Backcountry Hot Tents

[johnbmyersii]

Looking to get a lightweight and packable tent to live out of on a mountain for muzzy elk and then modern deer this year. Looking at a Seek Cimarron with their stove. Does anybody on here have one and what is their opinion? Is it truly packable, what's the durability, any complains? Would like some real word local opinions, not whats on the website.

https://seekoutside.com/cimarron-light-stove-bundle/

Also, does anyone have a setup like this theyd be willing to part with? TIA

[MtnMuley]

I have that set up. Great for 2 guys. I'd recommend nests for much if the time. I'm can't remember for sure, but believe mine with a medium ti stove and carbon center pole is 6.8 lbs total. Not much to pack at 3.4 lbs per guy.

[92xj]

I have one with a large wifi stove, which isn't made anymore. 
Very packable and light enough that I take it even on solo trips. 
I do not have screens, next or liners and after 3 years with in and more nights than I can remember, I still don't wish I had any of them.  I do get condensation, which every one does, but I am aware of it and just make sure I don't brush up against it at night or the mornings.
I have zero complaints and would highly recommend. 
The storms I have put it through in the blues and Idaho during spring bears is pretty impressive.
All in all, a good setup for solo, two with a stove and gear or 3 with packs and guns and no stove, it works great.

[pickardjw]

I've spent 30+ days in my Cimarron over the last year. Both car camping and backpacking with it. With the large stove a few times. I've only wished I had a nest or door liners a couple times.   

1. Yes, it is truly packable. Definitely packs smaller than any other backpacking tent I've every used while being significantly larger set up than any other backpacking tent I've ever used.

2. I've had zero issues with durability. I don't think I've ever actually seen a negative review regarding durability for any SO tent. So far mine has withstood decent wind gusts and snow loads. I pitch it pretty taught too.

3. Complaints are minimal, more of things I would change if I were to sell this and buy a new one with some custom tweaks.

   a. Mine doesn't have any loops on the inside to tie cord around to hang stuff to dry. That would be nice.

   b. I have the line lock kit which is amazing and makes pitching on uneven surfaces easy just getting the height and bottom gap you want dialed. But you have to tie them onto the stake out loops. I'd want them integral to the loops. I think the Silex and Guardian are like that.

   c. The stove door falls out when you open it more than about 1/3 of the way. Wish there was a stop on it that kept that from happening...burned a hole in my buddy's tarp!

   d. I like it so much I want a silex with a nest. That's my bank account complaining.

4. Unfortunately can't part with it until after this hunting season.

[ganghis]

I'm sure these are good tents, but like many things hunting-related, you're going to pay more than they're worth.  I use a black diamond mega light, which you can pick up for about $260.  I had to sew in a stovejack (I used a silpat) but after that it works just the same.  Plus you can use the included trekking pole adapter so you don't have to carry a center pole.  I made my own titanium stove from parts I ordered from LiteOutdoors, so can't comment on the stove options @ SeekOutside.  Going that route I have a similar sized hot tent for about $400.

[bigbore40]

Looking to get a lightweight and packable tent to live out of on a mountain for muzzy elk and then modern deer this year. Looking at a Seek Cimarron with their stove. Does anybody on here have one and what is their opinion? Is it truly packable, what's the durability, any complains? Would like some real word local opinions, not whats on the website.

https://seekoutside.com/cimarron-light-stove-bundle/

Also, does anyone have a setup like this theyd be willing to part with? TIA

Take a good look at viam outdoors Madison tipi
https://viamoutdoors.com/product/madison-tipi/

I worked on initial development on this and had 2 prototypes built and myself and one of my hunting partners absolutely love them.

[mcrawfordaf]

I have no experience with these but I keep an eye out on deals and have been looking into them for while. I do know the *censored* guys use one on their back country hunts:

https://luxe-hiking-gear.com/products/octopeak-4p-tent-system?variant=12285708828755

[northwesthunter84]

I have one with a nest, pole and a large stove.  Tested it 21 Elk season (didn't run the stove), really liked it.  Used turkey hunting this year (with the stove) now I love it even more.  I will say 2 big guys, stove and gear puts is near capacity.  If you have a bigger group or family that will be using it go up a size.  Everything packed down great and I barely noticed it in the pack.  The stove was the deal maker, being able to dry out gear at night is a big deal for me.  I will say that the titanium stove do require more attention but not much more than my stove for my Big Horn II.  Set up once practiced is super fast. 

[pickardjw]

Be careful with Luxe. You may or may not receive your tent. And if you do, it may or may not have QC issues. If it does, expect zero customer service from them. If it does show up and it doesn't have QC issues, they appear to be decent for the price. The main complaint I see about them is the doors don't open full height like on other tipis.

https://www.rokslide.com/forums/threads/luxe-tipis.162158/
https://www.rokslide.com/forums/threads/luxe-hiking-gear-hot-tents.244891/
https://www.rokslide.com/forums/threads/luxe-tents.152225/

I went with the SO after reading enough bad reviews about Luxe (the company). SO is made in the US and their C/S is exceptional.

