tent

[cleveraction]

Has anyone used a tipitent? Looking for feedback. Durability, water/wind proof?

[Tripitaka]

Yeah, I have a Helsport Varanger 8-12.

I haven't researched North American brands but the main two in Europe are Helsport and Tentipi. The Helsport is a Norwegian brand and in my experience, they are absolutely bombproof and extensively tested in high winds and extreme rainfall. They are a nylon-based fabric.

The Tentipi is also very well made but the main difference is they are a polycotton fabric.

You must understand the principles of good campcraft to use them - choice of pitch, understanding of prevailing wind etc - but with that they are really quick to erect, versatile, wind and waterproof. Not particularly light but then if you divide the total weight amongst the sleeping capacity it isn't bad. Problem begins when you have a tent like mine and only two adults to carry it!

Additional bonus is that you can fit wood stoves to them for total winter comfort or drying purposes. I'll be looking for one for mine as soon as I get over there. Happy to give you a demo if you are island-based or wanted to come over?

[JohnB]

I'm looking at getting the Vertex 6.5.

http://www.titaniumgoat.com/vertex6_5.html

[plumbcrazy]

I bought a tee-pee-tent here from the guy in the interior afew years back, new. Love it. We made a round table around the center pole, and still have plenty of room for 4 guys to sleep around it with room to spare. Tons of tie-downs on it. We used above tree line with no protection and plenty of wind, no problem. The top flue cover that is optional if you are having a fire is a pain to install, maybe I havn't got it figuered out. It is our go-to light weight fly in tent.

[pitbell]

I love my Mountain Hardwear Kiva. It will sleep 3 guys and a ton of gear comfortably. It weighs around 5.5lbs so if you divide that by 2-3 guys it really lightens your pack. It will handle any kind of weather including a snow load and high winds. If theres a downside to tipi style tents it would be the longer set up times. If I'm planning on setting camp in different locations every night then I pack a reg tent. If I'm hunting out of a base camp and returning to the same spot for most of the hunt then the Kiva gets the nod.
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm51/bcandbeyond/2009%20Mountain%20Caribou/2009MountainCaribouAdventure038-1.jpg

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm51/bcandbeyond/2009%20Mountain%20Caribou/2009MountainCaribouAdventure040-1.jpg

[cleveraction]

Thnx for the feedback guys. It helps

[444marlin]

I have used a TipiTent for the last two years. It is very quick to setup and has lots of room. I am still playing around with a wood burning stove system.
I decided to insulate the top section of the pipe to make sure it does not burn any tent material as it exits the roof.
In windy conditions each sectional bottom should be weighted. The wind will whip through the tent and the flapping will drive your crazy.
Overall I am very pleased with the product.

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/hunting_2009_003.jpg

[Tripitaka]

444marlin,

I'd be very interested to know more about your stove system experiments and what kit you are using. I'd like to get one sorted in the next couple of months without the $800 price tag of the Helsport ones.