Paratipi review.

I posted this on another MB but think it might be of value here.

This is my primary shelter during the colder months. I have extensive experience with this shelter system. The following is from the Kifaru web site:

�Specifically designed for those who really like to go lean and mean, the 2 Person ParaTipi weighs in at only 3 1/2 pounds! It is exceptionally light for its square footage, and best of all, it is the only small tent we know of that accepts our wood burning stove. You get ample room for two people and their gear. Ideal for the backpacking outdoorsman who wants to extend his reach. Outstanding windproofness! You get many of the same great features and function of our larger traditional Tipis. Floorless design and space age paraglider fabric bring this roomy tent into featherweight class! �

Features & Construction

Fabric:
- Ultralight Cloth for durability and weight savings.
- Waterproof - outlasts UV coating two to one!
- Beefy #8 Zippers: won't jam and open easily even in the coldest weather
- A-frame: provides a big footprint and weight savings
- Single Door
- Mosquito Netting is standard, but removable for weight savings
- Clothes Line: hang gear and dry out clothing
- Stuff Sack: included
- Colors: white or Coyote Brown
- Stovepipe port: fiberglass patch with rain flap

Specs

Includes:
Dual Poles:
break down into 6 pieces
Complete set of Dura Pegs
Dimensions: 12 feet, 6 in. X 7 feet 6 in. assembled
Packed Dimensions: 5.5 in. diameter X 16 inches
Height: 56 inches
Weight: 3 1/2 lbs. (add 4 oz. with Mosquito Netting in place)
The Paratipi comes packed with 3 stuff sacks that contain the canopy, poles and Dura pegs. The system packs down very small and can fit inside a 650 ci long pocket.

Here is a Kifaru long pocket containing a Paratipi.



The shelter packed.



Setup is fairly simple but does require some practice to master. Kifaru does a good job explaining the setup so I will attach a link to their site. I will add that the peg setbacks are more guidelines rather than rules as non level ground will change the distances. But this is not all that hard to work out once the first pole is raised. If there is not enough room to extend the pole than the front setback must be increased.

http://www.kifaru.net/pitch2mn.htm

This is what the shelter looks like before the poles are in place. There are a total of 14 tie-offs to ensure the shelter can withstand the harshest winds.



The front pole is raised first. The cone is heavily reinforced. After that the back pole is raised. I place the adjustable poles on the lowest setting and raise each one until the proper pitch is set. There is some leeway in the setup. It is possible to make the shelter a bit wider and lower or a little narrower and higher depending on how it is staked.





The primary tie-offs are marked with orange paracord loops for easy identification during setup. There is a brown paracord clothesline that runs down the middle of the shelter. The Paratipi has draw string cords to allow for a window to be opened in the front for ventilation. I find the clothesline useful for lighter items like socks and shirts. The draw string window works well to vent the excess heat of the stove but is not protected from rain or snow. If the window is open some water can get in. However this draw string opening system is foolproof and very UL.

The clothesline being used for the intended purpose.



The bug net attaches to the front using Velcro.

[img]http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n220/Daytraderwon/100_6322-1.jpg[/img]

A door can made by opening the front zipper and either staking out the flap or pushing it aside. The bug net than covers the opening. I have only used the net on a few outings. I tend to use other shelters during bug season. When pitched over grass the gaps in the floor are mostly covered. The system was good enough for mosquitoes in my neck of the woods. Maybe there would be issues with black flies but don�t know.

[img]http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n220/Daytraderwon/100_6324.jpg[/img]

The Velcro net is less user friendly than a zippered screen door but offers the advantage of removal during the colder months.

[img]http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n220/Daytraderwon/100_5468.jpg[/img]

The stove jack is positioned about 1/3rd of the way into the shelter. It is placed in a central location. The position of the stove and poles takes up some internal room. The advantages seem to be more efficient heating and stronger support for the shelter. The jack has a Velcro flap for use without the stove.

