Introduction
Outsunny Ice Fishing Tent Review – Is it really worth it? If you’ve ever sat in freezing wind, trying to enjoy your fishing trip while your fingers turn numb… you know the struggle. Let me tell you one thing—having the right tent can make or break your day out on the ice.
This Outsunny Ice Fishing Tent Review is for people like you and me. Folks who love the ice but don’t love the cold biting through every layer. I’ve reviewed a bunch of tents. Some were good. Some were total junk.
So when I came across the Outsunny ice fishing tent, I had to see if it could really handle the wild cold days I face every season. Is it warm? Easy to set up? Built to last? Stick with me—this review breaks it all down in plain, honest words.
- Only $70, a steal for an ice shelter.
- Folds back into the carry bag with no hassle.
- Includes pockets, two windows, and a sturdy carry bag.
- Pops up in minutes, perfect for fast fishing trips.
Outsunny Ice Fishing Tent Review
Pros
- Dirt Cheap Price: At $154, this tent is a steal. Most ice shelters cost way more, so it’s perfect for beginners or anyone on a tight budget.
- Easy to Pack Up: Folding it back into the carry bag was a breeze. It rolls up nicely with room to spare, unlike some name-brand tents that fight you.
- Decent Carry Bag: The included bag feels solid and has straps for backpack-style carrying. For the price, I expected something flimsier.
- Quick Setup: It’s a standard pop-up hub design. Once you get the hang of it, you can set it up in a minute or two.
- Useful Features: It’s got pockets for gear, two windows for light, and a door. These are standard but nice to have in a budget tent.
- Good for Solo or Two People: It’s cozy but works great for one person or two average-sized anglers. Perfect for a quick trip.
Cons
- Small Size: It’s a bit cramped for two people, especially if you’re tall or have lots of gear. Don’t expect to fit more than two.
- Finicky Zippers: The zippers are stiff and tough to slide, especially when the tent’s stretched tight. They work, but it’s annoying.
- Not Insulated: Like many budget shelters, it’s not insulated. You’ll need a heater to stay warm in brutal cold.
- Single Door: Only one door means you’re crawling over each other to get in and out. Two doors would’ve been better.
- Unknown Long-Term Durability: I only used it once, but the zippers and stitching make me wonder how it’ll hold up after a full season.
Is Outsunny Ice Fishing Tent Waterproof?
Source: Amazon.com
Alright, let’s tackle the big question: is this thing waterproof?
So, the tent is made of 300D Oxford fabric. Outsunny says it’s waterproof and can handle freezing temps down to -22°F (-30°C). That sounds great on paper, right?
But… and yeah, there’s a but.
Some people on Amazon say it leaked a bit—mainly at the seams—when it rained hard or when snow started melting fast. So what’s the deal?
Here’s my honest take after reviewing it:
It’s water-resistant, not fully waterproof. That means it holds up fine in normal snow, light moisture, or a little drizzle. But if you’re out there during a heavy downpour or slushy mess? Water might find its way in.
To be extra safe, you can do your own little upgrade.
Use a seam sealer and a waterproof spray on the roof and sides. Just to be sure. That makes a big difference.
And hey, let’s talk wind for a second. Once you stake it down right, it handles moderate wind just fine. No issues for me.
But I did see some folks say it collapses in gusts over 4 knots. So yeah—always anchor it well. Don’t just trust the ice. Use stakes, ropes, the works. And honestly, if there’s a crazy storm coming? Stay home. It’s not a survival shelter.
In short—if you’re doing regular ice fishing in cold and snowy weather, you’ll be fine. Just don’t expect it to handle a full-on rainstorm or hurricane. It’s solid—but with a little extra care, it can be even better.
Outsunny Ice Fishing Tent Review: Indepth Analysis
1. Design & Size
Source: Amazon.com
The Outsunny Two-Man Ice Fishing Tent is a compact little pop-up hub. Once it’s set up, it measures around 70.75” x 70.75” x 70.75”—yep, basically a cube. That makes it just big enough for two average-sized people… and I mean just enough.
If you’re over 6 feet tall or like to spread out, you might feel cramped real quick.
The design is basic but not bad. You’ve got that classic hub setup with fiberglass poles. It pops up fast once you get the hang of it. The color options—light blue or black—actually look pretty sharp out there on the ice.
There’s one door with a heavy-duty zipper, and two clear PVC windows that let in some natural light. Inside, you get a couple of gear pockets—which I love. Toss in your gloves, phone, or snacks. No more digging around in the slush.
