Anyone here have positive or negative feedback on the Otter hub houses? I have a Pro XT Cabin and am thinking about buying a hub as well to serve as a base camp on trips as well as a house to bring my boy out in. How do they compare to the other brands on the market? I haven’t personally owned a hub house myself but love the space.
I’ve fished the resort. Very roomy, lighting is good. As far as material, its lighter, thinner than Eskimo but warmth is about the same. A little mr heater cook top heater set at med is more than enough to stay warm. Crank it to high if more heat is desire. I recommend buying the stake attachment tool from Eskimo. Make life a lot easier, especially when its freezing out and strong wind chill. As far as durability, only time will tell, haven’t used it enough yet, but I have the Eskimos quikfish 3i for 4 years now and I have never had zipper, Windows, seam issues.
Here is my observations from last winter.
Used my Otter Lodge Hub 8-10 times so far and here are my thoughts.
1) Fabric I like a lot. Does not seem to take too much to heat them although all three times the coldest it got was about 14 degrees with no wind and I had my Big Buddy on low. One problem with the fabric is the sewing of the covers for the windows does not fit all that well. One window when the velcro is placed so it holds the window up the cover sags and opens a big gap on the sides of the cover letting all kinds of light in. Seems like the sewing itself is a little off or they just need to use bigger velcro. Bigger Velcro would solve this problem nicely.
2) Setting up seems just as easy as the clams that I have set up.
3) The bag is not Oversized at all and is actually too small if you have used it all day. So far we have put it in the bag and barely got the zipper to close on the ends and had to leave the middle open which is OK because I then put it in my Otter magnum sled with a cover for the sled. But overall the bag SUCKS so far.
4) Door zippers work well so far.
5) “0” cargo nets really suck! I did purchase a couple of the aftermarket ones directly from Otter and they really don’t fit the hubs worth a dam. They were made for the flip overs. Plus one came with an end that is almost coming apart of which I need to call Otter on this week. Thanks for the reminder.
6) Anchors….. they drill in fine and are easy to remove but don’t just try and pull out the last 1/2″ by hand and think it will break the ice….they bend. Made of cheep steel IMHO. If you wind all the way out they work fine.
Over all I would give a rating of 6.5 to 7.
friend of mine has one and has already had problems with the zippers and one of the hubs broke. I love otter but after fishing in their hub about 3x last year I purchased a polar bird. IMHO a far superior product – the fabric is top notch, the hubs are guaranteed for life, and it comes with a floor which is a bit of a revolutionary feature. no more fishing In a hub all day only to find you are swimming in 2 inches of water from melt off by the heater. Very nice! If I didn’t get a polar bird I probably would go with an otter over eskimo and….lol clam lol (not a fan). Otter did offer to fix my friends broken hub for free btw. They provide good service
X2 on Polar Bird.
You get a free floor right now too.
Only used it once last year and really, I can’t say enuf good about it.
If you haven’t checked them out, you should before buying anything.
@PikeFishman, during last years IDOTV Season 10, we spent a lot of time on the ice in the Otter XTH Resort, mainly for the purpose of filming in wind, sleet, rain and snow. The HUB houses come together nicely, just as Otter claims – set up is quick. Take down is just as efficient. As long as you recognize the proper way to put the HUB back into it’s storage bag, you should have limited issues, if any. If you start to bag the HUB incorrectly, you won’t have a great experience and that can become frustrating. It is very important to also use the cinch straps to avoid putting too much pressure on the zippers. None of our HUBS, Poles, Zippers or Windows broke. I would recommend any of the Otter XTH Series houses if you are fishing with more than one adult, fishing with kids, enjoy a spacious fishing area or you just want a great house for a great price. As far as using an XTH Series house as a “basecamp,” it also work’s perfect. During the Leech Lake Wheelhouse Episode last year, James, Dave and I used the Otter XTH Resort as a three day basecamp for our Generator, Camera boxes, Coolers etc – that came in handy when needing to add gas to the generator at 3AM during a snowfall. All around a great series of houses, and I would recommend any of them for scenario you are suggesting you would use a HUB in.
I was looking at one for myself recently. I ran into Donovan Pearase, blackwatercats.com guiding on Winnipeg last year and asked him about the Otter Hub styles. He was very pleased. I stepped in for a minute and was easily heated with a single sunflower. I asked him if he would buy again and he said yes. I didn’t realize he was a guide until after I was done talking to him but just a flat out good guy IMO from talking to him for those few minutes. Had I realized he was working I wouldn’t have interrupted.
I have a resort. Tons of space. My first thermal of any kind. For as much space as you get, pretty easy heating with a big buddy. One of the poles did come out of the center hub. Contacted Otter and they replaced the whole shelter. New one is still in the box. As others have stated, get the Eskimo drill adapter for the anchors. I haven’t put nets in there yet, but I do use some old Frabil velcro hangers, which work fine for jackets.
I’ve fished in non-insulated clams and eskimos, and this is a better made product overall, despite my issue above (nice to see Otter stand behind their product). The bag isn’t oversized, it’s right sized. It is bigger than the storage bags that the older Clams/Eskimos come in. With two guys, I have never had an issue. Again, not oversized, but with two guys (mind you this is a 6-8 person shelter), we can get it packed up and zipped in the dark after a full day of fishing.
Overall, I’m impressed with the hub. Great multi person shelter with tons of space. I’d give them a look.
Craig –
what size polar bird did you get? im thinking about purchasing a hub this year and cant decide between the 3t or the 4t
My XTH Lodge has been rock solid and offers everything I need. Otter has a cargo system out now too. I’ll be adding one more this year, money well spent imo.
