Kelty is a brand that is known for making good-quality and affordable tents.
But what is the best Kelty tent available right now?
Well, that depends on YOUR specific needs.
Today, we’ll go over the best Kelty models for different scenarios, so you can choose one that suits you best:
- Best Overall Kelty Tent: Kelty Grand Mesa (2- & 4-Person) Tent
- Best for Backpacking: Kelty Late Start 2 Backpacking Tent
- Best for Durability: Kelty Far Out 2 Backpacking Tent
- Best for Privacy: Kelty Wireless 6 Tent
- Best for Car Camping: Kelty Caboose 4-Person Tent
- Best Dark Tent: Kelty Timeout 6-Person Tent
- Best Budget Tent: Kelty Discovery Trail 3-Person Tent
- Best for Rainy Weather: Kelty Discovery Element 6-Person Tent
- Best for Tall People: Kelty Tallboy Tent (4- & 6-Person) Tent
- Best Tent with a Vestibule: Kelty Rumpus Tent (4- & 6-Person ) with Large Vestibule
Best Kelty Tent: Our Top Picks
Kelty Grand Mesa (2- & 4-Person) Tent
Size: 2-person | Season: 3-season | Tent Type: dome, backpacking | Weight: 4 lbs 12 oz | Max Inside Height: 43″ | Dimensions: 85″ x 57″ x 43″ | Floor Area: 30 sq ft | Set-Up Time: 3 mins
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The Grand Mesa tops the list for a simple reason – it strikes the perfect balance of affordability, ease of use, and weather resistance.
First things first, Kelty tents are generally easy to set up. The Grand Mesa is no different due to the simple 2-pole design, color-coded clips, and quick-release rain fly buckles.
The dome shape and a low profile also means this tent has good wind resistance.
And when you also add DAC press-fit aluminum poles to the equation, even high winds shouldn’t be an issue.
The same goes for rain. The dome shape allows the rainwater to run down the sides rather than pooling on the top.
The rain fly goes all the way to the ground and creates a decently sized vestibule covering the door, which provides space for storing gear outside.
Pros
- Quick and straightforward to set up
- Features DAC aluminum poles
- Comes in two sizes: 2- and 4-person
- Stable in high winds due to low profile and aluminum poles
Cons
- Stakes are bad quality
Best for: camping couples
Kelty Late Start 2 Backpacking Tent
Size: 2-person | Season: 3-season | Tent Type: dome, backpacking | Weight: 4 lbs 8 oz | Max Inside Height: 40″ | Dimensions: 85″ x 54″ x 40″ | Floor Area: 29.5 sq ft | Set-Up Time: 5 mins
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If you’re backpacking, the Late Start 2 is an excellent tent choice. It’s among the lightest and quickest to set up Kelty tents, which are two important characteristics when it comes to backpacking.
This tent weighs around 4 lbs, which is pretty decent for a 2-person tent.
The pre-bent poles optimize the interior space, so there’s plenty of room above your head when you’re lying down.
The rain fly creates a rather ample vestibule for storing your gear outside. That way, you can have more room inside for sleeping.
The tent has a single door, which is expected from a backpacking tent.
However, the door is positioned to the side, which means the two people sharing the tent have to clamber over each other when getting out of the tent.
Pros
- Fast and easy to set up (even for a solo camper)
- Has two side pockets and one overhead pocket
- Vestibule stores plenty of gear with 7.9 sq ft
- Suitable for backpacking (weighs about 4 lbs)
Cons
- Single side door makes getting in and out of the tent a bit difficult for two campers
Best for: backpacking
Kelty Far Out 2 Backpacking Tent
Size: 2-person | Season: 3-season | Tent Type: dome, backpacking | Weight: 5 lbs 7 oz | Max Inside Height: 43″ | Dimensions: 84.5″ x 49.5″ x 43″ | Floor Area: 27.9 sq ft | Set-Up Time: ~7 mins
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If durability is your main concern, then the Far Out is definitely the model to keep in mind.
This tent comes with a footprint included, which helps prolong the life of the tent floor and also improves weather resistance.
Of course, the tent materials are also very durable. The rain fly is made of 68D polyester while the poles are made of aluminum, and both materials are known for being strong and long-lasting.
The Far Out comes in 2- and 3-person versions. What’s really impressive is that both versions have two doors, which is unusual for smaller Kelty tents.
Having doors on opposite sides allows occupants to easily get in and out without jumping over each other.
Each door is covered with a vestibule, which provides extra storage space for your gear or dirty boots.
The rain fly reaches the ground, so your stuff is completely protected from the elements.
