Portable Ice Shelters

[Ziehnertfish007]

I am looking for a good all around Ice Shelter. Hopefully one that is under $200. They have one at Dicks called the Ht Instashak 2 person for around $130. I was wondering if this would be a good shelter.

[HybridHunter]

If you want a good shanty you can rely on and not have worry about breaking poles, being insulated, easy to set up, you're going to need to spend a little more money. I guess the main question is are you going to be in fairly windy conditions at times? Because if so, the cheap shantys won't hold up to it for long. It's one thing checking them out in the store, but a whole different story out on the ice. I am not afraid to spend the money on a good shanty knowing it will last and won't leave me stranded in the cold/wind. I would find someone who has used what your looking at in the elements and get first hand reviews before you spend your money. But that's just me. Good luck

[adkRoy]

This is what I reccomend and its in your price range:

http://www.fish307.com/ShappellWideHouse5500WideBodyHubShelters.aspx

[bigal409]

Check out Glen's. One of the sponsors. Insulated Eskimo Quickfish 3 for $199 with free shipping. Just ordered mine and it's on it's way. 

[jmw5964]

 I have the shappell wide house 5500 and love it saved my butt a few times. Easy to set up and have been out in some pretty windy days and it held up great just get a few extra anchors for the tether ropes and you will be all set

[fiskasassassin]

frabil cabin style sled bottom keeps ur feet off ice easy set up and take down i can have it fish ready before other guys even get there pop-ups out of the bag no ice anchors needed as long as a bucket of fish or person in there 219$ at gander i believe it is similar to the shappell other guys mentioned o yeah bucket holders on sled for the drag out

[fiskasassassin]

I am looking for a good all around Ice Shelter. Hopefully one that is under $200. They have one at Dicks called the Ht Instashak 2 person for around $130. I was wondering if this would be a good shelter.

before you buy any pop-up take it down and set it up before you buy some are a real pain in the arse especially clams

[bigredonice]

I would never waste my money on an insulated shanty...costs more, weighs more...

[perch-hound]

Just go buy the cadillac of them all...

http://www.otteroutdoors.com/icegear.html

[mikerudy]

I would never waste my money on an insulated shanty...costs more, weighs more...

I agree, if it gets that chilly out there, start the heater up and you can sit in there with shorts on.

Mike

[KeukaZ71]

I am looking for a good all around Ice Shelter. Hopefully one that is under $200. They have one at Dicks called the Ht Instashak 2 person for around $130. I was wondering if this would be a good shelter.

I have the shanty you are talking about. I don't use shantys much, but still wanted to have one on those long cold days. There are pros and cons to the one you are talking about:

ProS
- light weight, small, compact, easy to transport
- easy to set up and collapse (takes a few trials to perfect it, but it is a lot easier than the clams)
- cheap (got mine for $89)
- stays warm with little buddy heater on low (sometimes I have to turn it off b/c it gets too hot)

Cons
- fabric is light weight (good for easy transport, but may not last as long. I can see a few pin holes near stitching)
- May take longer to set up on windy days because you have to anchor it to ice

I like it. It gets the job done. Down the road when I am older and have kids, they will inherit it. Then I'm buying myself an otter flip over to treat myself as a retirement gift. Still have 17 yrs to go. Lol

[Cusefan78]

You get what you pay for. Don't get a cheapo after the first wind storm and all your poles are bent and your tent is torn you'll realize you just flushed that money down the toilet.

[Dogger]

Just go buy the cadillac of them all...

http://www.otteroutdoors.com/icegear.html

Otters are good but pricey!!! I got a Clam Yukon TC and have never had any problems. It is like $50-$75 less for the Clam than an Otter. If you're going to be dragging by hand do not go with an Otter they are heavy!!! If you look into the specs the Otters are all over 100lbs without gear for a two-man. The Yukon is about as heavy as I like at about 90lbs unpacked. If you get into any snow it can be a pain without a smitty sled...

Check eBay and Craigslist. Always good deals there.

[RaCKaHoLIC518]

I am looking for a good all around Ice Shelter. Hopefully one that is under $200. They have one at Dicks called the Ht Instashak 2 person for around $130. I was wondering if this would be a good shelter.

I have this shanty and am very pleased with everything except the windows.... I wish they were a little bigger. One big plus I have noticed compared to other shanty's that friends have is it is black and attracts and holds heat very well.

[Vfrancis]

I have a frabil hut love it enogh room for two and lots of gear camp chairs heater flasher only weighs about 20 pounds up in minutes hold heat roof is insulated would not go any other way about 200-240 depends on we're you buy. I am 6'3" 270 and can stand straight up in my hut not many other shelters let me do that

[trapper2000]

i have a one man and a  3 man pac  shack and love them  ....oh i have a shapple  flip top  and  had  a  few  ....  for me the  pac  shack is  the  best

[JJ]

I like the Shappell shelters. I've had a Rover since they first cam out about 15 years ago (put a new tent on it 2 years ago), a Rover 1.5 for 5 years and an Ice House 6000 for a couple years. All have held up well and do what I need.

I agree about the insulated ones, not needed. Had the Ice House out last Saturday with wind and a high around 15F, warmed up nicely with a Buddy heater set on low.

[Ice Wine]

Another vote for the Eskimo Quickfish 3. Light and easy to set up and take down. Mine's on its fourth season and still in great shape. It is not insulated and most days just having two guys sitting there keeps it plenty warm. Only thing it needs are bigger windows.

[bayonne]

sportsmans guide has the Eskimo quick fish 3 for $180

[fishnfool59]

I am looking for a good all around Ice Shelter. Hopefully one that is under $200. They have one at Dicks called the Ht Instashak 2 person for around $130. I was wondering if this would be a good shelter.

the quck shak is kinda small. once you get 2 people inside not much room left for gear stoves heaters ect. the shappel shantys are nice.the hub type shantys are pretty nice to but no floor,which can get kinda sloppy after awhile and your feet get cold cause their on the ice instead of off the ice with a floor.

[bigZin315]

Just got the Cadillac Jason Mitchell elite series 2 man flip with lights and all can't wait to test it tomorrow

[pollock]

I have the exact shanty you are looking at and love it. For the money it works well. Its very roomy and sets up easy. It does take a few times to perfect set up and tear down. I was just on the lake recently in 40 mph gusts and it held up fine. I find if you position it so a corner is to the wind it works better.i have had mine for about 5 years and its holding up well. Only one time it didnt work real great was on bare ice with rp plus wind and about 5 degrees out but was able to stay out for a couple hours with no heat source. A propane lantern keeps it warm and a buddy heater works better.

[Alex Delarge]

Check out Glen's. One of the sponsors. Insulated Eskimo Quickfish 3 for $199 with free shipping. Just ordered mine and it's on it's way. 

That is what I did also, got it on Friday, looks like a great shack, plenty of room for 2 people jigging , 3 if only one guy is jigging. From what I hear the insulated pop ups don't sweat and drip like the non-insulated one do when you heat them. Although it looks like Glen's has sold out, I figured it wouldn't last long.

[bigal409]

That is what I did also, got it on Friday, looks like a great shack, plenty of room for 2 people jigging , 3 if only one guy is jigging. From what I hear the insulated pop ups don't sweat and drip like the non-insulated one do when you heat them. Although it looks like Glen's has sold out, I figured it wouldn't last long.

Good thing we ordered ours when we did huh? 

[Fish Stalker]

I have the Quickfish 3 and love it. As far as no floor I take a small piece of rubber mat I put my feet on. The rubber mats also keep my buckets from sliding around in my sled on the way out to the fishing hole.