Hillary Cabin Tent 9 x 12

Great tent, but my 9 x 12 has no rain fly, and when it rains, the tent leaks. It can only be used for dry weather.

This review is for the Hillary Tent Model 70103 by Sears. Fabric color white/red/black. I was lucky enough to find it at the local Goodwill store. The tent had a slight mildewy odor so I gave it a good scrub with a soft marine/boat brush and a weak dilution of bleach and dishwashing liquid to eliminate that problem.

One of the main poles had a split channel where the shock cord was seeping through. I easily fixed this by wrapping the split with electrical tape. It matches, provides extra strength and did not interfere with assembling or threading through the tent guides. (This may be an easy fix for any tent's graphite pole that is split but has not come apart)

All the parts were there from poles to rain fly. The only thing missing was the manual but I was able to figure how to get everything together in about 5 minutes. The tricky part was trying to do it alone but I finally managed to do so -- a second set of hands would have been, well, "handy".

I took a chance on this tent and I am very glad I did. It is light and the vestibule/mudroom is very handy. Zippers work fine, screen fabric is in great shape. I didn't know anything about this tent but it will get a lot of use in mild to three season weather. And, when the day comes that I can AFFORD a Kelty Yellowstone or REI's Big Agnes, I'll pass the ol' Hillary along to one of my sons. In the meantime, I think it could use some Native American designs painted on it . . . what do you think?

I purchased this tent back in the late 80's. We just went camping this weekend and used it again! We love this tent and wish they made them like this again. Cheap tent, no way. It is canvas and has NEVER EVER LEAKED. I treated it back when I bought it, and never had to treat it again, cuz I never had a reason to! Can't purchase canvas now a days, like back then...it all was canvas..nylon...WHAT?!!

The floor is super great, again, NEVER EVER LEAKED. The poles are aluminum, great product. No rainfly needed with these tents. I just know, that I wish I knew then.....what I know now...and that is..nothing compares!! Sad to say, it will go with us camping, but after all these years and a growing family we need to get a larger tent. Set up...faster on this old Hillary than any tent today!! I dread using a new model tent and having pole problems or tears in the fabric right out of the box!!

And...worry about the dew..I dare say rain!! Dew on these new tents is like a major storm for our old trusty Hillary..never will I get rid of it!! True so true...is that..they do not make things like they use to!!!!

We have a Hillary Tent that we purchased around 1980, and have used it multiple times and weeks through the years. It is still the best quality tent we have been around.

We did find that we should not be right against the material in dampness or wet weather or it would cause some dampness to seep through. It has never leaked and has gone through several rainy days. It is simple to put up. We love it and would love to find another one made just like this and of the same qualiity.

This tent is Fantastic. Bought it at a garage sale for $10.00, 4 years ago. I use it 2-4 times a year. Gave it 4.5 out of 5 because I have never used it in the rain so far. It stood in high winds in a remote campsite 2 yrs ago in Minoqua Wisc. More recently my brother and I used it at Deer camp last fall in 30 degree temps and we did just fine without a heater.

Unfortunately, this past summer it could not withstand the idiocy of teenage boys. They were wrestling and broke 2 of the conduit poles. Should I just try to fabricate new parts or is there someone who has the replacement parts???

I'm afriad this might be the last year for this outstanding tent. I've had it since 1993 and use it about 4 times a year. Coldest temp 35 degrees, hottest around 100. It has been through a number of solid mid western rain storms and high winds. Used annually at the Oshkosh Airshow where it stays up baking in the sun a week at a time. Other trips just 3 days or weekends. Very easy set up. As this is out of production, I just wanted to comment on the Hillary quality. Bought it at Sears as a first tent. The fabric is starting to strech, so I was very worried when I spent this last week at Oshkosh. It rained every night, with very hard (occasional) microbursts and lightning. My friends' tents leaked. Mine did not. It has no fly on it, just the plain cabin style. Good quality steel poles, excellent fabric. It has never ripped.

I'm saying good-bye soon, as time has taken its toll on the fabric. It is fading and sagging slightly. I will be buying another Hillary tent. I have also learned to go with steel poles on the new tent. My friends' Coleman and Target brand tent both broke fiberglass support rods. Electrical tape fixed em, but why hassle with it? Anyway, very pleased with the price and quality. Not a mountain climbing tent, but perfect for the casual camper/family.

Had my Hillary 9x12 tent for over 20 years. This year the door zipper won't close. It has served me faithfully all these years and I would really love to just get the zipper repaired!

I figure that it was the same style Sir Edmond Hillary used for his historic ascent. How can you argue with the ruggedness of his choice?

Buy a new nylon tent ?? have to go with tradition and fine craftsmanship!!

Bought my tent in 1979. It has NEVER leaked. Through Florida down pours to Midwestern snow, it has always done a great job. Just used it in early August, it's still as tough as ever!