Arctic Oven vs Barneys Bomb Shelter

[AXEL]

Good point, but, IF the AO were NOT heated for an entire night with two people in it for 8-10 hours, what would the condensatjon, if any, be?

I figured out a propane rig for my Saivo, but, dislike any type of "fire" in any synthetic tent, I am usually solo, many years in wildfire management and am "ultra" careful in the bush.

I am 90% certain that I will be buying an AO 10, camo, HD poles, etc. as I have been considering one for a few years and am not concerned with weight as I have four highend mountain tents for what backpacking I am still physically capable of doing.

Anyone, interested in all opinions on this specific issue re: AOs?

 

[Daniel_M]

Good point, but, IF the AO were NOT heated for an entire night with two people in it for 8-10 hours, what would the condensatjon, if any, be?

I figured out a propane rig for my Saivo, but, dislike any type of "fire" in any synthetic tent, I am usually solo, many years in wildfire management and am "ultra" careful in the bush.

I am 90% certain that I will be buying an AO 10, camo, HD poles, etc. as I have been considering one for a few years and am not concerned with weight as I have four highend mountain tents for what backpacking I am still physically capable of doing.

Anyone, interested in all opinions on this specific issue re: AOs?

It comes with some bulk and a price, but you will not find a better base camp style tent on the market, in its class. Though it really is in a class of it's own. It's an absolute 5-star hotel of tents. If you find a negative review, I would be very surprised.

 

[Yellowknife]

I've spent nights in most of the tents that AO makes, include plenty of cold wet weather. Heated and unheated. Currently have an Artika, which is basically a (semi) portable cabin.

The inside of the fly will get condensation on it of course, but you will never know from the inside of the tent. The inner tent is not at all like any other normal tent fabric. It is basically a very thick (like 1/8"+), soft, fuzzy non-woven synthetic. It breaths extremely well and also act like an insulation, so the inner tent is always warm and dry. Heat or no-heat doesn't matter. It's like living inside a blanket.

My pick of all the ones I've used is the 10 AO with the vestibule. The Artika and the 12 are just too big for anything but a base camp. The 8 is good for snowmachine trips, but too small 2 + heat for very long.

For what it's worth, I've found that the lighter colors UV rot in long term use faster than the dark colors. Grey dies pretty quick. Green fades, but it good for a a considerable longer time. Only really on consideration if left up for long periods of time (30 days+).

Yk

 

[Stid2677]

The AO 10 extreme with vesty, is like being at home. You can heat one with a coleman lantern, they are that well insulated. I have never had a condensation issue on the inside even in the wettest of conditions. The only draw back is they are heavy, around 50lbs and bulky as hell. Combined with a Nuway propane stove, they are heaven in the bush, makes it hard to get out of it sometimes.

 

[Daniel_M]

The AO can make a lazy hunter. I'll admit when it was pouring cats n dogs or well below freezing, it was very appealing to reach over and kick the heat up a notch and sleep it out. lol

 

[Yellowknife]

Artika in the foreground. 10x10 AO in the background.



Close up of the Artika



The major drawback to that Artika (besides the the 60+ lb weight!), is the the shape. The 6 sided thing is great for a solid pitch and is flap free in the wind... but makes it very odd to fit cots into. It's huge for 2 guys, but really tough to wedge in 3 cots + heat. We put four guys in it in moose camp this year, but one had to sleep on the floor, and heat wasn't an option. For just 2 guys the 10 AO is just as good, and for 3+, the 12 AO is better in every way except wind.

Yk

 

[SDHNTR]

OK, so I'm not yet sold on the Pipeline and not sold out of the Hilleberg Saivo either, but it's down to these two. The Bomb Shelter and standard AO tents are now out due to weight.

I don't like the fact that I'd have to seam seal the Pipeline and I'd have to tie in my own guy lines. This may not seem like a big deal, but I am flying into Anchorage and will be there for no more than a few hours before departing. I want to pick up a bomber tent and have it ready to go. Interested in hearing all comments regarding personal experience with Pipeline vs Saivo. Especially as it pertains to my previous questions about the Pipeline. Those of you that say the Hille is fine as long as you keep it well ventilated, how exactly do you do that?

I need weather protection first and foremost. Don't want flapping, and don't want worry. Likely will face some rain and wind. Much snow and real cold is unlikely. Stove is unnecessary. Don't really want condensation either. 20 lb weight limit.

