Kifaru Sawtooth, Cimarron, or Absaroka?

[DSchuett]

Need help deciding between these three shelters. Will be mostly used solo at first with a stove until my son is old enough to come with me. So, ultimately it will be 2 guys + stove + gear. I have never had a hot tipi style tent, so I’m sure there are many things I’m not thinking about when it comes to this purchase. What have your experiences been with these three companies and their shelters?

I have wanted the Sawtooth forever due to its door height and design shape (looks cool as hell lol), but I’m nervous about price and lack of additional features like floors, nests, etc. I have known about Seek Outside and the Cimarron for over a decade but just recently stumbled upon Argali in the past few days.

This tent will be used mostly in Wisconsin for fall hunting trips and spring canoe fishing trips. I have always wanted to try winter camping with snow on the ground, so I might dabble in that a little.

 

[Lawnboi]

I use a cimmaron for what you describe. Iv had it for around ten years now and it’s seen hundreds of nights out from prairie and 60mph winds and snow to WI mosquitos during the summer camping from a canoe.

Between the cimmaron and sawtooth it’s easy. Lack of available nest would be an absolute deal breaker if I was going to use it in WI at all during spring, summer or fall. The cimmaron isn’t too heavy when carrying solo for the most part and is sized correctly for one or two guys.

I can’t speak to the argali, I’d pass on it mainly because I’d prefer to buy us made gear if possible.

Seek outside also has excellent customer service when you inevitably need something repaired.

I can’t speak cover pretty much everything with a cimmaron, a nest and a stove.

 

[DSchuett]

I use a cimmaron for what you describe. Iv had it for around ten years now and it’s seen hundreds of nights out from prairie and 60mph winds and snow to WI mosquitos during the summer camping from a canoe.

Between the cimmaron and sawtooth it’s easy. Lack of available nest would be an absolute deal breaker if I was going to use it in WI at all during spring, summer or fall. The cimmaron isn’t too heavy when carrying solo for the most part and is sized correctly for one or two guys.

I can’t speak to the argali, I’d pass on it mainly because I’d prefer to buy us made gear if possible.

Seek outside also has excellent customer service when you inevitably need something repaired.

I can’t speak cover pretty much everything with a cimmaron, a nest and a stove.

Thanks for sharing your experience. The Cimarron seems like a very versatile shelter and probably the most practical for what I’m looking for. I get obsessed with the Sawtooth sometimes since I’d be able to stand in it at the door, but the lack of floor or nest might be a dealbreaker.

My son is only 3 right now, but in the next year or two I plan on bringing him with me using a floorless style tent. Having a floor or nest in there would be a great way to get him comfortable using a floorless tipi.

 

[Hoghead]

Cimarron and the abasroka seem really close in design. I believe the sawtooth is the heaviest. I have the sawtooth and Cimarron and like them both. Sawtooth has more standing room. Sawtooth is better in the wind due to shape. Cimarron is easier to pitch and both are plenty for 2 guys with a stove. I feel like the sawtooth has more room for gear inside with the stove. Both are great if I could only have 1 it would be the Cimarron because of weight and easier setup.I belive the abasroka might be better in moisture due to less sag but have no experience with it. The sawtooth and Cimarron are both high quality from what I have read so is the abasroka. I think you could find the best deal and be happy with any. You can use tyvec for a floor on any of them unless you want a bathtub style floor or netting I would worry about that part of it.

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[Hoghead]

If you want to look at the sawtooth in person and you send me a shipping label I will send it to you to check out for yourself. I won't send the Cimarron because I'm partners on it. I won't need it until spring.

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[DSchuett]

If you want to look at the sawtooth in person and you send me a shipping label I will send it to you to check out for yourself. I won't send the Cimarron because I'm partners on it. I won't need it until spring.

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Thank you for the offer. I’ll let you know. I get obsessed with the Sawtooth sometimes, but I don’t think I can justify the price when the Cimarron or Absaroka would work. I’m sure I would love to walk into the tent standing like you can with the Sawtooth, though.

 

[Hoghead]

I don't know how tall you are. I'm 5'11 and can walk into the Cimarron too but have to but have duck a little. I was the same as you I like the sawtooth but not for a solo hunt.

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[DSchuett]

I don't know how tall you are. I'm 5'11 and can walk into the Cimarron too but have to but have duck a little. I was the same as you I like the sawtooth but not for a solo hunt.

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I’m 6’1”. My other tent is an REI Half Dome 4 and the lack of height gets a little annoying sometimes. I would guess it’s maybe 4 and a half to 5 ft tall. If the Cimarron is that tall, even that would feel like an improvement to me haha.

 

[Hoghead]

I sleep hot and have extensions line locks. I usually have a 2-3" gap from the ground to the bottom of the tent. You definitely won't be able to stand up straight but will be able to hunch over.

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[DSchuett]

I sleep hot and have extensions line locks. I usually have a 2-3" gap from the ground to the bottom of the tent. You definitely won't be able to stand up straight but will be able to hunch over.

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How long does it take you to set up the Cimarron vs. the Sawtooth? I do want something that goes up fast.

 

[Hoghead]

Cimarron about 7 minutes sawtooth about 10

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[DSchuett]

That’s awesome. Nice setup times for both. Thank you!

 

[Hoghead]

Anytime

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