[img]http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n220/Daytraderwon/100_6286.jpg[/img]

The opening is for a 3-inch stove pipe. The jack is made of flame resistant fiber glass.

[img]http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n220/Daytraderwon/100_6315.jpg[/img]

The pipe gets pushed though the jack. Care must be taken not to cut the fiberglass with the sharp ends of the roll-up pipe if one is used. Also the wing nut holding the end of the roll-up pipe must be turned in. Sometimes I forgo the wing nut all together if in a hurry or my hands are cold.

[img]http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n220/Daytraderwon/100_6471.jpg[/img]

The pipe vents the smoke and toxic gasses outside the shelter. Due to the floorless deigned, gaps in the stove jack and a large number 8 zipper there is enough ventilation even during heavy snow to ensure safety. If there was any possibility of CO poisoning etc I would have discovered this long ago. Here is the Paratipi setup with stove running.

[img]http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n220/Daytraderwon/100_6424.jpg[/img]

For me the best use of space is to put the sleeping bag off to one side. Often I use a small ground cloth to protect my bag. Gear is stored off to the other side. If two people are using the shelter gear can also be stored in front and back.

[img]http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n220/Daytraderwon/100_6354.jpg[/img]

To hang out I use my sleeping pad and lay across the front. There is not really enough room for a larger guy to sleep comfortably in the front but more than enough to rest and cook.

[img]http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n220/Daytraderwon/100_6356.jpg[/img]

I place the stove facing the front a bit off to the side of the sleeping bag reducing the risk of damaging my sleeping gear when moving around. So far I have never melted any sleeping bags or pads but seem to have an uncanny ability to melt the sleeves of my jacket liner. The stove can be placed facing the sleeping area if someone wants to start the stove in the morning when still inside a sleeping bag.

[img]http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n220/Daytraderwon/100_5488.jpg[/img]

Pros:

1. Shelter is very UL and packs down small.
2. Has a large foot print.
3. Extremely weather proof. I have used my Paratipi for years in nearly every weather condition and it has never failed me.
4. Has a stove jack.
5. Constructed of quality materials.
6. Floorless design. This reduces weight and allows for pitching over rough ground. Fundamental for safe stove operation. I find with proper site location a floorless tent stays drier.

Cons:

1. Expensive.
2. Poles and stove takes up lots of floor space.
3. Like most single walled non breathable shelters can develop condensation.
4. Requires careful seam sealing.
5. Setup takes practice to master and more time if using a stove.
6. Floorless design is less bug proof and requires more care in site location.

Conclusions:

I really like the Kifaru Paratipi. It has limitations due to the smaller size compared to other heated shelters. But the weight and pack size makes the shelter easy to backpack over a longer distance. Most of all I like the stove for winter. I can do a ton of things inside a floorless heated shelter during winter that would be far more difficult and uncomfortable in other tents. Snow baths when the outside temps are sub zero is just not an option inside other shelters. Burning the stove takes the edge off in the morning. Cooking on a wood stove is a more casual affair than using the pocket rocket under a tent awning. Finally fire is just plain old fun.

[img]http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n220/Daytraderwon/100_5512.jpg[/img]

Cool report. Thanks for your time and effort. I think fire is just plain old fun too.

Mark

Thanks for the review and pics! From the pics it looks like it could/would work for two, but be pretty tight unless gear could be stored outside. About right?

my opinion is identical to WW. I have had mine now for 8 years. I can attest to its windproof strengths 85 mph recorded winds for 60 hours in the Mulchatna region of AK simply put awsome piece of gear.

It's real comfy for one. Two can make it work and I have had four in a pinch in mine at one time with the stove.

It's obvious WW has multiple callings:). Great job as usual.
" Finally fire is just plain old fun"
That say's it all for me also!!!

Few pictures are more satisfying than those of a tipi with a smoking stovepipe.

