leightweight wall tent alternative.

[swmoelk]

Do you guys have suggestions for a alternative to a canvas tent for the back country. I'm looking at something in the 20# range and 10x12 or 12x12. Id say room for two cots and maybe a small stove. I think the outback lodge from Cabelas would work after I installed a stove jack and maybe a couple pieces of fire blanket inside. Also I'd like something I can actually stand up in. Thanks for the help.

[Brendan]

Kifaru and SeekOutside sell tipis that get that big and take a stove. Many different sizes to choose from.

http://store.kifaru.net/tipis-c18.aspx

http://seekoutside.com/tipi-tents/

Not cheap - but much lighter than wall tents. I believe both Kifaru and SeekOutside are sponsors here...

[ElkNut1]

Brendan, thanks, I too was going to check them out, I may be in the market for one on an elk hunt this Sept! I wonder which are best suited for packing in on your back? Glad you mentioned them!

ElkNut1

[WapitiTalk1]

For a more traditional shaped pack tent, this Hilleberg Altai is an option. They certainly seem roomy

Altai configuration:

Set up video:

[Brendan]

I can give some feedback on Kifaru, but not first hand on the tipis. Here goes.

I had a Megatarp last year - comfortable for two people, with a stove if you need it. My entire sleep system including Megatarp, stakes, sleeping pad, bivy sack, small compressible pillow, and down quilt came in under 5 lbs. Adding a seek outside medium stove is two pounds more. The megatarp was great, and they even have smaller and lighter options if you're looking for emergency shelter. You have to be okay with a floor-less shelter, and you can't stand up, so not a wall tent alternative at all. More comparable to a floor-less 2-3 backpacking tent that can take a stove. Downsides compared to a smaller tent - more complicated to get it pitched until you get used to it, and it can take up a lot of space if you're trying to pitch it in the dark after a long day of hunting in thick timber (Been there, done that), no floor. Bug protection and liners are available but extra cash and weight.

I sold my megatarp and purchased a sawtooth. It is a 2-3 person shelter that you can stand up in one end, and less than 2 lbs heavier than the megatarp (4.5 lbs for the shelter ex-stove). I also have a lightweight 2 person backpacking tent for when I want a floor.

Going bigger - I've heard most on Rokslide and the Kifaru forum recommend the 8 Man at just under 8 pounds (no stove). I don't think it is truly an 8 man shelter though - probably possible but very tight. All of the Kifaru shelters have a reputation of being able to stand up to heavy wind - but I don't have experience there. The 12 man tipi is 11lbs. The 16 man is 14 lbs. Depends on your budget and how much weight you want to carry.

Again - they're expensive. But, you're paying for larger, durable shelters that are very lightweight for their size, and you can use a stove if you want.

No experience with the SeekOutside shelters, other than knowing they have a loyal following too.

[Indian Summer]

Being able to stand up is always a requirement for me.

After reading your post I'd say look into an Alaknak. Although I admit I have no idea what they weigh.

You might also look at wall tents that are made of Relite instead of canvas. No poles needed if you are someplace where you can cut lodgepoles which are common enough in elk country.

[swmoelk]

Thanks guys that was fast. First off kifaru tipi would fit the bill but I can buy a used wall tent and an extra pack horse for what they want for them. With that said I know what their materials cost and I'm not saying they're over priced just expensive. I've looked at relite but have also seen a dry lite wall tent out there but couldn't find a price on them. The alaknak and bighorns are good choices as well but they're pretty heavy too same as a Kodiak. If IS can put the Mrs. on her first elk this year I'm sure she will give me the green light to upgrade to anything I want but I'm trying to look at all the options before I buy something. I want something light enough it only takes one mule to pack it in and easy enough I can set it up by myself.

[jmez]

Alaknak is a great tent. You won't carry them very far, they are HEAVY. Great option for base camping.

[dotman]

To be in the 20lb range and not fall apart your going to have to spend enough to buy a wall tent and extra pack horse. There are cheaper options but they probably will fail with the first big nasty storm.

I have a Cabelas XWT that I picked up recently when they were 50% off. The size measurements are deceiving as that is only the size of the inner nest. I have the 12x12 which is full height walkable in that area. The nest is 2ft from the walls at the bottom so you can store stuff between the nest and fly to keep it out of the elements. The vestibule area is huge and will accommodate two chairs and a small table. Now here is where the size comes in, if you don't use the nest the shelter dimensions are 16x24!

But the entire setup weighs 75lbs, to drop weight you would have to replace the steel stakes with the yellow plastic and leave the nest at home, should bring the 12x12 down into the 40lb range.

This tent was designed to handle hurricane winds and heavy snow loads, it is way over built. There are a few good YouTube videos of it weathering the last hurricane on the east coast and it barely moves. It does not have a stove but I would think any good sew shop could take care of that and add a stove jack pretty easy.

This setup you can trust and if a big storm comes in while your hunting you will not have to head back to camp to save your shelter.

Cabelas still has the 10x10 @ 45lbs (14x20 est without inner nest) instock which if you leave the nest home, get the dry-pitch kit and change out the metal stakes to plasitc you should be in the 20-30lb range. The price is high but half of what the lite weight tipi options are for less space and just as if not more durable.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Camping/ ... t105517980

[swmoelk]

Dotman, Good idea that's something I haven't thought about. I'm going to keep my eyes out I'm close to a cabelas in Wichita so maybe I'll eyeball them a little closer . I'd probably be fine with the 10x but I'm curious what the nest actually weighs on one. Thanks for the insight. The Alaskan geodesic doesn't look bad just a smaller vestibule and fly I suppose

[dotman]

Yeah the geodesic is the old guide tent I believe and plenty are happy with it. It isn't built as strong as the XWT, hard to weigh the nest but I'm gonna say it is 1/3rd of the weight and then the stakes and poles are another third. The dry-pitch is a pound or so and isn't required but does make setup easier.

[Indian Summer]

Thanks guys If IS can put the Mrs. on her first elk this year I'm sure she will give me the green light to upgrade to anything.

She IS killing an elk this year!!!

[swmoelk]

Looks like a 10x14 Montana relite blend from the wall tent shop is what I'm going with.40 lb and lots of room. Any reason I shouldn't go with 14' over 12'? Its only an extra 3lb and $30.. thnks for the help guys.

[dotman]

Looks like a 10x14 Montana relite blend from the wall tent shop is what I'm going with.40 lb and lots of room. Any reason I shouldn't go with 14' over 12'? Its only an extra 3lb and $30.. thnks for the help guys.

Only reason would be if your crazy . For that tiny weight and price diff I'd get the bigger.