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Fishing in winter does not always take place under normal weather conditions. Frost and wind penetrate the ice fishing enthusiast to the bone, in order to avoid frostbite and protect yourself from the difficulties of the weather, you need a cube tent for winter fishing. With its help, it will be possible to protect yourself from wind and snow, as well as to warm up additionally with heating devices.
Design features of the cube tent
Until recently, anglers who prefer to fish from the ice made their own shelter from the weather, but now the market is filled with a variety of tents for the winter hobby. A variety of models will put anyone in a stupor, tents differ according to several criteria, one of which is the shape.
Often on forums and in companies, fishing enthusiasts discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a cube tent, this is one of the most popular varieties among anglers in our country. The tent differs from the rest in height, and it also stands out with convex outward walls. The entrance is located on the side and resembles a hemisphere in shape.
There are two types of products:
- automatic, they unfold on ice in a few seconds, you just need to fix it on a screw and skirt;
- manual installation will require some effort, but the time will not vary much.
Most often, anglers prefer automatic models, but tents with manual installation are also bought quite often.
Advantages and disadvantages
Anglers who have experienced a cube tent for winter fishing are generally satisfied with their purchase, often recommending just this form to their friends and acquaintances.
This is due to the advantages of the product. Among others, the following can be distinguished:
- sizes, they are very important in this case. Several fishermen can be in the tent at the same time, while they absolutely will not interfere with each other. In addition, no one can constantly sit on the box, thanks to the normal height, every adult can stand up to his full height and stretch his stiff muscles.
- The ability to quickly set up a tent is no less important, in a matter of seconds you can set up the product and immediately start catching fish.
- When folded, the tent takes up little space and weighs very little. These are important criteria for those who do not have their own vehicles and get to the places of fishing by public.
- After installation, holes can be drilled without problems, ice chips will not freeze to the skirt, the material is treated with an antifreeze compound.
- If necessary, the cube tent can be quickly folded and moved to another fishing spot.
But the product also has disadvantages, although the advantages partially hide them:
- the high height of the internal space contributes to the stratification of air masses, they do not mix. Warmth gathers in the upper part, but the lower part, where the fisherman is located, remains cool. Therefore, in severe frosts and at night, a heat exchanger is indispensable.
- The material of the tent is not always strong enough, a light touch of the ice drill knives immediately leaves marks. But there is also an advantage here, the fabric does not spread, it can be repaired with ordinary glue.
- For some, the entrance from the side in the form of a hemisphere is not very convenient; in warm clothes, not every fisherman will be able to carefully enter the tent.
- Automatic installation is good, but a strong gust of wind at this moment can turn the product over and carry it across a frozen pond. Some anglers with this experience will immediately screw in the skirt turnbuckles and make a stretch with fasteners, and only then install it.
With a manual type tent, you will have to fool around a bit, it is better to do it together, then the process will go faster.
Criterias of choice
Before buying a cube tent for ice fishing, you should first get as much information as possible. Ask acquaintances and friends who have already used such a product, sit on the forum and with other fishermen ask questions about installation, collection and ask how best to choose.
Arriving at a store or other outlet, before buying, you must double-check the selected product. Attention should be paid:
- on the quality of the seams, they must be even;
- on the material, the fabric must be durable and not wet;
- on the supporting arcs, they must quickly take their original position;
- for the complete set, at least 6 screws must be attached to the tent;
- the presence of a cover is mandatory, each manufacturer completes its product with a convenient bag-case for transportation.
It is also necessary to check the availability of instructions for use, all the details of the manufacturer will be indicated there, as well as the dimensions of the product in folded and unfolded form.
Top 7 best tents
Demand generates supply, there are more than enough tents for ice fishing in the distribution network. The rating of the most popular models among anglers will help you make a choice.
Tramp Ice Fisher 2
The tent has only positive reviews. For its manufacture, fiberglass is used for the frame and windproof polyester for the awning. The sizes allow two adults to be placed inside, who will absolutely not interfere with each other. A feature of the model is the impermeability of the awning over the entire area, which is important with a sharp change in temperature, melting snow and precipitation in the form of rain.
