I am struggling with the decision to buy a Kifaru 6 man tepee. Are they worth the money or is there something just as good? I have also looked at the titanium goat tents as well.

I don't want a 20 pound tent.....

The tepee tents look like so much fun to have. I have a 7 year old who is itching to camp etc.. and it looks like it would be far more comfortable in a kifaru than a typical dome tent for the head room etc...

I really don't have the money but want to get something that we will use.

Thanks

Steve

I'm as guilty as the rest.  My gear tends to be the "upper level", and although I am not doing trips in the Boundary Waters anymore, it sure performs nicely on a three day trip in some local haunt.

only you can answer that question, but I dare say that most (not all, and I'm sure someone will jump all over me for saying this)really don't utilize the full capabilities of our equipment, and could get by with lesser level.  Yes, quality will last, and darn sure better, but lets be real.  For three weekends a summer in a average location, you could just as well have gone to WallyWorld, and got a "throw away".

(I still go for "the goods" when I can....    )

I have the itch to get a Kodiak Canvas cabin tent. They are in the $500 range and will last a lifetime! There are a few different configurations such as an enclosed awning. For the camping I do this tent is perfect! You should check them out!

Has anyone done extensive camping in Kifarus during heavy, wet snow?

They look like the heavy wet snow would steadily push the sides closer and closer to the ground as it piled up, reducing the area inside where you would be able to sit and stand.

12 inches of snow destroyed my Alaknak in last year's late Idaho archery season (cannot be repaired by tent makers), so I am a bit sensitive to how a tent can handle heavy, wet snow, and too, am interested in the Kifarus.

John Havard has the biggest one they make with a great stove.  It is big and comfortable.  He'll be using it in Alaska for moose this year and we'll be joining him next year.

It's a great combo for a fly in hunt where you are limited on weight.

Mike

Kifaru has a message board, I suggest you go over there and lurk a bit, yea plenty of supporters of the products but users with real experience too.  I have Kifaru pack and would look real hard at the tipi's if I had the need and I would find the money if the Kifaru tipi fit the bill.

Been in heavy snow in an 8 man pitched next to an alaknak and those boys were out in the night scraping snow off. The tipi stayed toasty all night. Worth the money when considering how light and compact they are.

Rik,
I've had my 16-man Kifaru tipi in heavy wet snow several times up in Alaska.  It sheds readily down to the bottom of the tipi.  Most of it slides onto the ground but eventually it can/will build up around the perimeter.  About one minute walking around the outer edge of the tipi and swiping the snow away from the bottom frees it up nicely.  

I don't know of any other system that provides as much heated space at such a minimal weight as the Kifaru tipi with a stove.

The workman ship and quality are excellent.....the sizing I am not sure of.  I have a 4 man    that Wingnut and I filled up with the smallest stove.  I would check and make sure just how many people a six man would hold.  I am pretty sure Kifaru is not thinking of stove and gear being in the tent when they size it.  

If two hunters were hold up in spike camp by a storm, the four man would not not work to well with gear and a stove.  IMO

Debbie and I have used the four man for camping without hunting gear or stove.  It was about the right size but she is real cute and 5'1".

rusty

I have a four man and love it .  I get me the wife and two dogs (no floor so they cam come in too) with no issue.  They are a lot and I think you might do well trying to find a good used one on the Kifaru site.  But they are pricey so if thats an issue google ultra light tarp/ teepee and tent because there are some other brands out there....but Kifaru is bomb proof.
Allan

I really like the Kifaru tipi desing, but just couldn't see myself spending the money.  But I'm sure they're worth it.  I bought the 3 man "shangra-la" from Go-Lite and I really like it.  But it doesn't have a flap for a stove.  I did a bit of reasearch before I bought mine and don't think anyone else makes anything compareable to Kifaru as far as size and being heated.

I love my sierra designs tents they are made for mountaineering and they cost at least half the price. They don't have a stove but I have used a Mr. Buddy heater in them for short burst and stay warm. For the difference in money im more than happy.

I've had an 8-man and large stove for many years.  They are well worth the money.  I don't know about the competitors but my Kifaru is tried and proven.  It has taken enormous abuse and few problems.
The tipis are categorized by their capacity to barely get that many people in sleeping positions; they are not intended to be used by that same number of people.  Figure half the number of people, max, for each given capacity rating.  

If it will always be you and your son, or less, then the 6-man should work.  But you will probably end up taking others out in it and will want more room.  The 8 man has been proven to be the most versatile.  Not too big that one or two people cannot backpack it and lots of room for two guys and gear plus a dog, or whatever.  It will handle 4 people and gear plus a pile of firewood inside but it will be a little snug.

Mice and bugs will come into the floorless shelter so choose your site accordingly.  I tend to use my tipi in fall/winter/spring, with the stove, so bugs and mice are rarely a problem.  
Hang all your food in a tree.

The tipi is hugely versatile.  It can be backpacked with or without the stove.  Its a great wind shelter.  Its the best rain shelter.  It can be used as a powwow shelter then campers can turn in to their own tents for sleeping.
I use mine when car camp hunting.  I throw all my camping junk inside before I head off on the hunt.  If a storm hits the camp I know my stuff is ok.
The stove and tipi will fit in a big gym bag.  You can take it wherever you go and use it as an emergency shelter.

Most other guys in the campground have campers that cost thousands of dollars.  They are a little more comfortable than I am in my tipi.  When it is warm no one is in their shelters anyway.
But I am nearly as comfortable with some huge advantages.  The tipi and stove is well less than half the price of most campers.  I have no trailer to tow, store, or clean.  And I have the versatility mentioned above.

I've got the 8 man and paratipi, I don't regret it at all.  Some of my favorite most prized gear, along with the Longhunter pack.  Wind, rain, snow, you'll be warm and comfy.  packs to nothing too...awesome stuff.

6 man here; well worth the expense.  Me and both kids fit comfortably; it's a palace when I'm alone.

Going the other direction in size, I have a Kifaru paratarp and a supertarp. Not heated (yet) but money well spent.

Paratarp as a kitchen on last season's backpack elk hunt.

 

More traditional sleeping shelter on AZ trip:

 

A mate of mine over here in Australia has the 4 man tipi with the second smallest stove. He used it on our recent hike and had plenty of room for at least one more person even with all his pack, bow and stove in there. Great bit of kit I reckon.

I've got a 6 man and a super tarp ,both are well worth the money,the 6 is still pretty comfortable with 4 guys and its great for one or two .Plus its a safe investment I was just on thier forums message board, a 8 man was listed and sold I think it took 23 min.Try that with almost any other brand

I have a 6-man and a stove, which is about the right size for two people and gear.  They'll handle very tough weather.  However, in relatively warm, humid conditions, they will develop a lot of condensation on the inside.  Their forte is their toughness and lightness, but those features aren't needed for occasional weekend camping out of a vehicle.

TTT