Frabill recruit, Any info helps!

Hey guys im looking into picking up a frabill recruit for the up coming ice season. What are your thought on it. Pros/cons? Is it worth the money? Keep in mind i dont have a snow machine and will be walking it out.

I had a recon. Very cramped and no door sucked. But was light and mobile. Very dark as well. Frabill customer service was great. One window cracked and they sent me 3 for free. I see this one folds the length of the sled so much more room and has a door so no loss of all heat to go in and out. On the recon u couldn’t get out to bank the sides. Good luck.

Dave

I have a recon, I love it. Very compact and carries all I need, it's not bad to pull unless the snow is deep. I'm 6 foot and weigh about 240. I have been very comfortable in it all last season. The quality of the sled and material is pretty decent as well, and the Frabill zip top travel cover is the cats pajamas. The recruit looks roomier still, I don't see how you could go wrong.

I was looking at the recruit last season, and almost bought it. I really liked the look of it, and the thermal shell is key. I sort of regret it now, but I ended up going with the clam nanook, as it was a little bigger to be able to fit another guy (or the wife). I like that the clam has the option for a 2nd or lots of room when solo, but it sweats without the thermal (or an after market spray) If you're mainly fishing solo, I would go with the recruit.

Thanks guys! Appreciate all the info. Now im back on the fench. Thinking about getting a two man similar style whats the lightest two man pull over. That still has some decent room. Keep in mind im 5’10” about 175lbs think a two man pull over can be pulled out by hand?

any hut can be pulled out by hand if it is bare ice or very little snow cover. But when there is give or take a foot of snow on top of the ice that's where the workout begins.

Yeah I have a fish trap guide 2 man. Sure you can pull it, but if it's snowy or slushy it's a bugger. Yes you can build a smitty sled to transport it, but I still find it akward and unnecessarily heavy. Like I said, I have a recon, and the while it's not the biggest solo shelter I've ever owned, I'm a bit taller than you and a fair bit heavier and I have no issues. I think the recruit would be fine, but by all means try the 2 man if that is what moves you. It's your coin and you have to do what you think is best with it!

I have a 3 man Frabill pop up shelter (HQ100) and its not the greatest quality but my friend has a 3 man Rapala and I would say its better than the Rapala. The fact that it is black makes it a little warmer if the sun is out. Also it has two doors, opposed to one. However, 2 poles broke, not completely, just a fracture, and the one pole poked thru the bottom of the tent. Nothing a little duct tape couldn't fix, but I was kind of disappointed that it broke the way it did. I have had it for 3 years, probably used it 25 times and I just feel like it could have been designed more durable. Also the ties where the anchors go are torn... this is the most frustrating part.

Would I get another Frabill? Maybe, but I would definitely explore the market to see what else there is out there.

Over the years I'v owned a few of these one man shelters. After a couple of seasons out there they all start to fall apart in one way or another. The best advice I can give you if your a walker is keep it light. Nothing worse then lugging a heavy sled through deep slushy snow at the end of a long day fishing.

I bought the frabill recruit today for 449. plus tax.
It is insulated and has a good pole extension system.
Material is reinforced in the corners.
It comes with one swivel seat but I have room for the extra person to get in on a cold day. Cozy but workable.
Weighs in at 62lbs.
Decent quality for the price.