Kifaru tipis

[mcseal2]

Anyone tried these? The price is high, but the reviews I have read have been really good. I have been thinking of buying one with the smallest wood stove, the Parastove, for backpack hunts. My hunts are usually later October or early November and having a wood stove for drying things and cooking would be nice. The weight of the model I'm looking at with the stove is 6lbs, and it also eliminates the need for a separate cooking stove & fuel. I always hunt with a friend, so the weight doesn't seem bad compared to a 2 man tent and cooking equipment.

 

[nebowhunter]

look at seekoutside.com they have a tipi type tent also looks like same material with some other suttle changes I have been thinking of this instead of Kifaru. Just looking at my options.

 

[7magman]

I have the 4 man tipi and medium stove. It's just right for two guys and gear, plenty of room to spread out and dry things off.
I've used it solo as well and having that kind of heat in a tent in mid-November is invaluable. I gather a large pile of wood and put it inside the tipi as soon as it's set up. It's nice to have dry wood when it's been raining or snowing in the West Elks for 3 days.
I recommend the tipi and stove very highly, customer service is great as well.

 

[coyhuntermn]

I almost bought a tipi and stove but got worried about holes caused by ash falling on it from the wood stove. I thought that was too much money to invest to have something like that happen. I purchased a Appy Trails Mark V $125 which is very similar to the Paratent. I sewed a noahs tarp over the vestibule to create a bigger vestibule and sleeved it for a stove pipe. I made a stove out of a small hellium tank which is about the size of a small compressed sleeping bag. The stove turned out great and I am very anxious to try it out I was all set to pack into a wilderness area last fall but the initial trip in to check it out proved too much for my brother along with extreme dry conditions we opted to hunt else where.

 

[Gman]

I have several Kifaru tipis. Just ordered another one matter of fact - a 12 man for family use. Prefer the Sawtooth for backcountry use though. Great piece of gear and a great company. Can't say enough about them. They've totally changed the way I hunt and get back there. Don't be afraid to go with a 4 or 6 man or Sawtooth. When you're in the backcountry and it's cold and wet and you have dry heat it changes the game in your favor. I love the floorless design and to date I don't have any ash or burn holes in mine. The stoves come with screen spark arrestors that greatly reduce the chance of burn holes.

 

[c-ne-elk]

Gman - have you had any issues with condensation in your Kifaru's? I have read from several people that condensation is horrible, even in a dry climate. That is what has steared me away from them. Other than that, they seem like a good way to go but would like to know if the condensation issue is truly an issue.

 

[Gman]

Sorry for the late reply on this - been out of pocket for a while. Condensation is present but I wouldn't call it an "issue" especially in CO. It would definitely be different if I were in WA or OR or some place wet and humid. The condensation you get is a trade off with a single wall shelter. They do sell liners for all their tipis which will be useful in wet areas or during the winter. During hunting season there's a bit of condensation on the walls when you wake up in the morning but as long as you're not rubbing the sides of the shelter there's no negative consequences. Then when you fire up your stove the moisture is all dried out very quickly. Also the condensation all dries off naturally during the day as well if you don't have time to fire up the stove in the morning.

 

[tim]

all single wall tents will have condensation problems. all single wall tents. but I light my stove while still in the sleeping bag and soon enough the condensation is gone. But you do learn not to touch the walls in the morning. I have been using one for about 3 seasons now and i love mine.

 

[Quiethunter]

I spent some time in a Kifaru para-tipi this last archery season. It is nice to have the stove to dry things off and warm things up.
Condensation can definitely be an issue, but if the weather is not wet, then open up the stove hole on the top and open the door flaps at the bottom to create a bit of a draft and condensation goes away.
It is a nice, lightweight product. Unless heavy rain is being forecasted I prefer a bivy sack though.

 

[MT backcountry hunter]

Take a look at the Shangri La 3 or 5 from GoLite. I just picked up the Shangri la 3 from work and have been very pleased with it. I plan on doing a in depth review on it here on the forums shortly. I would like to get a bit more in field use with it before I feel I can write a 100% honest review. You can put a Ti-Goat stove in those with a little bit of modification. Hopefully after this weekend I will post a good review on it in the gear section of the forum.

 

[bbright]

I'm a fan of kifaru. One paratipi, 6man, G1 longhunter pack and sleeping bag in my arsenal. Great customer service and durable, well made products keep me coming back for more. This is a personal decision and there are a number of products that will work. As for me, I see no reason to look elsewhere.

 

[HeatherStomper]

If you are going for a solo shelter, I'd look at the new Sawtooth. I have the para-tipi and a 6-man. The para is great, but for 2 hunters and if you hit some bad weather, the Sawtooth offers more space.
Yes, condensation does occur, just like any single wall shelter. Vent the top and fire the stove and things dry out very fast.
Very little to worry about regarding ash and sparks, if you use the screens supplied with the stove.
For what it's worth, I have had the opportinity to use the para, 6-man, 8-man and 12-man and will never camp in a tent again without the superb ability to make safe, fast heat.

 

[brandenbowhunter]

Try www.wyominglostandfound.com you can get what you want...I am looking at one of the smaller ones...I also know that Montana canvas is making some now too...I used one this fall..they are sweet!

 

[Adrian8100]

I have several Kifaru tipis. Just ordered another one matter of fact - a 12 man for family use. Prefer the Sawtooth for backcountry use though. Great piece of gear and a great company. Can't say enough about them. They've totally changed the way I hunt and get back there. Don't be afraid to go with a 4 or 6 man or Sawtooth. When you're in the backcountry and it's cold and wet and you have dry heat it changes the game in your favor. I love the floorless design and to date I don't have any ash or burn holes in mine. The stoves come with screen spark arrestors that greatly reduce the chance of burn holes.

I'm totally agree with you.You'r 100 good.When you're in the backcountry and it's cold and wet and you have dry heat it changes the game in your favor.Thanks for taking this opportunity to discuss this.