Kelty Gunnison 2.1 Tent

Comments about Kelty Gunnison 2.1 Tent:

I've lost count of how much I've used this tent. It's seen weeks on the beach to weeks in the snowy mountains and stood up to the test with zero failures. This tent has 2 poles that are connected with a swivel that makes the tent easy and actually pretty fun to set up.

The rainfly does what it's supposed to, and even though it might appear that the seam between the mesh and the waterproof fabric at the bottom of the tent doesn't come up high enough, I've yet to have this tent let any water in, even in brutal, windy rains. The rainfly does, however, collect enough condensation that I usually have to dry it out somewhat in the mornings before packing it up. This was a source of tears on the beach.

If the rainfly flaps that serve as doors to both sides of the tent are rolled back and strapped in with the built-in loop locks, this thing can let a breeze through that will make you curl up snug in your bag and get the best sleep you've ever had.

The construction and durability of the tent is second-to-none. I'm routinely out in Texas brush and cactus land that shreds light fabrics and ruins thermarests, but there's no damage to my tent thus far. None of the seams are showing any signs of wear despite constant compression stuffing and unpacking, and the poles are rugged.

This tent comfortably sleeps 2 plus all gear and I've had 3 plus a large dog and gear in it before, still comfortably, with some clever positioning. The rainfly of course serves as something of a vestibule on either side of the tent, but you won't have trouble packing in 2 5000+ cc backpacks and tons of strewn-about gear and still getting a decent stretch. If you're too tall for this, then the vestibules will comfortably accommodate your bags and boots.

If you're in the market for a tent that will make you feel guilty for looking at another tent, this is the one.

Comments about Kelty Gunnison 2.1 Tent:

I spent a lot of time looking for a tent with a wider footprint. My husband is a bed hog at home and on camping trips. I needed space out of self defense. After comparing and measuring this one seemed right.
The first time I set this up was easy and fast. That night it poured buckets and stayed very dry inside. I was worried about the potential for splash up under the fly with the low mesh panels, but no such problem. No condensation on the inside. I think staking out the ends really helps. I notice many people don't take the time to do this. Loved the room in inside and in the vestibules. Do wish the fly used velcro at the bottom of the flaps instead of snaps, but minor issue.
Second time in it was my husband and I at the coast of TX. Winds BLEW the entire weekend! The tent had no problems. No bent poles, never even saw it bend over. Got home set it up washed out the sand and blown in salt, cleaned up beautifully. Husband and I had plenty of room with no claustraphobic episodes. YEAH!
This tent is easily carried by me on my backpack and I am a wimp. Could easily be split between two packs for even easier carrying. It packs a little wider than some tents but not really a big issue.
After a year of use and camping at least once a month I have absolutely no regrets with this purchase.

Comments about Kelty Gunnison 2.1 Tent:

I've owned this tent after living and camping in three very different states - Spring/Summer camping in Alabama, fall camping in northern California, and now three season camping in Texas. This tent has performed admirably in all three settings. It has comfortably fit, me, a tall guy, a big dog, and a little dog, with our gear in the vestibules and we slept well (okay, well it was a tad snug).

The trick for me is the idiot-proof setup. I have set up a LOT of tents, and this one is a 5 minute process, even in the dark - throw down the footprint, toss the tent on top, get the poles into the "Jake's Feet", clip the tent to the poles, stake it out, put on the rainfly, and you're done. When well-guyed out, this tent withstood winds off the Pacific ocean that had the walls nearly horizontal, but every time it snapped right back up.

For the money, I couldn't be more pleased.

Comments about Kelty Gunnison 2.1 Tent:

If you are purchasing a tent specifically for light weight and some elbow room or extra length, this is a great choice. It's wider and longer than most other entries in this class at this price. As car We car camp and back pack and have multiple tents for differing uses and conditions, so we have considerable tent experience. This tent sets up very quickly and the tent itself is pretty sturdy and tight. The fly is another story.
It's very difficult to get the fly pulled out tight enough all the way around. It's almost as if the fly has a little too much material. The two vents with internal support wires work very well and are a good design feature. If you carry this tent in an absolute minimalist mode, only the tent, poles and fly with no stakes or ground sheet, you can get the carry weight down to just shy of 5 pounds. The tent body and fly are just under 2 lbs each and the pole set is 1 lb. The jury is still out on the Jakes Feet at the pole ends. I have not yet seen what happens after repeated exposure to sand in the little plastic ball joint, or what happens if they get wet and freeze over night. They work very well now, but I frankly don't see any advantage to these over a pole inserted in a grommet. I would recommend this tent to a friend who needed extra space and light weight at a very good price. But with a bigger budget or average sized sleepers you might be better served by another product.

