Sawtooth or Lil' Bug Out??

[DenRuyter]

So....... I'm finally taking the jump and getting a big boy setup for us flatlanders from WI. I've narrowed my search to either the Seek Lil' Bug Out or the Kifaru Sawtooth both with a stove. I will mostly be using this for late fall/early winter hunting, but also some summer fishing trips my my son. I have no experience with either product or company so far, and am trying to find out the good and bad of each from some more experienced people. Price it almost equal, so I don't care about that.

Also, will the LBO fit 4 hunters with stove comfortably in reality? All of us run around 6'-6'2" and 200-240lbs. We will be going out as 4 next year, so I want to take that into consideration.

 

[couesbitten]

I think if you did the LBO with the base/tarp/base configuration, you'd have plenty of room for 4 guys, stove and gear.

 

[primitive]

Sawtooth might be a little tight for 4 large cheeseheads! The Sawtooth and the SO titanium stove are a great combo, love mine.

 

[Shrek]

Sawtooth would be too tight for four large guys. It's great for two and doable with three but four is a bridge too far. I love my Sawtooth but if I was going with four guys I'd look at an 8 man tipi and a big stove. Split your loads up and the weight is no big deal. Four large guys and I might look to a 12 man. When you look at the weight it really isn't bad if you distribute the load. One guy with the tent and another with the stakes and poles and another with the stove and the fourth can pick up some of the other guys food to even it out. Working as a team you can have a luxurious camp.

 

[DaveC]

Also, will the LBO fit 4 hunters with stove comfortably in reality? All of us run around 6'-6'2" and 200-240lbs. We will be going out as 4 next year, so I want to take that into consideration.

Not in the standard base/vestibule configuration. The two base with tarp option would get the job done, or just bump up to a 6 man tipi. The Seek Outside BCS is a better comparison to the Sawtooth, and I don't think either of those would work well for 800+ pounds of human.

Never seen a Sawtooth, but unless I'm mistaken the Kifaru shelters do not have the handy integral sod flaps which are Seek Outside haulmark. I find those flaps very handy in all seasons.

 

[Screamrider]

I agonized over this during the past several months and just placed an order for a Seek Outside 8 man tipi with carbon pole (6.5 lbs) and a Seek Outside SXL stove (2.5 lbs). This is primarily a base camp for 3 guys, and given the weight (3 lbs each divided up - in theory) I don't think there is a much better option for the weight given the amount of space and level of comfort.

 

[Lawnboi]

Will you be using the setup mainly here in wi? I'm from wi, and have a 6ma. Kifaru tipi, liner and oval stove.

In the winter you want something you can stand up in, especially with the short days, having a good size stove and rooms to stretch and dry out is great.
I'd go bigger personally if you don't plan on backpacking it out west.

 

[DenRuyter]

Great things to think about guys. I Know the sawtooth is only for 2, and that's all I'd need 90% of the time. If I went that route me n my hunting buddy would be set and my brother-in-law would have to figure it out with his hunting buddy for a tent.

It was just a thought that the base-tarp-base setup could be used for both 2 man or 4 guys. I am leaning towards it having the modular design though.

I originally was thinking about a 6 or 8 man tipi, but I don't want all the extra weight when it's just two of us. Plus the setup videos made them look like a PITA to setup. I like quick n easy so even my 10 year old could do.

 

[DenRuyter]

Probably be equal to wi and hunting out west.

 

[dreamingbig]

I have a SO BCS Grand that is in route and will be delivered early next week. Anxious to set it up and check it out. It is meant to be backcountry nirvana for me and hunting partner. Will get use with my kids eventually too.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

No experience with the LBO, but I like my Sawtooth pretty well. Works great for 2, doable with 3. I have a 7yr old that can set up the Sawtooth.

 

[ChrisS]

I originally was thinking about a 6 or 8 man tipi, but I don't want all the extra weight when it's just two of us.

I went back and forth on a similar decision (BCS vs. Sawtooth) and ended up with an 8-man. The weight of the 8 plus a HPG stove is a pound heavier than my "lightweight" 3-man tent that I used to carry. But this will be split between 2-3 people. If I want something lightweight, I'll get a bivy/tarp combo and really save weight, but for weeklong backwoods winter trips, I want space and heat.

In your case, the best option might be two tents to meet your criteria.

 

[Kevin_t]

I agree a two tent option might be better. You can do 4 and a stove in an LBO Base-Tarp-Base. For a hunting camp, I would likely carry an extra tarp for extra storage or hanging out under if weather is not good, but not horrible.

Two Cimarron tents would do the trick. An 8 person would be a fine camp as well IMO.

 

[DenRuyter]

It seems like most people are SO fans, so what is the durability of their ultralight 30d stuff? I know the Kifaru can really go through hell. Are they similar in strength? (I'm a little paranoid with ripping it)

I've thought about it more today, and chance are good it would be rare I'd have the need for something for 4 guys. I have thought about the 2 tent setup, but I doubt I'd use a second much. Plus I must not make the big bucks like you guys cuz I dont have that kinda cash hidden in my sock drawer from the wife. lol.

 

[Shrek]

A Sawtooth for you and your son and tell the rest to come up with their own shelter ?

 

[dreamingbig]

I still might end up with the cimmaron but time will tell. It wasn't announced when I ordered the bcs grand. It sounds a lot like a golite sl5 in shape and size but with a better door.

 

[ChrisS]

It seems like most people are SO fans, so what is the durability of their ultralight 30d stuff? I know the Kifaru can really go through hell. Are they similar in strength? (I'm a little paranoid with ripping it)

I've thought about it more today, and chance are good it would be rare I'd have the need for something for 4 guys. I have thought about the 2 tent setup, but I doubt I'd use a second much. Plus I must not make the big bucks like you guys cuz I dont have that kinda cash hidden in my sock drawer from the wife. lol.

I don't have my 8-man yet, so I can't vouch for the durability, but others have said it's top notch and SO is very good about repairing tents.

As for the two tent idea, I was thinking more along the lines of what Shrek said, get yours and then tell the others where buy 'em! I like hanging out with my hunting buddies, but I'm not spending that kind of dough on them.

 

[DenRuyter]

Well, I think ur all right on going with a 2 tent setup. After talking it over more w them we are going with an 8 man tipi and I will probably a tarp later on for me n the kid. It makes the price when me n another guy r splitting the cost.

So would u guys go with the optional heavier 70d material or stay with the ultra lightweight 30d seek offers? The other guy is worried about it since we're going in mid Nov and thinks it would b well worth the weight penalty for piece of mind. I don't thin the extra weight will matter since there will b 4 of us taking on the load.

 

[Lawnboi]

I prefer a liner especially in wi late in the year. I'd get a liner over heavier material. Still light but you have the liner when you need it. That said I havnt used so tipi materials my use has been only with kifaru and their liner. Just something to think about, I definetly prefer a liner here in wi where weight does not matter as much.

 

[DaveC]

So would u guys go with the optional heavier 70d material or stay with the ultra lightweight 30d seek offers? The other guy is worried about it since we're going in mid Nov and thinks it would b well worth the weight penalty for piece of mind. I don't thin the extra weight will matter since there will b 4 of us taking on the load.

The only way 30D sil can fall short strength-wise is abrasion resistance. Read: don't pitch it close enough so wind abrades it against a branch and you'll be fine. 30D is more than capable of holding up to any amount of snow and wind you can find.