Argali Yukon 8P Review
Floorless shelters seem almost commonplace among hunters seeking lightweight, adaptable options for their trips. Among the top performers in this category is Argali, a brand known for delivering practical and well thought out designs tailored to the needs of hunters.
Argali Yukon 8P Tent
Announced in mid-2024, Argali expanded their shelter lineup with the introduction of the Yukon 8P, a larger model aimed at accommodating bigger groups or those needing extra space for extended stays. This spacious yet packable shelter combines durability, flexibility, and weather resistance. Its modular add-ons offer the option to customize the tent with parts such as half liners or floor inserts, making it versatile enough to handle a variety of conditions. See it here.
Proving Grounds of Montana
This past season, I tested the Yukon 8P in a variety of challenging environments, including the wind-scoured eastern Montana prairie and the wet and snowy forested mountains of the west side of the state. The first tested the shelter’s ability to withstand prolonged gusts of wind, and the other tested snow loading and stretch from heavy precipitation. Here’s how the Yukon 8P performed and what makes it a top choice for large group adventures.
Design and Specs
The Yukon 8P is a floorless, double-pole shelter designed to offer ample space while remaining lightweight and portable. Its rough dimensions of 17 feet in length and 13 feet in width provide a spacious 202 square feet of floor area, making it suitable for up to eight people or smaller groups with gear and a wood stove. With a 7.5-foot peak height and steep sidewalls, it’s easy to stand and move around inside, a notable advantage for extended trips, especially in bad weather.
The tent is constructed from 30D Nano Ripstop SilPoly fabric with a 2500mm waterproof-rated sil/sil coating. Click here to understand what that rating means. This material was selected for its ability to withstand harsh weather conditions, including heavy rain and snow, while resisting sagging when wet. The steep walls effectively shed snow and water, reducing the risk of buildup.
Argali Yukon 8P Features
Standard features include two aluminum center poles, 22 Argali Piton stakes for the stake loops, and 10 reinforced guy-out points for a secure setup in all conditions. The reflective guy loops improve visibility at night, a critical safety feature when navigating in low-light conditions. Dual zippered doors on opposite sides of the tent allow for easy entry and exit, which is ideal with multiple occupants this shelter is designed for. A removable half floor is included for wet conditions or when gear needs protection from dirt and grime.
The integrated stove jack with a roll-down rain cover enables the use of a wood stove, making the Yukon 8P ideal for late-season hunts and winter camping. Optional half-liners, sold separately, can be attached to reduce condensation and improve insulation during colder months.
Tent Weight
The main body of the tent weighs 6.2 pounds with guy lines attached and fully seam sealed. The liners are close to 1 pound each, and the floor is an ounce over 1 pound. The 22 stakes and stuff sack total 0.5 pounds and the two poles total 2.8 pounds. The entire bundle (body, two liners, one floor, stakes, poles, and stuff sacks) come in at 12.9 pounds.
Setup and Use
Setting up the Yukon 8P is straightforward and can be completed solo, although having a second person speeds up the process. Start by staking out the four corners of the tent into a large rectangle, leaving some slack in the edges. Crawl into the shelter and insert the two aluminum poles into their reinforced points, then adjust the remaining stakes and guy lines to achieve a taut pitch. The 22 stake points secure the bottom edge, and the 10 additional mid-wall guy-outs ensure stability in windy and snowy conditions. The setup time for the Yukon 8P averages around 10 minutes, even for first-time users.
Ground Skirt
A unique feature of the Yukon 8P is its skirted bottom edge. This design provides a ground barrier that, when the shelter is pitched lower, can be tucked inward to block drafts. Likewise, depending on the environmental conditions, the shelter can be pitched higher to improve ventilation under the skirt. While the tent is floorless, careful site selection and the optional use of the half floor can improve comfort in wet or muddy conditions.
Performance in the Field
The Yukon 8P proves to be a reliable and comfortable shelter in various conditions. Its first use last fall was on the plains of eastern Montana, where it weathered high sustained winds estimated at 20 mph and heavy gusts estimated at 30 mph without any significant fabric flap, bent poles, or stake pull-outs. The multiple guy-out points play a critical role in keeping the tent stable and secure. The aluminum poles are extremely strong, with a robust connection at the joints.
