Esker 12 x12 canvas tent?

[ElectricDyck]

Anybody have experience with one of these? I searched but didn't find any real opinions of it.

https://www.canadianoutdoorequipment...ent-12x12.html

Looking for a canvas hot tent that doesnt need poles, packs relatively small and doesnt require building a frame. At 30lbs its similar to wall tent canvas wieght, packs a slightly smaller at 1 foot by 1 foot by 2 feet. We recently slept in a 12 x 14 wall tent...quick to set up but with poles it weighed 130lbs and took up too much room in the boats.

I've slept in a 16foot diameter poly teepee tent, it was super light at less than 20lbs....we just cut one pole when we got there. With all the guy ropes it took a while to set up. The esker looks easier as it seems you can just tie to trees rather than pegs. The teepee didnt have any side wall height so the space was less usuable. We generally dont use the stove much but when we did it didnt keep the warmth in as well as canvas. I didn't lilke the poly fabric as it wasnt as durable to sparks or abraision like canvas.

[GOLDEN TOP SNIPER]

ouch thats expensive

[ElectricDyck]

A few hundred more than a new deluxe wall tent of similar size....although a lot easier to find a used standard wall tent at a way better price.

[35rem]

Winter camped in one. They do work, but with a stove in there usable space (as in standing height) is limited as the side wall height is just enough for laying down. With the stove going you need to be careful moving around or will singe your clothing or gear (ask me how I know..). It is also hard to control the temperature; it is feast or famine with a woodstove in such a small space. With all single wall tents condensation running down the inside is an issue. You have to make sure your gear/bedding/sleeping bag does not touch the outer wall or it will get wet. Unlike most tents they do not have a ground sheet, so you need to put something down to keep you off the (wet) ground. If you do not want to spend time picking spruce boughs you'll need to add the weight and bulk of a ground sheet to your comparisons.
Setting up is relatively straight forward: cut a pole and smaller pegs; peg down the perimeter and raise the pole. You could try tying the guy ropes to trees, but you will need to pick your spot with great care to ensure all the trees are in the right place; you will end up using pegs for a number of the lines anyway. Getting it guyed out properly requires a flat spot and some practice. If the side walls are not properly guyed out you loose space. They are light and do pack up relatively small. I think Esker's claims of the number of people that can sleep in the tent is optimistic. I think the 12x12 is roomy for 2, adequate for 3 and cramped for 4 with a stove and your gear inside.


An alternative would be an inflatable tent. I have a Karsten tent I bought in Holland, but other companies are now making them too. Heavier than the Esker, but comes with a sturdy integrated ground sheet that will keep you dry, even in 2" of water; a nice feature if you encounter rain. The dome shape gives you way more standing height. Setup is fast; unroll the tent, peg the 4 corners down, inflate the 2 tubes and pop it up. Guy ropes are only needed in windy conditions.

[ElectricDyck]

Thanks for the reply...yeah the layout with the stove looks poorly laid out in their add. Did you use cots? We recently slept 5 with cots in 12 x 14 with a stove and it was stupidly crowded. I wonder if the model with the chimney flap closer to the wall would have a better lay out. I would just sleep on a tarp on the ground...no room for cots. I will look into the inflatable tent but I already have 2 inflatable boats I bring hunting so Im already one curious grizzly away from being boat less Im not sure I want to be homeless as well lol

[RackStar]

https://whiteduckoutdoors.ca/cdn/sho...g?v=1687780175

Not sure if these interest you

[35rem]

Did you use cots?

No, a Thermorest NeoAir Xtherm and a simple foam pad underneath to prevent puncture. I use a Dutch Army hooped bivvy bag that has loops underneath to hold your pad in place so you do not slide off at night. With a good sleeping bag you can sleep outside with this setup, even in -20C weather. I don't think cots will work in an Esker as you are too high of the ground, unless you buy the model with extra high side walls. I would not worry about a grizzly damaging the tubes in my Karsten tent. By the time it manages to puncture the tube the rest of the tent will be toast anyway. For small leaks a simple tire patch kit works.

The lack of an integrated ground sheet can cause issues in the rain as water can run underneath the edges in to the tent. A separate tarp on the ground may not keep you dry.
If you are camping on snow with a hot tent remember that your stove will melt the snow. This starts in the center under the stove and slowly spreads to the perimeter of the tent causing everything, including your bed, to bank to the middle..