Comments about Kelty Gunnison 2.1 Tent:

After my husband and I spent a weekend in Feb of 2009 last year in the REI half dome I realized how claustrophobic I could get! So the search began for a comprable tent with more width (my husband is a bed hog). This is what I came up with.

This tent sets up very easily, even by myself. The fly can be a little tricky to get set right. Also my version has a snap at the bottom of the fly zipper that is unwieldey, would be better with velcro. But, these are minor issues.

My first camping trip, in April 2009, with this was in torrential downpours and there was no leaking. I worried about splash up from the ground through the low vents, that didn't happen. Make sure you stake out the ends of the fly to increase ventilation. I have done it both ways and without staking them out you run the risk of condensation.

My husband and I spent our first time in it at Goose Island State Park on the coast of TX. I have to say that ground did a number on my stakes. The wind blew the entire weekend and I mean blew! The tent did great. Got home and it had to be hosed down to get the sand and salt out of the fabric, but cleaned up beautifully. By the way there was plenty of room for us both and I did NOT get claustraphobic!

I don't do a lot of backpacking, but this tent could easily be split up between 2 people to carry. It has the same weight if not just a little less than the Half Dome. It does pack wider. I put it on my backpack when I camp without my husband and can carry it easily.

All in all I am very pleased with this tent. It is pricey, but I bought mine on sale. I always worry that I may not make a good choice, but this time it was spot on! Good quality. And most important of all roomy, okay not head room, but my husband and I fit a whole let better.

Comments about Kelty Gunnison 2.1 Tent:

This is/was my first backpacking tent. Originally, my friend & I had intended to backpack together & use 1 tent. However, he opted to purchase his own REI QD T2 so I have been using this on my own. All things considered, this is a very good tent but is far too heavy for a one-man-show. If you intend to split it between two people then I would not hesitate to purchase it. The tent offers plenty of room for 2 people & their gear—I am 6'1" 250 pounds.

Nevertheless, on our last trip it rained for 17 hours straight & then started to snow. His tent ended up housing our gear and we slept in mine. It was comfortable all night & never leaked. Our gear got wet in his—enough said. The fly that comes with this tent is just awesome and durable.

In the end I am very happy with this tent & will continue to find uses for it because it is easy to set up, extremely roomy, weatherproof and durable. However, for the long thru-hikes I have every intention of picking up a much lighter tent.

Comments about Kelty Gunnison 2.1 Tent:

I have the predecessor Gunnison 2. It's performed without a hitch for over 70 nights on the trail. Doesn't leak, easy to set up and take down, lots of vestibule space. Not the lightest, nor the best ventilation, but a great value and performs well consistently.

Comments about Kelty Gunnison 2.1 Tent:

I have better tents for backpacking, but have used the Gunnison A LOT for canoeing, caving, car camping, folk festivals, etc. It's a good tent, well-designed and made, keeps you high and dry with adequate space for 2. On the other hand, I returned to it after a major hour-long storm with very high winds swept through, fully expecting it to be fine as I had staked it out totally mega before I left. Though the stakes held, it had blown down, was full of water, and everything, everything, inside was soaked. I have been through normal storms in it with no issues or problems at all.

Comments about Kelty Gunnison 2.1 Tent:

Just got this to go backpacking in NZ because it was lighter than the half dome plus but the same size. Unfortunately, I did not realize you CANNOT set up just a rainfly and footprint pitch, because it uses jake's feet, not grommits. A total bummer. I read a ton of reviews and this was never mentioned, so i hope you guys don't make the same mistake if this is something important for you.

it is a beautiful color though!

Comments about Kelty Gunnison 2.1 Tent:

Bought this tent during the last sale since I have the Kelty Gunnison 4 and I and my buddies absolutely love it for its ease of setup. The set up and fairly straight forward and a piece of cake. However, one complaint though, since I bought the Gunnison 4 the design of the top dome clip, fly clips and the pole designs were changed. The poles now have a swivel in the middle of them and attaching them into the tent is fairly annoying, not as easy as the two single poles. The fly clips are not as easy to use as the older three prong clips, and the top clip works in conjunction with the swivel so if the swivel breaks the top dome clip won't work until you can find a new swivel. I have to stress the tent is nice and just a smaller scale of the Gunnison 4 and I look forward to using it a lot. I was hoping to get the exact same as my older Gunnison 4 but I guess this is what I get for waiting to pull the trigger on the Gunnison 2.1.