Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Seek outside 6 man vs. Sawtooth

Just tried the Backcountry and it's smaller then what I'm looking for. Have loved the Kifaru Sawtooth since the first time I saw it, but for the same money and weight I can get a seek outside 6-man. Any reason not to go with the 6 man over the sawtooth?

Unless I'm mistaken the the Seek Outside 6-man tipi does not come standard with a stove jack. Adding the stove jack would increase the cost (a little) as well as push the weight to about 5lbs.

I have been interested in a Sawtooth for awhile but I'm now wondering if the Backcountry shelter would work instead. I've assumed they were similar in size. Is the Sawtooth really that much bigger? Were you able to see the Backcountry with the extra door panel?

I was not able to see the Backcountry shelter with the door panel and that may in fact add a lot of space. I'm just thinking I still want more for when the weather goes south and I'm "trapped" for a day or so.

So I normally would let the conversation develop, since I don't want to influence things or be a controlling type vendor however I'll add my 2 cents and try to clarify things. I know you've seen the construction, so that I won't say anything about that.

- I don't know if any one has seen the 6 person and the sawtooth. I would say an easier comparison would be a Kifaru 6 person and Sawtooth for sizing , and then assume seekoutside to be lighter and to have the additional features like a screen / sod skirt etc. Dave_S is correct, the stove jack is an add on, and adds 3 ounces which puts you around 5 lbs, but at the same time it converts to a vent as well when a stove is not needed and the 5 lbs includes screening and some other stuff. I suspect the 6 person is a larger tent with more stand up room. It is taller.

- I think the comparison between the backcountry shelter and sawtooth is over done. They have similarities in tall entrance, and long back, however the purpose of the backcountry shelter was not to be like the sawtooth, but to be an ultralight , super flexible shelter. I like the BCS because it is a tarp if I want it to be , it is a 2 person fully enclosed shelter if I want it to be, it is a hunting blind if I want it to be, it is a 4 person capable shelter if I want it to be. I personally like the flexibility, and once you get the hang of it it pitches in 2 minutes.

I have not seen a sawtooth, and just looked at photo's and descriptions on the web based on this thread so take this for what it is worth. I believe the shelters are a similar height but the sawtooth is larger in it's default configuration. Online it says a sawtooth dimension are (keep in mind they look to have a slightly different shape:

Tent Length Height Rear-width Front width
Saw 13'9" 7'0" 6' 9'9"
BCS 11'0" 7'0 7'6" 7'6"
BCS-plus 13'0 6'8" 7'4" 9'6"

Now the sawtooth, has a second internal pole, which makes it stay higher longer in the rear. This is possible with the BCS using the guyout in the center of the long seam and then using a trekking pole, or stick on the outside to create the additional height outside the shelter.

If i were to guess, I would guess the sawtooth is about 100 sq feet given those dimensions. The BCS is about 70 sq ft without the extra panel and about 100 with the panel I come to that with these
Base size 7.5 rear + 7 length + 9.5 front = about 60 sq
Rear pullout = ~2 * 7.5 ft in 2 triangles = about 5 sq ft
Front section = 5 ft * 4 ft + 4 * 4.5 = 38 sq ft

Some where right around 100 sq ft. Depends a bit on pitch.

kevin

I agree the comparison between the two have been overdone, and I will freely admit to being probably one of the worst perps. on the scene. The two have a lot of similarities and differences and are the only two of the genre and I think that's why we are comparing them.

That's really not where I was going with this thread. I'm just trying to figure out if there are any negatives to running a six man tent over the other style. I know I have to have a bigger footprint, but that's all I'm seeing right now. Am I missing something?

If looking for more space than a BCS, I would most likely jump to a 6 man.

Like Kevin said the BCS is far from being a Sawtooth knockoff, it is a super flexible shelter that is IMO the smallest 2 person, walk in shelter. To eliminate almost 2 lbs, the size does need to be reduced, but the BC is so much more comfortable than, a Para Tipi, Super Tarp, Break Away tarp etc and about the same weight ( when you consider, poles and pegs included.)

Ed,

Any reason why to run the 6 man over the Sawtooth?? Looking at getting the Sawtooth possibly, but would like to hear your thoughts on why you prefer the 6 man over it?

Luke,

Just thinking that if the BCS is too small, I'd probably jump up to the 6 man for pretty close to the same weight as a Sawtooth. The Sawtooth is a great shelter though as you have experienced 1st hand.

I would take a Sawtooth over a Kifaru 4 man as I feel there is more usable space in the ST and it is taller, but a Seekoutside 6 man is only about 4 ounces more than a ST.

Aww makes sense. Never looked at the overall weight between the two. Really would like an 8 man tipi, but I am thinking I'll have to let the gear fund recharge a bit.

I'd say a BC shelter, an 8 man and maybe a Sawtooth or 6 man would make a nice quiver!

I can't agree more...just need to convince my wife of this. Though I am sure it wouldn't be a hard sell.