Cabela's Outback Lodge Opinions?

[dla]

I'm looking for a new family-size tent. I want something that I can put up by myself and has room for two cots, gear, a dog, and I want to be able to stand up to put on my clothes. I'm intrigued by Cabela's Outback lodge and I'm wondering what others think. Thanks.

[victorcharlie]

Is this the tent?
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0003770514192a&type=product&cmCat=search&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=Outback+lodge&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=Outback+lodge&noImage=0

Have you looked at any thing else? 

This is a rather unconventional design.....if I read the description correctly it has a center pole which might be in the way.......

I see there are 34 reviews, but I was not able to get them to open.....

[dla]

That center pole is the beauty of it to me. The 10'x10' has an 8'4" center height which means steep walls. There's plenty of space over my head. Single wall tents are a mixed blessing, they are warmer, but they are also prone to condensation if not vented properly.

[Siskiyou]

I stayed a few days in a similar canvas tent.  I believe it was a WWII military surplus.  Not a bad tent but when it comes to tents from that era I prefer a wall tent with a ridgepole.  I believe a wall tent or a dome tent allow for better space management.  I normally have a rain fly over my tent to shed water or keep it cool.

I believe the tent you are looking at would be good in a storm for shedding water.  But the design of the tent makes using a protective tent fly difficult.

My older canvas wall tent has sliding canvas cover over the screens that allow for ventilation and my dome tents have good ventilation

[dla]

I stayed a few days in a similar canvas tent.  I believe it was a WWII military surplus.  Not a bad tent but when it comes to tents from that era I prefer a wall tent with a ridgepole.  I believe a wall tent or a dome tent allow for better space management.  I normally have a rain fly over my tent to shed water or keep it cool.

I believe the tent you are looking at would be good in a storm for shedding water.  But the design of the tent makes using a protective tent fly difficult.

My older canvas wall tent has sliding canvas cover over the screens that allow for ventilation and my dome tents have good ventilation

You bring up a good point about the lack of the fly. I can see one problem with this tent and that is the door.
There is no way to shelter that door to prevent water coming in when entering/exiting in the rain.

The 10'x10' model is $229. There are better "weather" designs but they cost much more.

[cjensen]

I bought the 12x12 last year as I needed a roomy tent that didn't cost a lot or weigh a lot. I spent a week in Wyoming in it.  It is what it is, a roomy tent that you can stand up in with a pole in the center. I hung the lantern from the pole. No ladies stopped by so I don't know how strong the pole really is. The door can let some water in. All in al if it were stolen I'd replace it with the same. It works for me. 

[dla]

I bought the 10'x10'. Set it up by myself easily. It is perfect for two Cabelas Alaskan cots, a small table, gear and a dog. It is completely seam-sealed and taped. I also bought the floor liner but left it at my son's house in Idaho 

There is plenty of inside venting with the windows closed and of course a lot more with the windows open. The only "gotcha" in the tent setup is that you need to open the roof vents before you raise the center pole, otherwise you won't be able to access the rear roof vent (unless you are 7 foot tall or arms like an Orangutan).

The door is weather tight, but the tent needs a vestibule for you to be able to egress without the rain getting in. The door zipper can snag a bit, but I'm used to that. I'm thinking of crafting a small vestibule - it doesn't look like rocket-science.

This tent is as stable as you can stake it. I can see that it would handle some pretty nasty weather. It is 3 season rated, but I don't see why it wouldn't handle snow as I can't see how snow could stick to it. I'm wondering about trying one of those small catalytic heaters inside since there is a lot of ventilation.

[victorcharlie]

Good deal!

I've used tent heaters and on occasion, a kerosene heater in a tent about that size for many years.   I usually get the tent warm and turn it off, then relight it if I get cold during the night.

Make sure to vent the tent fully.....carbon monoxide ya know.......

[GRIMJIM]

I looked at that tent and ended up buying the 12 x 12 xwt. 89" center height with no poles. Excellent ventilation, flies on front and back, dome style sheds water well with the rain fly which is full size not just a little tarp on top of the tent. I also got the dry set kit, you can set the rainfly first and put up the tent under it so the tent doesn't get soaked.

I live in this tent for nine days in southern Illinois during deer season in the fall. The weather down there can be 60s and sunny or 20s and snowy or torrential rainstorms. I just got this tent last year, it was in the 30-s and with a mr. buddy heater I was toasty.

[dla]

I looked at that tent and ended up buying the 12 x 12 xwt. 89" center height with no poles. Excellent ventilation, flies on front and back, dome style sheds water well with the rain fly which is full size not just a little tarp on top of the tent. I also got the dry set kit, you can set the rainfly first and put up the tent under it so the tent doesn't get soaked.

