Alaknak vs canvas wall tent

[jm317]

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.

[arrowflinger]

Tagging...great question.

[Woodchuck]

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. 

[trophyhunt]

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.

[splitshot]

  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

[ghosthunter]

I am using a nice decoy bag with carry straps to transport my tent.

[huntnfmly]

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

[rtspring]

Two people in elk camp have alaknaks, one has a canvas wall tent! Everyone tries to stay in my tent

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!

[jm317]

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.

[Duckhunter14]

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. 

[Bean Counter]

tagging

Canvas wall tent vs. alaknak from cabelas

[trophyhunt]

It helps a lot to throw a tarp over the top of the alakanak, we did the same thing for our wall tent. 

[Bean Counter]

For insulation Or for rain?

[Woodchuck]

For insulation Or for rain?

Condensation, I do the same thing. 

[trophyhunt]

For insulation Or for rain?

Condensation, I do the same thing.