Does anyone have any experience with the Selkirk Spike Tent from the Wall Tent Shop? I just noticed this tent as an option for a canvas shelter that can accept a wood stove, and sets up easier than your typical wall tent with internal frame. They come in three sizes 10x10, 12x12, and 14x14. Sewn-in floor, 4 ft walls, two doors with storm flaps, two screened windows, stove jack, aluminum frame. I can't find ANY reviews on this tent, good or bad. Thoughts on Wall Tent Shop out of Idaho in general? Anyone know where their tents are sewn (I'm guessing China for the price)?
I've posted on this topic before but I can't seem to figure out or decide what I want/need. My must haves are: includes or can accept a stove jack (1st priority), easy to set up for 1 person (this is HUGE), stand up room (I'm 5'9" tall barefoot), room for two small cots or one Slumberjack Big Cot for truck camps. Lightweight and backpackable are bonus, but not an absolute requirement. Things like screen windows to move breezes through the tent are bonus, but not an absolute requirement. Pretty sure I lean towards floorless over a shelter that includes a floor for this one. I really prefer Made in USA, if possible.
I also have checked out Davis Tent extensively, and for a full wall tent they seem to be the ticket, but I often move camp every few days or don't hunt for more than 3 days many times. I feel that a full wall tent would be more trouble than it is worth for the majority of my trips. For 10-14 day elk hunts near the truck, I can't find anything better. A 10x12 looks good, a 12x14 is likely overkill for most situations. Made in USA.
I have looked into the Kifaru for their lightweight shelters (6 man tipi, Sawtooth). A lot of times I think I have decided on a Sawtooth, but hard to tell if it will work without seeing it up close. Same with the 6 Man tipi. I am also considering Seek Outside and their shelters. They also have a 6 man tipi and a BackCountry Shelter, which is similar to the Sawtooth. Seek Outside has a few features I like better than Kifaru but they don't have the Kifaru reputation quite yet, but I can't find any negative reviews on their stuff. These tents are very expensive and will be really tight space wise compared to the other options out there. Made in USA.
Springbar/Kodiak Canvas type canvas tents...I did some research on this previously and found out that Springbar could put in a stovejack, but now that has changed they say that the tent moves too much for a stove and wouldn't really help with that anymore. I can have a local sewing outfit put in a stove jack or I can probably glue one in myself. Not sure if this is 100% safe but I don't know if having fire in any flammable tent, canvas or nylon, is 100% safe regardless. You always have to be careful of fire. I saw TxTrapper's posts from a few years ago, but haven't heard much follow up info. Tried to contact him with a PM recently but "no dice". Made in USA (Springbar) and China (Kodiak).
Cabela's Alaknak 12x12 or Bighorn III. Seems like a good blend of a lot of great features, but bad for condensation, still pretty heavy, and will take a while to put up and take down for one guy. Montana Canvas has a Spike Tent very similar to the Alaknak (USA). Alaknak/Bighorn are Made in China.
Anyone have any experience or thoughts they would like to share? Any other tents that I am leaving out and should consider?
Please keep this thread updated with what you decide on and figure out. I'm also looking for a good, one man canvas tent that will accept a wood stove. It doesn't need to be packable as it would serve as a base camp and I would hike out from it. Something I could set up fairly easy on my own is important as well. As long as it fits nicely in the back of the truck and or on/behind the four-wheeler. Unfortunately being one of the last of my generation in my family that is still able to and having time to hunt it has become a one man gig. My dad and uncles are all creeping up on 80 yoa and hunting for them is close to the road. Not my style. I'd rather two track it as far as I can, set up base camp and wander from there. I have a decent one man, packable tent and bag for a quick overnite if needed but need a base camp set up. What you're looking at is ideal looking to me.
I have researched Kifaru and other nylon tipis for years. Very lightweight and bombproof for weather, but not cheap and not huge for one or two man carry size. I slid into a half set-up 4 man at the Kifaru store about a month ago, but that really didn't give me the real world feel I was looking for. I have had an Express and now have two other Kifaru packs and know firsthand of their quality. Thanks!
heat, It's easy for you to set up a small wall tent by yourself. Moreso if an internal frame is used. I prefer floorless tents with sodcloths. easier to set up, maintain.
