I own several Kodiak canvas tents including both the 12'x9' Lodge tent and the 12'x12' Cabin tent as well as spring bow tents. I haven't owned an Alaknak tent, but I do have experience with tents others have owned. Hands down the better purchase are the Kodiak canvas tents. You touched on several points as to why but there is another that you didn't mention. There is a considerable condensation problem on the inside of the tent with the Alaknak tents. There is no breathability with the nylon fabric. On really cold days you can actually have ice build up inside your tent on the material not immediately adjacent to the wood stove. And if you enjoy the greater ease of using a propane heater inside your tent then you are really asking for moisture problems as those type of heaters give off a substantial amount of moisture during combustion. One of my friends used his brand new Alaknak tent for a one week outing hunting camp. He was so fed up with the Alaknak that he sold it by the next hunting season and bought a Kodiak Canvas tent. There are many reviews on line that attest to this issue. Another great feature of the Kodiak tent is the 8'x8' canvas enclosure that can be added to the front of the tent. They retail for 399 but you can normally get a bundle deal if you buy the enclosure at the same time you buy the tent. The Alaknak has an additional vestibule that you can buy, not sure on the price but I know it's over a couple hundred bucks and not near the functionality of the Kodiak enclosure. That's my two cents. Not to step on any toes but I have several videos on my channel showing my hunting camp setups with both the 12x9 and the 12x12 tents

Excellent review, no music and preamble. Informative and to the point. Well done !

I love my Kodiak! And so easy for one person to set up. Im 67 yrs.old and take my horse camping . I love the windows. Makes it easy to peek out at my horse during the night to check on him. I can set it up by myself, and tear down is even easier. The canvas is tough and rain proof and I feel very secure in it. Can't wait for the fall camp and ride season up here in northern Wisconsin.

Love your air, honest review...great job!!

I have the Kodiak 12x12 lodge tent you reviewed along with the optional 8x8 porch awning and enclosure. We also have the Colorado cylinder stove. We've had the tent for a little over two years. I've used it for both camping and hunting. It's been an outstanding home away from home in all kinds of weather. I'm 6'2" and my son is 6'6". We have both found this tent to be very roomy during hunting trips.

Thanks for putting this video together!

Love where you guys are camping. I could stay there for weeks.

Excellent review. We've been using the larger Cabelas Alaknak 12x24 as our deer camp base in KY the last 7 years and have been very pleased with how it's held up. Solid zippers and stitching and it's been through some gales.

Thanks for the review. Love the designs Kodiak offers!

well done review, had all of the details I needed and I appreciate putting this into a 10 minute timeline. cheers, and good luck.

I love the 8x8 vestibule option with the kodiak. We purchased it with our tent. When the weather is poor, you have somewhere, out of your tent to go hang out. Open the window between rhe tent and vestibule, and your stove will heat it nicely as well. Ita large enough to put a folding picnick table as well as a vouple chairs.

That's the Very Best review I've ever seen on anything... Almost all review never tell the the most important thing. How much does it cost. Love to say more. Extremely fair review. FANTASTIC JOB. You get 2 big thumbs up. 👍👍😉

I bought the 12 x 12 Alaknak for deer season in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. I used it last year(2021). We had some pretty high winds, snow, and temps in the low 20's. I bought the same stove you have along with pretty much every accessory including, floor liner, roof protector, and vestibule. The vestibule was an excellent investment allowing for boots/shoes to be stored in a dry space outside of the actual tent. It was also an excellent space to store firewood. We had three grown men at deer camp on cots and there was plenty of room for a fourth. Could squeeze a 5th but that would be tight. With bunk cots you could get six guys in this thing. It seems that it was a very well-thought-out design. Overall I was very impressed with my purchase. After that first season there is absolutely no damage to the tent. I look forward to years of service out of it. I think I will build a platform to get it off the ground for next season however I had no problems right on the ground.

Ive seen more people in the comments saying they own the Kodiak, but those who own the Alaknak also say that it's great and has had no problems. I think at the end of the day it falls down to personal needs and preference, as you mentioned in the video.

Excellent comparative products video. Really appreciated your attention to detail. Nice work.

Great video and thanks for putting the prices in very helpful

Fantastic review man!!! Good to see you!

