Hot Tent Designs: Pyramid vs. A-Frame
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- čas přidán 15. 11. 2021
- The Happy Camper does a review of all his winter hot tents, showing the pros and cons of the pyramid vs. the a-frame design. He reviews the Esker Fox 10x10, Snowtrekker Basecamp, Snowtrekker Crew, and the Snowtrekker Minimalist.
*** I goofed. The Snowtrekker Shortwall I showed was actually their Crew model. Oops!
Esker Fox
eskeroutdoors.ca/
Snowtrekker
www.snowtrekke...
Ground Tarp
www.snowtrekke...
Other good winter camping books
Paradise Below Zero - Calvin Rutstrum
www.amazon.ca/...
Snow Walker’s Companion - Garrett Conover, Alexandra Conover
www.amazon.ca/... - Zábava
Thank you! Am starting my hot tent journey (from cold winter tents) and getting information like this is awesome!!!! Let it snow.
I share your preference for the A-Frame design. The simplicity of the pyramid, teepee, or bell-shaped hot-tents is initially appealing, but they are fussier to set up, in my experience. The SnowTrekker, with it's A-frame of collapsible poles goes up faster and more easily, and there have been two times when I had to make camp at dusk and by the time I had to setup the tent, dark was upon me, but I didn't even have to bother with any guylines (except the one the pulls the wall away from the stove) because it was not very windy and the pole frame itself ensure the tent maintains it's shape and the skirt along the bottom (when covered in snow) keeps the tent sufficiently taut.
But more importantly, that center pole in a pyramid, teepee, or bell tent and a centrally located stove and pipe really eats up the most valuable piece of internal space. Further, because hot air rises and the peak is directly over the tent, the heat spreads out less, rising up to the center peek, creating a relatively colder 'puddle' of less warm air all around, which is where people must sit or stretch out (because there's little head room except at the center. I also find it harder to dry gear in pyramid/teepee/bell -shaped tent, as it's harder to string a horizontal ridge line for drying wet gear. In short, the A-frames are easier to setup, have more usable space, and the heat gets distributed better in my view.
With respect to the Y-joiner on the SnowTrekker, I have the older style that fits OVER the poles and to ensure I never lose one or drop one in the snow, I just leave them permanently attached to the horizontal ridge pole. They don't interfere with anything when the poles are all folded up and packed up.
Cheers,
- Martin
I agree about the centre space, I am not the tallest but at 6 feet its really nice to have the centre section to be able to fully stand up and stretch or get dressed in. I received my new snowtrekker just a week or so ago, the connection pieces are new again, its a black heavy duty plastic and fit over the poles.
Thanks for the info. Martin. Connecting the y-joinders is brilliant!
Good morning, My husband and I have been enjoying your videos over the last few months. We are both avid campers and are hoping to do some winter camping in the next few months. Keep up the great work and we look forward to your next videos.
I bought your book. Can't wait to read it! Great show as always! Happy holidays!
Thanks Kevin, huge fan! Awesome video, we’ve got Snowtrekker on the way and I’m pumped to get out there!
Just got my tipi hot tent and stove setup and can't wait to get out there. Thanks for the great info.
Great video. If and when you do a stove video, can you talk about the G-Stove, if you have any experience with it.
Nice overview Kevin. Now that I am no longer coaching hockey, I have a a SnowTrekker 2 person Crew on the way! :)
You'll love it.
Kevin,
I spray painted my pole connectors blue so if I drop one in the snow I can spot it more easily. Thanks for the video.
That's a great idea.
my guy i already liked you red&black jacket its my type of jacket i like it alot 😍❤️ , and lovely pet you have what a soul ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ keep it going , sharing love from KSA
G-Stove sells a tent opener 12.5cm in diameter. I installed that on my Snowtrekker to allow bigger stove pipes. Works great.
That sounds nice.
Excellent information Kevin, thanks 👍
Thanks, Doug
*** I goofed. The Snowtrekker Shortwall I showed was actually their Crew model. Oops!
Thanks for the reviews and thanks Mom!
LOL
Great informative video. Kevin.
Thanks
And another vid caught up on..👋😎👍
Kevin I'm curious your thoughts on these small synthetic material pyramid tents. Mostly sold on Amazon and seams to be catching on in popularity.
I think they would be great in warmer temps but not extreme cold. I think they would also frost up inside from the heat and moisture. You'd also have to make sure the material was treated with a fire resistant chemical. Nylon melts very quickly.
My dream. Hope I'm not too late. Stay safe & thanks Brian 81
Great video. Very fair and lots of good info.
I slept in my first (and last) pyramid/center pole tent back in the early 1970’s. That pole location is just too inconvenient.
