Last Updated: 9 Jan, 2021
When it comes to trekking and hiking trips, tents are an absolute must-have. And there are very few manufacturers better or more well-known than Kodiak, which makes tents for all purposes and of all sizes. The last time we went trekking- there were 5 of us- we decided to use one of the company’s latest offerings: the Kodiak Canvas Flex-Bow 6-person Canvas Tent. This is a premium tent and has a higher-than-average price tag. But how well does it perform? Let us see.
Why to Choose Kodiak Canvas Flex-Bow 6-Person Tent
As far as tents go, the Kodiak company is up there with the best of the best. It has withstood the test of time and has been continually judged to be among the best in the business. This is a Canvas tent with varying grades of the material used in the construction of the walls and the roof. While the walls are manufactured of 8.5-ounce Hydra-Shield canvas, the company’s proprietary type of canvas, the roof is made out of 10-ounce Hydra-Shield canvas. The attention to the roofing is justifiably warranted for most people to trek areas that are uninhabited and where it might rain or snow. The material used for constructing a tent is a factor very essential to consider.
The canvas used is marine-grade and hand woven. The material used also has a silicone, dry-finish treatment which makes the tent material breathable, enriching ventilation, and overall increasing the strength of the material. In especially wet areas as well as in a jungle environment, we especially liked the 16-ounce polyester-reinforced vinyl floor material which will withstand a lot of stress and abuse. Overall, given the fact that this tent can be subdivided into separate rooms and provides the users with a lot of privacy. Lastly, the facts that the tent has 10 by 10 feet dimensions and a ceiling height of more than 6 feet make this one of the best family tents in this range.
Kodiak Canvas Flex-Bow 6-Person Canvas Tent Review
There is a lot to like about this tent. It is roomy and spacious. Kodiak has armed this model with two decently large D-shaped doors on both the front and the back. These are fitted with #10 YKK zippers, making them easy to use. We have been using this tent for some years now and the durability and waterproof nature never fail to disappoint. The nearly-vertical walls prevent any sagging. We easily fit the 5 of us inside the tent, all adults, without any difficulty and with room to spare. We even managed to accommodate all of our gear.
Overall, the tent is virtually immune to strong winds (our neighbor’s REI was particularly unstable one very windy night) and the no-see-um screen mesh is effective against even the smallest of bugs. We went in the rainy months and we were absolutely clean, both from seeping water as well as from such unwanted creeping and flying elements. One person was able to set up the tent, although we would recommend that this is done by two people.
Kodiak Canvas Flex-Bow 6-Person Canvas Tent Review: The “Boo“ Factors
The readers know that there is no such thing as a perfect tent. The Kodiak Canvas Flex-Bow too has some limitations. For starters, it is a pretty heavy tent at 68 pounds. This makes it difficult to be used as a portable tent especially when you are backpacking and you should not be carrying too much weight. It is accompanied by a strap-and-cinch storage bag which is also heavy and is hardly adequate in fitting the tent inside. This is a strict limitation.
The next concern is the material itself: canvas. As it is, the canvas is a material based on cotton. It needs to be dried thoroughly before it is packaged; else, it will be susceptible to mildew and mold. Mold will destroy the canvas. Drying the tent is time-consuming and it may seem bothersome. That said, all tents have some problems and the same goes for this one too.
Kodiak Canvas Flex-Bow 6-Person Canvas Tent Review: Final Verdict
Overall, the Kodiak Canvas Flex-Bow 6-Person Tent is a must-buy for outdoor enthusiasts. The extra maintenance is worth every penny and the time. The rugged canvas construction is something that takes us down memory lane. While it is true that it is heavy, it will also stand upright against rains and storms, not to mention high-winds. It is able to accommodate a lot of people and gear, so it is ideal for a bigger group. Being an all-weather tent, this is one model where you cannot go wrong. However, in our experience, you should not try and use this tent in a mountainous environment or in areas with heavy snow accumulation.
Leave a Reply