Frabill Outpost or Headquarters Pop Up Shelters

[jimmyjames76]

I was wondering if anyone out there has one of the Frabill pop up hub style shelters. I had the Eskimo and sold it, so I'm not interested in going that route again. I have the Clam models now, but I haven't been overly impressed with them either (zipper issues, poor interior fabric coating, etc). I can't find any Frabill's in the stores, so I thought I would look for opinions here. These are the questions I have specifically:

- How is the fabric? I know it's 300 denier, but the flip overs with 300 look really nice.

- Any issues with the coating or stitching?

- How are the zippers? As good as the Eskimo shelters?

- Are the hubs a ball and socket type of joint like the clams, or more of a hinge type joint like the Eskimos?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. If you've seen any around in stores around the metro area that info would be great too! Thanks!

[deadeye]

From the research I have done the best built pop up shelter I could find was the Shappell. 600d fabric. Great zippers like the eskimo. replaceable windows. (not sure about the hubs)

I ended up going with a eskimo anyway because I got a screaming good deal on it.

[jimmyjames76]

From the research I have done the best built pop up shelter I could find was the Shappell. 600d fabric. Great zippers like the eskimo. replaceable windows. (not sure about the hubs)

I ended up going with a eskimo anyway because I got a screaming good deal on it.

Thanks for the info. I have to admit, I never really considered Shappell. I'll have to check them out too.

[deadeye]

They are a bit tougher to find. Redrock had them and so did marine general. I was going to drive up to duluth to get it at the general (i was going to go fishing up there too) but I got the eskimo quickfish3 for 100$ new. I couldn't pass that up.

[jimmyjames76]

That's a sweet deal, and the quickfish is a really nice house. I had issues with the hubs on mine. A couple of the poles would pop out of the hub during set up all the time, and when I took it apart the metal pin at the end of the pole and the aluminum hub both showed a lot of wear after one season. I replaced the bad ones and sold it. I don't think it happens with all of them, and I think the hubs binding during set up and take down (another problem that doesn't happen with all of them) probably accelerated it. I really like the ball and socket type hubs on the clams, but the other issues are pretty frustrating. The zippers on mine were jumping teeth on the first use, and after 3 uses they're getting really bad.

[simple1]

For what its worth I have the Frabill Outpost and could not be happier with it. I have not really compared it to others though. It does what I would expect and seems to be well built. Plus I like the color for whatever reason. But whatever you get as far as these popups go, I think everyone needs a light portable. Very light and easy to set up.