The kifary 6 man is really too small for 2 cots and keep much usable space. I'd go 8 man as a minimum for 2 and cots.
Screened windows on a wall tent are unnecessary if your tent does it up right, with doors at both ends, unless you use it during bug season. A wall mount pipejack sure makes the tent easier to tarp, and you'll never get burn holes on the roof. 2 way zippers on the doors(with back-up ties) are the best way to fly. Just unzip from the top if you need to vent, poke yer head out for a look-see, or to toss yer wad of chew out. Sure beats bending over and unzipping the whole door. 2ways are usually only available on custom tents, tho.
Synthetic, centerpole tipi's are great for lightweight packability and wind resistance, but suck as far as condensation is concerned. A little snow load sure shrinks up the internal size also.
No other tent can hang with a good wall tent as far as 'liveability' is concerned......
IF I am back packing/spiking out, I like a floored tent. You end up in some weird places that are not alawys the best of places and more often that not this offers mother nature the opportunity to get you wet with rain, sleet or ice. If I am packing a tent on horses It's a canvas tent or the Alaknak. Both can be set with straight small dia. timber you can find in country. Especially if you have you base camp loaction already pre-determioned and spent time prepping it.
Windows in a hunting tent are uselss. When hunting you shouldn't be in a tent during daylight hours anyway. For more than one person I was never a fan of a tipi. Like huntsman said things get small quick.
One size might not fit all for me in this situation. Probably going to want both a wall tent and a backpackable nylon shelter down the road. I guess now I just decide which one first!
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One size might not fit all for me in this situation. Probably going to want both a wall tent and a backpackable nylon shelter down the road. I guess now I just decide which one first!
I vote for a six-man Seekoutside tipi and a QUALITY 10x12 wall tent.
I've lived for many months at a time sleeping on a GI cot on top of a Camprest pad. I'd look hard at both of those for the wall tent, and if you can't sleep on something lighter, the pad should suffice in the tipi. The GI cot is a PITA to assemble, as it is like stretching a drum, but with a pad it gives solid comfort.
One size might not fit all for me in this situation. Probably going to want both a wall tent and a backpackable nylon shelter down the road. I guess now I just decide which one first!
I vote for a six-man Seekoutside tipi and a QUALITY 10x12 wall tent.
I've lived for many months at a time sleeping on a GI cot on top of a Camprest pad. I'd look hard at both of those for the wall tent, and if you can't sleep on something lighter, the pad should suffice in the tipi. The GI cot is a PITA to assemble, as it is like stretching a drum, but with a pad it gives solid comfort.
I've got a Slumberjack Big Cot and the 3 inch pad they sell at Cabelas with the cotton cover. Got that part covered already! I usually sleep better in camp on that set up than I do in my queen bed at home. That might have something to do with getting up before the butt crack of dawn and hunting all day too, who knows!
Synthetic, centerpole tipi's are great for lightweight packability and wind resistance, but suck as far as condensation is concerned. A little snow load sure shrinks up the internal size also.
No other tent can hang with a good wall tent as far as 'liveability' is concerned......
+1000 on this. I have a 4-man Kifaru and a 12-man Kifaru. I love the 4-man with a stove and a liner for two people. I've done three, but that's pushing it. The 12-man is much better for 3 people and gear plus stove and firewood. If you get a tipi and plan to use it in wet/snowy conditions GET THE LINER.
If maximum portability is NOT your concern, get a wall tent or similar.
"I've been thinking about this thread and I'm wondering why you don't just get an Alaknak. It's a good tent."
Damn good question right there...some days I'm set on ordering the Alaknak the day it goes on sale. Other days I want a Sawtooth. Then someone mentions Seek Outside and the 6 man. I don't know? When I found the Selkirk Spike Tent it looks like everything the Alaknak offers only in a canvas version and even cheaper for the same size. That's why I started this thread in the first place was to try to get some input on that tent. Back around to square one. LOL!
