Kelty - Tallboy 4

I know you’re partial to Coleman, but the kelty tall boy is a simple dome tent with a 6’ center. It doesn’t have a covered exterior area if that’s important to you, but the quality is significantly better than my old Coleman.

You really have 2 requests: Comfortable for 2 weeks, I have one set of suggestions. But you need to fly with it. So that changes my recommendation. We have a Eureka 4 person tent in a tall configuration that we have flown with. There is a similar tent in production called the Kelty Tallboy 4. It is 5'10" in the center which makes it a little more comfortable. Also, while I know a Scout is Thrifty, considering some of your gear to be disposable might be to your advantage: pick up a ground tarp and a camp chair at a Walmart. Gift it to someone who is driving or donate it to a Goodwill on your way back to the airport.

The Astro 300 doesn’t have a red light but there are options that do. The Cosmo 350 does, slightly more expensive at $35. Sea to Summit makes nice pads. The STS Comfort SI is great for car camping. Mine lasted many many years. Would highly suggest getting the wide version if you are at all broad shouldered, you want to avoid your arms hanging as much as possible. Sleeping with dangling arms is really uncomfortable. Cook stuff. Honestly just buy a solid box and fill it with cheap cooking stuff, grab some old silverware/spatula/tongs etc from home, maybe a couple old pans, throw some basic spices, some oil, tin foil, paper plates, paper towels, some rags. If car camping and you have a camp stove, you don’t need to reinvent the wheel here. If you intend to cook over a fire, you will need to think about it more. Kelty makes good intro tents. Again, solid for car camping. 4 person is good for 2 people maximum.

I have had a normal kelty 4 man and the daydreamer 6. The 4 held up great for almost a decade of use (~6 trips a year with that tent) before we needed more space and upgraded. The day dreamer 6 is pitch black inside which is great for getting kids/dogs to sleep in later than sunrise. The thick fly to keep out light definitely adds a pound or two to the day dreamer vs a normal tent.

it fits my kelty 6 comfortably with space on the size. it was very tight with my kelty 4

My BF and I have 7 different tents and our favorite one is the 4-person Kelty tent that I bought for myself when I was 17-18 years old. That makes it 36-37 years old. It’s not the same shape as the one OP covets but it has the same basic options with a large back window screen and the zipper screen entrance with the additional layer of solid fabric. Unfortunately it’s so old and the fabric is becoming very brittle and fragile. Wish they still made tents like they used to.

Well if you want advice on a tent I could probably try to help you out! Just took a quick pass through the tent options and I’d recommend the core 4 person instant tent for $150 just because they’re already an established tent making brand with great reviews. I personally own a 4 person kelty tent and the quality is really good imo and they’re easy to setup. Some of the kelty tents have these sleeves that the bottom of the poles go into and it makes solo setup a breeze. My issue with instant tents like the one you mentioned, the gazelle t4, etc. is that they’re heavy and they don’t get very compact. But if you have both storage space and space in your vehicle go for it.

Are you backpacking or car camping? That makes a huge difference. I have a 4 person kelty for when I go car camping with my wife and dogs. For when I go backing with just one of my dogs I have a big Agnes copper spur 2p. When we go car camping, we have a foldable memory foam mattress, it’s quite large and takes up most of my roof box, it’s my trade off for comfort. There’s this company HEST, that makes these memory foam rolls for car camping. They look awesome, I just haven’t been to an REI lately to check them out. They are pricey but look to be really nice. I have my old ridge rest that I roll out to protect the tent floor from their paws. If your car camping and have the room, those floor mat puzzle pieces are also a great floor protector.

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. 

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.