Backpacking Tents

Fowl91 · #1 07-19-2018, 06:30 AM

I’ve recently been looking to replace my backpacking tent in favour of a lighter and more packable option. I’ve been using an MSR Hoop tent for the last 6 or 7 years and it’s been great for a 2 person backpacking tent. Its a bit heavy at 5.5lbs, and it’s packed size is about 18x7”.
I’ve been to every store and looked at all the options online, but I’m looking for some real world experience. Ideally I’d like a tent that is great in late August but will suffice and impress into October.
What are you guys using that works with your backpacking hunts?
Which brands have you found to be reliable?

Thanks

JohnB · #2 07-19-2018, 06:53 AM

Look at TiGoat tipi

Wrongside · #3 07-19-2018, 07:10 AM

I've been using floorless, 'tarp style' shelters, like Seek Outside and Kifaru, almost exclusively for the last 6-7 years. Very reliable performance and unbeatable space to weight ratio. The only downside I've found for my uses is, since they have to be staked out, they can be a little more work to pitch above the treeline.

whitetailsheds · #4 07-19-2018, 04:08 PM

http://europe.hilleberg.com/EN/

katts69 · #5 07-19-2018, 07:33 PM

Picked up a big sky international. It’s a chinook 2p. So far it’s been great.
It’s a 4 season tent.

7 REM MAG · #6 07-19-2018, 07:38 PM

Msr bubba bubba tents are good for the money. Good till at least late September in the mountains

Fowl91 · #7 07-19-2018, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7 REM MAG

Msr bubba bubba tents are good for the money. Good till at least late September in the mountains

Yes my MSR Hoop is kinda the predecessor to the Hubba Bubba, it’s great just too big to pack IMO.

Katts, the big sky looks intriguing as a 4 season and being a bit lighter than my current set up, but I couldn’t find any info on packed size. How small does it pack down to? I think right now getting the packed size down is my main objective more so than weight, but should go hand in hand.

Also to the TiGoat and Tipi guys, how do you like the no floor set up? And what are you using to barrier yourselves from the ground besides a sleeping mat?

Thanks guys, all the info is greatly appreciated

katts69 · #8 07-19-2018, 10:22 PM

Fowl, I wouldn’t say that it packs down much smaller than 18 by say 6.
It has compression straps to shrink the diameter.

spellswrong · #9 07-20-2018, 05:02 AM

[QUOTE=Fowl91;3814661
Also to the TiGoat and Tipi guys, how do you like the no floor set up? And what are you using to barrier yourselves from the ground besides a sleeping mat?

Thanks guys, all the info is greatly appreciated[/QUOTE]

I use a seek outside and kifaru and throw down tyvek for a "ground sheet" Several times Ive just used one of the random tarps some pansy has left in the backcountry then packed it out. Ive never had a problem with floorless you just have to be more aware of where you're pitching

teledogs · #10 07-20-2018, 07:30 AM

I have seen all weather in a couple of Hillebergs I own and they have never let me down. I use a Nallo 3 and an Akto.

Don_Parsons · #11 07-20-2018, 09:41 PM

If your lucky, Spruce boughs make good ground insulation, keep them small and lots of them. Grass on top, yoga mat to finish it off. It makes the best of out door sleeps.

Fowl91 · #12 07-22-2018, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spellswrong

I use a seek outside and kifaru and throw down tyvek for a "ground sheet" Several times Ive just used one of the random tarps some pansy has left in the backcountry then packed it out. Ive never had a problem with floorless you just have to be more aware of where you're pitching

I’m looking hard at the tipis now. Which do you prefer, kifaru or seek outside? The cimarron model is catching my eye. Also do you use their titanium stoves? Wondering how the guys with that set up are finding it.

katts69 · #13 07-22-2018, 05:19 PM

If you plan to stay anywhere above treeline the cimmaron is not the option you want.
I had one and sold it. To many flat sides on that tent. Snapped the carbon fiber pole. We patched it up with duct tape and tyraps so salvage the trip but it went for sale soon as I got home.
Running a Kifaru sawtooth now and it is much more storm worthy by design.

