Seek Outside Redcliff

[Benjblt]

So I was originally looking at the Hilleberg Anjan 3 GT but was disappointed in the room vs the weight. I've been looking at tipis and I like the versatility of being able to bring a stove. The only issue would be bugs as I'm from Oregon and would be using it in the Cascades and East side of the state and there are times where bugs can be bad. I plan on using it in the spring and mostly September through October, but maybe even in the summer with my wife and a kid or two. The nest option in the Seek Outside tipis seems to solve that problem some. I'm looking for input/advise on tipis.

First of all, is Seek Outside a good option? How does it compare to Kifaru in design and durability. I'm seriously considering the Redcliff with an SXL stove, half liner, and nest. This system seems to provide a ton of versatility. I'm looking for something that I can use that will provide room for 2 guys, and 3 in a pinch, with a stove. As well as be adequate for 3 guys without a stove. I'd like to be able to do it at about 5-6lbs without and 7-8 with a stove.

Any tipi/manufacturer suggestions are appreciated.

Next has anyone used the liner and nest options? Do they work well? Can bugs (ants and such) get into the nest even when zipped up? Can I use the liner and the nest at the same time? It can be pretty wet on the West side of Oregon.

Also, I talked to the customer service rep at SO and he said that I should use the SXL stove to heat the Redcliff. I'm curious to see if anyone has used a smaller stove.

One more question; if I plan on using a nest or two when I'm concerned with bugs (mostly flying) is it worth having the screens at an 8oz penalty? Is there any other questions I should be considering with the screen doors.

Sorry if i"m all over the place with this post but there's so much to think about.

 

[stubblejumper]

We use a red cliff fairly often. It is mostly backpacked into the Canadian Rockies. When I bought it, I looked at all of the other options out there, including Kifaru's offerings, and found that it had assets I liked. IIRC, some of them were things like the sod skirt, and covered zippers. The SO stoves were better/lighter as well.

The SXL is the stove I would go with.

For sizing, really, it is a 2 guy with winter gear tent, though we have had 4 in Canadian rockie summer.

I prefer pyramid shape to tipi for speed of setup in the dark mostly, but I am sure I'd get used to tipi setup in the dark after some goofing..

I use a half liner. It is always the dryer side, so it must be working.

 

[ellsworb]

I’m in Western WA and use my SO 6-man Tipi from the Olympic peninsula to Montana. I love the floor plan of the Redcliff. I think it does have a functional interior space than my tipi. That said, I’ve not had a lick of problems with bugs and I am only running a liner, no nest. They’re steering you right on the SXL, fwiw. You’re gonna love it!

Signed, a Seek Outside fanboy that has run their 6-man, cimarron, and DST.

 

[MontanaMarine]

I'll just offer another thumbs-up on SO.

We don't have a Redcliff but I'm thinking it will fit your stated needs very well.

We've got a DST, Silvertip, 6 tipi, and 12 tipi.

We also use the SXL stove for the 6-man tipi which is close in size to the Redcliff. I think it's a good size for the shelter.

 

[bcimport]

I have a 5 year old SO 8 man. We use it for family camping, been on a couple fly ins as a base camp hunt and lots of other trips. The tent has been through lots of rain, snow, wind etc with no problems at all. Have also run a Bt2 and it was very well built too. Bugs haven’t been too big a deal other than when it’s so buggy you don’t want to be out period. I’ve had a hilleberg akto too, great tent and bomber. But like you’re looking for most conditions can be dealt with very well in a well built floorless for a substantial weight and bulk savings.

 

[ChrisS]

What Ive found with flying insects that get in is that they tend to just congregate in the top. If you leave the door open a bit at the top for ventilation they’ll eventually fly out.

If it’s pouring rain, then bugs aren’t much of a problem anyway.


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[colonel00]

Some photos from a recent trip to Utah. Only regret was the dust that eventually blew in with a big wind storm. This is with two 2-person nests. Close quarters in a nest with anyone but your significant other but plenty of room for one.

 

[dplantz]

I'd recommend door screens, no nest, and a thermacell backpacker. Ran that in the heaviest mosquito conditions I've ever seen, in the northern Cascades of Washington, and it worked great. Screens keep everything out when closed up, and thermacell took care of the ones that snuck in as we were getting in and out. This way the entire tipi interior is bug free, not just a tight sleeping space. The one time my wife's demands worked out in my favor ;-)

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[Benjblt]

We use a red cliff fairly often. It is mostly backpacked into the Canadian Rockies. When I bought it, I looked at all of the other options out there, including Kifaru's offerings, and found that it had assets I liked. IIRC, some of them were things like the sod skirt, and covered zippers. The SO stoves were better/lighter as well.

The SXL is the stove I would go with.

For sizing, really, it is a 2 guy with winter gear tent, though we have had 4 in Canadian rockie summer.

I prefer pyramid shape to tipi for speed of setup in the dark mostly, but I am sure I'd get used to tipi setup in the dark after some goofing..

I use a half liner. It is always the dryer side, so it must be working.

Can you set a liner up on both sides? Do you have screen doors on yours?

 

[Benjblt]

What Ive found with flying insects that get in is that they tend to just congregate in the top. If you leave the door open a bit at the top for ventilation they’ll eventually fly out.

If it’s pouring rain, then bugs aren’t much of a problem anyway.


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Do you think that the screen doors would help with bug management? I'm more worried about them getting under the walls.

 

[Benjblt]

I definitely feel for where you are at. I have been in the same boat for months on end and poured countless hours into research/comparison until I almost went computer blind...and today I finally ended all my suffering and ordered the SO Redcliff with a LO 18'' stove.