Me and a buddy have Kodiak tents. Mine is the 10x10 It is perfect for 1 guy, cot, the dog, table for kitchen and a propane heater. His is the 10x14 it is perfect for 2 cots, kitchen and propane heater. Both are easy to set up. We have looked at the woodstove idea for them. Not really enough room. You could do 1 cot and a woodstove in the 10x14. I just run a mr buddy heater while i'm up. turn it off when I crawl in the cot. Or run a infrared heater if its real cold. We where chukar hunting in 15 below last year, A bit chilly. but survivable.
"You could do 1 cot and a woodstove in the 10x14." That would be a real quick truck camping set up that I would probably use a ton. After it's all said and done though, might just be better off with the Selkirk from WTS.
A guy could make a sheet metal stove jack that fits in the upper corner of a zipper doorway. No need to sew anything in if you did not want to. You will see what I mean if you look at a kodiak
I have run Montana canvas range tents, ok but I hated the plastic floor, they were heavy and not all that carefully made or designed, sold it.
Also had a Cabelas Bighorn, good idea, but still heavy, cheaply made and not all that durable, and never did warm up to the nylon fabric. Sold it.
I also have several seek outside tipis/tents. Very nice, and my first choice if I have to carry my tent. But sil-nylon, isn't all that durable, looses heat fast and there is generally some condensation. Also the stoves in a ultralight tipi are great, but they don't hold a hot fire for too long. They are great to dry out you, or your stuff, but a pain (if for some crazy reason) you need your tent to stay at 60 deg all night.
My favorite tent as far as ease of setup, quality and livability is a line of light weight canvas tents by David Ellis, in Durango, CO. They are hand built in CO, with the best quality and design I've seen, weigh between 25 and 60 pounds with the poles and are easy to set up and take down. You can run a stove in them, get screened windows if you want them, etc. They are called the Torrent and the Prairie. They come in something like 9x9 to 12x15. It would be worth your time to take a look at his website. I don't think you can beat canvas for comfort in a hunting tent. I have two of them, love'em. He uses the same fabric as snowtrekker, just in some different designs that might be better for hunting tents.
Rented a 12x14 Davis Tent and wood stove from a guy who wasn't hunting this year on our elk hunt for $100. Best C note ever spent. The Mrs. is convinced THAT is the way to go. I have to agree. Will be in the market for a Davis Tent when they go on sale or if I can find a used one I like.
I'm pretty sure the 12x14 might be on the big side for some outings but should be the size I am after. The one I rented had the traditional poles vs the interior pole with rafter set up. I had no issues putting it up with minimal help.
Can you guys give me some opinions on the Doors/Windows/Storm Flaps. Thinking about going with 12x14 Water/Mildew treated Davis Tent with a storm flap and screen on the front door and a window on the back wall. I live in AZ so want some circulation for warmer times and a screen to keep the bugs out. I hunt in August and September for up to 14 days at a time and would like to maximize comfort within reason.
Been eaten alive by skeeters during late August/early Sept archery deer hunt. Gotta have them screens I think. The one I rented had double doors, no screens, windows or stormflaps. Nice for October, no doubt.
I believe the "storm flap" you are referring to Davis calls a Colorado Door. I would make sure to have that because if a zipper blows out you can still keep the door closed. Keep an eye on Denver Craigslist and you'll find some deals. I have a 14x16 with internal frame and can set it up by myself in less than 35 minutes and it makes the tent more open.
this stove was designed over 2 years ago and i introduced the first proto pictures on september 20th , 2013 it is easily the fastest and easiest stove out right now one piece with nothing removable but the stove pipe and it folds flat as a notebook
Bought a 12x14 Davis Tent from their Scratch and Dent Sale. Went with a Screen Door, Back Window, and traditional poles. Eventually I'll get a small tipi or similar for small backpacking/woodburning option.
There was no other maker even close in price and I know that Davis makes an excellent quality tent. I can finally put this issue to rest.
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