Tents

kk44 · #1 08-16-2022, 07:49 AM

Hey guys,

Looking for input on cabelas hunting tents, mostly the Araknak, but modern versions none the less. Anything I can find says the quality isn’t what it used to be, just wondering if anyone on here has one and can shed some light on these claims or give me your opinion on it.

Aside from the Cabelas outfitter series, can anyone recommend other ones? Will need to be a 6 man, so I have been looking in the 12’x20’ range or larger, this is where the Araknak fits in perfect. It seems anything other than the Cabelas series has a huge jump in price so I’m hoping to get some hands on input on the matter.

Any info will be greatly appreciated.

Hilgy · #2 08-16-2022, 08:26 AM

The biggest thing I’ve heard about that style tent is bad condensation. I’ve never been in one to see it for myself though.

alder · #3 08-16-2022, 09:38 AM

Get a canvas wall tent. With that many guys you’ll be a lot happier. It will be like your own cabin in the woods.

marky_mark · #4 08-16-2022, 10:07 AM

I’d get the big stone glacier tent or an Arctic oven

rammer · #5 08-16-2022, 10:19 AM

I have the 12x12 Alaknak. Condensation hasn't been an issue both with and without a stove going. Lots of ventilation and there are side windows that can be opened during the day to air it out (or at night). With the stove it seems to bottle heat on cold hunts as well.
I switched from a canvas wall tent. Having a floor built in is nice especially when spiders etc. are bad in bow season.
They do seem to go on sale at Cabelas once or twice a year.

spirit4u · #6 08-16-2022, 11:06 AM

My sister is selling her grizzly outfitter tent 12x14. has a stove hole and back window. Only had it one year set up in the summer for guests. $1200.

Stinky Buffalo · #7 08-16-2022, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kk44

Anything I can find says the quality isn’t what it used to be, just wondering if anyone on here has one and can shed some light on these claims or give me your opinion on it.

Am interested in feedback on this as well. I held off on buying one over the past couple of years because the more recent reviews seem to indicate that the current models aren't of the same quality of the older ones.

Perchfisher · #8 08-16-2022, 03:55 PM

Check hunting gear in buy and sell.

Grizzly Adams1 · #9 08-16-2022, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hilgy

The biggest thing I’ve heard about that style tent is bad condensation. I’ve never been in one to see it for myself though.

Any unheated tent will have condensation issues in cold weather.

Grizz

kk44 · #10 08-16-2022, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grizzly Adams1

Any unheated tent will have condensation issues in cold weather.

Grizz

I agree. We plan to use this in whatever environment we get thrown at us so the issue is just shuffling through all of the reviews to see what will hold up any more. Whether it’s included or not, we plan to have a stove for heating and cooking, so the tent needs to be compatible.

All of the comments on here have been great, it’s great to get some honest reviews!

mrcrossbow · #11 08-16-2022, 08:51 PM

My friend just got one and used it last week, high winds did a number on it. half the tent collapsed, he also had a old canvas outfitter tent i believe 10x16 that held up just fine that was pitched about 20 feet away. i came up in the morning and saw the after math , i was surprised figured it would held up better in the wind. but then again not my tent and i didnt set it up. maybe he did something wrong, unlikely but still maybe.

jwelds191 · #12 08-16-2022, 10:22 PM

I own the 12'-20' Alaknak tent. We've slept 6 ppl and 2 dogs in there comfortable, plus all bags and had a table and chairs set up. We really like it.

I bought a thermo-electric powered fan from Princess Auto to set on the stove and circulate the air, works great. Had it in -25c weather. If that stove is on, its cooking in there. Condensation was an issue though... suppose we should ventilate it better. Bought on sale for $1499 I think... stove $200... good deal I say! Not a canvas wall tent but it certainly is still good. FWIW, ran a canvas tent several years and still had condensation issues... go figure.

Set up in a spot out of the wind. It doesn't like the wind lol.

kk44 · #13 08-17-2022, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwelds191

I own the 12'-20' Alaknak tent. We've slept 6 ppl and 2 dogs in there comfortable, plus all bags and had a table and chairs set up. We really like it.

I bought a thermo-electric powered fan from Princess Auto to set on the stove and circulate the air, works great. Had it in -25c weather. If that stove is on, its cooking in there. Condensation was an issue though... suppose we should ventilate it better. Bought on sale for $1499 I think... stove $200... good deal I say! Not a canvas wall tent but it certainly is still good. FWIW, ran a canvas tent several years and still had condensation issues... go figure.

