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I was looking at the shangri la 1 and paratarp from kifaru, look like they have the same design, how is the shangri la 1 anyone use one pics would be great thanks

If it were me I'd look hard at the GoLite Sl2. 5 more oz gives you twice the space!!! This gives you a ultralight option incase someone might want to tag along.

Course I am biased cause I have the SL2 and chose it over the SL1 for this reason.

Like Luke said, I'd go with the SL 2 over the SL 1. Another choice might be the Alpine Extreme 2 man when Tim gets them up and running. A prototype I have weighs 1 lb. 13 oz with a set of MSR groundhog stakes. It has quite a bit more room than even a ParaTipi.

I also vote for teh SL 2 I just got one yesterday, and it is huge for 1.5 pounds. With ths wide panels staked out. it will fit 2 easily.

Anyone have any pics of the SL2 inside and out thanks

Of your two choices, definately the Kifaru Paratarp. Just doing internal and external dimensions, the paratarp will easily have more space. The SL1 is great for emergency purposes, but for the weight and size the paratarp has it beat in almost every catagory. The SL2 would be a better comparison for the paratarp.

I've got an SL1 nest for under my tarp, and it fits me - that's about it.

That Alpine Extreme tent that Ed showed off earlier looks like a nice piece of kit though!

NXP

How about the Kifaru Super Tarp @ 1 lb.?

http://www.kifaru.net/supertarp2009.html

I looked at the super tarp. But at $310 with no door and only 5 ounces more gets you a fulled enclosed tent with a zipper as well as a even peaked tent for ease of setup it for only $180 makes the Shangri-La 2 a lot more attractive.

Though I will likely be selling my Shangri-La 2 depending on how my new Mount Laurel Designs Trailstar works out. Its 15 oz 5 sided tarp that has a LOT more pitching variations as well as being only $155 seems a lot more versatile, cheaper, and even a bit lighter too boot that both the supertarp, shangri-la 1 or 2. We'll see how I like it after taking it out a few times though.

http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=35&products_id=102

Well how bout the Super Tarp Annex? 5 ounces more. Enclosed with stove jack. Of course a lot more money.

Yeah with the SL2 at $180 and the SuperTarp w/Annex at $445 or nearly 2.5 times the cost for me its hard to justify, but if money is no object its would be a nice setup for sure.

No way that thing will ever pitch as tight as a Paratarp. Those Kifaru tarps are designed to be staked flush with the ground. That MLD will look like a clipper ship in a 25mph breeze.

I've got experience with 2 GoLite shelters. Much as I love Patrick, I've got to give it to GL when it comes to design, attention to detail, and price. Can't compare durability, simply because Kifaru is a known quantity and I haven't flogged the GL's for years and years. Very impressed with what they're putting out though. Of course, GL isn't made in the US like Kifaru is.

Clipper ship it may be but I'm not sure. I havent personally tested it or the paratarp. Can't really say one is better than the other as I haven't tried either and don't just assume things I don't know. Plus I don't see a way to get the paratarp completely enclosed in the event of wind shifting directions the paratarp might actually be catching a lot more wind than the trailstar. Again not saying one is better than the other. Just different.

Here is a video of the clipper ship handling some winds:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIxFHdl6Rds

The problem I see with that MLD tarp is the fact that it's design is a bit of a compromise. Look at the edges of the tarp, they have a catenary cut(slight radius), this is an excellent design for a tarp edge, it tightens the pitch and dramatically reduces flapping, but it will let the wind under the staked edge. That MLD guy KNOWS how to build a tarp, his are as good as any, but the design is less than ideal for an alpine hunter because you will have a hell of a time keeping the wind out of it. Forget using a stove in that thing. Look how the wind is blowing under the edge and billowing the whole thing.

Golite got his attention, that's how the new Sawtooth tipi came to be, methinks.

Lot's of people of the same opinion. I'm not completely convinced myself. Either way, nice as the Sawtooth looks, it's $800 -- and probably still has edge binding stake loops that are too small to take anything but durapegs or groundhogs.

280,

I hear ya on the catenary designs. But on uneven ground you will always get some gap between the ground and the shelter regardless if it is a straight edge or a catenary design. The way it is staked down in the video though and handling the wind quite well even if it is billowing a bit (I have a hard time believe that paratipi doesn't do this at all in high winds) I would hardly call it a "clipper ship" as you claim. The only time you can get a real "seal" to the ground with these types of shelters is on perfectly level ground such as a lawn. Obviously I would not be putting a stove in it and I don't have plans to. It is an emergency shelter not a primary hunting shelter for my uses though I imagine I could use it for that, but that TBD. The catenary design does allow it to pitch pretty tight. I have emailed the guy that took the video and he claimed that they had measured 50-60 mph gusts that night at a weather station 2 miles from where they were. What do you do if and when wind swaps direction and is blowing directly into the paratipi? I would imagine there would be more than a little billowing.

That's basically all I am looking for. This just seems like it would work for MY intended purposes and more versatile that the paratipi for ME. Obviously a paratipi must work better for your intended uses. Which is fine. To each their own. Glad you like the paratipis and I can only hope I will be as satisfied with the MLD trailstar.

And to me its height to footprint ratio looks iffy--------basically a Paratipi but taller. I'd want the ability to drive some very deep pegs if there was any chance of a side wind.

Golite got his attention, that's how the new Sawtooth tipi came to be, methinks. [/quote]

I'd bet money Patrick has never paid a bit of attention to the GoLite shelters. He told me the Sawtooth was designed because that was what he needed for his rambles. He said he was tired of crawling into a tent.

I think the Sawtooth is going to be the ultimate solo/two man shelter.

I know I am counting the days until mine arrives (15 days to go!)

And to me its height to footprint ratio looks iffy--------basically a Paratipi but taller. I'd want the ability to drive some very deep pegs if there was any chance of a side wind.
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From what I have heard at the Colorado Rondy, they had 70 mph winds that were hitting the Sawtooth sideways. I know I am not worried about its wind worthyness. I have had my SL 6 in some horrid side winds, and as long as it is fully pegged out and guyed, its been secure. My only concern on the SL 6 in high winds is the pole breaking or folding over. They could use a higher grade of aluminum on their poles IMO.