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Big Agnes Blacktail 4 Person Tent Kelty Grand Mesa 4 Tent

Head-to-head comparison: specs, scores and expert verdict

Big Agnes Blacktail 4 Person Tent

Big Agnes

Big Agnes Blacktail 4 Person Tent

★ 8.1 Backpacking
Sleeps 3 Seasons 3-season Weight 7.8 lbs Est. Price $350

Best for: Versatile crossover for backpacking or campgrounds.

Kelty Grand Mesa 4 Tent

Kelty

Kelty Grand Mesa 4 Tent

★ 8.1 Dome
Sleeps 2 Seasons 3-season Weight 7 lbs 7 oz Est. Price $225

Best for: Affordable three-season backpacking and car camping.

Our Take

Worth flagging before you compare: the Big Agnes Blacktail 4 Person Tent is a backpacking and the Kelty Grand Mesa 4 Tent is a dome, so these two sit in different shelter categories.

The Big Agnes Blacktail 4 Person Tent sleeps 3 versus 2 for the Kelty Grand Mesa 4 Tent — if headcount matters, that's the deciding factor before you even look at scores.

The Big Agnes Blacktail 4 Person Tent and the Kelty Grand Mesa 4 Tent are remarkably well-matched, both scoring 8.1 overall.

The biggest gap is space and comfort, where the Big Agnes Blacktail 4 Person Tent holds a clear advantage.

The Kelty Grand Mesa 4 Tent also has a price edge — $125 less at $224 versus $349.

Your best pick will come down to personal priorities, so check the full specs comparison below.

Score Comparison

Big Agnes Blacktail 4 Person Tent
Kelty Grand Mesa 4 Tent
Overall Score
8.1
8.1
Space & Comfort
9.0
7.5
Quality & Durability
8.0
8.0
Weather Resistance
8.0
8.0
Value for Money
7.0
8.0
Ease of Use
7.5
8.0
Intangibles
8.0
7.5

Pros & Cons

Big Agnes Blacktail 4 Person Tent

  • Spacious 60 square foot floor
  • Dual vents for excellent airflow
  • Value pricing for Big Agnes quality
  • Heavy weight hampers long treks
  • Small vestibule limits gear storage

Kelty Grand Mesa 4 Tent

  • Lightning-fast Quick Corner setup
  • Durable aluminum press-fit poles
  • Oversized Shark Mouth bag
  • Single entry door
  • Cramped for four

Full Specs

SpecBig Agnes Blacktail 4 Person TentKelty Grand Mesa 4 Tent
Tent Type Backpacking, Dome Dome, Backpacking
Capacity 3 people 2 people
Seasons 3 Season 3 Season
Est. Price $350 $225
Weight 7.8 Lbs 7 Lbs 7 Oz
Floor Area 60.0 ft² 53.3 ft²
Vestibule Area 11 + 11 Sq Ft 18.8 Sq Ft
Peak Height 50 55
Doors 2 1
Floor Dimensions 90 X 96 In 96 X 80 In
Pole Material Aluminum Aluminum DAC Pressfit
Floor Fabric Polyester With 1500mm Waterproof Polyurethane Coating Coated Nylon Taffeta
Rainfly Fabric Recycled 75D Polyester Coated Polyester Taffeta
Setup Time 5 Mins 5 Mins
Warranty Limited Lifetime Limited Lifetime
Made In Imported Imported

Ready to Buy?

Big Agnes

Big Agnes Blacktail 4 Person Tent

Kelty

Kelty Grand Mesa 4 Tent

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