The Kodiak bow-style tents are warm in the winter and provide shade in the hot summer days. I originally bought it as a winter camping solution, but found it the coolest tent I've ever been in during the hot desert summer as well. Everything else seems like sleeping in a garbage bag by comparison. The cloth hold up well without all the noise in the wind as well. I have been in 70mph winds reading a book with peace of mind.

What a great review, thank you.

Outstanding review. This may seem like a waste of money, but I actually own both the Alaknak and a canvas wall tent. Which one I use depends on the situation. The canvas is warmer in cold temps, but both tents stay plenty warm with a stove and quality firewood. I prefer the canvas in dry cold camping situations, but I have found that in rainy situations the Alaknak is a little easier to dry out after I get home. Both are great options.

I love my Cabela’s Alaknak tent and have used it many times. Your review was a nice comparison of the two. Skillet

I can see the similarities between the Kodiak tent and the Kodiak truck tent I have. It’s been great, I’ve had it since about 2014. I’ve been thinking about getting the 12x12 for the lady and I and the truck tent the smaller kids can use. I hadn’t realized it had so many windows!

Always a good idea if going into rainy areas to cover the entire tent with.a tarp or two. When there new, for a few rains, the don't leak but if using for extended periods tarps are a necessity. You should never set up a tent without an under mat. Tarps or thick plastic works for this very well. If covering a tent in rainy areas always have a trap or tarps long enough to be placed in a trench dug all around the tent about a foot deep and then covers with the dirt removed. This will seal out all animals and insects from creating holes to get into your living areas and protects you food supplies from corruption. I have lived in tents extend periods of time even up to 8 years and these tips work very well. In rainy areas two tarps over the tent are recommended.

What a great video, thank you for sharing it with us. I just got home from a five day hunting trip in northern Alberta where the temps over night were down to -13 F, to say the least out Alaknak was having its trouble but protected us with the little alpine cylinder stove. I will say this much, it may be a great tent for warmer weather but because of this video I feel like the Kodiak is a better fit for us. Thank you.

Great reviews buddy!!!!

Great review. I own the Kodiac 6133 Deluxe and love it.

I have a 10x20 Alaknak text we slept 13 people inside with a stove and wood. Been using that for about 8 years.

Great video. Very well done. Very helpful.

I have the smaller 9.5x9.5 alaknak with all of the options including the vestibule. Being smaller it is easier to heat. And the roof angle is steeper so no pooling at the eaves. It also has seen a wet heavy 10 inch snow fall like nothing. It's the only tent that i have that has an attached floor and that is great for keeping bugs like ants out in summer. I have used it sense 2005 deer hunting and trout fishing with not one negative issue. I did seam seal it once in that time. LOVE This tent .

Good video. Keep them coming.

Thank you

Hi there! Thank you very much for this comparison of the 2 tents. I'm not currently in the market for an outfitter tent, but these look to be some great ones! I live in southwestern CO at about 8000 feet. I remember watching the guy from Competitive Edge Products doing extensive videos on the Kodiaks; as in he kept his up for months. Oh...the point about being in CO, it isn't like we get days and days of rain and are in the excessive humidity. I think the canvas is the way to go here! Safe travels!

An awning at the door (and windows) is priceless. Any door without a dry area is crazy. And, the way you have the blue tarp sticking out from the front of the Kodiak is a great rain collector... that goes right under the tent. Yikes!

Loved the video, very informative. I was looking at buying the 12x12 alaknak but after watching your vid I ended up buying the 12x12 kodiak due to it being more rugged and durable, the extra weight doesnt bother me as anywhere i would use the tent there is vehicle access. Thank you so much for doing this review i had not heard about the kodiak tents before i watched your vid.

Great video, and review lots of great information.

Good review. Thanks

Very helpful. Thank you very much.

I have a Kodiak Flexbow tent and spend the winters in it in the southwest.

Great video, very helpful

Excellent review thanks

Nice review. I have the 10 x 14 flex bow i believe it's called and we love it, highly recommend it. Very water proof, camped with 2 inches of rain fall over night, woke up to standing water all around and under my tent but not a drop inside. I have 3 criticisms, first the ykk door zippers are very loud so you'll probably wake up your spouse if you have go to the bathroom. Second is the white roof. Its keeps it cool and bright inside but gets dirty fast. Bird poop and tree sap will have it looking dingy in one season if you camp under trees requiring it to be cleaned. Lastly is the awning, its attached very low on the tent and the longer tent poles means the awning pitches toward the tent inside of away which causes water to pool in the center until it pours out to one side splashing mud all over. You'd have to about 4 ft tall to keep the awning pitched away and not hit your head going in.

