What's your shelter?

JPGreg

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
May 23, 2016
Messages
162
Location
PNW
Cimarron with Lite Outdoors 18” stove
Seems to be a trend here....
 

Huntin wv

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Dec 14, 2015
Messages
213
Location
West Virginia
Kifaru supertarp and SO cimarron either with a lite outdoors 12" stove, just different length pipes.


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Seth1913

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jan 29, 2016
Messages
148
I see a lot of people use seek outside shelters. Any of you had any durability issues?

I don’t personally have one of their shelters but Im pretty sure they use a 30 denier fabric which is plenty tough enough. I have their unaweep pack and it’s built very well
 

Hall256

WKR
Joined
Nov 12, 2016
Messages
359
Location
Virginia
I see a lot of people use seek outside shelters. Any of you had any durability issues?
Only have had mine a year, but I have not noticed any issues. So far I have it pitched in rain, snow, and winds (not really bad wind, it was only gusting in the high 20/low 30) with out issue.

My hunting partner is a die hard Kifaru guy, and is the actually the one who got me use to tipi/floorless shelters. He swore up and down that Kifaru 's fabric was stronger and in extreme weather the SO would not handle as well...now after seeing how mine is made, and handles the elements he has backed off the criticism (he still won't admit it is better than his Kifaru though...LOL).

Have you heard of durability issues and are concerned?

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Joined
Apr 2, 2016
Messages
411
I've just read that kifaru uses a different fabric and theirs is much stronger. I received a sample of SO and Kifaru. They both feel the same but kifaru was stronger when I pulled it apart. Seems like SO has much more options. I don't really think one can go wrong with either.
 
Joined
Nov 25, 2016
Messages
3,721
Location
Utah
I have used mine about 50 days- no issues.
Highest wind was 40 mph maybe more, in snow, rain. I tied all mu guy outs and it was as secure as I hoped.
\No leaks or signs of thread loosening.
You cant go wrong with one.
A loose pitch can become a problem, as can mold,mildew lack of seam sealing.
Using too short of a stove pipe can create issues, as can not using a baffle or spark arrestor.
 
Joined
Feb 26, 2012
Messages
3,234
Location
Some wilderness area, somewhere
I run quite a few different shelters, but the Sawtooth and MegaTarp have become my most used.
The Sawtooth I have had in every conceivable situation. Strong winds 70mph +, light rain, heavy rain, light snow, heavy snow, etc. It has proven itself.
The MegaTarp has proven itself up to 40 mph winds, and pretty much any other weather condition. The Sawtooth handles wind better in my experience. Not to mention it is nice to be able to stand up going into a shelter when the weather is bad.
 

Mt Al

WKR
Joined
Dec 16, 2017
Messages
1,262
Location
Montana
Eureka Spitfire 1P. Not light compared to others, but low price, love how it works without the fly, decent vestibule with the fly.

Next up will be a TarpTent single person tent of some kind or another setup with hiking pole.
 

Hall256

WKR
Joined
Nov 12, 2016
Messages
359
Location
Virginia
Eureka Spitfire 1P. Not light compared to others, but low price, love how it works without the fly, decent vestibule with the fly.

Next up will be a TarpTent single person tent of some kind or another setup with hiking pole.
In the classifieds there is a guy selling a Tarptent Stratospire for a pretty good price. Speaking from personal experience, the Stratospire is awesome for a light weight option...far superior then running a bivy and tarp.

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GIS

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Apr 19, 2016
Messages
147
Location
SD
Cimarron with 18" Lite Outdoors stove. Perfect combo for me.

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sneaky

"DADDY"
Joined
Feb 1, 2014
Messages
10,115
Location
ID
I didn’t have a stove but on one trip (car camping) my hunting partner brought a cot and there was still enough room. On a backpacking trip a different buddy packed way to much stuff and there was still room in the tent to not feel cramped.

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My stuff solo the place is a palace.

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My buddies first backpack trip 4 miles in and he brought the kitchen sink.

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Not the best picture but us both set up in the cimarron and notice all the room in the middle and back for gear.

Hope this helps.



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What did your buddy NOT bring on that trip? Holy smokes. That makes my back hurt just looking at it.

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DWP51

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Oct 30, 2015
Messages
126
Location
Issaquah, WA
SO Cimmaron with Medium SO Stove
SO DST Tarp
BA Copper Spur UL1

Different shelters for different situations. Most of my trips are solo.

The Cimarron goes with me most of the time, I just may or may not bring the stove. The room that it provides is sometimes worth it to me. I love this shelter- tons of versatility.

2018 will be my first year with the DST, but it will always be in my pack for emergency use or if I bivy out from the Cimarron for a night or two. I will use it as a primary shelter sometimes as well. I know I will like the utility/versatility of this tarp.

The BA Copper Spur UL 1 I have had the longest and it has served me well. I will continue to use it when it makes the most sense (bugs/rodents/above treeline).

I also have a Borah UL bevy that helps in certain situations. Love this thing.

Sooner or later I will end up with a tipi as well, probably an 8 man. For me the flexibility provided by different shelters is key.
 

Hunter6

WKR
Joined
Mar 23, 2014
Messages
380
Location
Eastern Oregon
What did your buddy NOT bring on that trip? Holy smokes. That makes my back hurt just looking at it.

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When we got there as he was unpacking he brought out Tupperware with fresh plums. I laughed and made fun of him and then I ate a plum


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Last edited:

KDK

FNG
Joined
Mar 18, 2018
Messages
2
For those using tarp shelters and tarp tents w/o a floor my question is this-

If the weather changes and it’s rained for awhile or snowed and then you setup what do you do for any kind of footprint? Or if it’s rained for a couple days and your hike in it’s pouring what do you do or take for use as a footprint.

I’ve been thinking hard about switching over to one rather a 3-4lb 1 guy tent w/fly. I’m looking for something my hunting partner and I can rack out in with bags. But here in MT the shift in weather at high elevations, naturally can change rapidly from rain to snow and back again.

Ideas?
 

mtwarden

Super Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Oct 18, 2016
Messages
10,492
Location
Montana
I use a small section of polycro as a groundcloth- weighs maybe 1.5 oz and packs up the size of a pack of cigarettes; gossamer gear sells them, but it's the same stuff that they use to seal windows so you can source it at a hardware store if you want

I also always use a bivy w/ a tarp, the bivy has a waterproof bottom (breathable top)
 

92xj

WKR
Joined
Apr 22, 2016
Messages
1,271
Location
E.Wa
Bearpaw cuben bivy under a 9x10 flat tarp or bivy inside a megatarp with 12"LO stove.
 

DWP51

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Oct 30, 2015
Messages
126
Location
Issaquah, WA
A lightweight bivy sack with a waterproof bottom is always around my sleeping bag. I will usually have a small piece of Tyvek with me as well, which gets used for a ton of things.
 

KDK

FNG
Joined
Mar 18, 2018
Messages
2
Thanks for the ideas. I’ll check out the suggestions. I see Jimmy’s Tarps sells a fairly inexpensive bivy as well.

I just compare weight from my Kelty single tent to a silver tip and bivy and tyvek or similar and I can reduce space and weight. I’m thinking I’m going to swap...

Also anyone have experience with Jimmys Tarp Granite Mountain? I’m thinking for an emergency from weather (usually hammock with light rain fly tarp) it could accommodate.
 
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