1-person shelter advice

[masoct3]

Hello,

I am going to be purchasing a 1-person shelter but not sure of the brand.

What my needs are is that I have a sled to carry my cargo but having a second flat to pull (the shelter collapsed into its pulling formation) would be too much. I am looking for a collapsable (not square shelter).

What are some of my options, as well as what portable shelters have the shelter with a build-in sled (comfort with sitting is needed), and room to carry my cargo.

I will be pulling my arsenal as I do not have a ATV or snowmobile. I am hoping some of the lakes will have paths made for cars. Does anyone know, besides Medicine Lake who makes trails on the frozen lake?

Thank you!

[Northlander]

Look at the Otter Cottage. Either full thermal or thermal top. You can see them at www.otter.com

[CaptainMusky]

Most trails on the lakes are made by others spending time on the lake ie icefishing. Clearing a way to their house.

Unless of course you are in the Pequot Lakes area and you see a guy in a big green suit, riding a big green ATV plowing the lake, he's just screwing around because he has nothing better to do.

[TruthWalleyes]

Have you thout about a hub style house? Very roomy and light. Pack everything in the sled and tow out. I have a Quick Fish 3 and really like it...Generally fishing solo, but have company on occasion.

[that_guy]

Hello,

I am going to be purchasing a 1-person shelter but not sure of the brand.

What my needs are is that I have a sled to carry my cargo but having a second flat to pull (the shelter collapsed into its pulling formation) would be too much. I am looking for a collapsable (not square shelter).

What are some of my options, as well as what portable shelters have the shelter with a build-in sled (comfort with sitting is needed), and room to carry my cargo.

I will be pulling my arsenal as I do not have a ATV or snowmobile. I am hoping some of the lakes will have paths made for cars. Does anyone know, besides Medicine Lake who makes trails on the frozen lake?

Thank you!

All of the 1-mans have their benefits and their flaws. Your best bet is to pick the features you "have to have". Then go find the 3 shelters that offer that and find the price point you are looking for.

Stopping in at Thorne Bros, Gander, Cabelas, Fleet Farm, or going to one of the Expo's is a great option to see all the items in real life. Looking at them online is fun, but nothing like actually sitting in them with a rod off the shelf to see how you actually fit.

[amateurfishing]

.....and get the biggest 1 man u like & can afford, or maybe consider a smaller 2 man if you like & can afford it. I started out with a 1 man eskimo and soon realized i wanted more space. by the time u do 2 holes, have your gear, and winter apparel on, space gets used up quite quickly. after only 1 1/2 years i upgraded to a 2 man portable, extra roomy if just me but a second seat if my son goes along. I would also highly recommend buying used first & trying it for a while...once u use it for couple years you will quickly find out what you like and do not like bout it and will be easier for you to decide how to spend your $$ on brand new in future with extact features you personally want. i went even steven on $$ selling my one man & upgrading to a 2 man and modded it for much better & useful storage. its not perfect but $100 is much better than $300-400 in my world.

[McGurk]

I have a Frabill Recon, and I can fit all my gear in the sled and under the frabill cover for travel. My gear consists of my SM power auger (shaft and powerhead disassembled), Marcum LX3, Buddy heater X (Not the Big Buddy, but the new folding handle one), a tackle bag, (2) square kitty litter buckets, a long ice scoop, and a folding 3-leg camp chair with a back. I also put in a reflectix top on the inside. It pulls well by hand or with a 4 wheeler, and fits in a pretty tidy package when taken down and packed properly.

[anderson_dc]

Clam makes some really nice one man shacks which fit what you're looking for. I would suggest either the Scout TC or the Pro TC. The Scout TC is an instant set up shack, while the Pro TC has poles which you extend. If you are the kind of guy who likes to cut a handful of holes and fish in comfort, I would suggest the Pro TC. If you're the kind of guy who cuts numerous holes and is frequently on the move, then I would suggest the Scout TC.

Weight is an important factor if your pulling your shack by hand and both these come in the 50-60 pound range. Anything much more than that and you will really regret it on those long walks through powdery snow to your spot.

Both shacks have their "selling points", but I would certainly check them out in person and see which one feels "right" before you pull the trigger. Best of luck in your search.

[masoct3]

I've done the hub before, its fine. Not a lot of room for 2 people when I had it. Also, when the wind picks up, they are hard to assembly and a pain to disassemble. I like the idea of the flip over that are offered. I plan on going to the Fishing Expo in a month.

I will look at your advice, thanks.

[whitebassman]

I'm in the same position now.

I've narrowed it down to two.

Otter Cottage and Eskimo Wide1

Otter Pro's: Durable. Roomier. Full thermal. Higher height clearance.

Otter Con's: COST. Weight at 80 lbs. And not crazy about the blue camo but will work, also wish it was a bench seat instead of swivel seat.

Eskimo Pro's: Weight at 54 lbs. Cheaper by about $250. Red color is better then blue camo for me. Frame widens out to keep all the gear. Second widest one man on market behind the Otter Cottage.

Eskimo Con's: Not full thermal (but at least front,top,back are thermal). Not as heavy duty sled vs. Otter. Not as much height clearance as the Otter.

Again, its all about you and want you want.

For me, since I will also be pulling by hand. Weight is first priority. And size is second. The Eskimo plus my auger is the same weight as the Otter alone. Trying to pull through a foot of snow is no fun at all!! At least last year was minimal snow, and pulling on direct ice is so much better. Considering putting skis on the sled too.

So I'm leaning towards the Eskimo, especially with the cheaper price. Just gotta see and sit in one personally before I pull the trigger. Otter durability is great if pulling miles and miles behind a atv/sled. But I'm not so, that kinda negates the fact that its heavier for me to pull by hand.

[muc33]

You are better to compare the Otter Wild T600 package than the Otter pro with the Eskimo, they are more similarly suited, and the Wild T600 package by otter has the bench you are looking for and will weigh less without the full thermal. To be fair, you need to use the Wild cottage. And in just a simple search I found them priced at only 30 dollars different. I know my vote.

[Brad B]

Don't over look the Clam Big Mouth that is only being offered at gander mountain this year. It's Clams version of the wide 1. It is offered in non thermal($349.99) or full thermal($399.99).

[blackdog1101]

I've got an ooold version of the Otter Cottage. I like that it's bigger than a true 1 man shelter, but still only weighs about 65 lbs. My son and I can squeeze in there together if he comes out with me, but it's plenty roomy for 1 person. Mine is just plain canvas, with no seat, so it's lighter than the newer ones. I have a small folding camp chair I bring to sit on. I'd wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for a one man shelter.