I have this tent with the 8x8 awning and love it. I don't winter camp, I live in Texas and I installed a zip up boot in the side and have a 8,000 btu window unit on a stand that slides right in the side. On a 95 degree day it will be 79 to 82. Once the sun sets 65 degree's. I spend most of the day with other campers asking where to get this tent.

as soon as i saw the nylon construction on the cabelas i knew how this would end. i have the 10 by 14 kodiak canvas itent and it stays up for 6 months of my winter desert camp for 3 years running and it is in as new condition, no joke. the canvas is the way to go rain or shine, its quiet and soft movement in the wind if wonderful. the floor would withstand a flood. a mr buddy heater keeps warm and i don't take it down even in 40 mph gusts. It sits in between trailer and truck and becomes the center of activity when the bugs are out. can't speak more highly of this tent.

I have a traditional canvas wall tent with no windows. Either of these, but especially the Kodiak, would be sooooo much better in summer. And of course there's a ton more features included with both of them. One thing I'd have liked to have seen is the two tents packed up, to get an idea of the space they take up to pack.

I am loving that Kodiak.

Nice! Honestly both tents look great.

Excellent work on this one bud.

The canvas tent is the way to go thanks for video.

Love that Kodiak tent. Been looking for another canvas tent. So versatile imo.

we own the Kodiak Canvas , it is great

I have owned my Alaknak tent for several years and agree with several others on here, the condensation you run into using the wood stove in the winter months can be a problem. In fact, I now bring a big towel to wipe away the drops of water forming on the ceiling. I haven’t owned the Kodiak but have used other canvas wall tents and they are much better in this regard. I do like how the Alaknak it easy to setup by yourself, as I mostly hunt alone and have gotten proficient at setting it up. You should do a video on setting up the Kodiak by yourself as a comparison. Great video, thanks

I had the kodiak lodge tent with extra room that connects to the front of the tent. Let me tell you this tent held up to massive rain and wind storms. Not a drop of water ever came in. I sold it because I wanted a tent I could use a wood stove in, kodiak didn’t have this tent available yet otherwise I would of purchased it. Kodiak makes great tents that last!! The enclosed awning was great for cooking during the rain, sitting for dinner and visiting with family. My wife, our 1yr old son, his high chair and two black labs had plenty of room. So many people stopped to ask us where we got the tent. The floor is like magic it’s so thick, I didn’t worry one bit from our dogs playing and ripping a hole with there claws. We also had a mr buddy XL propane heater, mainly for our son and my wife and let me tell you on 40 degree F nights I had to sleep out of the sleeping bag it held the heat so well. Also the white canvas roof like tou mentioned is so nice to let in natural light

I've used a Cabelas Alaknak for over 30 years. Lately for Eastern Sierra fishing, earlier to Inuvik in actic Canada. Resealed, a couple of small holes patched as total of maintenance. Wood stove is a comfort to temps in the teens, so far. Manufactured by Montana canvas and tent back when I bought it for about $500.

Great review

I've loved the Alaknak series but, when it came time to pull the trigger, I chose the Kodiak. I already have a a kodiak truck tent and a 12x12 outback lodge and prefer the comfort of heavy canvas particularly in wind and snow. The weight wasn't a concern as we're already hauling bunk bed cots, and a basic kitchen. The windows are amazing as well. The greatest selling point is the 8x8 awning for another $400 giving a secure staging/ kitchen area making this a perfect base camp tent. I can actually see living in this with the family for a long period of time, just like the old GP medium in my Army days Competitive Edge Products has a long- term winter test of this combo here on KZfaq. It's worth the watch.

Was bouta comment about it but then you mentioned the weight, great breakdown video there my friend

Nice review!

Will, This is a very good comparison. Both tents seem to have their respective features and benefits. I think the light weight of the Alaknak would sway me a bit more toward it even though the Kodiak is more robust in some ways. I can see how a tent of this type would be handy to have for camping and also for when a SHTF event happens. Thank you for the objective comparison.

