I've become enamoured of the idea of a tipi tent for mainly winter camping with the use of a stove. I favour poly cotton rather than 100% canvas for manageability with weight, strength, and relative quickness of drying.
I have been devouring as much information as I can on Tentipi Safir 9, and the Robens Kiowa - both tents appear to be excellent.
There is a difference in upfront cost between the two, and as usual pros and cons in the design and materials.
Up to a point cost is of less concern than getting the best tent choice out of the two overall.
Has anyone owned or more pertinently compared these two tents, and could kindly offer an opinion - I'm vacillating and finding it very difficult to decide.. :)
Many thanks...
Cheers
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Gelert do cheaper versions of the Fairbanks polycotton tents, it seems to identical weights of materials and spec???....my only concern was that one has to deal with Sports Direct for some of the best prices, and dealing with them left a sour taste in my mouth...........
I should point out that one of the reasons for asking, is that I'm unable to see them in real life and check them out for myself, as I'm not in Europe, and would have to import sight unseen.
But certainly the Tentipi Safir 9 and the Kiowa are my two favourite tipis and my effective short list.
Thanks for your thoughts on the Gelert - again it would be sight unseen if I were to go that way, and all my research has been on the two tents mentioned - i'm not as yet familiar with Gelert as a brand.
Cheers
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As far as Gelert is concerned, short of online, they are sight unseen here as well: the range is the Navajo Polycotton range and it is identical in spec. etc to the Kiowa, but a lot less, certainly in this cold damp island!!
Tentipi have aa fabulous reputation also, but as such with no walls and a sloping door may by some be considered disadvantages compared say to the Robens, also a bell type such as the Robens Klondike, also with its Gelert Navajo "twin"........hopefully a link:-
https://www.gelert.com › Gelert
Post last edited on 26/09/2017 07:24:03
Post last edited on 26/09/2017 07:32:03
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Quote:
the range is the Navajo Polycotton range and it is identical in spec. etc to the Kiowa,
Not quite identical. Very similar, but trimmed down to a budget. From what I can see online, the Gelert has simplified ventilation, no stove port, does not seem to be zip-in groundsheet, does not have opening groundsheet, and has thinner main pole and entrance A-poles.
I think the Gelert is nine-sided, but the Robens is ten-sided.
I would go for the Robens Kiowa, simply because it has a built in porch. I have seen this tent on display and the porch makes all the difference. There is an add on porch for the Safir but that adds to the cost and introduces the extra faff of attaching it. You also have to buy the zip in floor separately for the Safir.
Post last edited on 07/10/2017 17:31:28
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Quote: Originally posted by foggers on 07/10/2017
I would go for the Robens Kiowa, simply because it has a built in porch. I have seen this tent on display and the porch makes all the difference. There is an add on porch for the Safir but that adds to the cost and introduces the extra faff of attaching it. You also have to buy the zip in floor separately for the Safir.
Post last edited on 07/10/2017 17:31:28
It's great that you've actually seen at least the Kiowa - I'm unable to see either of them pre-purchase, hence my asking for opinions and thoughts etc.
If marketing blurb can be believed, potentially the Safir has the stronger, longer lasting material, and from what I can assess of it the better ventilation system with a unique top cap system that can be adjusted from inside the tent, and offers either a full cap open, or one of six different sections that can be opened depending upon direction of wind, plus three floor level vents.
The Kiowa has an top vent, one direction only, and opened from outside by unfurling the cap with the aid of long guy lines. There are no bottom floor level vents, but windows and vents above them.
On the other hand, as you say the Kiowa comes with a zip in floor and an integrated porch; the Safir has either a toggle in floor, or toggle in complete inner - basically just a smaller size of the tent, but inside - which of course will restrict the overall space to some degree. And both floor, inner, and porch are costly accessories.
I might be wrong but I also get the feeling the Tentipi is for the rugged adventurer - i.e. fisherman, canoeist, hunter etc, where the Kiowa is more of a crossover between a traditional tipi and a family recreational camping tent, with the windows, and very nice optional furniture accessories etc including carpet.
At the end of the day they are most likely both very good tents; the Tentipi has a formidable reputation more so than the Kiowa, but given the difference in cost I find myself wondering if the tentipi is worth it in the real world, UNLESS you plan on doing some really rough, expedition style camping. My intended use is in Australia, for winter camping mainly and use of stove for warmth and social atmosphere etc.
A decision would be vastly easier if I could see them and compare, but I am at the mercy of distance and hopefully experienced comments from owners, or those who have gone to the trouble of seeing both and comparing.
Thanks so much for contributing your thoughts - much appreciated.
Cheers and thanks..
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Topic: Which Tipi tent