IF you could only have 1 would you choose your 4-man or the Para?

nice report

Pointer.

That is about right. I have slept two in the Paratipi but it is tight and some gear was tossed in the back with the packs being sent to the dog house (outside). In some fantasy situation of 3 lost hunters in the dead of winter I guess two could sleep off the sides and one could curl up in front. But oh man nerves would be real short. In general this is a one man show. Packs and gear off to one side. The stove gets moved over for more sleeping room and the bag with pad occupies the other side. Cooking and hanging out is done in the front. At least this is how I use the shelter.



Believer.

+1 on the smoke stack.






Tx.

Oh yea fire makes camping civilized. Even more so when it is snowing and windy outside.

I also have a 4-man



This is a hard one. If I had it to do all over again I would go with a 8 or 12 man and 4-dogs larger Ti stove and Kifaru Large stove (I have the large stove just looking for a tent next season). Than the Paratipi for one man trips. The reason for the more airtight 4-dogs stove is for base camp. The Kifaru stove for packing in. I would want both.

If I could only have one I guess 4-man with liner and small stove as it heats darn good too and is more workable for a two guys. But hard to beat the Paratipi for packdown and weight. That is the reason why it gets more time than my 4-man.

Woods,
How cold would you consider the 4man/liner/small stove setup good for? I've already got the Paratipi and small stove, and would like to get a 4man next. Would you suggest a liner and my current small stove, or no liner, and buying a medium stove? The stove and liner cost about the same.

What is up with the fantasy comment? On several occasions I have had four people sleep in warm comfort inside my tipi. The gear goes outside but if you place two bags deep into the bottom of the tipi there is room for two down the front around the stove. It does become a bit of a pain in the ass to use the facilities in the middle of the night. One is ideal, two is fine and three or four can sleep but not much else. I never plan on having four in it but stuff happens and the tent can easily handle it. Reality, not fantasy but feel free to comment on things you have not done.

Apparently four in the tent makes nerves even shorter........

Only if you are the dummy trapped in the bottom. Looking at Woods pics I can see why we might differ. He places his bag much closer to the front of the shelter. I place mine about as far into the bottom as possible. Even when solo I find myself doing this out of habit. If two guys will do this, the front of the shelter is pretty much open for sitting around in and why I dont have a problem with two guys living in the tent. This would also explain why I dislike the placement of the stovejack. It bothers me to be in the back of that tent by the stove looking out towards all of that unused space. I will get some pics this weekend turkey hunting showing how I set up inside one.

222Rem

I would try just the small stove first and see how it works out. Have you considered a 6-man? I sure miss mine.

Wyoelk.

I am not questioning your word. But for me three or more in the Paratipi would only happen if it was a survival type thing or a few guys screwed the pooch big time and forgot their tent. I have done 2 and found it tight but workable. I like to move my bag around in the shelter to find the best level spot. Sometimes I am more near the back. Other times near the front. I like being more near the front as there is more room to keep some distance from the walls.

If I could get by using my small stove and no liner, I'd be happiest from a money/weight standpoint. The 6-man would make a roomier setup for sure, but it starts me down a slippery slope towards the 8-man which is what I'd really rather have for a base camp anyway. I'm considering the 4-man for me and my wife (warm wife=happy wife), or a hunting pard, while keeping the weight down enough that I could also use it for solo trips where I might like more room than the Paratipi provides. If I knew I'd always have a buddy with me, the 8-man looks like a mansion for two or three, and I may end up there anyway.

I can heat the 4-man in the 10ish to 0 range with the small stove burning hardwood. The liner makes this better but I would just try the small stove first. Cover the floor gaps with snow etc. I don't know if the liner would beat a med stove. Often if looking to cut weight and I want more room than the Paratipi than I pack the 4-man no liner and small stove. You are going to need a new pipe for that small stove. I think mine is 84 inches.

Thanks. That sounds like it would probably work just fine for my needs.

