Which Kifaru shelter to take?

[welpro222]

Hey guys, hunting season is almost here for me. I am still debating which shelter to bring for my high mountain buck hunt.

My options are:

Sawtooth
Supertarp
Sierra Designs Lightning 2 (3 1/2 pounds)

Last year I used a Hennessey Hammock, which was ok but not for me. Because the hunt is in September, I do not anticipate very cold nights so no stove will be needed. The sawtooth may get ruled out simply because its overkill for 1 person. The supertarp and bivy will be the lightest setup out of the 3. The Lightning tent would be the nice because it has a floor and no bivy needed.

Any feedback from experienced tent and tarp users would be appreciated, thanks

 

[Graves14]

Sounds like exactly what the super tarp is designed for. Why would you need a bivy with the super tarp but not with a floorless tent?

 

[welpro222]

The Lightning has a floor

 

[Tim in Wa.]

easy, super tarp and no bivy

 

[welpro222]

Tim in wa, have you had trouble with bugs? Last year I notice there were very few or almost no bugs in the high elevations. We'll most likely go back to same spot, but do not want to risk being exposed.

 

[Graves14]

Just re-read the floor part lol.

 

[COlineman78]

To me this depends most on your style, preferences and hunting location. Are you going to be getting a lot of rain? If so, how will you react? Will you spend rainy afternoons in the tent or tough it out and hunt. Are you going a long way in and are you going to be moving camp? I prefer to be comfortable at night and am willing to carry the extra couple pounds to make it so, so for me it would be the Sawtooth. If the Sawtooth is out and weight is important to you, my decision would be based on how wet it will be. If rain is a rare occurance like it is here in CO, I'd go with the tarp, otherwise in a place like the PNW (where I suspect you will be hunting) the ability to get out of the rain and dry out IMO would be worth the extra pound or so.

 

[welpro222]

Yeah I'll be hunting here in WA, I guess it depends on weather report. Last year we lucked out and it was just cloudy and some light rain. Unless its a bad down pour, rain never really bothers me too much. But yeah if I see possible rainy conditions, then the sawtooth will most likely come with me. We'll be going in 4-5 miles, setting up a base camp and just hiking from camp each day. Probably won't move camp unless we find some perfect camping spot and we all agree to move there. Im hoping for a pack weight of 40-45 lbs total this year, that 85lbs last year taught me a lesson.

 

[BroodBuster]

I've been dumped on several times in a paratarp without a bivy, included just two weeks ago, and always been fine.

Not sure how many days you are talking but if it's three days or more at only 5 miles I'd just bring the Sawtooth and be comfortable. If there's a chance of hunting with camp on your back or it's for only a couple of nights the Supertarp would be fine.

 

[welpro222]

Most likely 4-5 days, and we may go in further. We are getting together hopefully in a few weeks to figure out what days to take off of work and go over our gear.

 

[welpro222]

I forgot, I also have a Seekoutside BT-2 w/ optional nest too. I'll have to weigh that when I get home.

 

[Justin Crossley]

I would go with the Supertarp out of those three. I'll probably be taking my small cuben tarp for early September for bear. I won't be doing the high hunt this year because I'm going to Idaho for elk starting the 15th.

 

[Graves14]

Dude I want these kinds of problems lol

If you're going to setup one camp and hike back to it just bring the sawtooth. For the super minimal weight gain you'll have a ton of space if you get socked in or even not it's nice to get dressed standing up. If you are moving camp everynight the super tarp or bt2 would get the nod

 

[welpro222]

After my first high mountain hunt, I started surfing this website and pretty much just studying and collecting gear during the off season. I am determined to be ready this time with some better and lighter gear. Once I get some real testing in, I can begin to off load some of my extra things. I'll admit, I am a gear hoarder no doubt. I'm still deciding which frame and pack combo to bring too.

 

[RyanC]

I agree with Graves14. It sounds like you are going with someone? Why not just take the sawtooth for the 2 of you and share some of the load? That is what I would do.

RC

 

[lintond]

Here is the solution....Send the Sawtooth to me and then the decision becomes very easy. Take the supertarp!

If I was going solo I'd take the Supertarp. I use the Megatarp and generally don't use a bivy. In the summer I'll often carry a bug bivy for those flying blood sucking pests.

If I was going with a partner and we were only planning to pack in camp and hunt from there then the luxury of the Sawtooth would be appealing. When I'm comfortable I am more likely to hunt, and getting out of the fart sack is much easier in the morning.

 

[welpro222]

No love for the shelter with a floor? I was thinking of sharing a shelter, but its 3 of us. The other 2 guys will be using hammocks most likely.

 

[sneaky]

what the heck were you carrying last year that weighed 85 pounds?