His Canvas Stove Tent was Better Than Mine. Kodiak 6170 vs Cabela's 12x12 Alaknak

I wish I would have gone with his stove tent instead of my mine. Today I review the Cabela's Outfitters series 12x12 Alaknak against the Kodiak 6170. They both have their strengths and their weaknesses. Please leave a like and make sure to Subscribe.
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-Will

🚨**Update (as of March 3rd, 2025):**🚨 The link to Kodiak Canvas products has been updated to an affiliate link. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Proceeds from these links help support the channel and allow me to create more great content for you. Thank you for your support!

If you want to pack light please check out the unsponsored non affiliate link for the Cabela's 12x12 Alaknak here:

This video was not sponsored by anyone however we really enjoyed the Alpine cylinder stove that was purchased with our own money from Colorado Cylinder Stoves. Go check them out.

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Thanks for watching!
-Will

[catsamazing]

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

[Deej]

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.

[danmiketysonh]

I reached $90k today from renting and reselling modular homes from Proopsy. Thank you for all the knowledge and insights you've shared with me over the past few months. I began this journey in November 2024. Financial education is essential for over 70% of the population, as only a few are truly literate in this area.

[DIYoming]

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

[TheRealGunGuyTV]

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.

[paule]

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.

[RT-gvus]

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.

[boog]

Best review I’ve ever seen on YouTube. No music or 10 minutes of rambling to start the video. Phenomenal camera work. Fair, fact based side by side comparison. I’m going to need you to make a similar video anytime I’m looking to buy something. Thank you!

[Ironwind]

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

[everythingsalright]

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.

[atmoreguitt]

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.

[metilhed]

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.

[sandorkomlos]

Thanks for the video and 'straight shooting' commentary. New subscriber here. My son and I have been using the Alaknak for the past 5 hunting seasons and I can say I am happy with it. It took the first hunting season to work out the moisture problem. I have read the comments here and please believe the reviews, there can be a serious moisture problem. We have slept four in the tent and it was roomy enough with four cots. We build a large tarp kitchen/ sitting area outside which allows us to use the tent for sleeping and drying only with a large party. When it is just my son and I the moisture is not a big issue but it is still there. We have found a solution by keeping the vents only open enough for air flow and keep the stove hot. we use a large stove fan and each time we reload the stove we turn it ~45* or towards a wetter area. By the mourning there is very little vapour build up and the heat stays in. when we leave in the morning for the hunt we put a load in the stove and close the vents in the stove. the slow burn dries the tent by our return in the evening. When the big winter storms happen on our moose hunts the tent is resilient to the wind and we stay warm. That's my penny's worth.

[jameswalstrom]

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. 👍👍😉

[FodderForFreedom]

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.

[hamjeepr]

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 Youtube. It's worth the watch.

[scottoquinn]

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.

[warren]

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

[millwrightdad]

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

[hickamzechariah]

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!!