For most of my life I have utilized traditional dome style tents for my backcountry needs. I have always been leery of tipi shelters, fearing they wouldn’t hold up to harsh weather. Finally, this season the attractive specs and modularity got the best of me and I purchased my first tipi tent, the Argali Absaroka. Over the course of the scouting and hunting seasons I tested the tent on a mountain goat hunt, bighorn sheep hunt, elk hunt, and several camping trips.
The System
One of the compelling benefits of a tipi shelter is it’s modularity. In dry climates with few bugs they work well as floorless shelters. Furthermore, in wet and buggy areas there are a variety of inserts available, and in cold climates a stove can be added. This makes the shelter as spartan or as comfortable as you want depending on the trip. I decided to pair my Argali Absaroka with the half insert as well as the carbon center pole.
Of note, there is also an option to pitch the tent using a trekking pole as the center pole. Personally, I don’t want to leave my trekking poles in camp in order to leave the tent pitched, especially when the weight penalty of a designated pole is minimal. I selected the half insert over the full insert in order to have the ability to run the insert with a stove.
Durability
My primary hesitation towards tipi-style shelters has always been their durability in harsh weather. To my delight, the Absaroka proved these fears unfounded. On a backpack mountain goat hunt on the BC North Coast we weathered a storm exposed on a ridgetop. The Absaroka performed admirably, handling the rain and high winds well. Utilizing a T-bar staking method typically used to stake into snow and ice, the tent was very secure. I still would prefer a four season mountaineering dome tent for the most challenging conditions. However, the Absaroka has proven to be more than adequate for most environments.
Pros
Going from a traditional dome tent, the comfort afforded by the Absaroka is significant. Firstly, the Absaroka is the first four person tent I’ve seen that could realistically sleep four adults. There is ample room above the head and below the feet when laying down, making it easy to keep condensation off of your sleeping bag. The sheer amount of square footage for the scanty 3lbs of weight for the tent and the pole is remarkable. Additionally, when hunting with a partner it is easier to divide the weight, with one person carrying the tent and the other carrying stakes, the center-pole, and possibly the insert.
Next, because of the tipi design you can almost stand up fully inside the tent. This is an extravagant luxury when you’re weathered in needing to put on dry clothes without leaving the tent. Coupled with the extra space makes it possible for two people to comfortable cook inside the tipi when hunkering down in a storm.
Finally, the Absaroka is relatively easy to pitch. While certainly more difficult than most dome tent designs, pitching the tent was not onerous or difficult. The square footprint makes it simple to pitch, and the space inside is more practically useful than a round footprint.
Cons
Overall, I like the tipi, but that does not mean the Absaroka is perfect. Like most single wall shelters, the Argali Absaroka is prone to condensation. This issue is exacerbated when the shelter is pitched tight to the ground. I found myself considering the tradeoff of airflow vs warmth each time I pitched the tent. I’m certain running a stove would solve any condensation issues, but gathering wood to feed it adds logistical complexity.
Another minor but frustrating grievance is the zipper cover is very prone to snagging in the zipper. The silpoly material that the tent is made of is thin and seems to be the perfect length and size to get hung up in the zipper. This is annoying, especially at 3am after bleeding the turkey.
Also, Argali could include beefier stakes. While the included stakes are lightweight they are relatively easy to bend when pitching the tent on hard ground. For a slight increase in weight and cost the Absaroka could come with stronger stakes which would be a marked improvement.
Closing Thoughts
In closing, I am impressed with the Argali Absaroka. The space to weight ratio is excellent and the modularity makes it useful for a wide range of different trips. Because of these attributes the Absaroka has quickly become my most used shelter option for the backcountry as well as many front country adventures. There is no one size fits all shelter, but the Argali Absaroka offers an excellent balance of versatility and comfort.