Tentipi alternative...

[Squidders]

Hi All,

I know there are numerous threads on the subject but I wanted to ensure the information I had was pretty current.

I have a Tentipi Safir 9 cp and love it to bits when I'm in it but less so when I'm carrying it. I'm probably looking to sell it soon and am considering the lightweight version of the same tent.

What I wonder though is are there any other contenders at this size (or slightly larger) that are well specified?

First hand knowledge would be great so if you have something and love it, let me know! If you have something and hate it, let me know more

Cheers,
Joe.

 

[Andy BB]

Look at the Kifaru and Seekoutside tipis. Very lightweight - for example the 8-man Seekoutside tipi is 16ft diameter, 8.5 ft high and weighs 6.5lb in basic format - 8lb with mossie integrated doorscreens and zip-flap. Kifaru very similar. Kifaru.net and seekoutside.com

 

[PDA1]

DIY or get a local seamstress to DIFY. This is close to your size requirement and I think it is brilliantoo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pzfn_dZoNTU

music pretty good too

 

[Squidders]

Cheers all... at the moment the Helsport looks like about the best fit for my requirements and is a good price. The Kifaru and Seekoutside seem geared towards the true ultralight market and while I'm sure the fabrics and construction and great, any ultralight fabric and design is going to sacrefice some long term durability or features. I just need to sell the tentipi I think.

At the moment Helsport but still very open to others of a similar design.

 

[bigroomboy]

I have a Helsport Varanger 8-10 downstairs. The problem for you is I only just got it and havent had chance to test it in anger yet. What I can tell you is if you took the outer only you are looking at carrying 6 kg so not bad. The bag it comes in makes it bulky though it will easily compress to much smaller but you would need to find a compression sack the correct size. The quality and details look great from as much experience as I have (ie little).

Maybe you should say what your aims are? how far you want to walk with it. From everything I have heard the tentipi is the mutts nuts but I generally wouldnt think of taking these tents if I was walking far. Have you though about a small trolley or sled on snow? I read that you sacrifice a bit of air quality in synthetic tipis and more condensation but it depends what you want

 

[Squidders]

I know whatever I get isn't going to be built like the tentipi... It's like sleeping in NORAD in terms of protection from the elements, there is no condensation and it's quiet. I have had a light weight tentipi before but it was a vagge 7 and I have other tents so managing condensation isn't a problem, nor is walking in with it as it's still nearly 10Kg lighter. The issues with the tentipi are drying it out (I have nowhere so have only used it when dry) and carrying it anywhere other than a few feet from the car boot.

The tentipi is for people who want to know they have the best and car / 4x4 camp or canoe camp a lot. I need something I can stuff inside a pack, even a big pack.

 

[bigroomboy]

I see you have put the tentipi up already! What Helsport model were you looking at? I know Twodogs has had nearly the whole range maybe he can help you out soon.

 

[Andy BB]

Cheers all... at the moment the Helsport looks like about the best fit for my requirements and is a good price. The Kifaru and Seekoutside seem geared towards the true ultralight market and while I'm sure the fabrics and construction and great, any ultralight fabric and design is going to sacrefice some long term durability or features. I just need to sell the tentipi I think.

At the moment Helsport but still very open to others of a similar design.

Although the Kifaru, for example, is very lightweight, it has been proven over several decades in pretty appalling weather - including Everest basecamps, snow-loads and regularly in 60+mph winds, and seems to have survived it all! I think their biggest drawback is that they're probably not suitable for year-round living in, as they will eventually suffer from UV degredation, although they are treated for it. And being single-skin, you will get condensation (unless of course you've got a stove in it, or fit an optional liner). The USA hunting fraternity swear by them, chasing elk in very unpleasant conditions for weeks at a time.

 

[Squidders]

I see you have put the tentipi up already! What Helsport model were you looking at? I know Twodogs has had nearly the whole range maybe he can help you out soon.

I'm looking to get the Helsport Varanger 12-14 and floor.

 

[Squidders]

Although the Kifaru, for example, is very lightweight, it has been proven over several decades in pretty appalling weather - including Everest basecamps, snow-loads and regularly in 60+mph winds, and seems to have survived it all! I think their biggest drawback is that they're probably not suitable for year-round living in, as they will eventually suffer from UV degredation, although they are treated for it. And being single-skin, you will get condensation (unless of course you've got a stove in it, or fit an optional liner). The USA hunting fraternity swear by them, chasing elk in very unpleasant conditions for weeks at a time.

I agree with the statement about quality... as you say, loads of people use 'em and swear by them, that wouldn't be the case if they were bad. But they don't have some of the nice features I want such as ventilation I can adjust from inside or options for floors and inner tents.

 

[Andy BB]

Sounds like I'm doing a selling job here, so apologies for that - not my intention (and I don't get commission or work for them)! And if you're looking for a heavier-weight tipi, then the back-packable kifaru-style breed aren't for you. But you can get inner tents for them (for example, I'm getting a Seekoutside nest for my new tipi, which has a floor, walls and mossie/no-see-um netting for the "bedroom"). Throw in the 1.5 kilo woodstove and 9ft pipe, and it'll hopefully keep me snug at way below zero (C, not absolute ) The downside of course is price - these things - at least the good ones - aren't cheap. But then you are getting a 16ft diameter tipi, centre pole plus stove and stovepipe that weighs about 4kg in total!

The floor thing is very interesting. For over 50 years I've always gone for a floored tent - it seemed silly not to, so much so that I never even considered the alternative. Yet having tried the floorless route, it kinda makes sense now. no more taking off muddy boots before entering the tent, no more mopping up pools of water from rain-soaked clothing or other spills off the groundsheet - and why does it always pool around those places you don't want it to!

 

[Retired Member southey]

Hello chap, here is my new canvas home, Thread linky no real use as yet other than putting up in the garden, will get back to you after some trips out

 

[Twodogs]

Cant you tell winter is on the way its lavvu thread time

Helsport Veranger , crackin tent well made with loads of mossie protection ,

Twodogs

 

[Retired Member southey]

He hehe, I so excited about getti out in cold weather again. How's th winterised G wagon going? I have my eye on a tithouse landy for next year, apparently it time we got rid of the jeep and got some family transports

 

[Squidders]

Like your new canvas home Southey... huge top hat on it must give LOADS of ventilation.

 

[Retired Member southey]

Its lovely matey. And with Raikey's frontier burning its soooo toasty.

 

[Shewie]

Stop it .

 

[Retired Member southey]

Hahahaha hey why nit come down with Stu for the 17th of November?

 

[Shewie]

Cant you tell winter is on the way its lavvu thread time

Helsport Veranger , crackin tent well made with loads of mossie protection ,

Twodogs

Do you use an inner in yours Cliff, is that the orange I can see?

 

[Shewie]

Hahahaha hey why nit come down with Stu for the 17th of November?

I'll try and blag a pass out, let you know