For around $154, it’s surprisingly decent. It doesn’t feel like some cheap toy tent. It feels like an actual ice shelter.
But Here’s the Catch…
There’s only one door, and that’s kind of a pain. You end up tripping over each other trying to get in or out. A second door would’ve made a huge difference.
Also, the interior walls are white. Honestly? That’s a bad choice. When the sun hits just right, it lights up the whole inside like a flashlight. Kinda ruins the cozy feel, and it’s not great for sight fishing either. A darker interior would’ve been way better.
And yeah, it’s small. Perfect for solo anglers or two people who don’t mind being real close. If you’re bringing cots, big heaters, or extra gear—forget it. You’ll need to look at a bigger model. Outsunny does have 5-8 person tents, or you could check out more premium brands like Clam or Eskimo.
It weighs about 23 to 36 lbs, depending on which model you get. Not super light, but you can handle it. I dragged it in a sled, and yeah… it was a bit of a workout with all my other gear. If you’re planning long walks out to the ice, a lighter solo tent might be a better call.
2. Breathability & Ventilation
If you’ve ever sat in a sealed-up ice tent with a heater going, you know what I mean. It gets stuffy real fast. The air feels heavy. Your windows fog up. And if there’s no fresh air coming in? That’s just asking for trouble.
Here’s What You Get
The Outsunny Ice Fishing Tent has two roll-up windows. Each one has a clear PVC layer and a fabric cover, so you can let in light or roll them up to let air through. On top of that, there are four small vent holes built into the sides of the tent.
Now, these vent holes actually help a lot. A buddy used a small propane heater inside, and even then, the air stayed fresh. He never felt lightheaded or gross. And surprisingly, he didn’t notice much condensation buildup either—even on longer trips. That was a big win.
But Don’t Expect a Wind Tunnel
Let’s be real though—it’s not perfect.
The windows are small, and the vent holes aren’t huge either. Unless it’s really windy outside, you’re not gonna get massive airflow. Compared to more expensive shelters that have mesh panels or larger vents, this one is just “okay.”
It does the job for a few hours or a quick day trip. But if you’re planning to camp overnight or run a bigger heater, you’ll want to crack the windows a bit. Maybe even bring a little battery-powered fan just to move the air around.
My Honest Take?
For a budget tent, the ventilation is good enough. It’s not fancy, but it’s safe and keeps the air fresh if you use it right.
So yeah—you can breathe in there, just don’t seal it up like a plastic bag. Crack a window, keep the heater low, and you’ll be just fine.
3. Poles
Let’s talk about the bones of the tent—the poles. Because if they snap, your whole shelter’s toast.
The Outsunny Ice Fishing Tent uses fiberglass poles with die-cast hubs. That’s pretty standard for a pop-up tent at this price. Once you get the hang of the setup (which took me and Kerm a few minutes), the poles popped into place easily. No tools, no sweat.
But let’s not pretend these poles are unbreakable.
Some folks on Amazon have reported poles snapping or even punching through the fabric during high winds. I didn’t run into that, but I can see it happening. These poles aren’t as thick or tough as the ones you’ll find in high-end tents like Clam or Eskimo shelters. If you’re heading out during a storm or fishing in crazy gusts, you better anchor this thing like your life depends on it.
Here’s my honest opinion:
For casual weekend trips, these poles are good enough. They do the job. But if you’re a serious ice angler who goes out in nasty weather, I’d spend the extra cash and get something beefier. You don’t want your shelter blowing across the lake with your heater still inside (ask me how I know).
One tip? Always stake it down tight. Not just the corners—use all the tie-downs and ice anchors you’ve got. Less pressure on the hubs means fewer problems with poles bending or popping loose.
So yeah… decent poles for the price. But know their limits.
4. Stakes
Yes, it does include four stakes, plus a few extras, which honestly surprised me. Most budget tents don’t throw in the extras, so props to Outsunny for that. The stakes come with cord loops that are super simple to tie down. On our trip, they worked fine in light wind. The tent stayed put, and we didn’t have any issues.
But let’s be real.
The stakes are… meh. They’re basic and kinda flimsy. I’ve seen sturdier forks at a cheap diner. Some people online straight up call them “junk” — and I get why. They’re not those fancy self-tapping ice anchors you get with premium shelters like Eskimo or Clam. If you’re setting up on thick ice or frozen ground, these stock stakes are gonna struggle.