Very good video and comparison....subscribed

Very good video. 👍🏽

I thought those cord holes were to open when folding up and allow the air out. Works really well in that aspect as I close all doors and windows when putting away. So it always has air that needs to be taken out.

And for hot weather it’s nice to use the roof jack to pipe a portable air conditioner through if access to electric.

I had an older alaknak and it was a solid tent in cooler weather. my understanding is they changed the fabric after the one I had to make it a touch lighter but at the expense of breathability I don't have the kodiak cabin but I di have the spring bow with the large side vents and it is a very solid tent. I would say my only gripe is the door sippers at the corners can be a pain with one hand. I may try using some graphite to help it around the bend. I have had some slight leaking at the corners. I will say that the benefit of the alaknak is the vestibule option. it is big enough to use as a small cook station as well as boot removal to keep the interior clean. The nice thing about the spring bow is that you can keep some air circulation even in rainy weather.

The vestibules on these tents make them 100 times better. The real test would be to camp both tents when it's below freezing at night and see which one deals with condensation the best. I feel like that Kodiak gable vents arent enough ventilation if your forced to close windows for weather conditions. Great vid!!

Very good review. The Cabela's tent will be much better in winter. Why? Because of the conical roof. Less snow accumulating...less weight...less risk of collapsing.

Not in the market but you do a fine and fair review.

You might consider a portable electric bear fence when predators abound. A compact 2.4 lbs for huge peace of mind.

There is a channel here on youtube, the guy in it has been living in his alknak for over 3 yrs, I believe in colorado, I wish I could remember his name, he has great insights about the alaknak, its been through hell.

That there Kodiak is nice

The inside pockets and electric cord openings of the nylon tent are nice touches .As a retired army guy I am biased towards heavier canvas however. Wish I had reason to camp in the winter again.

I can't speak on the Kodiak tent, but I love my Alaknak and have used it for over ten years and never had a hitch with it.

I owned both the Alaknak and Kodiak. Hands down Kodiak takes the win. It breathes much better and doesn’t get drippy. Alaknak in heavy rain will have very slight leak through and condensation build up. Side walls get pretty wet on the inside. Sucks when your sleeping bag or pillow touches and gets wet. Finally the center pole ripped through the roof of the Alaknak. (Common problem). Cabelas refunded luckily and I bought the Kodiak. No leaks, holds in heat much better and zero moisture inside at all!! It’s absolutely amazing! Oh and the floor of the Kodiak is 10 times better then that of the Alaknak.

One of these days, I will get me a hot tent for winter camping that Kodiak 6170.Sure looks like a sweet tent. Sadly being out of work for over a year i think a winter camp trip is out of the question.Maybe next year.

I bought the Kodiak because the Alaknak was out of stock and I’m extremely happy for that “bad luck”

awesome video!

I'm going with the Alaknak....next buy!

I have wanted to purchase the alaknaktent for years, just never got around to it. I have just started to notice the Kodiak. For camping and fishing outings I am leaning more towards the Kodiak now. Decisions, decisions….

Nice

Great comparison, thanks! It’s clear to me that the Kodiak has a ridge pole, but I’m not seeing it in the video.

soon as you add the vestibule to the Alaknak it becomes a much better winter tent. especially if you had a better stove, I love my Camp Chef stove.

Alaknak all day. The kodiak isn’t meant for heavy snow days and the Alaknak is. I have the 12x12 and it is absolutely amazing. That difference alone is what made me make my choice.

I loved my canvas tipi but they are very HEAVY. At 74, the nylon tents are lughter and work well!

Unsponsored for not too much longer....good job. Help me out

Thank you for sharing. I am very interested in a 10 x 10 or a 12 x12 stove text with a stove larger then needed to be very warm .