Pros
- Comes with a footprint
- Two vestibules provide storage space for keeping your gear dry
- Has two doors
- Pyramid-esque rectangle shape increases headroom
Cons
- Somewhat heavy
Best for: campers who camp several times a year
Kelty Wireless 6 Tent
Size: 6-person | Season: 3-season | Tent Type: dome | Weight: 17 lbs 3 oz | Max Inside Height: 76″ | Dimensions: 118″ x 106″ x 76″ | Floor Area: 86.9 sq ft | Set-Up Time: 5 mins
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Mesh tents are great for stargazing during warm, dry nights. But falling asleep without one generally leaves the interior pretty exposed.
Well, that’s not the issue with Kelty Wireless, as this tent has opaque fabric that covers just over half the way up the sides.
In the case of unexpected rain, it will only take you a minute to attach the rain fly, thanks to the quick-release buckles.
Kelty uses color coding for just one corner, so there’s no way you can accidentally set it up the wrong way.
Being a dome tent, this model is rather stable in winds. However, the profile is everything but low.
The center height of 76” means most people can even stand up inside the tent without needing to duck.
The tent also has two large doors, and both of them are completely covered with a rain fly to create ample vestibules for storing gear.
But if you don’t need them, you can roll up the rain fly flaps to let more air and light inside the tent.
Pros
- Good for privacy since walls are covered with opaque fabric halfway up
- Center height of 76” is great for taller people
- Corner sleeves make setting up a tent easy even for a single person
- Vestibules provide a covered storage area for your gear and dirty boots
- Features plenty of storage pockets
Cons
- Can be somewhat difficult to set up for a short person
Best for: camping on established campgrounds
Kelty Caboose 4-Person Tent
Size: 4-person | Season: 3-season | Tent Type: SUV, dome | Weight: 21 lbs | Max Inside Height: 78″ | Dimensions: 84″ x 119.5″ x 78″ | Floor Area: 62.1 cu ft | Set-Up Time: 10 mins
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If you’re car camping but prefer sleeping on the ground, the Caboose 4 is a great tent for the occasion.
This tent’s extended awning can be attached to your vehicle’s open hatch to make a spacious shelter for the night.
Of course, you can also use the tent without having it attached to your car. In that case, you have a large vestibule that provides a hanging area that provides wind, sun, and rain protection.
This model comes with a shark mouth duffel, which allows you to quickly pack the tent up so you can hit the road.
The tent itself is a bit heavy, but that’s not an issue given that you’re not carrying it on your back.
The tent has a 4-person capacity, and it provides an ample sleeping area. With a peak height of 78”, you don’t need to crouch when moving around the tent.
And thanks to a massive D-door, you can easily get in and out without disturbing other occupants.
Pros
- Extended awning can be attached to your car’s hatch for more room
- You can move around the tent without crouching
- Tent can also be used as a standalone shelter
- Comes with a large shark mouth duffel for quick packing
Cons
- Too heavy for carrying on the back
Best for: car camping
Kelty Timeout 6-Person Tent
Size: 6-person | Season: 3-season | Tent Type: dome | Weight: 15 lbs | Max Inside Height: 68″ | Dimensions: 119″ x 106″ x 68″ | Floor Area: 87.6 sq ft | Set-Up Time: 8-10 mins
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Dark tents are an excellent choice for anyone who likes sleeping in, even when camping.
This isn’t a typical blackout tent, as it does let some of the light in, but it does a great job of keeping the interior dim.
Aside from keeping the sun out, the tent also keeps you safe from other elements. The dome shape allows both wind and rain to simply glide off the sides of the tent.
The rain fly is coated with a PU layer and the seams are sealed, so there’s absolutely no way for raindrops to pass through.
This model doesn’t have a vestibule, which means you have to keep your gear stored inside. However, the good side of not having a vestibule means you don’t have to deal with flaps.
Pros
- Black tent fabric keeps the interior darkened
- PU coating and taped seams prevent water from passing through the fabric
- Pre-attached guylines make it easier to keep the fabric taut
- Features plenty of storage pockets
Cons
- Gear must be stored inside
Best for: campers who like to sleep in
Kelty Discovery Trail 3-Person Tent
Size: 3-person | Season: 3-season | Tent Type: dome | Weight: 5 lbs 15 oz | Max Inside Height: 48.5″ | Dimensions: 87″ x 76″ x 48.5″ | Floor Area: 45.9 sq ft | Set-Up Time: 5 mins
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If you’re a beginner at camping, buying a wallet-friendly tent is a good way to test the grounds.
However, being on a budget doesn’t mean you should compromise quality. In that case, the Discovery Trail is a good pick.
Every camper, be they a beginner or expert, will appreciate a tent that’s easy to set up. It features pole sleeves, which make it easy for a solo camper to pitch.
