Hey guys,
Wondering if a guy uses a non-insulated portable with a heater, will that be sufficient enough to keep warm or at least comfortable? I am looking to buy a 1 man, but wondering if the additional cost of it being an insulated portable is worth it. I’m pretty mobile when it comes to ice fishing.
Thanks!
Of course it all depends on your tolerance for cold … I used an uninsulated flip over for many years, but now that I am turning 60 and my “internal furnace” ain’t what it used to be, I now use an insulated pop-up and I really appreciate the difference. 10 years ago the uninsulated flip over was fine … but now I really like how easy it is to keep the insulated house warm. If it is just a matter or cost, I’d be inclined to go for the insulated … which would be much easier to sell if you ever wanted to a few years down the road …
I think you’d be plenty warm in a 1 man uninsulated with a heater but you say that you are pretty mobile so packing up the heater each time is something to consider. Along with the heater being in limited space. The insulated will obviously be much warmer and you probably wouldn’t need a heater but the added weight while moving a lot is something to think about. They’d also take longer to dry out. I agree with Kevin and would go for the insulated if money isn’t a factor.
Completely unnecessary for a insulated one man, easy to heat uninsulated, but it comes down to how you heat and how much time you spend in it equals how much propane you will save.
The heater I would use is a Mr. Heater little buddy, perfect for small areas, such as a 1 man hut. Heck they say it can heat up to 100 sq ft. I would just need to heat a little more than 1/10th of that. So, I wouldn’t consider that “added weight.”
From what you guys are saying, sounds like I would be able to get by with a that heater and an non-insulated hut.
Mr.-Buddy.jpg
The right temp is relative. As long as I dont see my breath I am good. I dont like taking my jacket off in the portable. I have both and I agree with what everyone says about insulated. My largest one (Otter) is insulated but my smaller clams are not.
Completely unnecessary for a insulated one man, easy to heat uninsulated, but it comes down to how you heat and how much time you spend in it equals how much propane you will save.
I 100% agree with Dustin. My bigger houses are all insulated, but it takes such little heat to warm up a non-insulated house that it isn’t worth the weight for me. Only real benefit you will see with an insulated 1 man is the sweating, insulated houses sweat less. Some people have a lower tolerance for cold, so I can see a market for 1 man insulated houses.
By “added weight” I was referring to the weight of the heavier fabric of the insulated model not necessarily the heater itself. If you want to keep it light and warm you should be good with a non-insulated with that heater!
I don’t have an insulated house to compare but the one thing about the non-insulated is they can and will collect condensate on the ceiling & upper walls when running a heater.
Unless it’s rather warm out, I would always want some heat. Usually when the sun goes down, it can get a lot colder in a hurry. You may need to keep the heater going longer and at a higher setting when in an non-insulated, but you’ll not likely spend a fortune for the propane anyway. Most notable difference will be that you’ll get a lot more condensation in the non-insulated.
Worth mentioning, an insulated shack is quieter compared to a similar non-insulated, especially traps in high winds. I don’t know if I could go back to the noisy canvas flapping in the wind.
I have a 10 year old clam pro one man. I insulated the back and roof with reflectix from Menards. I thought it would only last a couple of years but I have had it for 8 years now. Easy to install with some duct tape reinforcement. With the little buddy heater I can take my jacket off. The heat reflection off of back and top is great. Adds less the a pound of weight so you are not dragging all that insulation of a commercial unit.
David Bollig, that’s interesting. small price to add some insulation.
I appreciate the responses guys. My next question. Any recommendations for 1 man sleds? Right now I am pretty much decided on going with a non-insulated.
Thanks again!
I have a 10 year old clam pro one man. I insulated the back and roof with reflectix from Menards. I thought it would only last a couple of years but I have had it for 8 years now. Easy to install with some duct tape reinforcement. With the little buddy heater I can take my jacket off. The heat reflection off of back and top is great. Adds less the a pound of weight so you are not dragging all that insulation of a commercial unit.
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