wood-stove compatible tent

[thistlekicker]

This is the time of year I start to dream about a tent that can safely be used with a small woodstove.

I don't need a huge "wall tent", but something big enough for 3 or 4 people to comfortably camp in late fall & winter.

Does anyone have experience with these kind of tents, or suggestions on where to look?

I did a quick check at Cabelas and, for example, the Big Horn II looks awesome but at $630 is too expensive. Any "budget" suggestions for this sort of thing? Maybe there's no such thing as a "budget" option when going this route.

And what about stoves?

Is Cabelas the best place to look for this kind of setup?

Thanks...

[Powerstroke]

I would say that Cabelas offers several different sizes and models of tents that can be used. This will give you an idea what to look for.

Many companies make this style of tent and of course there are always custom tents from sewing companies that do that kind of work.

If $630 is too expensive you might want to save for another year or two. Most good tents that are designed to support snow and wind and provide room for 4 people are gonna be around $400 and those are made of nylon. I'm just talking about camping tents, not ones you can live out of.

I will do some searching and see if I can help you out. My dad gets the itch every year too. My brothers-in-law all do the canvas tent thing every year for deer hunting and I think its awesome. I've never done it but there is something romantic and natural about hunting and camping in the woods in a huge tent.

[Nate McVey]

I have the Alaknak II from Cabelas and it is a great tent. I went to the Roger's Cabelas when it opened, I think 2 years ago maybe three, with every intention of buying a brand new 12' x 12' Alaknak II. Had it in my hands and was heading for the door when I saw the Bargain Cave. Needless to say, I went in and found the Alaknak II, used, for almost half the price. There are a few small burn holes around the stove jack, but other than that it has survived 2 elk seasons in CO with over a foot of snow each trip. Read the reviews on Cabelas HSOforum for more info.

As far as inexpensive "wall tents" go, I don't think there is such a thing. Do your homework and you will find something you like.

[Jackpine Rob]

I am a big fan of cotton for cold weather camping. You can take all of your nylon "expedition" tents and various synthetic cloth (such as Relite) - I'll stick to a good, well-constructed cotton tent.

Why cotton? Moisture control!! The single biggest issue in cold-weather camping is moisture control, and a good cotton tent isn't going to give you an indoor rainstorm as the moisture condenses on the roof/walls and gravity takes over. My buddy bought a real high-tech shelter (and paid huge bucks for it), and one weekend of use was its last. I refuse to sleep in that disaster!

Davis tent out in Colorado makes some pretty good tents, and they also have a material called "shelter cloth" that isn't listed on the HSOforum, but if you ask for it they will make you a lighter weight, but incredibly strong tent. My last wall tent is made out of that stuff, and not a drop of rain or snow has penetrated, and it has seen some pretty extreme conditions. The prices are fair. My 12x14 wall tent came in around $500 with stove jack and window.

One big thing to keep in mind while you're shopping is how you will be using the tent. Are weight and packing space a consideration? For my use, I need to be able to toss my tent in a pack and carry the thing over portages, or drag it on my plastic sled for miles. Other guys back their pickup to the tent site and off-load the shelter, and don't have the same concerns as me.

I've actually got a couple of stoves for mine, depending on use. One is a Cabelas picked up from the Bargain Cave. Its heavier, takes up a bit of space, and is only used for closer trips. I've got another one that folds flat, has a nesting stove pipe, and can be packed and carried easily. Different equipment for different situations.

Lots of woodstoves out there. Do a bit of searching on the internet - nearly every canvas tent manufacturer of any size sells the things. Some companies have really elaborate models, but there are plenty of different ones to choose from.

Good luck! I think tent shopping is half the fun.

[Nate McVey]

That's a good point about the rainforest aspect. We found with mine that if it was heated well and vented properly we had no moisture build up. If we forgot to flex open the vents, we got wet. Thanks for bringing that up.

[thistlekicker]

Quote:

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Davis tent out in Colorado makes some pretty good tents, and they also have a material called "shelter cloth" that isn't listed on the

HSOforum

, but if you ask for it they will make you a lighter weight, but incredibly strong tent.

---

this was actually my next question...weight. The Cabelas BigHorn & Alaknak both come in over 50lbs which like you said, is heavy for backcountry travel, and I would intend to do some winter trips that involve more than backing up the truck.

I will have to check out the Davis tent. Do you know what yours weighs?

I also found a company based out of Solon Springs (Snowtrekker) that makes lightweight canvas tents, but they are kind of expensive. Their "Basecamp" model is 9'8" X 12'8", 23lbs, but runs over $1200. But I have heard great things about their quality.

thanks for all the responses

[Jackpine Rob]

My tent comes in around 38 lbs. with ropes, and packed in a duffle bag with a bunch of lightweight aluminum stakes. Now that's a 12x14 with 5 foot sidewalls. Its big enough for 4 guys to cook, hang out, sleep etc., without stepping over each other. For 4 guys, its a palace. Used simply as shelter/sleeping, you could probably fit 6 guys.

I've been kicking around the thought of a sheepherder style for a while now, to cut weight and bulk down even more, for 2 or 3 guys. A guy can't have too many tents!

I am not familiar with the Snowtrekker tents, so can't speak to their function or quality, but for that kind of money, I'd hope you are looking at an Egyptian cloth type of material. E-cloth is a very lightweight and tightly woven cotton that costs a bundle of money, but is phenomenal in terms of toughness and water resistance. There is a place out east that will custom make tents out of this stuff, but they are over a $1000. A little rich for my blood! I do have an ancient Egyptian cloth tent that still works, but it is getting pretty frail. Its probably 1940's vintage, and has been sewed and patched a bunch of times.

[fishermann222]

i do ALOT of winter camping up here in Alaska. I have camped out in 30 below weather in many different tents. I have camped in a Cabelas Guide model tent, a wall tent with no stove, wall tent with a stove and an arctic oven with a stove.

The arctic oven is second to none. We will have one set up on our trapline this year. Many guys I know use them also. By far the best winter camping tent there is.

THey are made by Alaska Tent and Tarp. If you do a quick google search for arctic oven tents you will find the HSOforum. Check them out, I won't camp in anything else in the winter again.

[fishane]

I know that it has been mentioned already, but if you are thinking of going to the BWCA, etc., then give snowtrekker tents from solon springs a look. A great winter camping tent. Otherwise, if you are just going to drive up sites, there are many that will work just fine.

[finnbay]

Outward Bound off the Spruce Road on HWY 1 has an annual rummage sale in the spring. On occasion they include some canvas winter tents with flashing, etc. Usually they need some repair, but the last time I saw them there, they were going for about $20. If on a budget, might be worth a look.