I think Patrick told me that the medium stove puts off 50% heat. Ed. T would know best on this topic. A bigger fire box is much easier to stoke as it burns longer and takes bigger sticks. But weight was my primary consideration for staying with the small stove. If going solo and I am looking for more room the liner is dumped. Tons more room in the 4-man compared to the Paratipi and it still is small enough for heating in colder temps with the small stove when using hardwood. Again ED. T would know best as to the lower temp rating.

In any case the 4-man with small stove is not all that hard to pack. I do use the liner for base camp or shorter distances under 5-miles as it offers a great degree of comfort. It does take up some room but bumping into a warm liner is not a bad thing.

Great points. I forgot the liner eats up some interior space. Your uses for the 4-man with and w/o the liner mirror my intended uses. So for now, it looks like the 4-man and a longer pipe is all I'll need.

Forgot to mention. In addition to the extra head room and floor space, I think I'd really appreciate having two doors for better ventilation during warmer days. Also better access to gear. Not a huge deal there, but should eliminate some of the hands and knees routine I think.

I've used a Paratipi for years and had one of the first 6-man tipis. On my Dall sheep hunt above tree line I left the stove at home and slept myself and one pard very comfortably in the Para. When we got to base camp to meet our bush plane it was to windy to be picked up, so we camped over night. I set up my tipi and suggested that our guide join us for the night instead of unpacking his tent. It was very comfortable.......except for the odor of three guys in the same tent without a shower for two weeks. Wow!

I sold my 6-man and for me, I think a paratipi and a 8-man for base camp or low altitude camping would work out great. I also carry a paratarp with me on backpack hunts for spike camping or wood and gear storage when I sleep two w/stove in the paratipi. Got'a love the Kifaru gear!

I had and used a 4 man for a few years but I never warmed up to it. With the stove it was just too much to backpack any distance. For two guys I thought is was pretty tight with the placement of the stove and center pole. in warmer weather or wet weather (read Alaska) it was a wet drippy mess w/o the stove going. In my opinion it is a better really cold weather tent where the stove pays benifits. I didn't like leaving it for a day while hunting and coming back and finding everything wet from ground moisture condensing on the wall and spraying all over when the wind came up. Leaving the front partially open helped, but not much. I agree though the fire is nice. Now I use a light 2 or 1 man tent for backpacking and a larger tent for a base. I think for a light base camp the 8 man might be ok.

YMMV.

LC

Very interesting point, my admittedly short experiment with a 6 man, PT and 8-man here in wet B.C. led me to a similar conclusion, so, I retained the 8-man, with liner, for a cooking/eating shelter in a base camp and added a Hilleberg Saivo for sleeping in.

This is a really effective rig for MY uses and is versatile and easy to transport. I don't care about standing room in my sleeping tent, but, having that tipi to have a fire in during a wind/rain/snow storm is a literal gawdsend. I expect to keep and use this until I am 90+ and getting a little too old for this stuff......

I've slept in pretty much all the Kifaru offerings. They all need a liner. I won't use a paratipi with center pole configuration. A-frame is the only way to fly.

For me, I like:

- Sil-tarp for light and fast trips where dry to moderate precipitation is expected when I'm fairly certain of being able to get tucked in someplace out of the wind in a flat spot.

- Hennessy Hammock for all trips where lots of bugs are expected and/or soggy ground conditions and/or topography warrants having the ability sleep most anywhere I please in a matter of minutes. Pitching and takedown are a snap.

- Paratipi in A-Frame configuration with partial liner for colder fall hunting trips where mobility is key and warmth is a HUGELY attractive option.

- 8-Man tipi and large stove and liner for luxurious base camps anytime of year for two to 4 men for extended periods.

Allen

Allen,
Could you tell me what your using for the A-frame poles and the partial liner? Thanks, Ian

What is the difference between the center pole and the a frame?
How do you set up the a frame.

Great Thread and info!