Set up in a spot out of the wind. It doesn't like the wind lol.

Any chance you remember when the sale was on? I imagine there will be one in the fall here soon.

marky_mark · #14 08-17-2022, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grizzly Adams1

Any unheated tent will have condensation issues in cold weather.

Grizz

I disagree

Hilgy · #15 08-17-2022, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grizzly Adams1

Any unheated tent will have condensation issues in cold weather.

Grizz

Cool. The guy i spoke to that was selling his was using a wood stove in it for heat.

Lefty Bryan · #16 08-18-2022, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kk44

Any chance you remember when the sale was on? I imagine there will be one in the fall here soon.

New Cabelas flyer is just out - the Alaknak is on sale. 23-30% off depending on size you're after.

bezzola · #17 08-18-2022, 08:51 AM

Love our arctic oven tent
Get one and forget about the rest.

marky_mark · #18 08-18-2022, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bezzola

Love our arctic oven tent
Get one and forget about the rest.

Yep
Buy once cry once

calgarychef · #19 08-18-2022, 09:22 AM

If I wanted a big camping tent I’d make a yurt, put a stove in the middle and make sure I could pop the top to let condensation out.

aragor764 · #20 08-18-2022, 09:59 AM

i have been wondering the same questions for the past few years, and from the feedback of this forum and a few more I have settled on a eventually buying a 12x14 wall tent with internal frame, that is all my opinion of course but it does seem to be the prevalent opinion out there.

aragor764 · #21 08-18-2022, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kk44

Any chance you remember when the sale was on? I imagine there will be one in the fall here soon.

they are on sale in today's Cabela's flyer.

Stinky Buffalo · #22 08-18-2022, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calgarychef

If I wanted a big camping tent I’d make a yurt, put a stove in the middle and make sure I could pop the top to let condensation out.

And Nimrod has one for sale, currently...

stonefish · #23 08-18-2022, 10:44 AM

I have used my 12x20 Alaknak down to -37C winter bison hunting. We have a big stove and burn lots of wood and are toasty warm and dry. The temp does drop overnight as the fire burns down.

I definitely recommend these tents. They are light for the size, plenty tough (mine is 10 yrs old) and don’t leak water or go mouldy like a canvas tent.

Stinky Buffalo · #24 08-18-2022, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stonefish

I have used my 12x20 Alaknak down to -37C winter bison hunting. We have a big stove and burn lots of wood and are toasty warm and dry. The temp does drop overnight as the fire burns down.

I definitely recommend these tents. They are light for the size, plenty tough (mine is 10 yrs old) and don’t leak water or go mouldy like a canvas tent.

That's awesome!

I would be neat if one could compare a tent like yours (from 10 years ago) with one of the more recent ones, to see how they have changed, if at all...

AO campout, maybe?

MountainTi · #25 08-18-2022, 02:47 PM

Just spent a few nights in one in the high mountain desert. Not a great test but seemed like a pretty decent tent

antler hunter · #26 08-19-2022, 09:36 AM

I'm not going back with canvas tents...

calgarychef · #27 08-20-2022, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by antler hunter

I'm not going back with canvas tents...

My yurt has a waterproof top and canvas walls, it’s a great combination.

Chris89lx · #28 08-25-2022, 09:19 AM

Just came back from three nights in my new 12x12 Outback Lodge. 5 of us with three cots and a double air matress. (no stove) still had room to move around.
Had some condensation inside but dryed out during the day with the windows open. Had a large amount of rain come down on us but we stayed completely dry inside.
I will be running a stove for three of us in a couple weeks for elk camp.

Stinky Buffalo · #29 08-25-2022, 09:28 AM

Chris89lx - I didn't realize that the Outback Lodge has a stove jack. Or did you add that in yourself?

Moosetalker · #30 08-25-2022, 05:31 PM

4 people in a 12x20 Alanak tent late September NWT on a Caribou hunt heater was a kerosun pillar model burning kerosene. It was fine loads of room for my end of tent as heater was down by the American end they wanted warm.

I prefer my 12x16 wall tent with a gravity feed diesel heater no wake ups thru night to add wood and no frost when getting up in AM.