Ultimately I was looking for a versatile lite-weight floorless tent that would work in multiple climates and had enough livable space to ensure adequate comfort for extended hunts. I finally narrowed it down to a top 3--the sawtooth, cimmaron, and redcliff. To note, there were several other strong contenders I considered such as the Hyperlite Ultamid-4, TiGoat Veterx, Mountain Laurel Supermid, and the MyTrail pyramid (formerly GoLite). In the end it came down to this: 1.) the cimarron was just a tad too small. For an added 23 ounces I could stand up and live like a king with enough room for 3 and a stove. 2.) The sawtooth was almost as heavy as the redcliff, doesn't have the option for a sod skirt unless you pay BearPaw to sew one on for $150, has a very specific layout that can only fit 2 comfortably with a possible 3rd if you don't mind breathing your buddies mountain house breathe, and doesn’t offer seem sealing, which is very daunting for someone who has glued their fingers together with epoxy one too many times.

Honestly I think you already laid it out in your post why the redcliff will work for you. I would just pull the trigger and rest easy.

Ha. . Your description does sound familiar. I've probably put a couple hundred hours into research and I started with Hilleberg. The research starts off fun but begins to drive me mad and I develop "paralysis by analysis".

What's a sod skirt? Does it come standard with the Redcliff?

Kifaru boasts tougher tent material for the same weight. . . marketing? or.. true?

 

[Benjblt]

Some photos from a recent trip to Utah. Only regret was the dust that eventually blew in with a big wind storm. This is with two 2-person nests. Close quarters in a nest with anyone but your significant other but plenty of room for one.

Looks awesome. Those are great pictures and you answered one of my questions; How it looks with two nests. It doesn't look like you have screen doors on yours.

 

[Benjblt]

I'd recommend door screens, no nest, and a thermacell backpacker. Ran that in the heaviest mosquito conditions I've ever seen, in the northern Cascades of Washington, and it worked great. Screens keep everything out when closed up, and thermacell took care of the ones that snuck in as we were getting in and out. This way the entire tipi interior is bug free, not just a tight sleeping space. The one time my wife's demands worked out in my favor ;-)

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

Nothing go in under the walls? I know some or all all of Kifaru's shelters have an air gap underneath for circulation.

 

[Sverimerica]

Some photos from a recent trip to Utah. Only regret was the dust that eventually blew in with a big wind storm. This is with two 2-person nests. Close quarters in a nest with anyone but your significant other but plenty of room for one.

That last picture should be submitted somewhere. Amazing!

Skickat från min G8142 via Tapatalk

 

[ChrisS]

Do you think that the screen doors would help with bug management? I'm more worried about them getting under the walls.

In that case, I'd run a nest. That's total containment. Or some light bivys if there are going to be a few folks and it's going to be cramped in there. There are occasions when you want to keep the bottoms of the tent off the ground to increase ventilation.

I was always concerned with pitching where there is leaf litter and insects would already be there. But I never had any issues. I'd probably always run a nest if I was in New Mexico or AZ or some where with a higher potential for poisonous creepy crawlies. Most of the time I've used my tipi was during the hunting season and it was cold enough to want to use the stove, so insects weren't around as much. Otherwise I've had a traditional tent or hammock camped.

 

[dplantz]

Nothing go in under the walls? I know some or all all of Kifaru's shelters have an air gap underneath for circulation.

That same trip was summer, rained all night, about 45-50 degrees. Moisture was not a problem for us. A little bit of air still comes under, even with the sod skirt, and the top vent does enough. Same experience running it hot tent in 15 degrees with the vent as closed as it will get. Certainly dew on the inside on both circumstances, but nothing dripping on me. No different than any double wall I've ever run.

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[dplantz]

Nothing go in under the walls? I know some or all all of Kifaru's shelters have an air gap underneath for circulation.

Mosquitoes and flies don't hit the ground to crawl under. Maybe a spider or something did, but I never noticed any. The thought of floorless is definitely intimidating. But run it one night and you realize all the advantages ring true, and none of the disadvantages you worried about ever actually become issues.

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[colonel00]

Looks awesome. Those are great pictures and you answered one of my questions; How it looks with two nests. It doesn't look like you have screen doors on yours.

Nah, no screen doors

Nothing go in under the walls? I know some or all all of Kifaru's shelters have an air gap underneath for circulation.

In that case, I'd run a nest. That's total containment. Or some light bivys if there are going to be a few folks and it's going to be cramped in there. There are occasions when you want to keep the bottoms of the tent off the ground to increase ventilation.

I was always concerned with pitching where there is leaf litter and insects would already be there. But I never had any issues. I'd probably always run a nest if I was in New Mexico or AZ or some where with a higher potential for poisonous creepy crawlies. Most of the time I've used my tipi was during the hunting season and it was cold enough to want to use the stove, so insects weren't around as much. Otherwise I've had a traditional tent or hammock camped.

As ChrisS mentions, I'm not worried about typical insects (mosquitoes, flies, No-see-ums) getting under the tent. I almost always have it pitched up off the ground a bit too just for ventilation.

Now, in this case, being in the desert where we could have had some scorpions or snakes creeping around, the nests work out well. You still get ventilation in the tent but have containment for your bed and gear. I'd also probably do the same if I was in an area where ticks could be a problem. I hate ticks.....

 

[sndmn11]

We have 3rd and fourth season rifle tags here in Colorado, this will be essentially my first rifle season, i was going to order the XL stove. None of you have wanted more than the sXL?

What have you guys chosen for your pipe length?

 

[camping1601]

I use a 16 inch ti goat in mine with an 8 foot pipe. It roast you out for Sep high country.