Tips On Kelty Tents.

Even though Kelty tents have a good reputation, some are better than others for camping and backpacking...

From my research it seems most Kelty tents with a full-rainfly are pretty weather-proof, and occasionally if they do leak it's usually at the floor corners. It doesn't seem to be a huge problem but you may want to dab on a little seam sealant just in case. The tents below also offer good ventilation which is a huge advantage when it's hot (for cooling) or cold (to avoid condensation). Although Kelty offers tents priced in the low to medium price-range they can offer great value for your money if you get the right one. Kelty is a good company that stands behind their product with a lifetime warranty.

As with most camping tents, keep in mind tent companies tend to be rather optimistic in their size ratings. Usually it's a good idea to go a size or two bigger than what you think you'll need so you'll have room for gear. I also recommend getting your tent from a store with a great reputation like Back Country or REI below. They stand behind their products unlike some stores that forget about their customer once the sale is done.

The Mantra is a bigger family tent that holds up well to wind and rain. If you want to take your family or several friends camping the 7-Person 3-Season Kelty Mantra 7 Tent (links open new windows) is 6 feet high and offers lots of floor space (they also offer smaller versions of the same tent). The DAC (Dongah Aluminum Corporation) aluminum poles mean it will take a beating better than fiberglass. The full-rainfly, sealed seams, and bathtub floor go a long way toward keeping you dry although I did hear about one family experiencing a corner leak during an 18 hour thunderstorm that left two inches of standing water outside... considering it's a tent and not a boat, that's not too shabby. ;-)

The Kelty Gunnison 4 Tent is a 4-Person, 3-Season tent, that offers a full-rainfly so it provides more protection from the weather. Weighing in at 8 lbs 11 oz it's good for car camping but a bit on the heavy side for backpacking unless you split the load with a partner. The DAC aluminum poles are some of the best available and increase durability, while the taped seams, bathtub floor, and full-rainfly will help keep you dry. And the vestibule and storage pockets will keep your camping equipment and hiking gear out of the way.The two below are available at REI.

As I mentioned more room is better. I wouldn't go with a 2 person tent unless you're trying to save weight/space because you're backpacking or if you do a lot of solo camping. Otherwise 2 people in a two person tent is a tight fit. That being said the 2-Person 3-Season Kelty Gunnison 2 Tent offers a full-rainfly, bath tub floor, and taped seams to keep you dry. And I can't believe this tent has DAC aluminum poles for the price, usually you have to pay 2 to 3 times more than this to get high quality poles.

At 5 lbs 11 oz it's not too heavy, When you throw in the two vestibules and internal pockets this Kelty tent is amazing for the price.

If you're looking for lightweight Kelty tents for backpacking the Kelty Crestone 2 Tent 2-Person 3-Season comes in at 4 lbs 12 oz or if you want to go minimal, you can whittle it down to 4 lbs 2 oz. Two doors make getting in and out easier and two vestibules make for 14 more square feet of storage, which beats having stinky hiking boots by your nose all night long.

Like the 2 person Gunnison above I can't believe they offer aluminum poles at this price, even if there's only two of them! At 30 square feet it doesn't offer a lot of floor space, so if you insist on a 2 person tent the 7 extra square feet the Gunnison offers might be something for you to consider, but they're both great Kelty tents. So decide if weight or space is more important and enjoy your new Kelty tent.