Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Kifaru tipi or Ti Goat

I'm lookin at getting one of these two, but endless research leaves me with that Ford vs Chevy feeling.

I'm not concerned with money or costs, rather I'd prefer quality and user friendly. Likey to go with either the 6 or 8 man, and with a stove. Undecided on a floor or no floor. Opinions on these tents?

have only used the tipi, if you're used to double wall tents might want to spring for the liner.

with the 8 man, 3 guys is starting to get cozy, I prefer it with two guys, then it's a palace.

the other part of the equation is probably irrelevant to anyone but me, but Patrick Smith has earned my respect, I believe he's a good man.

if I'm spending coin for good gear, it tickles me to give it to someone I can like and admire. YMMV

I've heard the Ti Goat was an inspiration (read copy cat) from some guys who were originaly at Kifaru, but I don't know for certain. Curious if they improved on the tipi, or spun off with a watered down product.

I've heard good on P Smith as well. Nothing wrong with hearing that echoed again, +1

+1 on Mr Smith,from what I heard T I Goat makes a good product ,but TI tipis only have one door so it would be harder to vent.They don't have a liner avail.and that alone would be a deal breaker for me

Nothing to add on the choice, but I can confirm that Kifaru is top notch. I had a problem with pack fit--belt sliding down with HEAVY (70+) loads and called the company to ask if I needed a smaller belt. Lady said she'd put someone on who could help me. Patrick picked up and walked me through how to solve the problem. Nice to have that kind of support.

I don't know about the Ford/Chevy thing but I can highly recommend Kifaru -- the company and the people behind it especially the owner.

i can not speak for the ford vs chevy either , but since i have 3 tipis i do have some expierence them-all good.j
the floor thing is way over rated. carry a small tarp or tyvek to throw down if ya need it[i do] a piece of drop cloth is very light and compact also for this. i cant say enough about the floor thing is way over rated - once you go floorless you will understand. dirty boots mean nothing just tromp in water will soak in to the floor and disappear- heck you can take a shower in a tipi and sleep in it that nite. as for water running under i am sure it can but if you choose wisely it wont. bugs are the worst i worry about and so far i have not had a problem. even in the boundry waters and alaska.

liners- to each his own. i had a liner for the 6 and sold it. with the 6 you do touch tipi some standing and dressing. with 8 you can stand and dress and not touch it. we can bring in saddles and gear in the 8 and it is crowded for 2.
with the 12, 2 with saddles and panniers are no problem. the guys that go with me want a liner for the 12.

they do sweat indide and 2 doors will help dry them and the second door is used to enter.

I just love tent maker's ratings. An 8-man tent is comfortable with 2, and crowded with 3. Why in the hell do they label it as an 8-man?

No option for a liner on the TI Goat. If I had the money for either, I'd get the Kifaru with a liner.

The ratings are based on mountaineering standards. They aren't leading anybody astray. They tell you how many people can sleep in the tent, not how many can use it as a house. If you notice they usually throw in the explaination something akin to "sleeps 6; but, it's ideal for two and their gear".

Both companies are great to deal with. I can only speak to the kifaru as far as tipis go and my 8-man is awesome. You could easily get 8 people in there if you had to, but the 8-man is more suited for 4-5. We've had 5 guys for 4+ days at a time and it was fine.

The liner is a must and we bring a small tarp cut out for the stove up and then some tyvek to cover the outer areas not covered by the tarp. With large stove, entire tent, pegs, liner etc..... it was about 6 lbs a piece between 3 guys to carry it up this year.... It was a castle for 3.

I can highly recomend the Kifaru 8 man with the large stove. Will be headed to Kodiak Island for 5th time with it in 3 days. I wasn't sure about the floorless design at first but I love it now. I have always used it for 2 guys and all of our gear + firewood inside. Has worked out great. Stood up to some nasty weather and it sure feels good to get warm and dry at the end of everyday. Like mentioned before...the liner is a must! The fabric is 100% waterproof so none gets in and none gets out! Not a problem with the liner though, you'll stay dry. Heres a pic from my caribou hunt this las Sept., everyone who has stayed in it loves it.

There is a new shelter available this January...the Hilleberg Altai. Sleeps 8, I think, and has vertical walls, which I really like.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrI3ac-ZKaU

Hilleberg has been testing them for awhile now.

I'll be testing one out in the snow in January, and plan to use it in the Wind River Range in Wyoming this August, above timberline.

Complete packaged weight with optional poles and stakes is 11 lbs, for the polyester fabric version.

+1 on customer service with Kifaru. I had an adjustment problem with my Late Season pack and they told me to come on over since I live in the Denver area. I show up and Patrick himself comes out explains the adjustment process, then adjusts the pack as we chew the fat about the upcoming hunting season. I spent close to an hour talking guns, hunting,backpacking, etc. and he never gave me the impression that he felt that I was impinging on his valuable time. That type of customer service has made me a Kifaruite for life!

Liner - check
Floorless - big check

You guys with Kifarus - are you happy with the Kifaru stove and that roll up pipe?

I haven't had anything to compare it to, but yes, I've been very happy with mine so far. The roll up pipe works awesome. The stove seems to work great too. It let's a good bit of air in due to all of the pieces so damper control is a little tough to manage, but for how light it is and how small it packs up, it seems to work pretty damn good. I have the large stove and that thing will get my 8-man crankin'. It's tough to damp it down enough to make it last for more than a couple hours on a full load (and keep it from going out), but to take the edge off at night and in the morning it is excellent.

This year, we were in 6 degree weather and deep snow....I couldn't imagine not having it.

You bring up a good point - stove size. 8 man w/large stove in 6 degree temps worked well. I'm wondering if the medium stove would have worked for ya in those temps?

Maybe on stove size selection for an 8 man, bigger is better ... much like horsepower LOL


Thanks for the input, gents!

we use the medium stove I believe in our 8 man.

it's plenty for my needs. I don't really want it so hot I'm in a t'shirt and skivvies. others like it, but I don't, but it sure does feel good to be warm.

Kifaru tipis are amazing. I have really come to love the floorless design. And man when the weather gets bad the stove sure comes in handy. Neat how it can pack down so small, but yet work so well. I would agree it doesnt get anybetter than Kifaru costumer service.

check out GoLite Shangri-La. Not as bullet proof as the Kifaru but much less expensive.