Ranger Doug

We have a kelty two person backpacking tent and two single backpacking mats that click together if you want to sleep side by side. we typically use our own sleeping bags but we do have a two person one that can also zip off into two individuals. She carries the tent and I carry all the food/water and cooking supplies to even up the weight.

I use a kelty 3 man for car camping- it’s light and plenty of room for gear and myself and enough room for the get times my wife came camping. and I like it enough that I got the 2p backpack version. It also probably way und your budget number

I have been an REI truther for years, and have owned their Half Dome tent as well as a Kelty 2 person tent. I know how valuable it can be to have nice gear, but recently I’ve been thinking: is there any reason not to spend $50 on a tent from amazon, and if it breaks just buy another one? I could do this six times before spending as much as I would on a tent from a major retailer. As long as i check the weather, as I bet amazon rain flies aren’t trustworthy, is there any downside to choosing a cheap ass tent over an expensive one? Edit: seeing comments about waste. I admit I was thinking only about money, and you’re right I don’t want to be dumping Amazon tents and right

Don't blame the tent for the weather. The vestibule could be used as a windbreak - to cook in and stuff like that. I like the looks of that tent. I really like my 2 person Kelty, but have yet to find the perfect tent. Mine lets in small puddles near the corners during heavy rains.

I have two tents (both kelty brand) a two person for solo backpacking/short trips where bad weather isn’t forecast and a 4 person for trips where I have another person in the tent with me or I plan on having to spend more time in the tent. Totally a reasonable move and the bigger tents really aren’t usually much harder to set up unless you have some huge 10 person multi room situation

I’m cheap and like to backpack and camp. Kelty has stuff that works for me. I have a 2 person standalone tent that weighs about 5 lbs. I’ve had it for almost ten years with moderate use and few complaints. I am about to upgrade though as it can produce some condensation and it could be a little lighter. I’ve also got a Kelty 20 degree mummy style sleeping bag that works well for me. It’s light weight and compresses down to a little bit bigger than a softball. Hope this helps.

I bought a Walmart tent a few years back and camped with my girlfriend. Downpour happened. She ran in tent, I cleaned up and came into the tent soaked. It was leaking because it was shit material. And she farted right before I came in so my only safe space from the rain smelled like fart. Rough go.  Bought a Kelty tent after and haven’t looked back haha.