Traditional Tipi Makers 2017

[Bryan Bondurant]

My wall tent died a couple weeks ago, so now looking for a traditional tipi. As some know, tent and tipi makers come and go, so wanting to know if anyone has recent experience on makers now in business?

What I want is simple old school 14 to 16 ft. canvas tipi made in USA, any ideas, updates, or recent experience with tipi makers welcome.

Also, I have not been to any major camps or shoots in years, are there any tipi makers going to these events like Compton? or supporting traditional archery?

[monterey]

http://strinztipi.com

I have not purchased from him but know many who have.  Been around many many years.

[58WINTERS]

Nomadic tepee.  www.tipi.com

[hunting badger]

Reliable Tent & Tipi out of Billings Montana! they have been in business for a long time and make a quality product. I have bought a 16' tipi and a spike tent from them and I think highly of their products!

[K.S.TRAPPER]

Originally posted by hunting badger:
Reliable Tent & Tipi out of Billings Montana! they have been in business for a long time and make a quality product. I have bought a 16' tipi and a spike tent from them and I think highly of their products!

X2, I've had my Tipi I bought from them about 10yrs and have had no problems with it. My sister and brother also have the same Tipi and I called them and they said the same,Very happy with there's to. We have done many rendezvous yearly and camping trips and there's nothing like them.

[K.S.TRAPPER]

Here's mine at Rendevous in Oklahoma.

Tracy

[Bryan Bondurant]

Thanks, checking out those websites now,

[calgarychef]

Teepees are nice but yurts don't need those long poles.  I can get my yurt into the back of a pickup.  It might be something to consider if you're still in the searching process.

[slowbowjoe]

Nomadics has been around a long time. Never had one of their tipis (the two I've had were made by individuals no longer making them), but I've gotten some liners from them for sweatlodge covers. Good folks to deal with.

[Bryan Bondurant]

Originally posted by calgarychef:
Teepees are nice but yurts don't need those long poles.  I can get my yurt into the back of a pickup.  It might be something to consider if you're still in the searching process.

Yurts are awesome, i know of several getting used in Alaska for full time residence. the best thing about them is adding insulation layers into the walls and roof, and they are fairly low profile in sustained wind. In any situation that weather was getting below zero for more than a day, especially Alaska Interior type weather, minus 50 and more for a week at a time, where a pinhole can blow ice out of it like a fire hydrant, where you need to seal up and hunker down a yurt would be the thing.

I came close to buying a tipi when I got my wall tent. The big reason i got the wall tent was the pole situation and traveling. The solution to the pole situation is to add a front bumper ladder extension that can be taken on and off. Thats a hassle too, but best option.

Tipi Advantages = One of the best advantages is being to roll up a side in hotter weather. You can also do the mosquito net thing if needed in heat. Its that sweet spot for camping in fall deer hunting weather and the open fire that most attracts me to the tipi. Another good thing is multiple historical camps accepting the tipi including all archery and blackpowder historical camps, rendezvous. Ultimately, there is something about a tipi thats mythologically American as apple pie and bald eagles.

 

[Bryan Bondurant]

 

A couple of my favorite historical pictures of real tipi,

[Bryan Bondurant]

This is the oldest known photo of a tipi, Daguerreotype, 1847 or 1853?

[Sam McMichael]

Tenstsmiths is an exceptional company both in terms of product and customer service. Check them out before you make your decision. They are good folks.

[tracker12]

I have owned a tent from Reliable Tents and can vouch for there quality.

[Homebru]

Tipis, yurts.......I love my bell tent.  Lay it out. One pole.  Stake it out.  Camping.
homebru

 

[gvdocholiday]

Originally posted by Homebru:
Tipis, yurts.......I love my bell tent.  Lay it out. One pole.  Stake it out.  Camping.
homebru

   

I've been eying up a Bell Tent from Canvascamp.us

Not sure if I can get over all the guy-lines though.  I've been spoiled by the lack of overall footprint(tent+guy lines) in my Kodiak Canvas tent.

[calgarychef]

There a lot to be said for a good bell tent and im considering making one but for an extended stay or in very rough weather I'd take the yurt.

A yurt in a wind and a bell tent in a wind....there's a reason yurts are used in Mongolia instead of centre pole tents.  I don't think anything performs as well in the wind.  

Another consideration of yurts over teepee's is the heat doesn't rise up and away in the yurt, it stays down where the people are.  I hot days I roll up the base of the wall and it's cool and comfy.  I've never had mosquito problems even without a floor.  But if there's poisonous critters the bell tent with floor makes sense.

[Homebru]

Originally posted by calgarychef:
There a lot to be said for a good bell tent and im considering making one but for an extended stay or in very rough weather I'd take the yurt.
.....
Another consideration of yurts over teepee's is the heat doesn't rise up and away in the yurt, it stays down where the people are.  I hot days I roll up the base of the wall and it's cool and comfy.  I've never had mosquito problems even without a floor.  But if there's poisonous critters the bell tent with floor makes sense.

Yurts have a frame, as I recall.  Apples and oranges.

I can roll up the walls on my bell tent anytime I'd like.

Not trying to argue, just clear so everyone understands the differences......in a TIPI thread.

Sorry for the hijack
homebru

[Bryan Bondurant]

Originally posted by Homebru:
 

Originally posted by calgarychef:
There a lot to be said for a good bell tent and im considering making one but for an extended stay or in very rough weather I'd take the yurt.
.....
Another consideration of yurts over teepee's is the heat doesn't rise up and away in the yurt, it stays down where the people are.  I hot days I roll up the base of the wall and it's cool and comfy.  I've never had mosquito problems even without a floor.  But if there's poisonous critters the bell tent with floor makes sense.

Yurts have a frame, as I recall.  Apples and oranges.

I can roll up the walls on my bell tent anytime I'd like.

Not trying to argue, just clear so everyone understands the differences......in a TIPI thread.

Sorry for the hijack
homebru [/b]

No worries, and not a hijack. Most of the people reading here probably have no experience with any kind of tipi, yurt, wall tent, or bell or any of the more obscure historical types of tents, so all good info.

I always wanted a tipi, for many reasons, certainly its not the most practical thing, at least until its set up, when its cold, and your covered in fur next to the fire with the cold air, rain, and snow on the other side of the heavy poles and canvas, smoke flaps adjusted just right.

I am also interested in painting a tipi to make it mine, kinda like taking the chrome off a motorcycle. The good thing about the paint is to add it to wear areas like around the bottom and top.

Thanks to everyone so far that added a name to look into. We are lucky to have some great people making great tipi, lots of good choices.

Just curious if anyone reading this ever made their own?

[slowbowjoe]

I've lived in tipis for a few years. Also built and lived in a yurt for a spell. Never sewed my own tipi though.
As far as transporting the poles - I've moved many a set on a plain old wood rack on my pickup, without a front bumper rack (up to poles for about a 17' lodge).
For plans to sew your own, as well as painting, use, options, tricks, history, and whatever else you want to know, there is no better resource out there than the book "The Indian Tipi" by Reginald and Gladys Laubin. It is the definitive text on the subject, and very readable.

I went back and read all the posts Bryan, and want to focus on your draw to the tipi.
Make no mistake, I appreciate the qualities of yurts, and bell tents, but I will say this (as I have for decades): No dwelling has the same feeling of beauty and magic as the tipi. It's calling you.