Uniquely designed and made from high quality materials, Montana Canvas Spike III Tent is with an integrated stove jack, supported with strong aluminum poles, and suitable for year round use.
Key features & benefits
- Vertical walls.
- Very tall tent.
- Integrated stove jack.
- One door.
- Three windows.
- Single-layer but with fly above.
- YKK zippers.
- Aluminum frame.
- Made in USA.
What is in the name
The word Canvas in the official name of this tent refers to the name of the brand Montana Canvas and not to the fabric, more below.
The meaning of III is less obvious to me, most likely this is about the tent series, I know that they have at least one smaller 10 x 10 version with II in its name. The word Spike could be due to the roof shape, but I am just guessing. Relite mentioned in the title refers to the tent’s fabric, more below.
The tent can be described as a cabin type but of a particular kind. Namely, there is a central pole that supports its roof, similar to bell tents. But the side walls are completely vertical as you realize from the picture below.
Due to the mentioned central pole, the tent is very tall, you have no less than 8′ 6″ (259 cm) in the center, this is why I have included it in my list of very tall tents.
But note that the side walls height is only 4 ft (122 cm). This is why the door zipper goes much higher over the ceiling as you can see in the picture below.
Integrated stove jack
The tent comes ready for a wood burning tent stove, and this means that there is a stove jack on the ceiling as you see in the picture below.
The opening of the stove jack is with a 5 inches diameter. When not in use, you have the flap to close it to protect from the rain. Due to this feature, I have included it in my list of tents with a stove jack.
So in a cold environment you can heat the tent. From the picture you realize that the stove is on the right side of the door when you enter the tent.
Note that the pipe opening is quite wide, most popular wood burning stoves come with a narrower pipe. But the Cylinder Stoves Outfitter Wood Stove Package is an exact match.
The door and windows
There is one door and three separate windows, and all these openings are double-layer, with a No See Um mesh and a panel.
The door has a 7’6″ long heavy duty YKK zipper, so it is very high for an easy access. They have added five webbings and release buckles that keep the generous weather flap in place. The mentioned mesh layer is with its own separate zipper.
The double-layer windows are on the remaining three side walls, and their dimensions are 30 x 24 inches (76 x 61 cm). They are equipped with #5 YKK zippers.
The fly with poles
Here you have a few unique details. The tent comes with a fly that is equipped with its own two thick poles which you can see in the picture below. I do not remember any other tent with such a design.
This provides a dry entry, although the awning created with the fly is not really deep. But with this, users have a stand-up height at the entry.
In the picture below, you can see on the right side of the fly the opening for the pipe jack. This helps in orienting the fly properly when you are in the process of putting it on the tent.
Note that the fly is synthetic and is not as spark resistant as canvas. But it protects the main body of this expensive tent from sparks. If there is a hole due to sparks, replacing the fly will cost less.
However, it is best to have a pipe with a good spark arrestor. You have it in some stoves presented here in the site, like in the Winnerwell Fastfold Titanium Tent Stove and the Winnerwell Woodlander Medium Tent Stove.
Materials
The tent comes with a carry bag, and the elements included in the package are shown in the picture. These are premium materials as you will realize.
The poles and stakes
You have a very strong support system here. The central pole is with a 1 3/8 inch (3.5 cm) diameter, and the side poles are 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) diameter. This is all aluminum, but the poles are reinforced with steel conduits.
All poles are with rubber feet to prevent floor damage. The side poles attach through reinforced sleeves on the underside of the tent, and through Velcro straps close to the floor.
The stakes are incredibly strong and 12 inch (30 cm) long steel pieces. To secure the tent properly, you have 200 feet of 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) black polyester rope, and 20 metal tension adjusters.
Note that there is a suspension ring on the outside top of tent which allows for the tent to be hung from a tree without the use of the included frame.
The fabric
They have several versions of this tent regarding the fabric. The version presented here is made of their proprietary Relite polyester tan material.
It is fully coated, but they do not provide information about its waterproof rating. Note that this is the lightest of the three versions which they offer.
The floor is a catenary cut, and they have made a zippered cut out for the stove placement.
But what is Relite fabric?
From what I can find, this is their own material, a very strong 250D polyester, and they have created it to build tents that weigh much less than their heavier-duty canvas.
I have seen some statement that, although soft and pliable, Relite offers a tear strength and longevity as good as canvas. It is highly durable and very resistant to destructive ultraviolet rays. Apparently, it does not grow mold or mildew.
Ventilation
You have already seen about mesh openings on all four sides of the tent. This looks good as long as you can keep them with mesh.
But in the case of rain, this all must be closed, and you will have to rely on two tiny roof vents. Perhaps the upper part of the door can be kept open for extra air circulation and to allow vapor to escape.