@ Nick Cox just a question. When they used their generator inside the hub, did they vent the exhaust some how? Just wondering. I’m thinking about doing this also. To OP, I have a resort hub. Used it a lot last year. Never had any problems. Loved it. Very well constructed.
Just a heads up for anyone looking at Polar Bird, my Dad ordered a 4t at the end of last ice season, and is still waiting on delivery. Supposed to arrive early October (after original delivery date was bumped 3 times), but I’m guessing they underestimated the popularity. If it’s something you need for this season, might want to take that into consideration.
Just a heads up for anyone looking at Polar Bird, my Dad ordered a 4t at the end of last ice season, and is still waiting on delivery. Supposed to arrive early October (after original delivery date was bumped 3 times), but I’m guessing they underestimated the popularity. If it’s something you need for this season, might want to take that into consideration.
Wow that is strange. Mine arrived within 24 orders of placing the order (ordered around January of last year if memory serves). I do know they are a company that is new to the American market and looking to break in. You are probably right they likely underestimated the demand. Something to keep an eye on for sure
Brian, I ordered the 3t. It came to my door within 3 days of ordering, it’s big enough without the floor to possibly fish 3 adults, 2 for sure with plenty of room
X2
Well I picked up the Otter XTH Lodge last night. Got a killer deal when Cabela’s matched a competitors price and I had a Club card discount, price helped me make up my mind on going with the Otter. Can’t wait to get it out and use it.
Well I picked up the Otter XTH Lodge last night. Got a killer deal when Cabela’s matched a competitors price and I had a Club card discount, price helped me make up my mind on going with the Otter. Can’t wait to get it out and use it.
Glad you did, Im for sure you’ll like it. As I mentioned get the anchor adapter and while you’re at get extra anchors. There will be a time you’ll find that they are very useful, especially on windy days.
How many others have had issues with the poles popping out of the socket, where it pivots? It started with one pole coming loose occasionally on a side hub, then a roof pole occasionally coming loose. Finally, it was every time during take down. The poles weren’t pivoting correctly causing them to pop out. Eskimo hub is turning 8 this year with no problems.
I am going through the process of doing a full exchange on the Xth Lodge Hub. Customer service was great and didn’t question my request for exchange.
Is this a common problem or did I get a dud?
I have the Cabin for solo trips. I love it.
Maybe because it’s a smaller house, and easier to get rolled up, but I have no trouble getting it in the bag. By far the easiest of all of my hubs.
Again, it’s a smaller house, but I can keep that thing warm with a Bic lighter (exaggeration). Great fabric.
Hubs are still functioning, and I’ve fished it a number of times (probably a good 75 set-up/tear downs in that house).
Sounds like a lot of horror stories out there. You usually get that in the first few runs of any product. But, it’s treated me well to this point.
How many others have had issues with the poles popping out of the socket, where it pivots? It started with one pole coming loose occasionally on a side hub, then a roof pole occasionally coming loose. Finally, it was every time during take down. The poles weren’t pivoting correctly causing them to pop out. Eskimo hub is turning 8 this year with no problems.
I am going through the process of doing a full exchange on the Xth Lodge Hub. Customer service was great and didn’t question my request for exchange.
Is this a common problem or did I get a dud?
Mine just started doing this too…I was very happy with my cabin until a week ago.
My resort pops out while taking down as well.
Otter XTH Lodge is awesome. I sold mine on this site in favor of getting a pair of flip-overs for my dad and I. However, there have been a few occasions since where I wish I still had the Lodge.
Thanks for all the replies.
Now I am hesitating opening the replacement hub. I am worried this will happen again, only my warranty will be expired, and I am screwed with a flawed house, that no one wants.
Thinking this is my time to ditch it and wait for improvements.
I have the Resort Hub and no issues. Better not start this weekend.
I love mine
FYI – I will have it set up at the IDO gig this year and all are welcome to come and visit.
You will be required to drink a beer with me prior to entrance. 
Bought an otter lodge hub a few weeks ago. Finally got it out on the ice a few days ago and had nothing but problems. Stitches in multiple locations are hanging out, crooked stitching. Looks like it was made by someone that hated their job. One of the door sides would not close after opening unless you popped it in. Looks like that same wall was stitched poorly/crooked. Zippers are majorly sticking. Just a matter of time before they completely fail. Just complete garbage product. I am going back to a clam hub.
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I have a brand new lodge with similar issues. I thought I was upgrading from a Cabela’s/ clam 360. More of a downgrade
I know they aren’t a sponsor on this sight but the Eskimo 949i is bullet proof and if you keep an eye out for sales you can get one for around $250. 
The kiddos destroyed my zipper on my Resort hub. I think it was mostly my fault for cinching it down to tight with ratchet straps in the wind. Either way I called otter last week. It is out of warranty but they gave me a number to a guy that fixes their products, but I can’t seem to get ahold of the guy. I would like to get it fixed sooner than later. Other than that I love the HUB.
Bought an otter lodge hub a few weeks ago. Finally got it out on the ice a few days ago and had nothing but problems. Stitches in multiple locations are hanging out, crooked stitching. Looks like it was made by someone that hated their job. One of the door sides would not close after opening unless you popped it in. Looks like that same wall was stitched poorly/crooked. Zippers are majorly sticking. Just a matter of time before they completely fail. Just complete garbage product. I am going back to a clam hub.
@teterpig, I am curious, what are we looking at in your photos? Obviously photo 2 shows some questionable stitching on the pocket but the other 2 I don’t see anything concerning. Is it the loose tag ends? 10 seconds and a pair of scissors will take care of those. Probably more work than it took to take it out of the bag.
Hoping to coax you into a second post.
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