TenTipi 7 Man Canvas Tipi

[MagiKelly]

My new TenTipi (formerly Moskoselkatan) Varrie 7 man canvas Tipi arrived today. This is a heavy tent weighing in at about 12 kg. It is not for carrying about but for use canoe camping and car camping. Really it is for the girls. Even in winter I am quite happy with a lightweight camp but I want to make sure that whatever the weather the girls enjoy their trips. With this tent we have good ventilation, the chance to heat with fire or a Heat Pal and plenty of room so that if it is raining (in Scotland, what are the chances!) the girls can play and enjoy themself. It also has netting to prevent the Midgies ruining a trip.

Only set up in the garden so far but will have it at the Scottish Meet up this weekend.

It is not quite as big as the Girls make it look but it is certainly big. 4.5m in diameter and 2.4m high. For more details you can have a look at the website www.TenTipi.com

 

[Moonraker]

Definitely jealous! Looks fantastic mate Thanks for the great photos.

 

[miyakoboy]

please can you tell me how much it costed? i am thinking of getting one!

 

[MagiKelly]

please can you tell me how much it costed? i am thinking of getting one!

Are you sitting down? It is not cheap. I mean seriousley not cheap! Including the groundsheet it was £1000.

Now there are some cheaper options. The Varrie is the dearest. The Arran is very similar but with a few less bells and whistles. With groundsheet it is about £700 which is still not cheap. As with most things you get what you pay for. I have a lightweight nylon Tipi that is much smaller and good for its purpose but not nearly as robust. The TenTipi can be used as a garden play room with the kids and will take it all in its stride. Every aspect of it seems really well made.

 

[mojofilter]

Looks absolutely great. I could live in that for months!

 

[tomtom]

oooh.. i want one (and i already have an arran 5)
if you get the fire going in there mate theres really nothing like it.. it gives me butterflys thinking about it now.. especially with the woodloand floor under you!

did you order direct?

 

[CLEM]

Very very nice drool drool,i want one.

 

[sandbender]

Looking forward to seeing it on Saturday.

 

[MagiKelly]

did you order direct?

I did think about it but Casper at Light My Fire was very helpful so I felt I should give hime my business. I also heard that you can't order direct anymore but have not confirmed that.

 

[Doc]

I've been thinking about getting a family tent for car camping - this looks ideal (except for the price anyway). I'd guess it would be good in winter and that opens up possibilities. Look forward to seeing it on Saturday.

12kg sounds a lot, but if shared by seven in an expedition, it would be easily man portable. A one man tent is about 1.5 to 2.0 kg so not much difference between seven of them and one tipi.

 

[MagiKelly]

I've been thinking about getting a family tent for car camping - this looks ideal (except for the price anyway). I'd guess it would be good in winter and that opens up possibilities. Look forward to seeing it on Saturday.

12kg sounds a lot, but if shared by seven in an expedition, it would be easily man portable. A one man tent is about 1.5 to 2.0 kg so not much difference between seven of them and one tipi.

Between seven it is probably not bad. The lightweight version of the Varrie would certainly be miles lighter but there is something about the canvas that just feels better. It is like stoves. Gas is more efficient but the Trangia burner just feels right.

As to the weight once you get your canoe it will not be a problem

 

[morch]

Looks superb, hope you have a great time in it at the weekend. Please let us know how it goes.

 

[george]

If you think about the price in terms of cost per bed-space, then it's actually cheaper than the equivalent number of spaces if you bought even middle of the range backpacking tents.

At least that's how I justified getting one!

George

 

[jamesdevine]

It's does look the business. I really like these tents but way out of my budget. Someday maybe.

James

 

[Doc]

'As to the weight once you get your canoe it will not be a problem '


Until the half mile portage, John????

 

[MagiKelly]

Until the half mile portage, John????

That's what you have children for.

 

[Pignut]

Just got the 7 man Aran for our explorer group, The quality is second to non!

With enough space to seat 10 in comfort more at a push!

I can also vouch for Caspar at light my fire V.Helpful

 

[martin]

I've got the Arran 7 canvas. I used it all last winter night fishing for pike. When you get yourself settled in there with a good fire blazing away its brilliant (once the smokes cleared )
I didn't buy a floor for mine, I use a 4m x 5m tarp (£6.50 from B&Q) with a quarter of it cut out so I can have my fire. The small firebox is not big enough for a good fire you need the large. You get a lot of smoke problems with the small.

 

[MagiKelly]

I've got the Arran 7 canvas. I used it all last winter night fishing for pike. When you get yourself settled in there with a good fire blazing away its brilliant (once the smokes cleared )
I didn't buy a floor for mine, I use a 4m x 5m tarp (£6.50 from B&Q) with a quarter of it cut out so I can have my fire. The small firebox is not big enough for a good fire you need the large. You get a lot of smoke problems with the small.

Have you got any holes in the tipi or ground sheet from the fire. As it is new I am a little concerned about it getting damaged.

 

[martin]

I haven't made any holes in the tipi but I have in the ground sheet. I only had any trouble when using pine as fuel, you need to use wood that does spit. I dig a hole and place the firebox over it on a couple of bricks, that way the embers and ash fall in and are kept away from the ground sheet. Less damage to the grass aswell. Don't be tempted in to have the fire in the hole as it will course a lot of smoke problems. You get a layer in the tipi below which there will be no smoke but above there will be. I found that the hotter the fire the higher this layer is.
Wind plays a role in the amount of smoke too, if there isn't any or your in too sheltered a spot the smoke doesn't get drawn out through the hole all that well.
Smoke will leave a stain on the inside of the tipi and make it smell permantly, if this bothers you maybe you should think about getting a stove. I think a stove would be safer with kids in the tipi. I always have a small Carbon Monoxide alarm in there with me. Personally I like my open fire.
You can get 4 frying pans on the large fire box. My 9 year old stepson calls it "The Ray Mears Ready Steady Cook Survival Special"