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Author Topic: Alaknak vs canvas wall tent  (Read 10141 times)

Offline jm317

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Alaknak vs canvas wall tent
« on: July 28, 2015, 10:45:42 AM »
I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on a new wall tent purchase, but the cabelas alaknak tents have also caught my attention, seems like you can save some weight, money and setup time on the alaknak. I was wondering if anybody on here has has got any good/bad experiences they could share. Thanks in advance.

Offline arrowflinger

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Re: Alaknak vs canvas wall tent
« Reply #1 on: July 28, 2015, 10:47:55 AM »
Tagging...great question.

Offline Woodchuck

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Re: Alaknak vs canvas wall tent
« Reply #2 on: July 28, 2015, 10:53:21 AM »
I have the 12x20 Alaknak and love it. Canvas is "tougher" I am sure. That would be the only advantage I can think of really.  :dunno:
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Offline trophyhunt

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Re: Alaknak vs canvas wall tent
« Reply #3 on: July 28, 2015, 10:54:17 AM »
You just mentioned the biggest differences, my dad and I sold our canvas wall tent because we didn't have a big enough place to hang it in the off season. It was brand new Montana canvas with mold protection and half a winter in my garage turned it completely molded.  Don't get me wrong, I loved the tent when it was set up, nothing better. But, a bit more work, weight and set up as well as take down time. Plus you need a good place to store it, better if you can hang it in a warm, airy place.  We now use an alakanak, they don't hold the heat as well as canvas but with a good stove, it is just as good.  Well almost as good as a canvas, I loved the heat the canvas held in.  So, if you have a good place to store and don't mind the extra money and set up time, you won't be disappointed with canvas.
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Offline splitshot

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Re: Alaknak vs canvas wall tent
« Reply #4 on: July 28, 2015, 10:59:50 AM »
  I had someone build a big bag to put my dry tent into when stored.  also get 5 foot sidewalls in addition to your sodcloth.    mike w

Offline ghosthunter

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Re: Alaknak vs canvas wall tent
« Reply #5 on: July 28, 2015, 11:41:11 AM »
I am using a nice decoy bag with carry straps to transport my tent.
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Offline huntnfmly

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Re: Alaknak vs canvas wall tent
« Reply #6 on: July 28, 2015, 12:37:04 PM »
I just ordered a davis wall tent yesterday.store it in the house in a coset they dont take up much room when folded. We had one years ago you cant go wrong with canvas
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Offline rtspring

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Re: Alaknak vs canvas wall tent
« Reply #7 on: July 28, 2015, 12:44:53 PM »
Two people in elk camp have alaknaks, one has a canvas wall tent! Everyone tries to stay in my tent :chuckle:

Those alaknaks have shown condensation, they are made of tgin material. For the extra money I would go canvas and never look back!!!

I have two and they are awesome!
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Offline jm317

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Re: Alaknak vs canvas wall tent
« Reply #8 on: July 28, 2015, 01:28:01 PM »
Good point up trophyhunt, keeping things dry and not moldy is already a pretty big issue in my neck of the woods. We seem to be permanently soggy from October to June.

Offline Duckhunter14

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Re: Alaknak vs canvas wall tent
« Reply #9 on: July 28, 2015, 01:43:59 PM »
I grew up hunting out of a Canvas wall tent and they are tough to beat. But before last fall I got a screaming deal on an 12x12 Alaknak and I have found myself saying "man I love this tent" more times than I can count. The first trip we experienced a nasty storm in the middle of the night in September in western Montana. It blew like mad and dumped rain like you cant believe. The tent held up great. Later in November I went back and we had sub zero temps. As long as you keep the stove burning it keeps the tent nice and toasty. When it is that cold outside and you have it nice and warm inside you will see some condensation. We just keep our cots a couple inches from the sides so that it doesn't get our blankets wet, it has never been a huge issue. It does pretty well in hot temps too, I took it over to Idaho this spring for a bear hunt. It was up in the high 80's during the heat of the day and we just opened the windows and let the breeze move air through while keeping the screen closed so the bugs stayed out. I love mine and would recommend it to anyone looking for a new tent. I have the 12x12 and with a stove and table its perfect for 2 guys. Any more and I would recommend the 12x20. Mine came with the roof protector, spark arrestor, and the vestibule. Which I would recommend. The floor has held up well, but I'm always afraid a chair or a cot will tear it, so I bought a roll of turf that I throw down first. Also makes stepping onto the floor in the morning more pleasant. Also make sure you put something under the front of your stove, the guy before me didn't and even though there is a zip out he still managed to burn a couple holes in the floor directly in front of the stove. I use a piece of diamond plate to protect the floor and that has worked well. 
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Offline Bean Counter

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Re: Alaknak vs canvas wall tent
« Reply #10 on: July 28, 2015, 01:45:18 PM »
tagging

Canvas wall tent vs. alaknak from cabelas

Offline trophyhunt

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Re: Alaknak vs canvas wall tent
« Reply #11 on: July 28, 2015, 01:53:12 PM »
It helps a lot to throw a tarp over the top of the alakanak, we did the same thing for our wall tent. 
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Offline Bean Counter

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Re: Alaknak vs canvas wall tent
« Reply #12 on: July 28, 2015, 01:59:11 PM »
For insulation Or for rain?

Offline Woodchuck

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Re: Alaknak vs canvas wall tent
« Reply #13 on: July 28, 2015, 02:03:17 PM »
For insulation Or for rain?
Condensation, I do the same thing.  :twocents:
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Offline trophyhunt

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Re: Alaknak vs canvas wall tent
« Reply #14 on: July 28, 2015, 02:23:26 PM »
“In common with”..... not so much!!