I OWN THE KODIAK 6170 ALONG WITH THE 8 X 8 VESTIBULE

Nobody ever metions this problem with the alaknac tent. Ive had three of the 12x12s. Set one up in a flood zone i didnt know i was in, and the damn thing floated during a thunderstorm. Didnt leak through the zip out eather. Was like walking on a waterbed. If you dont set it up perfectly flat and it rains, water will collect in the corners. I corrected this problem with adjustable height poles in the four corners. When it rains, id lower them down to 3feet. The problem i was starting to get at is this: when this tent is set up, there is alot of tention across the front door screen. You have to do alot of adjusting to the side poles and loosen up that tention across the front. The screen and zipper is constructed well and takes alot of abuse when the tent is tight. Trust me, people just grab the zipper and go up or down with it like it a handle never thinking about that extra tention across the center. Ive repaired my zippers a couple times. Otherwise, these tents have been awesome for me. Word of warning: DO NOT EVER PUT SEAM SEALER OF ANY KIND ON THESE TENTS!!!! Thats how i ruined my first one. I thought i was doing a good thing sealing all the seams on my tent. What happens is, once you fold it all up and put it in your hot garage or wherever, that sealer starts sticking to whatever it comes in contact with.(even after its dry) When you unfold it for your next use, anywhere that stuff touches will pull off the outer layer of that XTC material. Its like upening up a licked envelope. I really enjoyed these tents for years and years. My buddies like mine so much, they went out and bought them too. When we go camping together, it looks like m*a*s*h unit in to woods. In fact, i have a sign that hangs from mine that says 4077th and another sign we put out front that says "the swamp". My buddies have there own mash numbers for their tents too. Long story longer, i think its time for a change. I believe im going to give this Kodiak tent a try. The new 16x12 looks pretty cool too. It has openings at both end like the 12x20 alaknac does. You can put the adder rooms on both end too. For now, i think ill get the 12x12 with the adder room. Should be more than enough for me. People say its hard for one guy to set up. I watched a guy do it. I think i can do it myself too. Just got to balace the center pole. Thanks for letting me ramble on you feed. Enjoyed the video.

I think it would more functional to have the stove more toward the center of the tent so the opposite corner does not stay cold.

I decided to finally take a jump and order the Kodiak tent, and noticed that it was more expensive directly from the company than from a company that reviews and displays their tents on KZfaq. I was looking at the Cabela ones, too, but read some reviews that sort of shot that idea down. One of the pluses of the Kodiak is that a single person can set it up. I need a tent with a lot of room, given there will be 3 dogs camping with me, and I want to make sure they don't touch the stove.

I put tennis balls on the legs of my cot to protect the floor

I have the Kodiak 12x12 and I absolutely love it

Get an airstream with sat dish and solar panels.

Im sorry to say.. 55*f is ideal..summer weather...since both are winter / cold capable w/ stove jacs the roof pitch on the Kodiac is a collapse waiting to gappen NOT enough pitch or support therefore the other tent with center pole to slide snow build-up off easier.. is the winner..

Would like to see a Springbar Classic Jack 140 review. Also for future review the Springbar Skyliner available in the Fall of 2022. Both tents are made In America and we don't need to be supporting foreign made products

Just bought a capella 12x12 tent. Haven't tried to put it up yet. I am 74 yr. Old woman. I prospect for gold . The winds in Stanton, Arizona can gust to 80mph. What speed winds do Kodiak tents sustain. Also how can I stop moisture from building up inside the tent.

I have a 12x12 canvas spike tent, a for in each end and 1 window on each side. I don't think i would like all those windows, to many weather intrusion places. Vestibules are almost necessary, wish i had bought the bigger fly that had the vestibule. Lighter weight would be nice, mine is in 2 large totes plus the stove. I would prefer the Kodiak tent too. I think Cabela's had one that had sleeping pods that zipped onto it leaving the main floor area clear of cots or sleeping bags, i thought that was pretty cool but imagine the pods would be colder at night

Did Cabela's fix the recent material issue with the Alaknak? I have 5 older 12 x 12 Alaknak tents that are doing well. Last summer fellow guides bought a new Alaknak and when it poured the first night they had to abandoned the tent and sleep in their trucks. It leaked like a sieve! I asked a sale presentative about at Cabela's when in the camping section an she said DON'T BUY IT, these tents are being returned with the same problem. Just want to make sure folks know this is an issue that as far as I know showed up in 2023. Lucky for my fellow guides they had trucks to jump into. Imagine if this was a back country late season hunt where staying dry was critical to your safety and well being?

Good video. The Kodiak looks well built.

I have the alaknak tent and a stove. Do you suggest a welding blanket or cover behind the stove to protect the tent wall?

Is there much condensation buildup in the mornings after using the stove all night?

I’ve owned a Alaknak. It needs a rain fly. It was my spike camp tent. I own Montana canvas wall tents too. No comparison. Heavy duck canvas is better. But it’s heavy….