SO vs Kifaru vs Jimmy Tarps

[Husky10]

Currently looking at 1-2p backpacking shelters—specifically, the SO Silvertip, Kifaru Paratarp and Jimmy Tarp granite mountain/Hudson tipi. I like the idea of being able to make it a hot tent (paratarp, silvertip, and Hudson tipi) while being able to set the shelter up with trekking poles, but I’m not really sold on any of them yet... if anyone has any input for the shelters listed, I’d greatly appreciate it.

 

[Trial153]

The search function is your friend on the this. There are tons of posts on these shelter and others from these three builders on here.
I have owned both Kifaru and SO. And you cant go wrong with either, both high quality workmanshil and materials.
Pick the design that suits you and your budget and go for it

 

[zeroforhire]

All work great. Jimmy tarps is just a bit cheaper. Kifaru and SO are more durable. I have a granite mountain and love it.

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[reaper]

Currently looking at 1-2p backpacking shelters—specifically, the SO Silvertip, Kifaru Paratarp and Jimmy Tarp granite mountain/Hudson tipi. I like the idea of being able to make it a hot tent (paratarp, silvertip, and Hudson tipi) while being able to set the shelter up with trekking poles, but I’m not really sold on any of them yet... if anyone has any input for the shelters listed, I’d greatly appreciate it.

I had the paratarp once and that thing is so small,you have to crawl in this shelter like a child and this is overpriced,no way you can fit 2p with gear in this,in ultralight mod maybe but hope you really like your buddy lol!Also had a BT2(silvertip replaced the bt2)and it was way better and really is a good shelter,too small for 2p with stove.If you think youll be most of the time with someone and also want to do winter trips and stove the Hudson tipi sounds good.I prefer dealing with a little more weight and have more room.You can share the weight one have the stove and the other have the shelter.

Picture is the bt2 on a lake and the second is the Para

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[reaper]

I am now using a luxe hiking gear hexpeak XL and there is more space than the BT2 and the shelter is pretty good and the lrice is good,i based my experience on all the shelters i had :Kifaru Paratarp,4 man tipi SO,BT2 SO,LBO SO,6 man Tipi SO i used a stove in all shelters.

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[Adam Gibbs]

I am now using a luxe hiking gear hexpeak XL and there is more space than the BT2 and the shelter is pretty good and the lrice is good,i based my experience on all the shelters i had :Kifaru Paratarp,4 man tipi SO,BT2 SO,LBO SO,6 man Tipi SO i used a stove in all shelters.

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With the Luxe, are you able to set it up a little higher so the sides are a few inches off the ground for ventilation?

 

[reaper]

With the Luxe, are you able to set it up a little higher so the sides are a few inches off the ground for ventilation?

Why not

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[Bryanboss429]

I was in the same boat recently. Researching different shelters. I spent a ton of time on Rokslide and comparing different shelters on websites. I decided on the TiGoat Vertex 5. Just another suggestion.

http://www.titaniumgoat.com/tents.html

 

[autumnaspens]

I recently had to make a decision like this as well. After a ton of research I had it narrowed down the the Kifaru Supertarp and the SO Silvertip. Fortunately, I was able to order both and compare them hands on to see what would work best. Both had quality construction and were awesome designs IMO. The Supertarp had a slight edge on weight while there was more room to sit up in the Silvertip. You will most likely have to crouch down/crawl to some extent to get into the Supertarp. For the Silvertip, you can pretty much get in that thing just by crouching down slightly. Floor space for gear storage would go to the Supertarp for me, but the Silvertip is not far off the pace. I ended up keeping the Supertarp for several reasons.
1. The ability to pitch it off of the ground as a tarp (I hunt mostly September)
2. There's 8ft between the front trekking pole and rear pole when setup. This gives you a living/sleeping area without a pole directly at your side. (Making it feel more spacious IMO)
3. The option to not carry the stove jack/annex when not needed (Save weight)
4. The stove location is near the front vs. right next to you in the Silvertip (less chance of contacting it while sleeping or shuffling gear) However, this will make for slightly less efficient heating, but not a huge deal when dealing with a smaller shelter. I think I would want a larger sized mid/tipi to be comfortable having a stove in the center so I could sleep further from it.
5. Not as important as the other reasons, but the Kifaru reputation helped the decision as well. Also, there was a noticeable difference to me when it came to the feel of the durability and stretch of the fabric.

 

[mahonsr]

I am now using a luxe hiking gear hexpeak XL and there is more space than the BT2 and the shelter is pretty good and the lrice is good,i based my experience on all the shelters i had :Kifaru Paratarp,4 man tipi SO,BT2 SO,LBO SO,6 man Tipi SO i used a stove in all shelters.

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What stove is that? How'd you compare it to the cylinder style stoves?

 

[reaper]

What stove is that? How'd you compare it to the cylinder style stoves?

This is not a lightweight stove,i use it for ice fishing,winter camping with a sled or overland trips with the jeep,its a GStove made in Norway, stainless steel.Not comparable with titanium stoves,Gstove is waaaay better.

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[mahonsr]

Nice! Actually I meant to ask about the flat top stove but I realized that you made it? Recently moved to Colorado and loving it. After freezing my tail end off this winter I want to try a stove out and a floorless type shelter. I don't have a big budget - any recommendations? Mostly for 2 people - plus stove - was looking at the Jimmy tarp hudson. But will be hard to get a stove too. I've read your posts and you clearly have more experience than me with the floorless/stove deal. I think I could probably make a stove...

 

[reaper]

Nice! Actually I meant to ask about the flat top stove but I realized that you made it? Recently moved to Colorado and loving it. After freezing my tail end off this winter I want to try a stove out and a floorless type shelter. I don't have a big budget - any recommendations? Mostly for 2 people - plus stove - was looking at the Jimmy tarp hudson. But will be hard to get a stove too. I've read your posts and you clearly have more experience than me with the floorless/stove deal. I think I could probably make a stove...

Seekoutside LBO or cimarron have nice prices for a one/2 person shelter.If you are on budget maybe you can look for Luxe hiking gear Tipi.For stove Liteoutdoors stove in Canada are awesome.

Yeah the flat top is DIY, top and bottom is from seekoutside and the body is a titanium foil.Not the best but it work great.
One thing to keep in mind: these stove won't run all night...any of them,kifaru, Tigoat, seekoutside, Liteoutdoors,Ed stove ect...

If you have any questions just ask.

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[reaper]

I am from Quebec in Canada,cold and snow,the only stoves who works the best for me at this day were the liteoutdoors and the G-Stove...gstove is just awesome but heavy.kifaru were the worst,din't like them except for the small high wall Oval stove.

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