I live in this tent for nine days in southern Illinois during deer season in the fall. The weather down there can be 60s and sunny or 20s and snowy or torrential rainstorms. I just got this tent last year, it was in the 30-s and with a mr. buddy heater I was toasty.

Yep, that's a good tent. Another good tent is their Alaknak-series. Cabelas has a pretty good selection of stuff if you've got the money.

[GRIMJIM]

Yeah it sure was pricey. But I think i was worth the expense, especially since I spend so much time in it every year. I'm trying to get the wife to go camping and check it out but if there's no running water to wash her hair or toilets, she won't go. I guess that still leaves state parks. Good luck on the tent search.

[Ruskin]

I've looked at this tent.  I like the style; however, Sportsmanguide has a cheaper lodge tent.  I don't believe it is constructed as well as the Cabela tent.

I looked at Walmart, and I saw a cabin tent that caught my eye.  They have ozark tents.  With everything coming from China does that mean that the manufacturer is not that important?

I figure I will treat any tent with silicone to assure dryness.

Is brand loyalty worth the price difference?

[dla]

I've looked at this tent.  I like the style; however, Sportsmanguide has a cheaper lodge tent.  I don't believe it is constructed as well as the Cabela tent.

I looked at Walmart, and I saw a cabin tent that caught my eye.  They have ozark tents.  With everything coming from China does that mean that the manufacturer is not that important?

I figure I will treat any tent with silicone to assure dryness.

Is brand loyalty worth the price difference?

Beats me. I'm a tightwad by nature. I bought the Cabelas Outback Lodge because I trust Cabelas to offer a decent tent. I trust Sportsmans Guide to offer something cheap. I wanted a tent that would handle the elements and I'm satisfied that the Outback Lodge will do that. I don't think it is a perfect tent, but I do think it is a very good tent for the money.

Sometimes the Chinese, off-brand stuff is pretty good, e.g. the River Rock LED flashlights, headlamps and lanterns. And sometimes it is pathetic junk, e.g. the Swiss Gear tents sold at Walmart.

[dla]

I bought the 10'x10'. Set it up by myself easily. It is perfect for two Cabelas Alaskan cots, a small table, gear and a dog. It is completely seam-sealed and taped. I also bought the floor liner but left it at my son's house in Idaho 

There is plenty of inside venting with the windows closed and of course a lot more with the windows open. The only "gotcha" in the tent setup is that you need to open the roof vents before you raise the center pole, otherwise you won't be able to access the rear roof vent (unless you are 7 foot tall or arms like an Orangutan).

The door is weather tight, but the tent needs a vestibule for you to be able to egress without the rain getting in. The door zipper can snag a bit, but I'm used to that. I'm thinking of crafting a small vestibule - it doesn't look like rocket-science.

This tent is as stable as you can stake it. I can see that it would handle some pretty nasty weather. It is 3 season rated, but I don't see why it wouldn't handle snow as I can't see how snow could stick to it. I'm wondering about trying one of those small catalytic heaters inside since there is a lot of ventilation.

I've had my Outback Lodge for almost 6 months now. I've used it in hot weather and was very pleased at how well it is vented. I just used it in some downright nasty weather (wind, rain, ice, snow) and the tent held up nicely. No worries about the tent's stability (although it is hard to sleep listening to snow & ice slide down the outside of the tent). It definitely needs a vestibule of some sort to keep rain from entering when you egress the tent. The floor liner is a "must have" option, not only for quick cleanup but also because any water entering will slide under the liner leaving the top dry. Since I use cots, water isn't a big deal.

I used it in mid-20's weather, and had some inside ice accumulation, in the lower corners of the tent. Moisture sources were two adults and a Mr.Buddy propane heater. After a week of below freezing weather, you'll have alot of ice build up.

Standard tradeoff - if you close it down to keep the cold air out, you'll trap the moisture inside. If you open up the large side & top vents you'll find it next to impossible to heat. You don't want to be rubbing up against the sides or you'll get wet from the condensation.

I need to make some sort of vestibule as an improvement. But I would continue to use this tent without fear in nasty weather. Simple, one-person setup and takedown.

Hope this helps someone else considering this tent

[d_hiker]

Nice report and follow up.  Thank you

[Stan in SC]

I have had the 10'X10" model for about six years and really like it.Set up is easy and fool proof.I've never used it in freezing cold weather but in moderately cold weather it can get pretty comfortable inside with a good heater.

Stan