Sheep tent: Argali vs Kuiu

[Sheep_Fever_AK]

I’m looking at getting a more lightweight tent setup for my solo 10 day sheep hunt in the Alaska range.

I’m looking at the Kuiu mountain star 2p tent
Vs the Argali Rincon 2p tent floorless but with a Bivy

I’ve heard good things about both but curious if anyone has experience with these tents in sheep country and how each one will hold up to the task.

Especially differences in weathering out storms, high winds, set up in different environments, which one will keep me warmer, dryer etc…

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

Do you have experience using a non freestanding floorless shelter, as well as a bivy? If not, the advantages won’t mean much and you’d be better off in a tent. The Mountainstar is fine, as long as you don’t get the carbon pole version.

 

[Sheep_Fever_AK]

Not a ton but I’ve used them before, not in AK or in terrible weather though.
In your mind what are the advantages of a floorless shelter?

 

[Marty]

Disclaimer: No experience with the mountainstar; 1.5 seasons with the Argali Rincon. My double wall tents are mainly hillebergs; have a few floorless shelters from Argali and Hyperlite Mountain Gear.

If thee most important thing to you is riding out the most extreme weather, I'd recommend a red or black label Hilleberg with 10mm poles, with each stake buried under a pile of rocks, and all guy lines used. If it's not, there is room for compromise.

I found that I could trim some weight and strike a balance in other shelters. My mentality is this- I'll default to my floorless options first. I've found that they can take a lot of weather but there is a point when I'll default back to my hillebergs (march mountain goat hunting in Kodiak comes to mind).

Pictured below is the Rincon before and after a big storm. I did not have an anemometer with me so I could only estimate that winds exceeded 50mph. Tent held up great but it was a restless night as wind ripped around me at 7500ft; nearly zero visibility, and my sleeping pad leaked flat ever 30 minutes or so.

 

[Deerhunter6250]

I went on a 15 day sheep hunt and used my big agnes copper spur tent. A guy that went on one used one and recommended it to me. Its light and kept me dry through much rain. The guide had a tent but it leaked glad I took my own.

 

[S.Clancy]

Not a ton but I’ve used them before, not in AK or in terrible weather though.
In your mind what are the advantages of a floorless shelter?

The only real disadvantage of floorless is wind. You can mitigate it with how and where you set it up, but when it fails, it fails spectacularly.

 

[Geewhiz]

The only real disadvantage of floorless is wind. You can mitigate it with how and where you set it up, but when it fails, it fails spectacularly.

Don't skimp on stakes. Especially when floorless. I carry a buttload of steel stakes and though they are heavy, I feel that they are worth their weight in gold when a storm kicks up. I've gone through a pile of "ultralite" stakes and they are all crap IMO.

I like to camp high, and most of the time "high' means rocky and exposed. Light weight stakes have never met my needs when it counts.

 

[Sheep_Fever_AK]

.

How did the tent hold up for you Marty?

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

Not a ton but I’ve used them before, not in AK or in terrible weather though.
In your mind what are the advantages of a floorless shelter?

Floorless mid’s can be more weather resistant to inclement weather and wind, if they are used properly. However if you fail to stake them out well or pitch them properly, they can fail catastrophically.

Advantages are lighter, more room and able to have a space that you don’t need to keep clean by taking off your boots etc.

Pitching consideration as far as ground, stake out quality and size are different, or rather more critical with non freestanding shelters.

 

[bthomas43]

As Ben said earlier, if you go with the Mountainstar, DO NOT get the carbon poles. I used that tent, the 2 person model, with carbon poles this last fall. A decent windstorm came through and broke all three of the poles. Luckily we had a spare tent otherwise we would have been in quite the predicament.

Any of the tents will work IMO, just depends what you want, if it's only going to be used for one 10 day hunt then I may even go more on the budget side. If you plan to use it repeatedly then spend the money. After the Mountainstar exploded on us, we used an old REI tent with aluminum poles and it survived, albeit a little beat up by the end.

 

[Sheep_Fever_AK]

How is the floor on the mountain star? after spending the money I’d worry about putting a hole in it sheep hunting because it’s so thin.

Any other complaints with the mountain star??

 

[Rowndy]

I’ve used many different tents on sheep hunts in Alaska, and my response would include what both Ben and Marty have already stated.

Unless you had significant experience in the similar places with a floorless I would really push you towards a sturdy double wall tent. Especially considering you are going solo. Having a more comfortable, fully enclosed place to crawl into might be a difference maker in regards to the mental aspect of hunting solo for 10 days, and might help keep your head in the game and allow for better rest. In that scenario, I think that would make the extra weight worthwhile.

I love going light when I can, but when your in deep somewhere your tent is a piece of survival gear, so err on the sturdier, more weather resistant side.

I personally think that tent choice also plays into what you choose for a sleeping bag. I’m good with a quality down bag in almost every scenario, but for me when I consider floorless on tundra with variable weather then I start considering the heavier and bulkier synthetic sleeping bag as a fail-safe.

I have used a mountain star significantly, and generally like it, but have had poles snap 3 times in heavy winds. If you go that route listen to Ben, no carbon poles. Even consider custom ordering thicker aluminum poles for it. Else go with Marty’s advice- Hilleberg with 10mm poles.

 

[bthomas43]

While the floor is thin on the Mountainstar, I pair it with the footprint and haven't had any issues with it. It's gotten a good amount of use so I the tent itself I trust pretty well. Just not the carbon poles. The dual vestibules and doors are nice. Not sure where you're located but if you are in the valley and want to take it and try it for a few days PM me.

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

FWIW, I’m using the Durston X-Dome 1+ with solid inner and aluminum poles this year.

I’ve owned Mountainstar’s (3) for years, but only use for deer hunts and camping with the wife.

The X-Dome is lighter, smaller footprint, stronger poles, higher lateral wind resistance and ability to use trekking poles to support each side.