Hunting off the grid, deep into the backcountry, requires a well-thought-out plan for what you will use for shelter. Having a good shelter will help you unplug and recover at night, and the more comfortable you are, the better off your hunt will go. Finding a company that produces gear that makes this style of hunting more successful is a must, in my opinion.
PEAX Equipment
PEAX Equipment has done just that. Their Solitude collection offers what you may be looking for when it comes to backcountry style of shelters, specifically tipi-style shelters. In the past, Rokslide has reviewed their Solitude 4 Tipi with great success. Many of these great features are incorporated into the Solitude 6, so I will not try to rehash everything that has already been reviewed. Take a look here: PEAX Solitude 4 Tipi Review
PEAX Solitude 6
I hunt a good deal with my family, and having enough room is a must for us. The Solitude 6 Tipi would be a great fit for us to give it a try and see how it performs. The Solitude 6 gives you plenty of options as well. Use just the tipi alone, or pair it with the Footprint, ½ Nest, or full Nest to increase its effectiveness. Running just the Tipi was an option, but to keep creepy crawlers away, I paired it with the full Nest, which is essentially a full enclosure with screen material to keep most unwanted guests out of the Tipi.
You also have the option of using just the nest alone on warm trips when bad weather isn’t expected. Sleeping under the stars is also very invigorating, and something everyone must try as many times as possible in their life! In cooler weather, when the bugs are no longer out, running the Tipi with the Footprint is a good combination. The Footprint also has raised sides to help minimize drafts from coming into the tipi. I likely will never use just the tipi portion without the Nest or the Footprint, but it is an option.
My Experience With Tents
Up until this point, I had only used dome-style lightweight tents in the past and didn’t go into this review with any knowledge of what using a tipi-style shelter would be like. This was also my first time using Peax Equipment after checking them out at last year’s Hunt Expo in Salt Lake City, UT. I went into this review fully unbiased and looked forward to what I was about to learn.
PEAX Solitude 6 Size
Measurements when fully set up are as follows: a length of 14’ and a width just over 9’ with a height of roughly 11’, depending on how high the center pole is set up. This gives you 120 sq. ft. of usable room inside the tipi. The center pole does have suggested marks for set-up but depending on the ground this could be a bit more or less.
Weights and Materials
The PEAX Solitude 6 Tipi comes with a center pole, 12 tent stakes, and a storage bag, all weighing 4 lb. 8.5oz. combined. The Footprint weighs in at 1 lb. 7 oz, and the full Nest is 3 lb. 1 oz, while the half Nest is 2 lb. 12 oz. The main body of the tipi is 20D Silnylon with 2000mm Stormshield coating. The cone is constructed of three layers of VX21, Hypalon, and TX07. I had to research to see what these materials are and they are made to withstand high levels of stress while maintaining their structural properties. High stress points are also reinforced with the TX07 as well to prevent tearing from the main body of the tipi.
Easy Setup
It was in the first part of elk season here in SD when I received the Solitude 6 with the Footprint and full Nest. I was excited to give it a try and see what I was in for. I studied the video that Peax has on YouTube beforehand, so setting it up was a breeze even by myself. Brice did a great job of explaining the process. Video can be found here:
I did find that while setting up the Solitude 6, I needed more than 12 stakes, so keep that in mind when ordering. I went with an additional 12, and this was more than enough to get the full Nest and the Tipi set up with all guyout ropes stretched out to add stability. I would also suggest having four trekking poles as well to take advantage of the stabilization system that is incorporated within the tipi portion of the setup. Once fully erected and staked down, the trekking poles really stabilized the system and even added a bit more room on the ends of the tipi.
I was a bit surprised at how easy it was to set it up alone for the first time. I did this first at home in the backyard to ensure I wasn’t going in blind on my first setup out in the woods. My son, too, was able to set it up in short order on another hunt with no issues. Taking the tipi down was just as easy. Much easier than past tents I have used that didn’t have nearly as many features or positive thinking put into the design. Within minutes, you can have it fully set up and ready to use. This can come in handy if presented with harsh weather when you weren’t expecting it on the pack-in.
Wind Is No Problem
It was a bit windy that first night, and I was surprised at how well this shelter handled it. The trekking poles were key in adding this stabilization, and once removed, the shelter took on a bit more movement. My family of four had plenty of room in the Solitude 6, and of course, this was without a stove. It is advertised as a 6-person shelter without a stove and a 4-person shelter with a stove, as it takes up a bit of room. The large door openings on either side of the tipi made it easy to move in and out, and we never had issues being in each other’s way.
Condensation
I used the PEAX Solitude 6 in temperatures down to 25 degrees, and thankfully, I had a sleeping bag that kept me somewhat comfortable. There was a fair bit of condensation in the tipi interior in the morning, but nothing more than usual for a shelter. I made sure the ventilation was opened the next night and left a small opening in one of the zipper doors to help minimize this.
Stove Compatible
I haven’t had a chance to try this shelter out with a stove just yet. At the time of testing they didn’t have a stove out for this shelter. They recently introduced the Torrid XL stove, made specifically for this size of shelter. The floor has a zip away section for when a stove is used to keep it away from the heat. Someday I look forward to using it in colder weather with a stove to really test out the system. It is said that this shelter will also withstand snow to a high level due to its sloping sides which is true of all tipi style shelters.
Good Group Tent
I am thoroughly impressed by the layout, craftsmanship, and thoughtful design. This is an excellent shelter for those looking for a bit more room and with options. If you hunt with a few other people, this shelter is for you. Divide the pieces up amongst your hunting party, and you will hardly notice that you have it in your pack. If I were hunting alone or with one other person and hiking any distance, I would go with a bit smaller shelter, such as the Solitude 4, to help save space and weight in my pack. If not going far, the Solitude 6 is your castle!
Solitude 6 Pricing
The PEAX Solitude 6 comes in at $950, the Footprint is $245, the Half Nest is $495, and the Full Nest is $585. Some may swallow hard when they start adding this up in their head, but you have to think about what you are getting. You are getting a shelter that can keep you warm and dry, help you recharge at night to increase your effectiveness the next day on your hunt. A hunt that may very well produce the animal of a lifetime, even better yet, the memories that will last a lifetime. How can you put a price tag on that? You can’t…The better you sleep, the more successful your trip will be.
Conclusion
I am happy to have been given the opportunity to test the PEAX Solitude 6 Tipi, and it has earned a place on my future hunts with my family. If I get a chance to try a stove out with the Solitude 6, I will also update you on my findings. The tipi offers an excellent option for like-minded backcountry hunters, and the variety of sizes makes me want one of each!
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