Mitek Nelma Cub-2
The tent is designed to accommodate two people at once, among the advantages it is worth noting duralumin rods for the frame and reflective stripes on all sides of the product. Waterproof polyester has a sufficiently high performance, so it is not afraid of rain and snowmelt.
Fisherman- Nova Tour Cube
The manufacturer claims that this product is designed for three anglers, but in reality only two are placed without restriction of movement. The frame is made of fiberglass, the awning is powerful, but not of the best quality, but it can hold the piercing wind. Water resistance is average, but will save you from rain. Folded weight 7 kg, for a triple tent, these are good indicators.
Talberg Shimano 3
The tent of the Chinese manufacturer is in the TOP for a reason, the quality indicators of the product are very good. The frame is made of fiberglass, but the stability is very strong. For the awning, a slightly blown polyester was used, but it does not differ in wetness. But do not be afraid of this, complete wetting is possible only with excellent operation of the heating element in the tent, and from the outside it should be covered with snow.
Lotus Wagon
The tent is designed for three anglers, they will be comfortable and not cramped inside. The aluminum frame is strong and stable. The awning is made of synthetic fibers with refractory treatment, which will prevent fire both from the inside and outside. The model has two entrances and the same number of windows, which greatly simplifies the movement in it. The small weight and dimensions when folded make it indispensable for anglers without personal transport.
Fisherman-Nova Nour Nerpa 2v.2
The model is an improved version of the original from a well-known manufacturer. The tent is designed for two anglers, high-quality fiberglass was used for the frame, the awning is made of polyester with windproof characteristics, additionally treated with a weak refractory substance.
The product will differ in an elongated skirt and the presence of additional stretch marks, which will be useful in stormy winds. Allocate among other models and weight indicators, the folded tent has a very small size and weighs less than 3 kg.
STACK UMBRELLA 4
This model is designed to accommodate 4 anglers in the middle at once. The frame is durable, made of aluminum with titanium, which reduces the weight and thickness of the rods, but at the same time is not inferior in endurance. The weight of the product is only 5 kg, this was achieved through the use of a lighter coating. Heavy snowfalls and bitter frosts are not terrible for fishermen inside, but it is unlikely that it will be possible to wait out heavy rain there.
Heat exchanger in a tent for winter fishing
Under normal weather conditions and relatively warm air, additional heating for the tent is not needed. But if fishing is planned at night or frosts are getting stronger, then heating is indispensable.
Most often, portable portable burners are used for such purposes, which run on gasoline or from a small gas cylinder. In this case, it is additionally desirable to equip a chimney and install a heat exchanger. Heating will be faster, with minimal fuel consumption for this.
You can use it as purchased models, in the tourism store they will offer a good choice, or make it yourself. There is nothing difficult in this, you will need the skills of soldering pipes or using a welding machine. The set of materials is minimal, but the difference after the first use will be felt immediately.
Do-it-yourself floor for a winter tent
For greater convenience, a floor or flooring can be made in the tent, most often tourist rugs are used for this, which are glued together. Preliminarily, round holes are cut out in them for the hole according to the diameter of the screw used.
In addition, aqua mats, the so-called waterproof bath mats, are used for insulation. But it will not work to insulate the floor with their help, the porosity of the material cools quickly and is an excellent conductor.
Some use penofol, as a result they get a very slippery surface in the tent, where they will not be hurt for long. It is not practical to build a floor from polystyrene foam, it will take up a lot of space during transportation.
You can experiment with other materials, but as practice has shown, it is best to use tourist rugs for the floor.
Summer tent-cube
Some manufacturers also produce cube-shaped summer tents; they are not often popular, since their capacity is small.
But still, if they are released, then there are buyers. Most often, such models are used for a portable bath or for children, adults can hardly be accommodated there. Almost all well-known manufacturers have several models of cube tents specifically for summer, each of them has its own special qualities, many are impregnated with a refractory substance, which allows you to heat it inside. The quality of the awning will also differ; not so durable materials are used for summer.
A cube tent for winter fishing is perfect if fishing is supposed to be together, for a larger company you will have to use tents of a different shape or several cubic ones. In general, they have proven themselves positively, they are in demand among many fans of winter ice fishing.