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First off, this is my first post. All the info on this forum has been amazing, so thank you all! I have had my eye on these SO tipi's for some time, but am now close to being able to order. Just looking for some general input on a couple items I haven't been able to search out yet.

My goal for the tipi would be family backpacking in Summer and hunts with the stove in colder months.

I have narrowed my choices down to the 6 person vs 8 person tipi. Being that they are somewhat similar in size, if anyone has experience with both do you find the extra space in the 8 man is worth the extra $ and weight? I personally wouldn't expect more than 4 people to need room for.

My wife has been one of the obstacles because she has been very hesitant to go to a floorless setup. She is finally coming around, I think I won her over with the idea of getting the half floor. is the half floor worth it, or are there better options?

Since I have been looking there have been some changes in color and denier weight options, currently only brown and green. Are these the only options now or are other options just out of stock? The reason I ask is that in one post there was a picture of what I believe was redwood brown and that looked just about what I would choose if available.

Finally just to confirm, these are reasonable to pack? In the winter with stove not too worried because I would plan to split it up between everyone, but in summer if with the family, it may fall more to me to carry the majority of it as the kids are fairly limited in space.

Sorry for the long post, but you all seem to be very knowledgable with these items. Thanks in advance for any info!

Welcome to the forum! I was in the same boat as you not too long ago. My wife and I have two kids and enjoy backpacking a lot. We had used many floored shelters in the past but never had we used a true floorless shelter. She was nervous as was I to a small degree. We bit the bullet and went with the 8 man and honestly couldn't be happier with our decision. I haul the tipi. If stove goes wife hauls it if not she hauls pole and stakes. If stove goes I spilt the stakes and pole amongst the kids.

A few things to consider:
Generally stoves don't have a great burn time, you are not going to keep the shelter warm all night unless you continue to feed it. Better wood will give you better burn time. Stoves take up a ton of room as does wood. If you plan on running a stove a fair amount with 4 people I wouldn't go smaller than the 8 man.

You need to be selective in a spot to pitch. A river runs through is not a good thing in the middle of the night. Also more vegetation means more condensation. A 6 man will be easier to pitch in smaller locations but give you less room.

Condensation will happen. While air flow and a liner will help the inside of the tipi walls will be wet. The bigger interior space the easier it is to stay away from the walls.
Good luck and let us know what you end up getting.



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I'm with Grant on this one. I have the 8 man as well, and while I have not actually used the 6 man, I have used my 8 man with up to 4 people and our gear + the stove, during some hunting trips and it was comfortable, but I would not want to go anymore with all of that. He makes a good point with the condensation- being that I live on the west coast, it is inevitable for us. However using a liner has saved me numerous times now and is well worth the comfort it provides (particularly important in torrential downpours when you haven't seam sealed!).

Packability is great and you will have no problem, especially if there is more than one of you going. Simply split up the load like you mentioned and you'll be good to go.

Overall, it is an awesome product and you will be super excited to use it any chance you get. To me, the space was worth the weight, as I like having the room in the tent, and I'm almost always using the stove when I set it up. When there is 2 of us, it is a backcountry fortress, and when there is more- you'll enjoy the room. The stove is also great and is always something to enjoy after a long day in the field. Depending on wood and conditions, we usually get about a 3-4 burn time.

Another thing to mention is these are capable of a flex pitch using the guy line tie outs. I think it would make it right around the size of a 6 man.

With all pictures and reviews if i was you...ill go with the 8 man,i have a 4 man and wish a 6 man but its impossible with the money conversion Usa Vs CAD.I think if money isnt a problem youll be happy with a 8 man i am sure,wife and kids youll need space ...ho dont forget to makes some rules for the kids inside the tipi...stove=hot and walls=doesnt like sharp objects,rules are goods for the wife too hahahah!!!Welcome to the forum.

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I have the 6man tipi ... my thoughts:
Two adults and two children is no problem with the stove (large) .... much space.
3 adults are no problems with the stove, but if you squeeze out of 4 adults it gets crowded if you will have equipment for 4 persons in there.

They are packable to an extent. I've packed my 8 man and a HPG stove by myself for a mile or so along a trail. Not too hard, but not something I'd like to do as a matter of routine. It's nice if you can split the load with someone (or two someones). If you're going steep and deep, it can be done. My hunting partner and I like to spread out and we'll take over the entire area of the 8-man by ourselves.

I'm on the east coast in the Adirondacks and I haven't had much of an issue with condensation. Typically, I leave the tops of the two doors open and spread out with a stick if it's not raining. If the stove is going, it takes care of most of the condensation anyway. In the winter, I've closed the doors and generally only had some frost up around 2-3 feet off the ground. Pull your gear away from the wall and you're fine. I have a 1/2 liner and its never come out of the stuff sack.

As for the floor ... my wife won't sleep in the tipi without a bug screen. But it's just the two of us, so I'll probably get a 2p nest instead of the half floor to keep weight down.