Here is my take on the SO teepee system. I have a Cimmeron and a 8 man. For cold weather subtract 2 for the amount of people it says it can hold. Plan on packing a separate tarp for storing your gear outside of the tent. Go with the biggest stove you can. Always get the full liner system or you will have condensation. Always take a sleeping bag rated lower than the temps you are expecting.
My Cimmeron is a 2 man hot tent and max 4 no gear or extra space without stove in warm weather. I use it on solo trips and put a full cot in it and all my extra gear including a fold out table.
My 8 man is a 6 man winter tent. All gear has to be outside. My wife, german shepard and I use it as a main camp. 2 full size cots, long folding table, all the gear, 2 folding chairs, and my wife's port-a-jon, plus 2 5gal jugs of water (along with her bags of unnecessary "for me" crap). 8 man would be cramped in warm weather for 8 people but it will do it.
You could save weight on the 8 man and get the carbon pole but here is the deal. You are going to have to spilit up the 8 man between people so no point on spending extra money on the carbon pole. 1 person will draw the short straw and get the shell to pack, another person packs the liner, another the pole sections and stakes, and the last guy gets the stove.
Once camp is made up go gather wood with a group of guys that won't take long. If you're in a spot that has rocks, preferably flat rocks, make a rock pile/wall around your stove. The rocks hold heat for a long time and make your titanium quick cooling stove more efficient.