On the other hand, there are no floor vents here, I think they are essential for such a single-layer tent. The windows are quite low and they may double as floor vents, but they must be closed when it rains. All in all, ventilation in this tent is not really perfect.
Please see more in this video:
Who is the Montana Canvas Spike III Relite Tent for
Regarding the area, the dimensions are such that you can easily put 6-7 sleeping pads on the floor. The floored area is 144.2 ft² (13.4 m²).
At the site of the brand they say it is ‘perfect for a couple or a family with one child’. Perhaps they mean when used with a stove inside, because no doubt the tent can accommodate more people.
To see what I mean, you can compare it with the Cabela’s Outback Lodge 8 Person Tent which is officially for 8 people but it has the same floor area.
In my view, this is a great 4-person tent, and I have included it in that group here in the site.
Regarding seasons & climate, you have seen it all, and I have no doubt that this tent is for year round use. It will protect you no matter the weather.
The frame is incredibly strong and you have numerous thick gulines and stakes to secure the tent against winds. In cold weather, you can heat the tent.
This is a great shelter for explorers, hunters, families, and you name it. I have included it in my list of best winter tents and best cold weather tents.
Regarding the weight, well, in spite of the mentioned Relite fabric introduced to make it light, the tent is very heavy, 86 lb (39 kg).
But see below how it stands compared to their other tents built from different fabric. All the numbers are from the manufacturer directly, and yes, there is a small inconsistency regarding the weight, two different numbers for this tent as you realize, 38 kg and 39 kg, but this is not a big deal.
The weight is due to incredibly thick poles, huge and strong stakes, and thick fabric. In other words, there are some really good reasons behind such a weight.
But if this is too heavy for you, you might want to compare it with the Cabela’s Ultimate Alaknak 12’x12′ Outfitter Tent which offers the same floored area. It is made of the fabric with the same denier value (but with a thicker floor fabric), and its weight is 67 lb (30.4 kg).
The packed size is also not its best feature, the numbers below show that the carry bag is quite long, bear this in mind.
Regarding the price, it is enormous. The tent is made in USA, from great materials, and craftsmanship is on a high level. Now you know why it is so expensive.
Specifications
- Weight: 86 lb (39 kg).
- Dimensions: 12 x 12 ft (366 x 366 cm).
- Inner area: 144.2 ft² (13.4 m²).
- Inner area per person: d34.5 ft² (3.21 m²).
- Peak height: 8′ 6″ (259 cm).
- Wall height: 4 ft (122 cm).
- Packed size: 54 x 16 x 14 in (137 x 41 x 36 cm).
Warranty
Limited Lifetime Warranty against defects of materials and workmanship. This means that any product found defective will be repaired or replaced (at the discretion of Montana Canvas) without charge when the product is returned to the retail seller with freight charges prepaid.
This warranty is voided with the use of cleaning, treatment agents or compounds that have not been approved by Montana Canvas. This warranty does not cover torn fabric or merchandise damaged through misuse, accident or transportation.
Final thoughts, rating, pros & cons
In summary, the Montana Canvas Spike III Relite Tent is a premium, year-round cabin-style tent designed with durability and utility in mind.
Featuring vertical walls, a central support pole, and an aluminum frame reinforced with steel conduits, the tent is built to withstand challenging weather. Its peak height of 8’6″ provides ample headroom, while the integrated stove jack allows users to safely operate a wood-burning stove, making it ideal for cold climates.
The tent includes a single door with a high YKK zipper for easy access, three double-layered windows with mesh and panels, and a unique fly with its own pole system for a dry entryway.
The Relite fabric, a 250D proprietary polyester, ensures a lightweight yet robust structure resistant to UV rays, mold, and mildew.
Despite its strengths, the tent has a few drawbacks. Ventilation is limited, relying on mesh windows and roof vents, which may not suffice in rain.
Its weight of 86 lbs and bulky packed size reflect the use of heavy-duty materials, making it less portable. Additionally, the high price positions this tent as an investment for serious users like explorers, hunters, or families seeking quality and durability.
Suitable for four people with gear, it excels in providing protection and year-round usability, though its lack of floor vents and significant cost are notable concerns.
Overall, the Spike III Relite Tent is a standout choice for those prioritizing premium materials and weather resilience.
Below you can see how this tent stands against my standard rating criteria that I apply consistently to all of them here in the site so that you can easily compare. Note, I rate it as a 4-person tent, just to know, this is why the rating for the area per person is so high:
Montana Canvas Spike III Tent
Pros
- Top quality.
- Full weather protection.
- Year-round use.
- Ready for a wood burning stove.
- Some unique features.
Cons
- Heavy.
- Bulky.
- No floor vents.
- Extremely expensive.
BEST PLACEs TO BUY:
For more tents of this shape please check in the category Cabin Tents. Let me know if you have questions, there is a comment box below.
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