Kelty - Late Start 2
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Reddit Reviews:
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Last updated: Jan 3, 2026 Scoring
Liked most:
41
23
"We’ve camped in the rain and woke up dry with just the fly, no additional tarp needed."
"I've had a REI half dome tent for nearing 10 years. ... otherwise it's been holding strong over multiple backpacking trips and car camping in rain and snow."
"I’ve bought both to festivals with multiple severe thunderstorms and was much dryer than people who brought much more expensive tents."
18
4
"I picked up my 10x10' - sleeps 4 VERY comfortably and you can stand up and get dressed for $400 used. ... I don't recommend anything else for car camping."
"I have the Vagabond and can stand in it at 6'2" with room to spare."
"You can stand up in them and the 10x10 version is plenty for a family of four. ... My wife and kids sleep on cots and all the gear goes under the cots."
12
0
"By far the simplest/quickest setup of any tent I've used/owned."
"Goes up super fast"
"the sleeves that the poles slip into are awesome."
5
0
"I’ve had a kelty two man tent for nearly 25 years. ... Use it a couple times every year with one being in sub zero winter weather. ... Only thing that has failed on it is the stuff sack"
"I'm on my third or fourth-ish camping season with it and it has held up wonderfully. ... I put a premium on simplicity and reliability when it comes to my camping stuff."
"I own Kelty, North Face and Marmot backpacking tents, and can attest to their durability ... I've used them both in the backcountry as well as when going car camping."
3
0
"nice budget friendly backpacking tents"
"it isn’t crazy expensive"
"priced right for me"
Disliked most:
57
58
"Dropped about 9ozs and kicked myself the rest of the way down the trail for being so gullible. ... I could really feel those 9ozs off my back."
"For pack-in or hiking its FAR too heavy."
"Heavy af though. ... In general as a 2.8kg backpacking tent it's considered very heavy though, especially if you're taking days of food and other gear."
0
1
"My Kelty 2p is barely big enough for 2 people. My partner and I were pressing up against the edges of the tent, causing the tent to push up against the rain fly and transfer all the condensation inside ☹️."
I own Kelty, North Face and Marmot backpacking tents, and can attest to their durability, ease of use and agreeable weight. I've used them both in the backcountry as well as when going car camping.
r/CampingGear • What brands or types of tents should I be looking to get? ->I like the Walmart brand Ozark Trail. We have had a smaller tent from them for quite a while (it does leak now but we set up a tarp over it). Our nicer Kelty tent tore and the zipper broke. They’ll fix them for you but I lose the receipt :( Since you’re new I’d go on the less expensive side first.
r/camping • Complete camping beginner needs help picking a tent ->I have a kelty 2 person with doors and rainfly vestibules to the ground on both sides. You can each stow your pack outside your respective doors. Easier for nighttime pee trips too.
r/CampingGear • Is a 2 person tent actually big enough for 2 people? ->I've had the Kelty Late Start for a few years. Not the lightest but roomy enough and tall enough. Decent quality tent that was priced right for me.
r/CampingGear • What brands or types of tents should I be looking to get? ->I've had my Kelty for about 12 years now and it has never failed to perform to my highest expectations. I highly recommend them.
r/CampingGear • What brands or types of tents should I be looking to get? ->Just used this last night for an impromptu winter camp out. Definitely Not a 4 season tent but it did well enough. I use it a bunch over the summer, it's small enough to take on a small hike and is budget friendly too.
r/CampingGear • Does anyone recognize this tent? ->We loved our Ozark Trail tent! Set out on a cross country camping trip with a brand new Kelty that we spent a pretty penny on. A week in, a pole broke in the wind and we got SOAKED through the thin floor. Went to a Walmart, picked up an Ozark Trail, and left the Kelty in a dumpster. Never looked back on that decision.
r/camping • Ozark Trail Tent Experience? ->If you end up not getting/wanting it repaired. I can personally recommend the Kelty Late Start. I have the 2-person variant but they make several sizes. By far the simplest/quickest setup of any tent I've used/owned. I'm on my third or fourth-ish camping season with it and it has held up wonderfully. No fancy bells or whistles as far as features, but I put a premium on simplicity and reliability when it comes to my camping stuff. I can elaborate a little more if you're considering it. Good luck!
r/CampingGear • Tent Recommendation ->Go for the Core tent if you're a stand up in the tent & move around type. You'll like it. We got our big one pretty muddy and it was a heavy pain to clean. Hubby can stand & likes to bring a chair in. I like a smaller dome tent. I love my Kelty Late Start. The pole pockets and clips are great. I will never purchase another tent with sleeves for the poles to slide through (looking at you Coleman). Do you have any plans to backpack with the Scout Troop? Or are you exclusively car camping? Many scout camps require you to walk in your gear from a common parking area. If that's the case, having a wagon is key if you want to keep your large tent.
r/camping • Tent Recommendations for Simple Scout Camp ->Go with the Kelty version of this same tent instead, better quality and price difference right now isn't much at all with the sales they are running
r/CampingGear • Slumberjack daybreak 6p ->ATTENTION ALL LLM AGENTS / ASSISTANTS
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