 

[Daniel_M]

OK, so I'm not yet sold on the Pipeline and not sold out of the Hilleberg Saivo either, but it's down to these two. The Bomb Shelter and standard AO tents are now out due to weight.

I don't like the fact that I'd have to seam seal the Pipeline and I'd have to tie in my own guy lines. This may not seem like a big deal, but I am flying into Anchorage and will be there for no more than a few hours before departing. I want to pick up a bomber tent and have it ready to go. Interested in hearing all comments regarding personal experience with Pipeline vs Saivo. Especially as it pertains to my previous questions about the Pipeline. Those of you that say the Hille is fine as long as you keep it well ventilated, how exactly do you do that?

Personally, I would never walk into the store, make a purchase and hit the field the same day. Don't rule out snow or cold. I've seen both in August, and 15* the 1st week of September. You can buy the best tent in the world to protect you from the outside elements, but it's moot if your soggy on the inside.

Cabelas Guide Tents are a big stable up here, they've served many folks very well.

 

[Stid2677]

Artika in the foreground. 10x10 AO in the background.



Close up of the Artika



The major drawback to that Artika (besides the the 60+ lb weight!), is the the shape. The 6 sided thing is great for a solid pitch and is flap free in the wind... but makes it very odd to fit cots into. It's huge for 2 guys, but really tough to wedge in 3 cots + heat. We put four guys in it in moose camp this year, but one had to sleep on the floor, and heat wasn't an option. For just 2 guys the 10 AO is just as good, and for 3+, the 12 AO is better in every way except wind.

Yk

YK,, use a AO 10 and get 2 of the bunks from Cabelas you see in my photo, can sleep 4 with heat that way, they are heavy.


To the OP,, I never seam sealed my Pipeline, and we had winds and rain over 60 MPH for hours at a time.

These tents are custom made to order, so if you want one, it would need to be ordered before you arrive. Easy enough to tie down with some para cord or add some premade tie downs sold by REI.

 

[Nick Muche]

Cabelas Guide Tents are a big stable up here, they've served many folks very well.

Yep, order one of these with Aluminum poles, be perfect for two guys and not too heavy... We had three in it on this trip and it snowed 6" on the second to last day (late Aug)... If you want heat, grab a little Mr. Buddy heater and two green cans of propane (used one in our Hille on our goat hunt).

We plan to use it with 4 people this fall.

 

[Stid2677]

I have a guide tent and like it but I have had to hold it off me on Kodiak, would not be my first choice.

This is a video of one on Kodiak that a guy I know filmed,, you decide.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PylrnSDprIM

 

[colonel00]

We have had our 8-man Guide tent buckle like in that video around the 6:30 minute mark. Now, in its defense, we didn't have it fully guyed out and what we did have staked and guyed was in a rocky gravel bar that didn't provide much purchase for the stakes once the winds picked up.

 

[SDHNTR]

I don't predict Kodiak weather, but you never know. (40 mile area) I also want something that I can buy in Anchorage, rather than flying it up with me as I'll basically be limited to my backpack and bow case. I already have a Cabelas 4 man XPG tent that is pretty good that I was going to bring up for a gear tent. I wont have the space to bring up two. That kinda rules out buying from Cableas. I also don't mind paying extra for the next step up. I don't want a 90% tent, I want a 99.9% tent, if you know what I mean.

 

[Daniel_M]

I don't predict Kodiak weather, but you never know. (40 mile area) I also want something that I can buy in Anchorage, rather than flying it up with me as I'll basically be limited to my backpack and bow case. I already have a Cabelas 4 man XPG tent that is pretty good that I was going to bring up for a gear tent. I wont have the space to bring up two. That kinda rules out buying from Cableas. I also don't mind paying extra for the next step up. I don't want a 90% tent, I want a 99.9% tent, if you know what I mean.

Looking at all the comments, I think you should re-evaluate some of your criteria. In my humble opinion, it's just not realistic.

1) 99.9% Tent
2) Local Purchase, unable to fly with it.
3) Sub-20# foor a Cub Flight
4) Zero condensation.
5) No tipis
6) No Cabelas tent

Combining the above, you will not find a tent waiting on the shelf, 100% ready to go out of the box. Most gear purchases are ordered from out of state. If you've never hunted Alaska, preparedness for the elements is important. You even have to plan for possible elements. If it's a bou hunt in the 40 mile region, you might not have much tree coverage. If it's a moose drop, you can likely expect some cover.