Even though it’s one of Kelty’s most affordable tents, this model’s quality is at par with more expensive ones.
The inner tent is covered in mesh and features a full-size rain fly made of 68D polyester.
The rain fly is treated with a PU layer, so the rain simply slides off instead of pooling on the fabric. During a pour, the rain fly vent allows air in to get rid of condensation.
Pros
- One of the most affordable Kelty tents
- Easy to pitch for a solo camper
- Also comes in a 1- and 2-person capacity
- Decently lightweight and suitable for shorter backpacking trips
Cons
- Single door makes it harder for a camper to get in and out
Best for: campers on a budget
Kelty Discovery Element 6-Person Tent
Size: 6-person | Season: 3-season | Tent Type: dome | Weight (lbs): 15 lbs 13 oz | Max Inside Height: 77″ | Dimensions: 120″ x 107″ x 77″ | Floor Area: 89.2 sq ft | Set-Up Time: 10 mins
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Bad weather? That shouldn’t be too much of an issue if you’re camping in a Discovery Element 6.
This tent is spacious enough not to feel cramped, and it has an amazing weather resistance.
The rain fly covers the tent completely, thus keeping the water out. Thanks to the mesh body and the rain fly vent, you don’t have to worry about condensation, either.
Even though it’s a 6-person tent, it only has one door.
Now, that would typically be an issue, as you need to make your way in and out of the tent without disturbing your tent mates.
However, the door is actually quite large and tall, so that’s not an issue.
A night-light pocket is a nice touch. It allows you to turn your flashlight or a headlamp into a tent lantern. This is quite useful if you’re hanging out inside the tent before sleeping.
Pros
- Full-length rain fly keeps you protected from the elements, while a top vent ensures optimal airflow inside
- Parts are color-coded, which makes them easy to locate
- Night-light pocket turns a headlamp or flashlight into a tent lantern
- Most people can stand upright inside the tent with a center height of 77”
Cons
- Vestibule is a bit small for storing everyone’s gear
Best for: camping in rainy weather
Kelty Tallboy Tent (4- & 6-Person) Tent
Size: 4-person | Season: 3-season | Tent Type: dome | Weight: 11 lbs | Max Inside Height: 70″ | Dimensions: 85″ x 96″ x 70″ | Floor Area: 57 sq ft | Set-Up Time: 4-6 mins
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Most tents are designed with an average person in mind. This makes it a challenge for taller people to find a tent that won’t make them feel cramped.
This Kelty model is designed with those people in mind.
The Tallboy comes in two capacities, 4- and 6-person. The former is 85” long while the latter has a length of a whopping 105”!
Both also have pretty tall center heights, so you can move around the tent with ease.
The tent features just three fiberglass poles which connect into a Y construction. To make set-up even easier, the standout color schemes show you exactly which part goes where.
The pre-attached guylines also help in keeping the pitching time short.
The only issue I have with this tent is storage. Since there’s no vestibule, you have to keep all of your gear inside the tent.
At least it has four wall pockets, which help you keep the essentials close at hand.
Pros
- Comes in two capacities and suitable for groups of 3-4 people
- Extra length makes sleeping more comfortable for taller people
- The tall center height allows you to easily move around the tent
- Set-up is straightforward and quick with color-coded clips and pre-attached guylines
Cons
- You have to keep your gear inside
Best for: taller campers
Kelty Rumpus Tent (4- & 6-Person ) With Large Vestibule
Size: 4/6-person | Season: not listed | Tent Type: dome | Weight: 18 lbs 7 oz | Max Inside Height: 75.5″ | Unpacked Dimensions: 117.5″ x 105″ x 75.5″ | Floor Area: 85.7 cu ft | Set-Up Time: 4-6 mins
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If you’re on a longer camping trip or simply have too much stuff packed, a large vestibule is a great feature to have.
The Rumpus comes in two capacities, 4- and 6-person. Both have huge vestibules for storing anything from your backpacks to mountain bikes.
The vestibule can also work as a porch for your living area. There’s enough room to fit a camping table and chairs, while the rain fly keeps you safe from both sun and rain.
Even though it’s huge, the tent is rather easy to set up. The inner tent consists of two crossed poles, while the third one keeps the rain fly in place.
When not needed, the rain fly can be completely rolled up to allow more air and light inside the tent.
Aside from plenty of storage space underneath the vestibule, the tent also features four inner pockets.
These are decently sized and suitable for keeping your essentials, like your phone or flashlight, off the floor.
Pros
- Comes in two capacities, 4- and 6-person
- Vestibule creates a huge sheltered area for your gear or hanging out
- Rain fly allows additional light and air to get inside the tent when up
- Plenty of storage pockets help keep the interior tidy and organized
Cons
- Somewhat more expensive than other Kelty tents
Best for: longer trips.