There's been a ton of hype around the new Durston tents but they've been out of stock for a while. They sell out in minutes but apparently their next run will be much larger. Outdoor Vitals will also have one available this fall.

[Karl Blanchard]

Pro tip....ditch those poles guys. Tie a knot in one of your guy lines the length of your pole and just cut one when you get to your camp site. If there's wood to be burned in your stove there is a branch somewhere the length you need. It's stronger than the pole you would be packing and saves a good bit of weight and space. Plus any smaller branches on it can be cut down to 1" stubs that you can hang clothes, socks, lights, etc on.

[KFhunter]

What are you guys putting under your mattress in these floorless hot tents?  Or just putting the mattress directly the ground?

I'm using therm-a-rest topo luxe 4" and EE down quilt

[92xj]

Pro tip,
Ditch the saw you are taking to cut wood and your tipi pole with.
There is plenty of wood to break with your knee and feet.
Save the weight of that saw.

[92xj]

laugh today Karl.   

KF, I run a CF ground sheet (3oz) or the mattress and quilt are inside my CF bivy (6.5oz).

[pickardjw]

I use a borah gear bivy in mine. Helps contain the sleep system a bit and keeps any creepy crawlies out while you're away. Though I've never had issues with just a 6x8 tarp down either.

I'd ditch the pole if I wasn't hunting burn country. If I were hunting non-burn country it would be ideal to cut a branch on a scouting trip and leave it for the hunt. That way you can avoid packing in a saw or a pole on the actual hunt!

[mcrawfordaf]

Be careful with Luxe. You may or may not receive your tent. And if you do, it may or may not have QC issues. If it does, expect zero customer service from them. If it does show up and it doesn't have QC issues, they appear to be decent for the price. The main complaint I see about them is the doors don't open full height like on other tipis.

https://www.rokslide.com/forums/threads/luxe-tipis.162158/
https://www.rokslide.com/forums/threads/luxe-hiking-gear-hot-tents.244891/
https://www.rokslide.com/forums/threads/luxe-tents.152225/

I went with the SO after reading enough bad reviews about Luxe (the company). SO is made in the US and their C/S is exceptional.

Thanks for the info! Glad to have seen all that before pulling the trigger.

[2MANY]

Pro tip....ditch those poles guys. Tie a knot in one of your guy lines the length of your pole and just cut one when you get to your camp site. If there's wood to be burned in your stove there is a branch somewhere the length you need. It's stronger than the pole you would be packing and saves a good bit of weight and space. Plus any smaller branches on it can be cut down to 1" stubs that you can hang clothes, socks, lights, etc on.

What may seem obvious to some isn't to others.

[pd]

   d. I like it so much I want a silex with a nest. That's my bank account complaining.

I am miles ahead of you.  I used the Cimarron last year (fine for two guys), but one of my partners had the Silex, which I liked so much that I bought it, too.

I have the GoLite stove for the Cimarron, and just bought parts to shrink it down for the Silex.

That's what money is for, to keep people in business!

[Rob]

I used mine on a 10 day Goat hunt in the ONP.  We saw rain, sun and snow.  Some wind but we were pretty well sheltered from that. 

Two guys using it for 10 days and we were still friends afterwards!

I put tyvek in for a floor liner and had a nest for my side.  This is the Cimarron Lite with the large U-turn Ti stove and a 7 foot pipe.

We used horses so weight was not an issue but space was.
My weight was 7.769 lbs for
  - Shelter, 12 stakes, 3 guy-lines in bag
  - Center pole
  - Half Nest
  - U-Turn Large Ti Stove with 7 foot pipe

Add 0.7 lbs for a 5x8 Tyvek ground tarp

The photo with it all broken down shows size - I have replaced the cordura stove bag with a Tyvek bag and that change is reflected in my weight count above.

[Rob]

I like that you can pitch them just about anywhere.  Right over a large rock if you want and you can use the rock as a table!

[mountainman]

My Lux 8person. Large for backcountry, but an awesome, solid tent!

[Sundance]

I'm a fan of hybrid systems. I run as little as a a borah bivy with my quilt and air mattress. Minimal precip and I will add a 5x9 silnylon flat tarp. Extended stays with precip and I run the Silex with my lite outdoors 12" stove. If it's more then just me I would go up to the cimarron and and swap up to the 18" body for my stove. I like hunting in a group and having the 2-person shelter is nice, but staying mobile with my single person Silex allows me to split off and the group can cover more ground.

[Ifinch36]

Our group went with the Luxe octopeak. I read all the reviews before we purchased it, but the deal was too good to pass up. We had zero issues. Shipping was fast and tent seems good. This is the first year we'll be using it.  It's been out on one scouting trip so far and we liked it. Definitely not a 6 person though.  I'd say 3-4 and 3 with the stove.

[lj77]

I have had nothing but problems with luxe.ordered tent,stove and pole in April.still no pole.any help or service is non existent.save yourself the trouble and spend your money on a reputable company.

[yakimanoob]

a 10 day Goat hunt in the ONP.

Lucky dog 

[Rob]

a 10 day Goat hunt in the ONP.

Lucky dog 

Endured terrible Wx and did not even see a goat...