Rain and Snow
In the wet November conditions of western Montana, the 30D Nano Ripstop SilPoly fabric performed very well. Rain beaded off the surface, and the tent remained taut without stretching or sagging under the moisture. The steep walls effectively shed snow, preventing buildup that could compromise the shelter’s integrity. Seam sealing, completed with Argali’s recommended fabric sealer, ensured no leaks, even during prolonged downpours. For sites with wet ground, the half floor provided a dry and comfortable sleeping area while reducing moisture vapor from the ground condensing on the walls.
Integrated Stove Jack
The integrated stove jack allows the use of a stove (an 8-foot stove pipe is needed), which keeps the interior warm and dry. When the stove isn’t in use, condensation can form on the tent walls, although adding the optional liners really helped manage the moisture and prevent drips. The Yukon 8P’s ventilation system includes a peak vent opposite the stove jack, which is well-suited for controlling airflow. The door zippers can also be opened from the top to allow moist air to escape during storm-free periods. Proper site selection, ventilation adjustments, and the liners minimized this issue.
Durability
The Yukon has been incredibly tough in terms of durability. The stitching has not unraveled or blown out from snow and wind loads, as it sometimes can on inferior material. All of the stake points have a sewn-in gusset that spreads stress over a larger area, adding to the durability of the shelter-to-ground interface. The zippers have been fully functional without any jams, misalignment, or separation. They are heavily waxed at the factory, which keeps them operating smoothly.
Interior Comfort
The Yukon 8P’s spacious interior is one of its standout features. With a peak height of 7.5 feet, even taller occupants can stand comfortably, making activities like changing clothes or organizing gear much easier. The 202 square feet of floor space provides plenty of room for up to eight occupants, though the shelter feels most comfortable with four to six people, gear, and a wood stove. There is room for cots, coolers, and chairs when there are just a few occupants, which sometimes makes this shelter feel similar to a small wall tent.
The dual doors improve accessibility, allowing occupants to enter and exit without disturbing others. The steep wall design maximizes usable interior space, so there’s no need to huddle in the center to avoid brushing against the tent walls. This is especially beneficial when gear organization and interior movement become priorities during poor weather.
The optional half-liners improved interior comfort during colder trips by reducing condensation and adding warmth. These liners are easy to attach and remove using G-hooks and loops along the shelter walls.
Packability and Weight Distribution
For a shelter of its size, the Yukon 8P is impressively lightweight. The total packed weight, including poles, stakes, two liners, and one half-floor, comes to 12.9 pounds. Its packed dimensions of 14 x 9 x 8 inches make it easy to carry, whether packed into the backcountry or transported to a base camp. The modular nature of the Yukon 8P allows for weight distribution among group members. One person can carry the tent body, while another takes the poles, stakes, and liners. This flexibility makes the shelter manageable even for extended trips requiring lightweight setups.
Pros and Cons: Is the Yukon 8P Worth It?
Pros
- Spacious interior with 202 square feet of floor area.
- Steep side walls maximize use of space.
- Lightweight for its size (≈ 6 lbs. for the tent body).
- Durable 30D Nano Ripstop SilPoly fabric resists stretching when wet.
- Integrated stove jack for cold-weather use.
- Dual doors for easy access and ventilation.
- Modular add-ons, such as half liners and half floors, enhance versatility.
- Reflective guy out loops improve nighttime safety.
Cons
- Optional half-liners add to the overall cost.
- Large footprint may limit campsite options in steep or uneven areas.
- Some condensation is inevitable in humid conditions.
Final Thoughts
The Argali Yukon 8P is a versatile and reliable shelter that provides comfort and protection for larger groups or those who value extra space during the inclement weather of late-season hunts. Its lightweight design, weather-resistant materials, and add-ons make it an excellent investment for a group of backpack hunters, stock users, or truck campers. The Yukon would be an excellent fit for those wanting a lighter and more packable alternative to a wall tent. It delivers the space, durability, and adaptability needed to handle late-season conditions. Argali’s detailed design and user-friendly features make it stand out as a top choice for those seeking a spacious, light, and dependable shelter. With 15 nights spent in the Argali Yukon 8P tent, I’m confident in recommending it.
Price Breakdown:
- Shelter with two poles, stakes, half floor, and seam sealer – $1089
- Additional half floor – $115
- Half liner – $215 each
Comment or ask Josh questions here.
Order yours here, along with additional accessories like a stove.
*Argali is a Rokslide sponsor, but the writer has complete discretion to give their uncensored opinion.