Highlander44 · #14 07-24-2018, 04:30 PM

Just bought a Big Agnes 2 person that weighs in at 2lbs- picking it up next week and will let you know. Big fan of the 3-season. Tried a single wall to really cut down on weight a couple years ago and almost ruined the trip due to the crazy amount of condensation and a wet sleeping bag......

raw outdoors · #15 07-24-2018, 09:09 PM

Hillaberge tents hands down. I can’t speak for the small tipis I have a 16 man but that is no backpack shelter

HighlandHeart · #16 07-25-2018, 10:43 AM

Eureka El Capitain 2

nimrod · #17 07-25-2018, 04:31 PM

tigoat and oware pyramid tents for our group

spellswrong · #18 07-25-2018, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fowl91

I’m looking hard at the tipis now. Which do you prefer, kifaru or seek outside? The cimarron model is catching my eye. Also do you use their titanium stoves? Wondering how the guys with that set up are finding it.

Im not going to make it easy on you as my answer is, "it depends" the cimarron is lighter roomier and the two doors are really nice but the kifaru is more robust and taller at its peak. If I wasn't planning on setting up in a windy open space and I liked to pack light i would go seek outside. If you plan pn being hit with constant strong winds the kifaru will hold up better. This isnt to say that the seek outside will buckle under a breeze its just not quite as bombproof. I do use their stove I like the box stoves far more than the cylinders. Go bigger with a stove. Late season hunts can be chilli and tipis offer no insulation you need a big stove. I would go with a large if i were to do things over. The weight will mean a good nights sleep. When temps fall below -15 it takes no time for your tipi to cool down a medium stove burns for 3 hours under great conditions. I am thinking i might bring afew fire logs next trip.

dennis47 · #19 04-19-2021, 04:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katts69

Picked up a big sky international. It’s a chinook 2p. So far it’s been great.
It’s a 4 season tent.

Looks good. Seems you made good deal

ram crazy · #20 04-19-2021, 06:44 AM

PM killerbren he sells really good light weight teepee style tents with super light weight stoves. Brennan is a great guy to deal with and I don’t think you will be disappointed in his product.

coxy95 · #21 04-19-2021, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ram crazy

PM killerbren he sells really good light weight teepee style tents with super light weight stoves. Brennan is a great guy to deal with and I don’t think you will be disappointed in his product.

X2 his company is Lite Outdoors, based out of Alberta too!

K2 Ranch · #22 04-19-2021, 10:13 AM

Is tigoat still in business.

Hoppy · #23 04-19-2021, 10:24 AM

Another one to look at is slingfin - i think they make the stone glacier tents as well, i picked one up last year and it is a great tent and will easily go 3.5 seasons. 2 person is under 4 lbs.

Huk · #24 04-19-2021, 10:51 AM

I run a Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2, which is a great tent for 1 person and gear.

The only thing I don't like about it is the single door and vestibule makes taking my wife along on backcountry camping trips in the summer a little bit of a challenge.

I've run this tent several seasons in Alberta and New Zealand. It will handle wind, rain and even -15 if you've got the right sleeping bag.

If I were in the market for a tent that was going to be my go-to for spring through early Fall, I would get the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 (the two vestibules and entrances would make getting in and out much easier). I'll likely sell my fly creek and buy the tiger wall in the next year or so.

I did start running a seek outside cimarron with their large box stove this past season. Absolute game changer when it comes to being comfortable and drying things out in the backcountry. The one caveat I will say about a floorless shelter is that you wouldn't want to run one in spring bear season, or during the summer at all. It would be a recipe for having ticks, spiders, mosquitos and whatever else crawl all over you.

Huk · #25 04-19-2021, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katts69

If you plan to stay anywhere above treeline the cimmaron is not the option you want.
I had one and sold it. To many flat sides on that tent. Snapped the carbon fiber pole. We patched it up with duct tape and tyraps so salvage the trip but it went for sale soon as I got home.
Running a Kifaru sawtooth now and it is much more storm worthy by design.

As an owner of the Cimarron I'll second that opinion. You need to be very choosy with where you pitch it, it's not ideal in high wind.

As far as the stove goes, buy the large box stove. I have the u turn and the hassle of dealing with it does not justify the weight savings. I'm fixing to order the regular box sides and back pieces to convert mine.

RobTurbo · #26 04-19-2021, 03:47 PM

I've been rocking the Kuiu Storm Star for a year now. It's been absolutely bomb proof but it's tight for two people (we're not big either) and the vestibule is big enough for boots and that's about it.

If I was doing it all over I'd buck up and get the Hilleberg Nallo 3.