Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Mountain Hardwear's Kiva tent?

Some of you super ultra light type guy's I can fully understand your cutting every ounce to the bone. But for some one that is packing in a 3 or 4 day back country hunting trip fully looking forward to heavy snow and/or rain. Think I'd want to cut the ounces somewhere else and take the slightly heavier Kiva than one of the Ultra Lite things. But yet I never see any of the Mountain Hardware tent's mentioned here???


Phil

To me, it looks a lot like a GoLite Shangri-La 5 with a few less square feet and two extra lbs.

What 'Ultra Lite things' are you referring to?

IMO, the MH Kiva is closer to the GoLite Shangrila 3 in size. Weight wise its 2 lbs heavier due to the 75d fabric vs the 30d of the Golite models. MH used to make a Kiva lite- I know a guy who loves his- but discontinued.

Factor that condensation is a big issue with these tipi style single wall tent and a lot of guys pack a UL wood stove which would be a pretty heavy alternative [4 3/4lb Kiva and 3-4lb stove]

If heavy duty is the prime consideration no doubt the Kiva is more bullet proof.

I'm no longer impressed with MH build quality. Their attention to detail and stitch count has gone down on all of the pieces I've looked at in the last three or four years. It's not bad stuff, I just think there's better for the money. GoLite quality has dropped a good bit too. As far as "heavy snow or rain", the 75d and 30d are both impermeable membranes; durability is another matter.

The Shangra-La 5 is a 15D, verses the 75D of the Kiva which is a 4-Season tent. Size is 90 sq.ft. verses the Kivas 85sq.ft. Weight as you say is 2 pounds verses the kivas 4-3/4 pounds.

But if you add the nest to the Shangra-La 5 then you have a tent that is heavier than the Kiva, and a smaller 71 sq.ft. and is more than twice as expensive as the Kiva.

Me I'd rather start out with the Kiva and cut in other areas.

The Kiva also has the snow flaps I like.

Phil

Grey i don't understand your post.If you already got your mind made up, then just use it.

You're not convincing me that the Kiva is a better option, just a different one.

Kiva Lite: 65sq ft., just under 3#, even a window. Discontinued.
Shangri La 3: 59sq ft, 2.5#, sorry no window, on sale everywhere.

One person: Shangri La 3 or the Kiva Lite(assuming you can find one) are both good shelters. I don't think the fabric is an issue in rain or snow.

I see no point in a having a floor in a tipi shelter. No vestibule. If it rains you will have water pooling on the floor.

(My experience has only been with a Kiva Lite that I picked up new for $140. Otherwise I would own a Shangri La which was a Hex 3 at the time.)

If anyone is looking for a Shangri La steepandcheep has had them at least once a day for the last week for between 50-70% off depending on the model.

I have a MH Kiva, and am interested in purchasing a TiGoat boot and a Kifaru stove and have a couple of questions.
- For fall Colorado hunts, would you recommend the small or medium stove?
- Where exactly would you recommend installing the boot in the Kiva?
Thank you for any help.
Michael