kifaru sawtooth vs megatarp

[Dodgeis4me]

looking into some backpacking shelters that i can put a stove in for cooler weather. i like the idea of having a tarp with me even on day hunts just in case, but the sawtooth caught my eye. there is a rumor that kifaru is changing things on there tarps.. so maybe i will wait a wile.

 

[colonel00]

I've never used either although I would like to play in a Sawtooth someday. However, comparing the two seems like apples and oranges. I'm sure others will chime in as well but it would really help if you provided more information like where you plan to hunt most, time of year, size of hunting party, etc.

 

[Dodgeis4me]

i would be using it for up to 2 people in the Utah Uinta mountains during archery season. having a stove would be a plus for later in the year. i plan on doing a lot of scouting trips early in the year so it could get cold with some rain.

 

[Jcberg]

I have zero input on the mega tarp but I can tell you the Sawtooth is awesome! I love being able to stand up and the stove is a game changer. Hang any wet clothes on the center line over the stove and they dry out fast. The recent tip by Luke Moffat also frees up a ton of room in the rear and is genius! Couldn't be happier with my Sawtooth.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

The sawtooth is obviously bigger, allows stand up room, handles weather very well, and is about 2.5lbs or so heavier. The mega tarp will fit two plus gear and stove, and is lighter.
The sawtooth really shines for me later in the season or when I want a palace. I tend to use the mega when I am trying to go as light as possible or trying to reduce my foot print a little.

 

[Dodgeis4me]

i wounder if there would be a way to use 2 trekking poles for the sawtooth to save some weight.

 

[Craig Van Arsdale]

I have had both and I prefer the Sawtooth. The extra room is worth the weight. The Mega is real tight with two and gear. Just depends on what your plans are though. If you think it will be used more in the late season tough Id totally go with the Sawtooth.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

i wounder if there would be a way to use 2 trekking poles for the sawtooth to save some weight.

I don't see why you could not, but I don't think it would be as stable in bad weather if you did......only guessing as I have not tried it.

 

[colonel00]

i wounder if there would be a way to use 2 trekking poles for the sawtooth to save some weight.

I don't see why you could not, but I don't think it would be as stable in bad weather if you did......only guessing as I have not tried it.

Well, I can tell you that at least with the set of BD poles that I have, they are about at max and get a bit wobbly as a center pole for my SL-5 which isn't nearly as tall as the Sawtooth is supposed to be. Then again, I don't use any type of extension pole which may work. Somebody send me a Sawtooth and I will be happy to do some testing

 

[Dodgeis4me]

i am kind of leaning towards the Megatarp, because i could have it in my pack all the time (day hikes) and use it when i need it for short cloud bursts.

 

[Becca]

i wounder if there would be a way to use 2 trekking poles for the sawtooth to save some weight.

We tried it out yesterday and it looks like it should work fine. Wont have an actual field review till we kick off summer trips, but it looked plenty stable. Can always use our second set of poles alongside the first set in high winds.

 

[colonel00]

Becca,

Was that doing your typical setup with the poles where you remove the bottom section of one? What size poles are you using or how long are the sections of the poles?

 

[Dodgeis4me]

We tried it out yesterday and it looks like it should work fine. Wont have an actual field review till we kick off summer trips, but it looked plenty stable. Can always use our second set of poles alongside the first set in high winds.

Thats awesome! how much weight would you save?

 

[Becca]

Becca,

Was that doing your typical setup with the poles where you remove the bottom section of one? What size poles are you using or how long are the sections of the poles?

We have used this set up, or sometimes removed the lower two sections depending on the height we needed for a particular shelter. Either way it's been plenty stout. I forget exacy which model poles we are using currently, but they are standard BD flick locks I believe.

I am at work so I don't have all the specs in front of me. We will post final weights with our mods once we finalize our set up.

 

[luke moffat]

Having used both for me and my uses the Sawtooth is more than worth the extra 1.5 pounds of weight if looking for a primary shelter for 2 guys. I like it full enclosed and ability to stand up and a LOT more space (especially with a stove). If planning to use a stove at all absolutely get the sawtooth. If looking at mainly just a shelter for 1-2 guys then the megatarp would work.

If Kifaru encloses both sides of the megatarp and adds zippers it will likely go from a weight for just the fly of 24 oz up to 27-28 oz which then makes it more like a difference of 20 oz between the Sawtooth and megatarp.

Stid2677 has a Sawtooth and I have spent upwards of a month in and around it on remote hunts from Kodiak to the Brooks range over the past 5 years on hunts with him. Between that and figuring out that dumping the rear pole inside was possible and still maintain a good pitch was enough to push me over the edge to pulling the trigger on the Sawtooth after our GoLite SL-5 broke.



Thats just what I would do after using both shelters in the field. Hope that helps.

 

[Kevin Dill]

I own a full-blown 8-man rig which I use only for basecamps. For this coming season I need to go smaller, lighter and not give up any protection or comfort. I talked to several companies and friends about their shelters...spent a month or so mining for knowledge and opinions. Considering that much of my usage is for Alaska hunts I ultimately selected a Sawtooth and had it 'jacked for a 3" flue. I've had it in my office for a month or more and waiting for a fair-weather day to pitch, eval and seam-seal. I'm completely confident I made the right choice in my situation. I could get by in almost anything for 3 nights. After a week becomes ten days...twelve days...I really value square footage and height.

 

[Dodgeis4me]

How small would the megatarp or the sawtooth be compressed in a compression sack.....without poles and stakes of course?

 

[Backpack Hunter]

The Sawtooth is roughly twice the diameter of a nalgene bottle, but just a bit shorter in its stuff sack. It can be compressed more.
The Megatarp is roughly 1.5 times the diameter of a nalgene bottle and just a little more than half its height in its stuff sack. It can also be compressed more.
It will be a couple of days, but I will try to get you some pictures.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

.......I ultimately selected a Sawtooth and had it 'jacked for a 3" flue......

What do you mean by jacked for a 3" flue?

 

[Kevin Dill]

Stove-jack with opening cut for a 3" flue pipe.....