The Cabela’s Alaskan Guide Model Geodesic 6-Person Tent is a feature-rich strong true double-layer tent suitable for cold weather camping, with a high waterproof rating and a full-coverage fly.
Key features & benefits
- True double layer tent.
- High waterproof rating.
- Strong frame.
- Durable fabric.
- 3 Doors.
- Vestibule.
- YKK zippers.
- Fiberglass poles.
- E-cable port.
- Unique cup-holders.
- Plenty of storage pockets on the walls.
What this is about
This Cabela’s Alaskan Guide Model Geodesic 6-Person Tent is one out of three tents built in the same style, they also have a 4-person and an 8-person tent. The tent has been on the market for many years already, tried and tested by many.
The word Geodesic in the name indicates the fact that this is a dome tent with multiple poles that create numerous intersection points. This makes the frame very strong and stable. The picture below shows the tent without the fly so you get some idea about its overall shape and frame.
Note that it is tall for a dome tent, you have a peak height of 72.8 inches (185 cm), so this is a stand-up height in the middle of the tent.
The picture below shows its floor plan so you see this is an irregular hexagon at base, namely its 6 sides are not all the same length. The full-coverage fly creates a relatively large trapezoidal shaped vestibule. This adds some space for storage and you have a dry entry point.
The doors
There are three doors, the main one is under the vestibule, but there is also one rear door plus one on the side. They are indeed a bit low as you realize from the pictures.
The vestibule
Without the fly the tent is fully freestanding, but there is an extra pole that supports the vestibule, so this must be staked properly to be functional. Therefore, the tent as a whole is not freestanding. Think about this if you have to camp on a frozen ground. Below you can see how the tent looks when the vestibule flap is zipped.
The vestibule has two zippers and you can unzip it in several ways, this means from each of its two sides, or you can open the central flap. This is possible because of separate buckles that you have for its sides and for the central part. This is useful if the wind changes direction so you can switch to other entry point without actually moving/rotating the tent.
Materials
The poles & stakes: You have a set of shock-corded fiberglass poles, and the package includes also 24 aluminum stakes. There are many Velcro tabs that connect them together at intersections. Multiple clips and top sleeves connect them to the inner tent.
The fabric: The fly is a durable 75D polyester ripstop with a 2000 mm polyurethane waterproof coating. They write it has been UV tested as well.
The floor is abrasion-resistant and bathtub-style durable 210D polyester oxford with an extra-thick 3000 mm-rated coating. So you are safe from the ground.
Other details
- You have quality No. 8 and No. 10 YKK zippers throughout the tent, so this is the best you can have.
- 3 Mesh organizer panels are on three walls, one is shown below, each with several storage pouches in two layers.
- 4 Interior cup holders. This is a unique detail here, one is shown in the picture.
- 3 Roof hooks.
- A gear loft.
- E-cable port.
- Multiple reinforced guy line loops for strength and long life.
- A 2-oz seam sealer, and a repair kit are included.
Ventilation
The inner tent has three roof vents and three two-layer mesh/panels windows for ventilation. The windows are matched with zippers on the fly (these are the previously mentioned doors), so you can open the fly for extra ventilation. But the fly itself has no vents, this is not so great with respect to condensation.
Please see more here:
Who is it for
Regarding the area, the tent is officially for 6 people. They do not provide the area, but it should be around 96 ft² (8.9 m²) of the floored space. This would mean 16 ft² (1.48 m²) per person. The dimensions are such that it is possible to put 6 sleeping pads on the floor. If you use cots, it is best to downgrade this to 3.
There is also the mentioned vestibule that adds a covered area of around 21.5 ft² (2 m²) for gear storage. So this is not bad, but if you have lots of gear, it is best to use the tent for 4 people maximum.
Regarding seasons & climate, this is a true two-layer tent so you have an inner taffeta tent plus a full coverage fly. The waterproof rating is more than enough, and the frame and fabric are very strong. Note that its relatively large inner tent vents are not closable, but the windows are.
The tent is aerodynamic and it will perform well in all conditions. The structure is ultra-rugged, and they claim it is field tested in Alaska conditions, and also lab tested.
I see it best suited for a cooler environment, after all its name suggests something doesn’t it? They describe it as a 4-season tent, but as usual this means a winter tent or at least a tent for cold weather. I have included it in my list of best tents for cold weather camping.
Regarding the weight, this is a heavy tent, it weighs 33 lb (15 kg). But this is not surprising when you see the number of poles and its durable fabric.
The packed size is a 31 x 10.6 x 9 inches (79 x 28 x 23 cm) so it is also quite bulky, and this is again for the same reasons. All in all, this is a tent for places with a car access.
Regarding the price, it may look steep, but I would say it is fair for such a 4-season tent. You can check it in the links below, this changes all the time.
Specifications
- Weight: 33 lb (15 kg).
- Official capacity: 6 people.
- Dimensions: 194 x 126.4 in (493 x 312 cm).
- Inner area: 96 ft² (8.9 m²).
- Inner area per person: 16 ft² (1.48 m²).
- Vestibule area: 21.5 ft² (2 m²).
- Peak height: 72.8 in (185 cm).
- Packed size: 31 x 10.6 x 9 in (79 x 28 x 23 cm).
- Made in Vietnam.
Final thoughts, rating, pros & cons
So you have seen it, this Cabela’s Alaskan Guide Model Geodesic 6-Person Tent comes with plenty of useful features. Its fabric and frame are very strong, and its waterproof rating and full coverage fly are a guarantee that you will remain safe no matter the weather.
The tent has been on the market for many years, this is about decades already, so all is known about it and there can be no unpleasant surprises. Fully recommended. I have included it in my list of best dome tents and also in the list of tents with three doors.
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:
Cabelas Alaskan Guide Model Geodesic 6-Person Tent
Pros
- Full protection.
- Durable fabric.
- Unique cup holders.
- Storage features.
- 3 Doors.
Cons
- Heavy.
- Bulky.
- No fly vents.
BEST PLACEs TO BUY:
For more tents of this shape please check in the category Dome Tents. But if you want something very different from the same brand, please check this Cabela’s Outback Lodge 8 Person Tent or check my list with best Cabela’s tents for camping.
Let me know if you have questions, there is a comment box below. Bookmark this site and come again, this will keep you informed, as you realize I add texts here on a regular basis. Thank you for reading.
Can you set tent up on a concrete floor without stakes. Maybe use concrete blocks for tie downs?
The tent is freestanding except for the vestibule. So if you can somehow stabilize that part then it could be used on such a surface.