OTTER XT PRO LODGE VS ESKIMO ESKAPE 2600. WHICH ONE IS BETTER?

[@ClaytonSchickOutdoors]

It’s great how everyone has different things they like. I myself have Owned both shelters and fished many hours in both. For me the seats in the Eskimo have been 10 times better. The otter ones always seemed great until you sat in one for 5 plus hours. They got uncomfortable and always felt like you were leaning forward. The Eskimo seats have been such a blessing! I thought the Eskimo seats seemed cheap until I sat in them for 4 days straight and then understood the concept of using a seat like you would spend all day in a tree stand with. Great video! Like I stated above. Both amazing shelters!

[@castforwardfishing]

Clayton, thank you very much for watching and commenting on my video. I truly appreciate your support and feedback. You definitely bring up a good point about the seats. I have not spent 4 days in a row in the Eskimo. 2600. Both are amazing, quality flip over shacks. It was a tough choice on my part.

[@Harry264EWF]

Gun to your head, had to choose, which one are you going with?

[@danholtbk7008]

.44 magnum. .357 is a bit light, IMO.

[@spinhunt]

Great comparison video my friend. I've used the Otter XT for 2 solid days of fishing and I have to say it was pretty decent.

[@castforwardfishing]

Thanks for the comment! Both amazing tents. Thanks for your support!

[@willvanlan]

Great video. Super nice to see all the features directly compared. Thanks

[@castforwardfishing]

Thank you for the comment Will. I appreciate your support!

[@DreLacroix]

Great review Rob! Super informative and helpful!

[@castforwardfishing]

Thanks brother! I appreciate it.

[@MattHenderson-v1r]

Nice video, Rob; very comprehensive review.

[@castforwardfishing]

Thank you! I appreciate that.

[@kevinseniuk1104]

Great Review. Agree with all you said about the Otter. I wish it had the rear skirt as well as the grommets. I find that if you set it up with the back to the wind the wind will come up behind your legs. I have an XT Pro Resort. Not sure with the Eskimo but with the Otter extending the poles can be a bit of a pain. If you extend one side slightly more than the other it gets jammed up and you can't open it up. For those buttons Otter makes an accessory kit to add a lever which makes closing them easier. Should be included imho.

[@castforwardfishing]

Thanks for your comment. Hopefully Otter incorporates an integrated tie down point in the skirt in the future. I did see they have a strap kit that you attach to the tub with some ice anchors. I will definitely be purchasing the buttons to add to the pole. Fish on!

[@danielholtxxl4936]

It would be fairly easy to add grommets to the Otter skirt.

[@havenlures]

Great video buddy! Thanks for the review!!

[@castforwardfishing]

Thanks brother! I appreciate your support. Can’t wait to get out and hit the hard water.

[@Reykdals_outdoors]

Great review pal. I think you made the right final decision. The seats are critical to long hours on the lake.

[@castforwardfishing]

Thanks for the comment. Both are fantastic shacks.

[@sarahcouture-o6e]

Great job!

[@castforwardfishing]

I appreciate the support!

[@tdmytriw]

Love the otter, great review.

[@castforwardfishing]

Thank you I appreciate the support!

[@daviau7884]

Great video.

[@castforwardfishing]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@daviau7884]

@ I’ve owned both. Def prefer the Otter.

[@donbel9435]

A better comparison would be the Eskimo 2800 flip over .. the 2800 series is 30 sq ft of fishable area and within a few pounds at 127. And price tag at CDN around 1650 $ also .. 👍

[@castforwardfishing]

Thanks for the comment Don. You are absolutely right the 2800 is the same square footage and similar in price. I chose the 2600 for 2 reasons. First one is it’s the one I had access to. It is my friend’s and I have actually fished out of it before. And secondly the lodge is otters second largest shack behind the resort and the Eskape is Eskimos second largest shack behind the 2800. Thanks for watching and I appreciate the comments! Fish on!

[@donbel9435]

@ enjoyed your video😎 thanks for the information and we are still waiting for hard water to happen here in northern Ontario. 🤨Cheers.

[@mattgrosvenor8093]

Nice comparison buddy.

[@castforwardfishing]

Glad you liked it! Thanks brother.

[@MrBigFishNate1972]

Windows for watching tip ups is a pro for the Eskape.

[@mr.wannabe2786]

As of last year Otter sells for $20 what it calls Easy Frame Release Levers that make it easy to push in those annoying pole buttons. A must have accessory for Otter flip over shacks.

[@castforwardfishing]

Thank you. I did see them in the store. Looks like I should pick a set up.

[@ChrisCaley-c3x]

1 con with the Eskimo is the fesh air vent can become closed if snowing since it is on the top, either by snow blowing in or the weight of the snow collapsing it unless you rig something up to keep it open.

[@castforwardfishing]

@@ChrisCaley-c3x thanks for watching and I appreciate your comment. I have never experienced that. I guess users should ensure the snow load does not get to heavy on the roof to block the vent.

[@joshkliniske6766]

I think a better direct comparison would be the 2600 vs the Xover Cabin. just because of the sled length. I've owned both the Otter Xover in the cabin and Lodge and currently own the 2600. I always felt the lodge was too big for me and wouldn't fit with the tailgate up in my short bed truck. The cabin was a bit small once I started using LiveScope. Once the 2600 was released and I saw the dimensions I knew this was the house for me. The 2600 feels almost as big as a Lodge but fits my short bed truck with tailgate up just like the Cabin. I've owned 5 Otter flipovers over the years and think they have a well built house. I'd say this 2600 comes very close to the same quality minus the sled, Otter wins in that category. I do like the vents better in the Otter but that's about where it ends for me (other than the sled). I like the pole system for the 2600 way more, wide windows at the perfect height to see tip ups and zippers are great at blocking light for sight fishing. I found the seats to tip forward on the Otters and ive heard of others saying the same thing. I actually don't mind the seat on the 2600 and not having that aluminum bar that runs east and west in the sled is a huge improvement over the Otter for packing gear. As far as the skirts go its a toss up for me. I really don't care for the extra work that's involved on tucking the skirt in on the 2600 but I do see the benefit of the designs. I guess if I had a choice I'd rather it have a skirt like the Otter instead because I move often and have to deal with tucking that material in each time. That actually might be the one thing I'm the least crazy about on the 2600.

[@castforwardfishing]

I really appreciate you taking the time to write such a detailed and thoughtful comment!

[@mikemcclusky8244]

What cargo net are you using in the Eskimo? Can you provide link, great setup! 👍👍

[@castforwardfishing]

Ironically it’s the otter outdoors 3 pocket cargo storage net. Retails here in Canada for $69.99. I am sorry I am old I don’t know how to provide a link.

[@mikemcclusky8244]

@ no worries thanks for the reply!

[@mikedog9746]

Did you add the net inside the Eskimo??? I think the Eskimo is a better buy if it wasn't for the seat. I'm looking to get a flip over soon.

[@chadbosko8935]

What was that noise when picking the winner couldnt even hear the winner although I know it was the otter which is the one I own although with only the front door.

[@castforwardfishing]

Thanks for the comment. I tried to get too cute with the sound effect it’s supposed to be a cheer. But unfortunately I didn’t place it correctly. Thanks for watching. Have a great day!

[@jimriederer2791]

I have the 2800 and I hate the seats. They’re to heavy, wish I had a bench.

[@castforwardfishing]

Hey Jim. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment. Maybe a trick your trap modification in the future? I have seen in the trick your trap group on Facebook people making their own benches to customize the flip over.