Factors To Consider When Choosing The Best Kelty Tent
With so many tents Kelty has at your disposal, it’s hard to choose the best one.
To help you in that quest, I’ll guide you through several factors you should consider when buying a Kelty tent.
Types Of Kelty Tents
Kelty has a huge range of tents available. They all can be grouped into three categories, and each of them has its advantages.
Backpacking
As the name suggests, backpacking tents are supposed to be carried on your back, usually longer distances.
That means they should be as light as possible, as you shouldn’t carry more than 20% of your weight.
Obviously, the more material is involved, the heavier a tent is. That’s why backpacking tents are kept small and usually feature just one door.
Basically, you’re sacrificing a bit of comfort for a lighter pack.
Camping
Camping tents are designed for longer stays at a single campsite. They’re generally larger than backpacking tents and come with features such as vestibules and multiple doors to provide optimal comfort.
Obviously, this means they’re heavier than a typical backpacking tent. But since you’ll probably be driving up to the campsite, weight shouldn’t be an issue.
4-season
These tents are designed to withstand any weather be it rain, wind, or snow. They’re the heaviest of them all, due to being made of sturdier and thicker material.
While they’re named 4-season, these tents aren’t ideal for summer camping. If you don’t plan on camping in cold, snowy weather, you don’t need a 4-season tent.
Size & Capacity
First things first, how many people do you plan on camping with?
A general rule of thumb is always to go with a size larger.
A tent that’s labeled as a 3-person tent can fit three sleeping bags one next to another. But that means you’ll be sleeping like sardines.
If you want more room to wiggle or store gear inside, you should choose a tent with a larger capacity.
That is, unless you’re backpacking. In that case, that extra room means extra weight.
Since you’ll only be using the tent to rest at night before continuing with your trip, sacrificing comfort for low pack weight is a worthy trade-off.
Weather Resistance
What kind of weather do you plan on camping in?
If you’re only camping during warm, dry weather, then most tents will do just fine. Having a short rain fly and a mesh inner tent will optimize airflow for a good night’s sleep.
But if there’s a chance of rain, you need to make sure the tent can protect you from the elements.
Make sure the rain fly covers all the openings, preventing water from getting inside. A PU layer is also a necessary feature, as no fabric is naturally water-resistant.
If the wind is what you’re worried about, then consider getting a low-profile dome tent. Sloped, short walls allow the wind to go over the tent instead of blowing into it.
Ease Of Set-Up
No one likes spending unnecessary time pitching a tent when there’s so much fun stuff to do in the wilderness.
Luckily, Kelty tents are designed with ease of set-up in mind.
Most of them feature a crossed-pole design, which makes set-up easy even for a solo camper.
Color-coded poles and quick-release buckles also help in keeping the pitching time short.
Materials & Durability
The choice of material plays a huge role in the tent’s durability.
When it comes to fabric, a thicker material is generally more resistant to abrasion.
Most Kelty tents are made of 68D polyester, which is a rugged fabric with excellent wear and tear resistance.
As for the poles, the two most common options are fiberglass and aluminum. While fiberglass is not bad, aluminum poles are better.
Aluminum bends in high winds, so it doesn’t break. Fiberglass, on the other hand, can snap under high pressure.
FAQs
Where Can I Purchase Kelty Tents?
Kelty tents are available from the brand’s website, as well as many other outdoor and e-commerce websites, such as REI and Amazon.
What Is The Price Range For Kelty Tents?
Kelty tents are considered budget-friendly, with tents ranging from under $100 to $700.
How Do I Choose The Right Kelty Tent For My Camping Needs?
There are several factors to consider when choosing the right Kelty tents.
From size and materials to ease of set up and weather resistance, these all can influence whether a tent is suitable for your trip or not.
Decide your priorities, then choose your tent based on what checks those boxes!
Does Kelty Offer A Warranty On Their Tents?
Kelty offers a limited lifetime warranty on all of their tents. That means every tent is covered against manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship for the lifetime of the product.
Are Kelty Tents Easy To Set Up For Beginners?
Kelty tents are designed with ease of set up in mind. They have many features that make pitching beginner-friendly, like color-coded poles and pre-attached guylines.
To Sum Things Up
If you’re set on buying a Kelty tent, there are many great models to choose from.
Still, the Kelty Grand Mesa stands out from the crowd for many reasons. It’s affordable, easy to pitch and has excellent weather resistance.
It also comes in two sizes, so it’s suitable for both solo campers and small groups.
Ultimately though, any of the tents on this list are worthy options, and the title of best Kelty tent goes to whatever one will suit you best.
Happy choosing!