Also, the anchor tabs? Outsunny stitched them inside the tent, which makes them awkward to use. And worse, that design puts extra stress on the seams. I haven’t had one rip (yet), but it wouldn’t surprise me if it happened down the line.
Here’s my advice, straight up:
- For calm weather, the included stakes are fine.
- If you’re fishing on open, windy ice, upgrade immediately. Get some heavy-duty ice anchors.
- I personally use a power drill with an adapter to screw mine in—it takes like 30 seconds and holds like a rock.
- If those anchor tabs start tearing? Grab a cheap grommet kit. Fix it in five minutes and keep rolling.
Bottom line: The stakes will do for now, but if you’re serious about ice fishing—or just hate chasing your tent across the lake—don’t rely on them alone.
5. Seams
The stitching is basic. It’s not double-stitched. There’s no heat-pressed sealing like you’d get on premium models. That means water could sneak in over time, especially around the anchor points or seams near the base.
I’ve read a bunch of Amazon reviews saying seams started leaking or even ripping out after just a few uses. Personally, I didn’t see that on mine, but I believe them. You can kinda see the stress points forming after you’ve staked it down tight.
Here’s what I recommend—straight from one tent nerd to another:
Before your first trip, grab a tube of seam sealer. It’s cheap, takes 20 minutes, and could save your tent.
Pay extra attention to the corners and anchor tabs. That’s where things usually give out.
If you’re handy with a needle, throw in some extra stitching on those tabs. Trust me—it’s worth it.
And once you’re out there? Don’t yank it too tight when anchoring. A little flex goes a long way.
Should You Buy Outsunny Ice Fishing Tent?
- Only $70, a steal for an ice shelter.
- Folds back into the carry bag with no hassle.
- Includes pockets, two windows, and a sturdy carry bag.
- Pops up in minutes, perfect for fast fishing trips.
I’ve seen shelters that cost 10 times as much as this Outsunny Two-Man Tent. For $154, it’s honestly a gem. It’s not perfect—the zippers are fussy, it’s a bit small, and I wouldn’t trust it in a blizzard—but it gets you on the ice without breaking the bank. It’s perfect for casual anglers, beginners, or anyone who just needs a basic shelter for a few trips a season.
If you’re like me and love a good budget find, grab this tent, slap on some seam sealer, and maybe upgrade the stakes. It’ll keep you warm and dry enough to focus on reeling in those trout. But if you’re a hardcore ice camper or need space for a big crew, save up for a name-brand hub with insulation and beefier poles. For now, this little Outsunny has my respect for punching above its weight. Tight lines, folks!
Final Verdict
Alright, let’s wrap this Outsunny Ice Fishing Tent Review up.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly shelter that gets the job done for quick trips, this one’s honestly not bad. The design is simple, the setup is easy, and it keeps you out of the wind and snow. For around 70 bucks, you’re getting something that feels like a real tent—not some cheap toy.
But it’s not perfect.
It’s tight inside, especially for two people with gear. The ventilation is okay, but not amazing. The poles and stakes are just average, so don’t expect them to handle wild storms. And the seams? They’ll hold—if you baby them a little. Like I said earlier, grab a seam sealer and upgrade the stakes if you plan on using it a lot.
This tent is perfect for casual ice fishers, solo anglers, or even someone just starting out.
But if you’re heading into harsh conditions, or fishing every weekend all season long?
You might want to look at something heavier-duty.
Treat it right, and it’ll treat you right.
That’s my honest take on this Outsunny Ice Fishing Tent Review. Hope it helped!
FAQs
Q1. Is the Outsunny Ice Fishing Tent waterproof?
It’s water-resistant and handles light snow well, but some users report seam leaks in heavy rain or slush. Apply seam sealer for extra protection.
Q2. How big is the Outsunny Two-Man Ice Fishing Tent?
It measures 70.75” x 70.75” x 70.75” when set up. It’s cozy for two average-sized people but cramped with lots of gear.
Q3. How easy is it to set up and pack away?
Setup is quick once you get the hang of the pop-up hub design. Packing it back into the carry bag is surprisingly easy, with room to spare.
Q4. Are the stakes and poles durable enough for windy conditions?
The included stakes are basic and may bend in strong winds. The fiberglass poles are decent but not as tough as premium brands. Upgrade to ice anchors for better stability.
Q5. Is the tent insulated for cold weather?
No, it’s not insulated, which is common for budget shelters. You’ll need a portable heater to stay warm in freezing temperatures.