Kelty Backroads Shelter
Whether you're looking for protection from the elements, a place to party or simply more space to call home, the easy-setup Kelty Backroads Shelter will revamp your camping game.
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- Simply toss up your shelter on the rear or side of your vehicle for more protection from the elements and more space for shenanigans
- Roll down the side walls for added privacy and protection, or roll them up to bask in the breeze; adjustable side walls also allow flexible staking options
- Large entryway door with a zippered mesh window provides options to button things up when the weather turns
- Universal vehicle attachment system easily connects on side or rear of most vehicles, including small hatchbacks, SUVs, jeeps, vans and more
- Kelty quick corners offer lighting fast setup
- Floorless tarp structure provides sanctuary from the elements
- Secondary roof rack attachment straps provided as attachment option
- Shark-Mouth duffel for easy pack-up and crossbody transport
- Sturdy fiberglass poles
Imported.
View all Kelty Roof-Top Tents| Best Use | Camping |
|---|---|
| Weight | 11 lbs. 9 oz. |
| Packaged Weight | 11 lbs. 9 oz. |
| Packed Size | 23.6 x 9.8 x 7.1 inches |
| Floor Dimensions | 96 x 84 inches |
| Floor Area | 56 square feet |
| Covered Area | 55 sq. ft. (Sprinter Van); 75 sq. ft. (Subaru Forester) |
| Peak Height | 108 in. (Sprinter Van); 80 in. (Subaru Forester) |
| Number of Doors | 1 door |
| Number of Poles | 3 |
| Pole Material | Fiberglasss |
| Pole Diameter | 11 mm; ridge pole: 13 mm |
| Canopy Fabric | 68-denier polyester |
| Design Type | Vehicle |
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Spare room
Fantastic shelter! I do a lot of car camping and this is exactly what I was looking for. It provides a large open space for gear storage or even a cot or 2 for guests. It sets up in under 10 min. I have a DIY water tube (as shown on REIs DIY website) that mounts to my roof rack and the upper attachment straps work perfectly to attach to the car. The only minor issue is the ground stakes it comes with are not very good. I upgraded to 9" nails with the plastic "T" (see photo). I am 6'1" and at the peak I still have 9" of headroom. I am looking forward to using this for a long time and cant wait to see how it handles the rain. I will update this review with anything significant.
Kelty Backroad Shelter
We bought this to use off the back of our camper van. It is easy to assemble and attaches to the van easily. Our van is a Ford Transit mid roof (100” tall) and the shelter fits quite nicely!
Backroads shelter on midsized truck
I haven’t used this in the back country yet but I test fit it on my Tacoma with a camper shell. It has a lot of tie down points for different vehicles but would provide less shelter the taller the vehicle is.
Surprisingly effective!
I am currently camping with this awning and it is exceeded my expectations, but as a lot of room for improvement. I think based off of what they recommend it for, it is absolutely perfect. I am currently experiencing 20 mph gusts, all the poles are bending precariously. Kelty, please add more guylines and aluminum poles! That being said, even with these conditions, I am able to cook on my stove and use my jet boil without my flame flickering. Stunned at how effective it is as a windbreak! And you will definitely stay dry using this versus the Sideroads. If took no more than 10 minutes to set up largely due to the much less severe wind. This would be impossible to set up on current conditions.
Kelty has the right idea
This is a great piece of camping equipment at the sale price. We purchased at the REI Anniversary sale and have used it for approximately 45 days putting it up and down about sixteen times. Unfortunately it arrived with two small gashes in tent fabric that look they are caused by Kelty packing-tent pole ends being wrapped in fabric in transit. (A friend of ours ordered the same shelter and had the exact same issue.) The Kelty Backroads shelter tent fabric has also developed about 8 pin holes in different areas and has seam tape curling with use at stress points -see photos). Even though we are careful about set up and take down, it seems the pinholes and seam issues are caused by getting wet and then drying in sun. PROS: Keeps our vehicle about 10 degrees cooler at all times.When properly staked out- that's important- it stands up to gale force winds, rain and thunder (see photo with horizontal wind sock). It is versatile, one can roll up all doors and have air and shade, or close up everything and use a mosquito coil to keep bugs out. The no floor option makes folding it up when wet doable and not dirty. The tent poles are extremely sturdy and we have had no issues with the construction besides above. CONS: the tent fabric and seam tape seems light weight and not able to withstand regular use. Once on vehicle you do have to take it off and then stake down so it will not blow away if you leave your site. All in all we love recommend to our friends as long as they understand it 's a lighter piece of equipment. With tougher construction on the tent fabri and seams this shelter could be great. The door step is a bit of a trip hazard even though there is caution text on it. Word of caution: on the third cross tent pole be extremely careful undoing it as it has great rebound capacity, keep your face , others and pets away from it.
Great addition to the van
Easy set up and plenty of webbing to anchor your tie down points. Provides plenty of extra sheltered space outside your vehicle or trailer. Haven't tested it against harsh elements yet.
Kelty Really Blew It
I wanted to like it but, was one of the most disappointing products in the "shelter" category I've encountered in recent memory. The concept is strong, and when initially pitched, adds an entire living room of space to a vehicle. Unfortunately, this is only true in situations of sun or moderate rain with little to no wind. Kelty missed the mark on the engineering front here in many ways: - Low quality material choice & stitching easily susceptible catastrophic damage - Poor pole layout inducing stress under wind load - Side walls with little to no guy-out options, acting as colossal wind sails, and.. - .. unable to work with opening a sliding van door, despite the flagship product photo After cumbersome assembly / mounting, the shelter was "somewhat convenient at best" during the initial two setups before rapidly deteriorating. Over the following few pitches in moderate conditions, both main poles suffered fiberglass failure. Multiple webbing attachment points tore out. A small poke hole grew to a 2' square rip. Cannot recommend even for casual usage. It will inevitably end up in a landfill.
I love it.
I wanted this for my teardrop trailer for me and my dog. When it's raining, I'll use it at the galley in back. It will work at the side easy for shade also, as northern breed dogs need shade, and sometimes privacy is good. The window is great for air. I'd rather have green color, but this works. Most times, this will work in place of my other shelters. There is plenty of room for chair, dog bed, dog, feeding station, little table.
Great for basecamping out of truck
I absolutely love this thing! It’s simple to put up by myself and offers just enough space to get pou of the sun/rain. On. a recent trip to Rocky Mountain NP every afternoon after a solid morning hike rain showers would roll in. I’d sit in my chair with my grill in the doorway and just relax and watch the rain. Durability and how it will perform in wind have yet to be seen, but my first impressions are very ggod!
Love It
Easy one person setup. Lots of room. Great beefy stakes. Would prefer aluminum poles over the fiberglass provided.