What ice fishing tent?
 

I'm on the market for a ice fishing tent, which one would you buy with a budget of $300-400. Interested in your though/experiences/opinions. I'm leaning towards an insulated unit...

i have the Eskimo 949I, and my first tent was the Eskimo Quick Fish 2 (non-insulated).

The 949 is perfect for 2 people and plenty of gear. I'd recommend considering an insulated tent - they cut down on the condensation and the insulating qualities really do work. Draw back is the weight and sometimes getting it in the storage bag after a really cold day on the ice.

The non-insulated tents are lighter, which is a plus, but the walls get wetter with condensation form heaters and breathing.

They seem to keep improving tents, I like the idea of the larger doors on some of the newer models.

3-400 dollars on an insulated isn’t gonna get you a very big tent. How big are you needing?

When are you fishing?

If it is cold cold weather, and you can load it into a truck, then there is a point.

If you have a GARAGE to set it up in to dry it out after a trip, then there is a point.

Otherwise, the benefits are questionable. They DO freeze up and they DO need to be set up to dry. At the least, at the end of the season.

Yes they look great, and they have their place.

Either way you will probably be running a heater, so it won't matter that much on heat retention unless it is really cold outside.

Drewski

I have the Cabela's insulated tent (7.5x7.5ft) and it is pretty good and fits your price range. I've had mine for a couple years and am please with it. I think it is even on sale right now. I believe it is made by Clam or maybe Eskimo.

This the one? https://www.cabelas.ca/product/10027...ub-ice-shelter

Or this one? https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/cabe...al-ice-shelter

this one is at basspro and in american dollars. (i'm confused if the BPS shop is american dollars or canadian, since it tries to redirect you to cabelas as the "candian" store)

You most likely will be looking at the first 7.5x7.5 tent

this it the one. The Cabela's Wide bottom Thermal.

Eskimo QuickFish 3i is what I have and it’s awesome. Had it 3 years, using it often and not a single issue.
Canadian Tire puts them on sale for like $300 fairly often, so if you wait a bit, my guess is it won’t be long before they try to off load the ice fishing gear.
It’s $399 regular and IMO considering how durable they are, worth it. I wouldn’t get a non-insulated tent personally, yet they work fine.
Have a look on the FaceBook Marketplace for one, and gear. Lots of people give up on ice fishing, often after only a few tries. For some reason the FB marketplace has more stuff than Kijiji in certain categories I find.

Costco has the Fish Inn in stock in the Sherwood Park and Airport locations. It's 84"x84". Nice size. Its around the $280.00 mark, but don't quote me on that. Lots of space for less than $300.00.

I have the Cabela’s wide bottom thermal as well. I like it a lot.

Always American bucks. Only time it is not is their local flyer which is Canuck bucks.

as someone who has a cheaper Walmart brand. (ice Chalet) it is not insulated. if I was to but another Id would buy a name brand and INSULATED.

theres one for sale here on the for sale section
http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=359062

Decided to go with this one, and from Costco to boot!

https://www.costco.ca/Fish-Inn-Estat...100457853.html

I have friends that use this exact one! Can never go wrong with costco!

Iv had good luck with my quick fish 2

I've had the Woods 3 arctic 3 for a few years now and have been very happy with it, other than advertised as 600D fabric at the time. I have done many days out and even this year in the -40's with a good heater. I spend lots of nights on the lake in it as well. Canadian Tire had the insulated 4 man one on sale for 350 and I really thought about getting it. Little more room for a cot or to cook haha.

I bought this tent recently and it is garbage. I had an eskimo 3i and wanted something bigger for when more people come out on the ice.

There are gaps in the blackout that is sprayed on the inside.
The bag it comes with is a joke, if you fish in the cold you have to forcefully wrestle it back into the bag and if you use a heater with some condensation that freezes its worse. I will be returning as soon as my otter arrives.

sherpa
 

I have used Rapala Sherpa, 2 persons tent, for the last 5 years. No complains. But one thing got me thrilled. I broke a pole ~ 2 years ago and contacted Rapala to buy a new one, but Rapala sent it to me for free!! :sHa_shakeshout: