Tentipi Varrie CP7

[cbrpaddy]

This (the Varrie) was the top of the range Tentipi when I purchased it in Norway about five years ago (it is now called the Safir). I can't remember quite how much it cost but it was approx 1,200 euros and the floor another 200.

The CP stands for CotPol, the cotton/polyester fabric from which it is made. They are also available in the more common tent material type polyamide. However I chose the CP for aesthetic reasons (it's beautiful to wake up in and watch the light) and also because it doesn't require an inner lining (as it is breathable and thus doesn't drip condensation) thus saving living room.

This is meant to be a 7 sleeper but as with all tents, this would be fairly cosy and wouldn't leave much room for kit. It sleeps four no problems and 2-3 in absolute luxury. I've had around 18 people squashed in at a bike rally, kneeling and such.

Ventilation in summer is superb, there are three large vents around the bottom and the top can be opened by drawstrings. This also leads onto another reason why I bought this - fire ! I'm a big fan of winter camping and this tipi has the great advantage of being able to light open fires inside (the cotpol has proven completely spark resistant so far). There is also a flap for stove flues.

As standard this model comes with no floor, but I went for the basic floor which attachs with toggles and has four zips allowing it to be opened up/folded back in a variety of configurations. This is particularly useful when lighting fires, showering, walking in with muddy boots etc. I've had no problems yet with ingress by insects/midges/etc.

It is easily put up and taken down by one person. The time taken depends on whether you want to attach the floor (if not already attached), how many guylines you want to put out, etc etc. I can easily have it up and down in less than five minutes, faster than most tents actually.

Weather resistance is superb. It has never leaked (except once when the cap wasn't closed properly, easily sorted) and despite using it for what must be in and around 200 nights, mostly in the West of Ireland near the coast, ie very wet and windy, as well as all over Europe, I still haven't had to treat the fabric with any waterproofing. I've also had no problems even in very strong winds which were destroying other tents.

As for disadvantages, I can't think of many really. It is expensive but if you want the best then this is it, and I reckon given the number of years I expect this to last it is easily worth the initial outlay. The advantage of being able to cook and have a fire inside to dry gear and keep warm cannot be underestimated either.

At just under 11kg's it can be considered heavy. I certainly wouldn't fancy carrying it very far on my back but I use it mainly for motorcycle camping where I either throw it over the rack or stuff it in a 40l pannier. Pack size is approx 62 x 27 cms. If there are several of you, you can also separate out the pole, pegs, floor etc, to lighten the individual loads.

It's also not freestanding, so don't expect to camp on tarmac/cement without serious bashing in of pegs.

Overall I absolutely love this tipi, it literally is one of the few things I wouldn't leave a burning house without ! I have four other tents which haven't been used since I got this and I can't see myself needing anything else for a long, long time.

[Austin]

I have a Helsport Tipi that will be somewhat similar to CBRPaddy's Tentipi and can confirm just about everything he has said. Mine is probably a bit smaller being sized at 4-6person and is absolute luxury with just 2 in. It is also made from proofed nylon so is lighter and probably easier to pack. It weighs about 6kg and I just stuff it into its bag or into a 30litre ortlieb canoe pack for taking on the bike.

I love the space, the fact I can stand up inside, I can hang my jacket and stuff up to dry, I can have the stove going inside - never ventured as as far as a fire but i do have a mini brazier that clips to the pole and is said to be excellent with one of those BBQ logs cut into 3. Drawbacks is a bit of condensation and it being a bit airy, especially on a windy night (but not draughty).

I love it.

[Mabels Old Man]

I've just taken a punt with one of these. Arrived today, just need to find the room to put it up somewhere.

[Transmaniacon MC]

Thanks for the review on the Tentipi Varrie CP7, I see you use it for motorcycle camping. I am looking to buy a Tentipi Safir (new name for Varrie) in either the 5 or 7 person to use for motorcycle camping like you do. I see you talked about how heavy the tentipi was to carry walking around, does it feel heavy when packed on your bike? Are they as great a tent as Tentipi the manufacturer says they are? I see you got the CP canvas, did you think about getting the "LIGHT" light weight fabric one to save weight? Or was canvas better you think even with extra weight? You like the size of the 7 more than the 5, every one seems to say get the 7 because there bigger with not much difference in weight or cost when buying. I have never seen a Tentipi tent other than pictures as they are not sold in the USA but they seem like a good strong nomadic shelter from the outside weather elements to use as my mobile traveling home riding down the road.

[davsato]

I've just taken a punt with one of these. Arrived today, just need to find the room to put it up somewhere.

let us know how it is MOM, im interested in their 4man version

[DaveS]

The good lady and I are thinking seriously about a Tipi now with some sort of stove or wood burner.

So what sort of fire box or wood burner are you using?
Also are there any cheaper but still reasonable quality options other than the Tentipi?

[Boris]

I did a bit of of research into this but they are hideously expensive for what you appear to get as even the groundsheet is an option. In saying they should last a lifetime and those that have them swear by them and the backup seems to be really good.

If I were buying it would have to be one of the poly cotton ones (Safir) as you don't need an inner which gives you more space and the overall pack size isn't too different.

As with most tents the sizing is a bit on the optimistic side and for a family of 4 I would be looking at the 9 man one as the 5 and 7 just don't look big enough with all the junk we cart around.

Have a look at Suppliers of Klattermusen, Fjall Raven, Tentipi and other Quality Scandanavian Outdoor Equipment - Nordic Outdoor for loads of info. I can highly recommend them and they visit loads of trade shows and really seem to know their stuff.

[DaveS]

Yes I've managed to do quite a bit of research now in the last day or so.

The Soulpad Tipi 5000 looks very interesting for a great price £439.
Sewn in ground sheet which for my family is a must.
You'd only really have to add in a stove I think.

SoulPad.co.uk - Canvas Bell Tents and Tipis, Camping Stoves and Accessories. Camping With Style. - SoulPad 5000-tribe





But it's canvas and that doesn't sound quite as good as some of the Polycotton material now used.

That's what the Tentipi's are made out of, but at £1K more you really have to wonder if it's worth it.

[stuart123456789]

I have a smaller 2 man tipi ( 2.7m by 2.7 m by 2.7 m high) that I carry to bike meets in the back of my motorbike, DaveS took a photo of it at the XRV national, it's quick to erect, comes with a groundsheet and cost me less than £50 on clearance at go outdoors, It packs up to about the size of mt Khyam Igloo, and seems to handle the wind and rain pretty well.
I prefer it to my Khyam every time as being able to stand up and cook inside makes for a more pleasant camp.
cheers

[cbrpaddy]

Hey Dave, check out this thread for a long list of stoves..

Stove options for tents - a compilation - BushcraftUK: Community Forum

I have a heatpal, a tentipi firebox, plus an ex-US army m1941 stove with a diesel insert, but can only carry the first two on the bike! I got the stove cheap from the US on ebay.

The Soulpad is meant to be quite nice, but I think it's about 30kgs so definitely only for car camping.

Nordic Outdoor Suppliers of Klattermusen, Fjall Raven, Tentipi and other Quality Scandanavian Outdoor Equipment - Nordic Outdoor are selling the 7person tentipi at 616 at the moment, plus 169 for the basic floor. I often don't bother with the floor myself, just bring a campbed.