Cabela’s Ultimate Alaknak Outfitter Tent Review
The Cabela’s Ultimate Alaknak Outfitter Tent is a strong all-around, stove-compatible tent fit for trips as low as 0 degrees. I chose this tent for our trip this last May to Yellowstone National Park. This Ultimate Alaknak 12’x12′ Outfitter Tent has been around for two decades already. There are three tents in this Alaknak series, and this one is in the middle regarding the size. The tent is non-freestanding, so you should have a place where the ground will keep its stakes in place. You start by staking the base first and then start putting in place its leg poles. After that fix guylines around and raise the walls from the ground. You start by staking the base first and then start putting in place its leg poles. After that fix guylines around and raise the walls from the ground. You will have to crawl inside to put the central pole in place, and then add the A-shaped door support. Next, you go around and tighten the guylines and attach all Velcro tabs to the side poles. One person can do this in less than half an hour.
Windows & Doors
The tent has 3 roof windows and they are all 3-layer type. This means you have a zippered inner panel, then follows a fixed mesh, and on the outside you have a zippered translucent vinyl panel that can be rolled up for extra ventilation.
There are also 3 windows on the vertical walls. Their design is more like vents, and the manufacturer describes them as vents. So you have inner panels with Velcro closing, then follows a fixed mesh, and from outside they have dark awnings for protection from rain and also to reduce glare. These awnings you pull out and attach to the guylines.
The tent has only one door, and it is with an awning supported by an A-shaped frame. The door is a two-layer type with a full-size mesh and a panel, both with high quality YKK zippers.
Pipe Jack
The tent comes ready for a wood-burning stove. This means you have an integrated pipe jack on the roof, the picture below. The diameter is 5 inches (13 cm). When not in use, you close it with its zippered panel.
The Fabric
The shell is built from what they call the X-Treme Tent Cloth which is a very durable 250D polyester oxford with a modest 1000 mm PU coating. But the tent will keep you dry, you can be sure about this. The floor is even more durable with its 300D polyester oxford and 3000 mm waterproof coating. Note that this is not truly a bathtub type, it is closer to a catenary cut design.
Ventilation
I already mentioned those 3 closable side windows that act like wall vents. They have added also a triangular mesh vent above the door, it is not closable. There are roof vents around the top of the central pole.
Regarding the area, I am not sure about the official capacity. You have 144 ft² (13.4 m²) of the floored area, and the dimensions are such that you can easily put 6-8 sleeping pads on the floor. I shall rate it as a 6-person tent. But when you use the stove inside, it is best to downgrade it to 3-4 people.
Regarding seasons & climate, this tent is ventilated and suitable for warm weather camping. In a cold environment you can close almost all the openings, and if this is not enough you can heat it with a stove. So the tent is truly for all seasons.
The peak height is impressive, and its vertical side walls are 4 feet (122 cm) high. The structure is boxy and far from aerodynamic. The stakes and guylines are strong so the tent will protect you in harsh conditions, but I would not use it in very windy places and above tree line.
Regarding the weight, this is a heavy structure with its total weight of 67 lb (30.4 kg). It is also quite bulky with its all stuff. The packed size is 53.7 x 12.7 x 12.7 inches (136 x 32 x 32 cm), so it is quite long.
Specifications
- Weight:
– Tent: 31 lb (14.1 kg).
– Poles: 23 lb (10.4 kg).
– Stakes: 13 lb (5.9 kg). - Dimensions: 12 x 12 ft (366 x 366 cm).
- Floor area: 144 ft² (13.4 m²).
- Peak height: 115.7 in (294 cm).
- Packed size: 53.7 x 12.7 x 12.7 in (136 x 32 x 32 cm).
- Warranty: You have a one-year warranty against manufacturing defects.