Offline wildwood

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Re: Alaknak vs canvas wall tent
« Reply #15 on: July 28, 2015, 08:14:49 PM »
I have an alkanak has been great in a foot of snow in Montana in -20 and high winds  and western rain for a week as long as you have a stove you won't have any moisture well maybe a little bit.  drys super quick and no mold I've had mine for four years with no regrets I have a 12x12 and can set it up by myself in an half hour fits two to three hunting partners  just fine plus I can take it camping with family even in the state parks that being said I'll probably be parting with mine shortly going to buy a trailier

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Re: Alaknak vs canvas wall tent
« Reply #16 on: July 28, 2015, 08:31:56 PM »

Offline trophyhunt

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Re: Alaknak vs canvas wall tent
« Reply #17 on: July 28, 2015, 08:33:54 PM »
For insulation Or for rain?
Condensation, I do the same thing.  :twocents:
:yeah:

So having a tarp on keeps con
It helps keep the condensation away, still a little but the fire keeps it down pretty well. 
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Offline jm317

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Re: Alaknak vs canvas wall tent
« Reply #18 on: July 28, 2015, 11:24:38 PM »
Thanks for all the input guys :tup: I think I'm gonna go with the alaknak. September in Idaho won't really be needing a stove. So I think I'll use that coin I'll save and get me a nice pair of vortex vipers from elknut1  :IBCOOL:

Offline DeerHarvester

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Re: Alaknak vs canvas wall tent
« Reply #19 on: September 05, 2015, 08:03:38 PM »
I'm also looking to buy an alaknak. I stayed in one a few years ago. Condensation is bad if you use a propane heater. We tried this in the morning and it isn't pleasant.  Also I would recommend keeping a couple vents open at all times. With the wood stove it isn't an issue, But if you have it all sealed up and let the wood stove die during the night you will wake up to some moister.   For me this small issue out weights the hassle of canvas.  Don't get me wrong I love canvas and spent my childhood hunting years in a canvas tent. If I had a large hunting group I would go with canvas. But I usually hunt alone or with one guy so the quick set up and ease of storage is a must for me.   I'm waiting to find one in the bargain cave or a good sale.
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Offline steen

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Re: Alaknak vs canvas wall tent
« Reply #20 on: September 05, 2015, 09:46:03 PM »
Have the 12 X 20 Alaknak and it takes about 1/2 hour to set up.  I have never put up a canvas but they do retain heat better. Spent many a hunt in the Alaknak....sometimes with 4-5 kids and us in it!

Offline SemperFidelis97

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Re: Alaknak vs canvas wall tent
« Reply #21 on: September 05, 2015, 10:43:13 PM »
I have the Alaknak as well it has been bulletproof in some pretty rough conditions.  I don't have condensation issues if I leave the windows open a crack to get some airflow, and the wood stove is a dry heat so that helps keep it cozy.  I got a roll of house carpet cut to shape for the inside of mine that makes it feel like a home away from home.  Another idea that really works with any tent get yourself an ac/dc converter, and a set of battery clamps that will attach to the cigarette liter plug, hook it up to a deep cell battery, and plug in some LED Christmas lights to the converter.  You can run several days with indoor lighting without firing up the generator.

Offline Rooster1981

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Re: Alaknak vs canvas wall tent
« Reply #22 on: September 07, 2015, 08:39:12 AM »
I have been using the 12x12 alaknak for seven years and its holding up great. I liked it so much I bought the 13x27 to fit the whole family during elk camp. I really never had any issues with condensation while using the wood stove. They are vented really well. and in the 12x12 it gets so damn hot with the stove you normally have at least one window open  :chuckle:  I have used them from the coast to the mountains in every kind of weather you can imagine. But the real test was last year on the colockum with my sons elk hunt. The wind was blowing harder than I can ever remember, all night long. And the tent had no issues.





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Offline Duckhunter14

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Re: Alaknak vs canvas wall tent
« Reply #23 on: September 08, 2015, 08:33:49 AM »
Man the 13x27 looks sweet! Putting that on my "want" list. My 12x12 is perfect for two, and cramped with 3 with a stove and cook table.
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Offline Rooster1981

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Re: Alaknak vs canvas wall tent
« Reply #24 on: September 08, 2015, 01:49:44 PM »
Man the 13x27 looks sweet! Putting that on my "want" list. My 12x12 is perfect for two, and cramped with 3 with a stove and cook table.

yep same deal with me. I hemmed and hawed over the 12x20 & the 13x27.  im glad I went bigger. but in really cold weather you almost need the second wood stove.
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Offline Labs07

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Re: Alaknak vs canvas wall tent
« Reply #25 on: September 10, 2015, 08:33:24 AM »
I've had my Davis tent for 10 years now and never had any issues with it.  I spend about 2.5 weeks during hunting season in it and camp during the summer with it.  It has been through hell and back without issues.  I say canvas all the way....I can set my 14 x16 foot tent up in about 45 minutes by myself.

Offline Buzz2401

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Re: Alaknak vs canvas wall tent
« Reply #26 on: September 10, 2015, 07:45:09 PM »
Bought our canvas tent in 1994 it has been set up every year since for no less then 3 weeks straight every year.  Stove jack could probably be replaced and it isn't pearly white anymore but it doesn't have a single hole in it and it has never leaked.  We don't use a tarp either just straight canvas against the elements. My hunting partner has a cabelas tent made by Montana tent company and I'm not so sure it is going to hold up as well but only time will tell, his is about 6 years old.

 


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