, but I won't leave with out that tent other than for the month of june and july.
Good luck with your quest!
Yep, your addicted.
Spend the money and get a Barneys Bombshelter. Best tent for this state......period. You see them pop up used once in a while but not often. Grab one if you get the chance.
Bill, that tent look a lot like a "summer" version of an Arctic Oven...
It must be Bomb proof!!!
thanks guys, i dont really have a budget yet because i didnt really know what you have to spend to get a quality tent.
Check out Kodiak Canvas tents, they are pretty nice.
Davis Tent.
I'll second Davis tents .. I've had mine for 20+ years and you would never know it. It's up a least 3-4 times per year for hunts of 4-12 days each. Great tents!!!
HAve look into Seek outside tents, people are just saying good things bout them, and they are cheeper price wise than Kifaru!
It's hard to beat a good walltent camp !
(http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/biglou101/IMG_0357.jpg)
I agree on the wall tent. Just something about the feeling of being in a good canvas tent with wood stove puffing.
Wall tent...go with the Davis tents. If that's not your cup of tea, do an internet search and look at the Springbar tents. I'm in the same boat you are and I've got it down to one of these two. Just need to figure out which one fits my needs the best.
i would highly recomened a wall tent. you need to talk to "Whip" hes the tent guy here on the gang. we have hunted elk in Colorado for years and two years ago switched from a dome tent to a wall tent. my dad had a wall tent years ago when they hunted and hated the dome style tent we were using, and after getting the new 12x15 cylinder stove wall tent Wow its great. much homeyer roomy and sturdy. good luck in your search. youll love a good wall tent
Check out Kifaru tipi's, I have the Sawtooth and it's the cat's meow, YOU could jump up and down in it, it takes a wood stove that you could also cook off of and both the Sawtooth and the stove weigh less than 10 lbs. They are used a lot in winter climates and are built to last yet weigh next to nothing, which could really take you off the beaten path. They make all different sizes of tipi's and stoves, but I must warn you, you can become addicted to their equipment because it just makes so much sense.
Good luck.
P.S. How about a nice picture,
(http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h477/njloco/IMG_1589.jpg)
I have a few types of tents and for the ruff weather of AK I would suggetst a wall tent(used them in the corps in all types of weather)they are tuff. I also found a 4 man Coleman water tight tent at a consignment shop for $20.00 new and its the cats meow for wet weather, the bottom is 100% waterproof and it comes up all around the sides of the tent 10".
thanks guys.
I love wall tents too and have hunted out of them in Montana my whole life, but its a little too much for weekend camping or fishing trips when its just me and the wife and boy, i think. i would work good for hunting, but again i could be hunting from the road system, or from the boat, or fly somewhere etc. I really like the kifaru look great and they are light even with light stoves. i like that idea but there is not floor which i am fine with but again my wife and little guy will be using it too, so then you need cots or something, maybe? do those that have them find it a negative to not have a floor?
You can always get a poly tarp a little bigger than the tent and use it as a floor.
This is a Soulpad canvas and completely waterproof
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q291/bjornweb/SoulPadTent.jpg)
Sewn in floor it is 13' diameter and great for 2-3 plus gear
just another option:
http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=105483;p=1#000000
After campong in floorless tents i'd never go back to one with a floor. I sleep on a Big Agnes Air Core sleeping pad and stay plenty comfy.
For 3 of you a kifaru or seekoutside tipt in a 6 man size would be perfect. While. Udget is a consideration for sure, think about how much you would spend on a few cheaper tents that dont cut it. It adds up to a one time investment in a quality tent that will last and keep you dry. The tipis are ery wind resistant and you can get a liner and woodstove for them.
Spring bar works fours here in NV and northern CA
I spent 17 days up the Mulchatna a few years ago. We had 3 adults and a 12 year old in a Cabelas Alaskan dome tent. I think it was a 6 man tent with a vestable and blue poly tarp for floor cover. It rained quite a bit and we stayed dry, the vestable made alot of difference. We could get out of rain gear and wet shoes, with enough room for our packs without bringing wet gear in sleeping quarters. I am 6'3" and I had enough head room. I would up grade the fiberglass poles for the metal ones. The last night the wind blew about 50 or 60 mph and we broke a couple of fiberglass poles. I wouldn't hesitate at all about taking one of those tents again. We were very comfortable.
I just picked up a Cabelas alaskan dome tent in the "bargain cave". It was an 8 man which is bigger than I need but the price was right. I was able to set it up by myself and was impressed with how rugged it was. I have yet to put it to the test but it is twice the tent I replaced from Bean and that tent kept me dry for 12 years of camping.