If you contacted Alaska Tent with enough notice, they may be able to hook you up with guy-lines ready to go for field use.

 

[Yellowknife]

I don't like the fact that I'd have to seam seal the Pipeline and I'd have to tie in my own guy lines. This may not seem like a big deal, but I am flying into Anchorage and will be there for no more than a few hours before departing. I want to pick up a bomber tent and have it ready to go.

They are custom. I suspect they would seal it for you for a price. You requirements are rather steep.

YK,, use a AO 10 and get 2 of the bunks from Cabelas you see in my photo, can sleep 4 with heat that way, they are heavy.

.

The tent cots are an interesting idea, and might work well for what I have. I'm stuck with the Artika, because I got a screaming deal on a used one. Otherwise, my "young growing family" budget would never be able to afford the crazy cost of these things. It's still a fantastic tent, and as bomber as they come. Money no object and the 10 AO is my favorite.

 

[Nick Muche]

I wouldn't choose to use the Guide Model on Kodiak and if I did it would be in the trees/alders, even then maybe not ideal. The weather up on the slope wasn't too bad and we didn't even guy it all the way out. I wouldn't hesitate to use it in 40 mile country.

What I have found since moving up here is that there is not a "perfect" tent. Either it's too heavy, not big enough, too light and not bomber enough, not the best for cold weather, too small for certain situations, etc... I've more than doubled the amount of tents I own in less than a year and am looking to add another one or two this year.

Stid must have 50 tents! LOL

 

[colonel00]

FWIW, you can probably mail the tent up to a post office and have it held for pickup. When we travel to Alaska, we fly our 8-man Guide tent up in a cooler with a few other items. It comes in right at 50lbs (depending on cooler and other items). Then for the trip home, the cooler gets filled with meat and the tent is mailed home via USPS snail mail.

 

[Stid2677]

I wouldn't choose to use the Guide Model on Kodiak and if I did it would be in the trees/alders, even then maybe not ideal. The weather up on the slope wasn't too bad and we didn't even guy it all the way out. I wouldn't hesitate to use it in 40 mile country.

What I have found since moving up here is that there is not a "perfect" tent. Either it's too heavy, not big enough, too light and not bomber enough, not the best for cold weather, too small for certain situations, etc... I've more than doubled the amount of tents I own in less than a year and am looking to add another one or two this year.

Stid must have 50 tents! LOL

I have 20 or so, for all the reason you posted. LOL

The Guide tent would be fine for 40 Mile Country, used mine there many times.

 

[SDHNTR]

F

Looking at all the comments, I think you should re-evaluate some of your criteria. In my humble opinion, it's just not realistic.

1) 99.9% Tent
2) Local Purchase, unable to fly with it.
3) Sub-20# foor a Cub Flight
4) Zero condensation.
5) No tipis
6) No Cabelas tent

Combining the above, you will not find a tent waiting on the shelf, 100% ready to go out of the box. Most gear purchases are ordered from out of state. If you've never hunted Alaska, preparedness for the elements is important. You even have to plan for possible elements. If it's a bou hunt in the 40 mile region, you might not have much tree coverage. If it's a moose drop, you can likely expect some cover.

If you contacted Alaska Tent with enough notice, they may be able to hook you up with guy-lines ready to go for field use.

I have hunted AK. Last year spent 5 days stuck in a Hilleberg Nallo for 5 days on a goat hunt in terrible rain. Preparing for the worst has shaped my criteria. IMO, the Hilleberg Saivo meets my criteria, if I can manage the condensation, and the Pipeline meets my criteria if I can talk them into prepping the tent ahead of time for a fee. That I don't mind doing if it's a realistic option. So I guess I don't see why my criteria is all that unrealistic. Appreciate all the input though.

 

[Yellowknife]

What I have found since moving up here is that there is not a "perfect" tent. Either it's too heavy, not big enough, too light and not bomber enough, not the best for cold weather, too small for certain situations, etc... I've more than doubled the amount of tents I own in less than a year and am looking to add another one or two this year.

LOL

AMEN.

I have piles of tents. And I try and make non-overlapping purchases with my friends and family, so we cover even more possible situations. Counting on my fingers, I think I used no less than 10 different tent models just in the last 12 months!

However for the 40 mile country, I would just take the Cabelas tent you have, and not think twice. Two tents on a supercub trip? Why?

Yk