PEAX Solitude 4 Tipi - Awakened Through Improved Design

WARNING - Admittedly, I have not spent a night on the mountain in every model of tipi available to the consumer today. But, I have absolutely spent many nights through many years in what is easily argued as the most popular tipi produced since the mid 2010s. With a background in the developmental testing of equipment intended to service the end warfighter (my prior life), this is an authentic account of my observations and experience with the PEAX Solitude 4 Tipi.

When the modern tipi and collapsible wood stove design started becoming popular in our industry some years ago now, it was like courting a catfish that you had clearly misjudged during your “initial approach”. Sure, the thought of adventuring in mountainous regions by means of a shelter combined with a wood stove was captivating, but the learning curve thereafter was often plagued from the selection of one unimproved site to the next. Much like a catfish, the lesser desirable characteristics of the tipi design in general began to present themselves there. From having to regularly reposition its surrounding tent stakes to achieve an optimized pitch to enduring the constrained living spaces found within, there were naturally those problems one would ultimately accept in exchange for reduced pack weight and reliable revival by fire.

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front): The Solitude 4 Tipi produced by the few folks at PEAX Equipment was purposefully designed to solve the many well-known challenges that have proven inherent to the modern tipi with wood stove setup, and through their extensive field-testing thereafter, the backcountry hunter of today can truly “thrive on the mountain”.

More Livable Space

With the Solitude 4 Tipi, the wall angle is steeper in comparison to many other 4-person tipis in production today, if not all. PEAX achieved this by responsibly optimizing an effective footprint that works well with an increase in overall height (i.e., 80”). By doing so, the benefits include more usable space around the perimeter of the shelter from within, reduced deflection in the fabric panels when presented with various forces such as frost or wind, and an increase in an overall effectiveness to shed precipitation.

And having more livable space with the Solitude 4 Tipi doesn’t end there. In fact, it extends significantly further when combined with PEAX Equipment’s patent-pending design known as CROSSTREK Stabilization ™ . When this unique system is employed with most any set of trekking poles, every benefit mentioned in the previous paragraph is greatly enhanced. Quite frankly, I’ve never experienced a more robust and structurally sound tipi design that’s capable of withstanding extremely austere conditions. And to top it all off, this system allows for a very effective drying rack in the upper ⅓ of the shelter where one’s saturated gear can reliably be made dry and ready for the day that follows.

More Usable Doors

Not unlike many other modern tipi products, the PEAX Solitude 4 Tipi includes two zippered doors located on opposite sides of one another. The difference, however, is that PEAX chose to orient their zippered doors on dedicated fabric panels rather than along structural seams, such as is the case with my personal tipi of some many years. It’s comical to reflect on my prior tipi experiences when looking at the improved design that is the Solitude 4 Tipi, as getting in and out of the shelter has never been easier.

Easier Tent Stake Placement

When combined with the optional 13.2 oz SilNylon Footprint, positioning one’s tent stakes most effectively is achievable the first time, every time. This is a big deal for those folks who have used other tipi designs before! Here, one simply positions and anchors the Footprint and then proceeds to connect the lower attachment points of the Solitude 4 Tipi to the same tent stakes there. It’s really that easy. In fact, I unboxed these PEAX Equipment products for the first time while backpacking in the dead of winter and above 10,000 feet in elevation with a fading sun and steady wind (i.e., steady at 12-15 MPH, gusting to 20 MPH). Had I been with my personal tipi that I’ve had for many years in that setting, it’s likely that repositioning my surrounding tent stakes would have been necessary a time or two in the frozen setting…and my enjoying the warmth of the wood stove from within would have taken significantly longer.

Like a Good Wingman

The last tidbit I will share here concerning the Solitude 4 Tipi concerns the patent-pending design that is PEAX Equipment’s SINGLEPOINT Guyout ™ . Much like a good wingman in combat, this system supports you without any coercing or coaching necessary. Admittedly, I first thought of this design to be a bit of a gimmick. Well, I was dead wrong. The SINGLEPOINT Guyout ™ system allows for the timely securing of the tipi through no more than one tent stake per side, effectively allowing for an incredibly strong, overall structure. Not only was this unique feature appreciated during my initial field setup, but it came in handy during the 11-degree Fahrenheit morning that followed with very, very frozen ground. It just plain sucks to pull tent stakes out of frozen ground, so having fewer to pull was much appreciated!

The Wrap-Up

So, what should one do before their pending hunting adventures for 2025? Well, this system was designed so well in my opinion that the next objective for each hunter reading this article is simple. I’d encourage them to reflect on their prior discomforts experienced while sheltered on the mountain and to consider how much better they’d be when venturing with an improved shelter such as this. It’s not the product that I personally care so much about, it’s the experience. Time is both finite and precious. Don’t waste the time you’ll spend doing what you love during the hunts that lie ahead for you.

Have a gear-related question? The Torrid Hot Tent Stove has proven equally well-designed! Give us a call at (435) 263-0207 or shoot us an email at info@gearfool.com today and we’d be happy to help where we can!