Tell me about the Kifaru Tipi

[butcher]

Is it worth the cost? Is there something better? I’m thinking about switching from a wall tent to the 8 man tipi.

[LuckyHorseshoe]

I don’t think that’s comparing apples to apples. They serve 2 different purposes to me. I e used the tipi for short trips,backpacking, rafting and where weight is the issue. You can’t beat the wall tent for inside space,stove size and heat or comfort. Unless you’re going to use it to save weight and space on fly ins or boat trips,the tipi is good for short trips where you don’t want to break out the wall tent. Anytime you’re not mobile or don’t care about the weight, wall tent all the way.

[MattB]

Really depends what you're looking for. The tipi is cold as soon as the fire goes out. I bought a 6" to 4" stove pipe reducer and use a bigger wood stove in the tipi now and it serves the same purpose as a wall tent...just much less room.

[waserwolf]

Like others have already replied, Tipis are somewhat different.
I run a much smaller Seek Outside Cimarron.
Like said, it's Cold as soon as the Stove is out.
I run the XL Stove and get approximately 1hr burn time.
Let me know if you have any more questions.

Either way, check out Seek Outside, great company!
They had some features that Kifaru did not, such as Sod Skirt and Zipper Cover.

[butcher]

Thanks for the feedback. I’m primarily wanting to use it for fly in hunts and early elk as a base camp. I want to cut back on bulk a bit. Was hoping an 8 man would be a good two man camp. I was also thinking of using a diesel heater, so if anyone has experience with that I’d love to hear.

[Darksith]

Thanks for the feedback. I’m primarily wanting to use it for fly in hunts and early elk as a base camp. I want to cut back on bulk a bit. Was hoping an 8 man would be a good two man camp. I was also thinking of using a diesel heater, so if anyone has experience with that I’d love to hear.

I do lots of fly ins. Depends on time of year whether I bring the wall tent or not, and it also depends how your going in. If weight is not the issue for the plane then I bring the wall tent. I always bring a boat with me on the fly ins but you can get the boat and the wall tent with 2 guys, you can't with 3. If you elk hunting and base camp is where your truck is, wall tent all the way. You can't beat it. Tipi is nice to have but your not on a cot your on an air mattress, you don't have the same heat retention, you have condensation to deal with...they serve different purposes.

As for diesel heater, well it saves you getting wood. Ive heard nothing but good things, I just question at what temps will they keep up with. I doubt they will work in -25 but 0 probably perfect setup. Jerry cans are a pain in the ass though to bring on a fly in bc they take up a lot of space and you can only put 1 or 2 in each float and diesel is heavy so it cuts into your load

[358mag]

In cold damp snowy weather your Tipi tent will have a condensation issues unless it has a real good inner liner and good long burning heater .

[butcher]

In cold damp snowy weather your Tipi tent will have a condensation issues unless it has a real good inner liner and good long burning heater .

Exactly why I want to go with the diesel heater.

[eric]

Have had the Kifaru 12 man for 15 yrs now, and if you do get this style of tent, absolutely get the liner .
When it's warm out condensation is not a problem, but when the temps drop, then it's areal problem.
I don't have the liner option, sure wish I did though...

[butcher]

Excellent. Thank you. Otherwise how is it?