Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Arctic Oven or Wall tent?

I am tying to weigh pros/cons of the two to come to a decision. I like the 12x14 Colorado Wall tent. And, I am considering the AO 12'.

I realize the AO 12 Extreme boasts a condensation free interior. Does that mean the others will form condensation?

Opinions?

Davis wall tents are by far superior to anything out there, and they have the best costumer support you could ask for.

Does Davis Tent & Awning offer lightweight wall tents that compare to blend tents offered by Montana Canvas?

Here's a comparison

Arctic Oven 12' tent, 78 pounds (includes poles and stakes), $2,430
http://www.alaskatent.com/oven/ao-12-extreme-w-vestibule.html

Montana Canvas 10'x12' blend Wall Tent, 37 pounds, $971.50
9 prefab Frame Joints + 1" EMT Pipes, 30#, +/- $150
http://www.montanacanvas.com/products/montana-blend

Don't understand why anyone would buy an Arctic Oven Tent, unless they have more money than they know what to do with.

KC

"ARCTIC" being the key word here. If you are indeed camping in extreme cold, the Arctic Oven is far warmer and easier to heat.

Most fall hunting weather can be handled in a wall tent.

Horsechit.......They make a good tent, but so do other makers.

I have a Davis 12x14'. It's a good USA-made tent, but not anything extraordinary.

In direct comparison, I think the Montana Canvas tents have better stove jacks, and frame angles.

I chose a Davis because they have some really good monthly specials.

I got the tent, stove/pipe, floor, fly, angles, bags, screen door, storm flap door, stakes all for $1100. I had done some shopping around and that was a pretty good deal.

After only a few trips afield, I have some small rips on the roofline index grommets....wind.

I once owned a Davis wall tent. I camped with it in 3rd elk season here in Colorado in moderate snow and 0 degree temps. I liked it, it was well made and comfortable. On the other hand, I camped in an Artic Oven in 20-50 degree temps in Alaska in high winds and constant rain. In the later situation there is no question that the Artic Oven was more comfortable. Weight is an issue with the AO and so is cost. If hauling the extra weight and $$ are not a concern, and you're in for high winds and wet weather, there is no doubt in my mind that I would prefer the Arctic Oven. Still, for the Rockies, the Davis is a good choice.

Yes exactly right. To say you waste money on an AO is a mis- statement, more like a mis-use.

I can't imagine camping in AK in the winter at -40, with simply a wall tent etc...

If I wanted dual use, I'd buy the AO and use it.

If I was after something like CO elk only, wall tent, but like a tipi understand it will sweat/condensate, but generally a wall tent is wood stove heated which takes all of that out anyway.

We have a wall tent here, for elk hunting, that I likely will never do again. But I wouldn't take it to AK for a winter hunt. Though I likely will eventually get it there for fall moose hunts due to the larger size.

Very good info. Thanks for everyone's input.

Barneys sells bomb shelters too...about same as AO. I think the AO is probably a bit better quality, but I have been in bomb shelters too and I wouldn't have an issue with them personally.

Just FYI

I've been using a Montana Canvas Spike Tent(old style with the short walls, 10x10 center pole) made out of their Relyte(?) for going on 20 years. It doesn't let moisture out or absorb like canvas when closed down, but at under 40 lbs with a Riley "Little Amigo" stove it is pretty handy. What condensation I've had just dripped down the walls unless it was blowing hard and only was a problem until the stove dried everything up which wasn't very long.

Canvas will be quieter when the wind blows, the synthetic is more snappy especially when in sub freezing tempts and canvas will hold the heat a little better than the man made stuff but with a good stove run properly I don't think I'd notice much of a difference.

I spent a week in sub zero(-20F nights with 0F daytime highs) temps during a late season cow elk hunt here in MT. and once you got the stove going all was good, although the frost line came up from the floor to the height of the top of the stove. In that case canvas might have been better but who cares, I was warm and having fun.

Exactly the end result I am looking for.

So, canvas will condense on the interior? Did not know that.

Condensation will occur on most materials if it's cold enough and enough moisture in the air. From my experience the canvas will not allow the frost to slough off like the Relyte will or run down the walls when the frost melts.

will condensate and if closed tightly enough, the fact that you are breathing in smaller tents provides the moisture source.

Under the right condition I'm sure it could happen but never had condensation issue in my wall tent even with a plastic tarp of the roof. I'll get moisture on top of my bag but that's it.

A 10ft. AO is my dream tent, I have a Four Dog Ti large stove for it and hope to buy one, someday......

I have a Davis 14x16 and never had condensation...ever. I've hunted in some cold chit too.