Great video KC! Very informative, we recently received your Winter Camping book. I can’t wait to dive in a learn some new tips and tricks. Thanks for sharing! 🍻🏕🔥
Thanks. Just watched your video on your new Snowtrekker purchase. You'll love it.
@@TheHappyCamper We are pumped! Almost had to donate a Kidney but totally worth it!😁
I dream of owning a Snowtrekker. Lol !!! Maybe one day soon. Have you seen the Bereg tents from Russia ? There’s someone in Nova Scotia that sells them. Thanks for sharing. Take care and stay safe.
Awesome review on different canvas hot tents. I use to own a Woods canvas tent yrs ago..nice durable tent. Now I use Bereg Up2(2 to 4 man) hot tent with insulated under pad. Tent goes up in 1 minute, then guy it out. It has cut outs for ice fishing with screw ice pegs. Ample room,6 foot tall and 11 feet in hexagon. Mind you it weights 51 lbs,your not backpacking this tent..haha. I also purchased the 3x2 (9×6 feet) vestibule that zips to the tent with inner shell,also has a stove jack for an additional stove. I use the Russian Bear medium stove and smaller Danchel for the vestibule. Overall..Best tent system on the market at a cost of over $3k CNDN. Thanks for the share Kevin👊💥🇨🇦
Sounds like the tent I used to work out of while doing some wildlife research. I lived in it for a month or two. It was a solid tent - but yes, it was heavy. Far better than sleeping in a 4 season cold tent though.
I am a big fan of the A frame style and the stove on the side as well. I think its easier to just keep the hot area in a corner and you know to be careful around it (especially with kids), as opposed to having it in the middle and wherever you are you need to be careful about melting stuff.
I just got a new Snowtrekker a week ago, the A frame pole connecting piece is new, and not a style I have seen before. It is plastic and the "pole inside" style. Thanks for the video, good info from someone who has used them both.
Thanks Mike. Do you think the plastic can handle extreme cold?
@@TheHappyCamper I think so, it felt like a high quality material, Delrin or otherwise and not flimsy or thin. I will try to remember to send you a picture tonight.
Wooo pumped
Very helpful info thanks,
Shortwall 8x10 owner here. There was a promise of a non-slippy trap. Please tell me more. We started with a reflective trap but super slippery, now a moving blanket cut to size, but heavy. What is this other tarp you spoke of, is it lightweight?
The link is below. I forgot to show it. Darn. It is heavier than a regular tarp but it works a lot better. www.snowtrekkertents.com/tent-accessories/
Might I recommend investing in a stabilizing gimbal before acquiring a new tent in the future. As for tent spikes when car camping I use 12 inch galvanized lag screws, 2 inch washers & a cordless impact driver.
Great informative vid btw
Very good point. It's definitely a shaky video. Sorry. Time to improve production for sure. Thanks.
👍🏻
I don't see why these tents can't have rip-stopped exchangeable stove sleeves.
Thanks for the valuable overview!
Good point.
Reading my mind, Kevin? I've just been chewing on this kind of stuff lately because I don't want to keep renting and want to go places where renting isn't possible. I'm leaning toward pyramid for the simplicity and having the stove in the center--I like that for heat distribution and there's just something nice about the stove being, socially, the center point of the tent in a group.
I think Algonquin Outfitters and Frontenac Outfitters rents Eskers.
@@TheHappyCamper I'd expect so. A bit more of a commitment for me as a Wisconsinite compared to the US BWCA which also has outfitters that rent them. That's where I'm at now, but owning a tent+stove pays for itself in about 3 wks of use compared to rental fees. I'd like to own for that reason, but also because I'd like to go to some areas closer to home where rental isn't possible. Pretty sure I'll be going with a 10' Esker Fox or a 12' Atuk Kanguk
@@phasmata3813 If you live in Wisconsin you might want to see if Snowtrekker has any used models for sale. That's how I got my first tent.
@@TheHappyCamper I've been watching for used on various sites but didn't think Snowtrekker themselves would have such an outlet. Obviously used is the superior bargain overruling any hair-splitting of tent type. Concerning new, even in the US, Snowtrekker is still pricier than Esker.
EDIT: I see they sometimes post about used tents on their social media. Their latest was a 9x11 basecamp for $1500. At that price, I'd still go with a new Esker and still probably pay less, but I'll keep watching for a good deal.
Well, Kevin, I snagged a Esker Classic 2 from a guy in Saskatoon who only used it twice before. Great deal.
