Flip over shacks best for walking

[redzmvt]

I had done a ton of research last year and came up with the Shappell FX100 as my choice. Lightest weight, smallest footprint, but still a good fishable area. I had a Shappell Rover 1.5 (which translates to the FX150) but it weighed 70 pounds empty, so I wanted to go smaller and lighter.  I was happy with the quality, though! That tent withstood some good winds for many years.

Finding the FX100 is the issue, so I just bought a Clam Kenai Pro, at only 10 pounds heavier. It's still in my livingroom where I put it together, so my info is limited. The sled is very deep, and the fishable area seems adequate. The footprint actually has a curve to it, so I think the dragging might be easier with the sides being a little raised.

I slid the seat way back and thought that I could possibly try a sleepover fairly comfortably.

For what it's worth, that's my review of the Kenai in my livingroom.

I got the Kenai Pro last December,and do like it.Can load/unload it with all gear in it,and sled is deep enough where nothing will fall out of it.Plus the center apron is perfect to store rods in tubes,can get 4 in there under seat.Pulls easy,but does tend to push wet snow/slush.Smitty sled would fix that when pulling by hand.

[wyogator]

Lots of good info here.  I’ll add my two cents. First, forget about Clam or any brand that has sewn in windows.  I prefer Eskimo.  Otter would be great if you win the lottery.  I’m not sure if Otter has sewn in windows or not.  You don’t need a deer harness.  As mentioned earlier, get about 30-32 feet of the thickest nylon rope (one of those tight woven colored ones) that will go though the holes in the sled. 3/4” or 5/8” would be better, but no thinner than 1/2”.  That’ll make your pull rope 15 feet long.  Just pull with it around your waist.  Other people in your crew can fall in behind and help pull.  Also, a Smitty sled is worth it’s weight in gold.

[bigfoot86]

I totally understand the argument for removable windows but one thing I noticed before looking at shelters is that the frabill and eskimo shelters had a different feel to their windows like they would crack over time.  Other thing i noticed with the clam windows is they just feel different, much softer even in cold weather, almost making them crack resistant but that just might be me.  Not sure.  Plus a another good idea is to install velcro patches inside and just buy replacement windows in case they ever did tear.  I’ve had my flip over for a handful of years and have yet to see a tear or anything in my windows.

[4°Fahrenheit]

I pull the wide one by hand.  I'm guessing my entire gear set is still under 100#. I fish a wind blown res that offers little snow so I can hand pull a lot of weight with little effort.  The wooded lakes are snow covered.  I probably wouldn't want to pull that on them unless the snow mobilers packed the trails; as long as the sled isn't pushing/packing snow.

[lowaccord66]

How do you think I found you on BML when we didn't even discuss where we were fishing 

Hahahahhaha that was funny.  Kevin (lavaman) found me surfcasting in the middle of nowhere RI.  I almost died!