Kevin great overview of the tents thanks! Just thought you might want to clarify a few things for your viewers as there's a bit of misinformation:
- the 3rd tent you show (I believe) is actually the EXP Crew (not a shortwall - there's no actual sidewalls, just guy outs)
- the Basecamp models have more interior volume compared to the Crew and regular Shortwalls due to their higher sidewalls and taller height
- any Snowktrekker tent can be ordered with with 4", 5" or 6" stove jacks and you could also cut out your small jack to make the hole size bigger to accommodate your big stove! Or just order a different jack from them and replace the small one.
- all Snowtrekkers now come with the orange clips for side guy outs not the leather sleeves anymore. you can order new orange clips from them to replace older leather sleeves.
Coming from a guy that also owns too many tents! Happy trails this winter!
Thanks. I chatted with Duane at Snowtrekker after realizing I goofed with the Shortwall. Not sure how I did that. Oops. And I ordered his new joiners as well.
I have noticed your aluminum dutch oven in a few videos; What brand is it, if you don't mind the question, and do you know if it is still something that is being made?
You showed a tent that you mentioned preferring for your own solo use (sometimes with a dog too). I couldn't catch the name/model of the tent. What was it?
I enjoyed the video and I have ordered your book.
It was the Snowtrekker minimalist
Unfortunately SnowTrekker don't make that model anymore. Next size up is the Crew 8 x 10 (from chatting with them).
I finished reading your excellent book. Thanks for writing it!
@@NobleEndeavours123 That's too bad. Probably to much stitching involved. Thanks. Glad you enjoyed the book.
@@TheHappyCamper Serious comment - If you ever want to sell that one reach out to me.
I am looking for the 70 canoe route book next!
I'd love to get a hot tent and a stove. But I live in a tiny apartment in Toronto and I don't know where I'd store it. My locker is already full of backpacking and camping gear.
Also they're all really expensive!
What do you think about using a pop-up fishing hut with a stove? It's really light weight, easy to setup. I've seen a few channels that make mods to them so they use them in the backcountry for camping.
I've seen them made as well. It seems very doable - and cheaper. Just make sure its vented for carbon monoxide. They also wouldn't breath as much as the canvas style tent. You'd have a lot of moisture build up inside.
@@TheHappyCamper oh good point about condensation!
If you ever need to thin out your canvas tent collection... 😉😂
One question about canvas tents like the Esker, is it waterproof?
No. It's water resistant and I've never had an issue during snow storms - but I'd put a tarp over it in a rain storm.
@@TheHappyCamper Thank you Kevin!
Great video as I am thinking of getting a hat tent. Do you or any one you know have any experience with " nylon" or sinthedec tents? MUCH less expensive but I'm sure they have draw backs. I don't want to by a piece of junk and waste my money. Any way thanks again for a great video!
They work okay in warmer winter temps but I personally wouldn't use one in extreme cold temps. They also build up a lot of moisture inside - they're not as breathable. But they're definitely lighter.
Great video, buy who is that Andy imposter??
LOL. That's a really old video - it reached -42 degrees C that night. Brrrrrr
Knee jerk thought here....use your knife and slice the Snow trekker stove jack like your Esker to fit the larger stove pipe....
Where abouts in Ontario do you go camping ?
Usually crown land areas just south of Algonquin - or Killarney PP.
@@TheHappyCamper that’s awesome my mother in law and her brothers and mom have a cottages on Killarney so beautiful
Just got an Esker 10x10 and Alaskan Jr. I decided to pick up your book but its out of stock on amazon canada. Not sure if the order page is for the newest edition so I held off. Do you know,? It says in stock Nov 20, so would that be for the latest ed? Do you prefer I purchase from somewhere else other than amazon? let me know! Also dont forget to put links to your books in the video description! :)
I'm almost sure Canadian outdoor equipment in mississauga has the book.
An excellent store to support
@@loversofthepark5668 Thats where I got the tent, stove, saw, anorak, axe... etc. good point re book! Ok... just ordered the book, 2 actually. And a Council Tool axe!
@@plextoob its my favorite store as well. Go in for a book come out with a book and a axe. Good job 🇨🇦🙃 I have the esker classic 2 10x10 and Alaskan Jr. 2nd season and can't wait to get out there
Indigo/chapters has it in today
@@loversofthepark5668 I opted for the classic 1 because I wanted a straight flue. We bought it and 3 days later went on a fall week long base camp trip with it and the stove. Did a small 170m portage with a double carry. was awesome to have the tent and stove, totally transformed late season fall camping. had a low of -7C. lookign forward to winter camping!
Camera is extremely shakey I couldn’t watch just a heads up
Esker tents are terrible. They are just a copy of Atuk tents. Atuk is the original pyramid style tent. They don't stay taught like Atuk tents.
Tim at the Canadian Outdoor Equipment just copied them. When I bought my Atuk tent from Guy, he told me the whole story.