Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I bought this for use as a two person backpacking and car camping tent. I also bought a REI half dome two person tent to which I compared it. These are very similarly designed tents. I set up both tents (in my living room) and did a side-by-side comparison. I never actually used the tent and so can only speak to its design and not its actual performance. I ultimately returned the Kelty Gunnison 2.1 tent but it was a close call and I will explain the good & the not so bad below.
First, I feel that for the weight & price, it would be hard to find a more spacious tent. The Kelty Gunnison felt a little more spacious than the REI half dome which was no slouch in this category as well. This is consistent with the Kelty's reported 3 more square feet (37 sq ft total) than the REI half dome. For people who are tall (over 6'--I am 6'2") this is a very long tent at 92". This is 2 inches longer than the rei half dome. Both tents are longer than many ultralight tents that I have sadly found to typically not be be designed with people over 6' in mind. For instance, the REI QUARTER dome is a tight fit for any one over 6'. The Gunnison is also listed at a 40" peak height which is fairly decent and I was able to sit upright in the tent comfortably. However, if you are 6'2" or above, the extra inch of height in the REI half dome is just enough that you can get a little farther from the center of the tent & still be upright. This would be handy if you were sitting in the tent with someone at night or riding out a storm. Weight wise the Kelty gunnsion is listed as a few ounces less in weight than the REI half dome. The kelty is reported to have a package weight of 5 lbs 9 oz. I considered the weight difference to be insignificant. There are lighter weight options for two person tents, but they will not have as much space and will be more costly.
The vestibules for the Kelty are massive with each vestibule being listed at 12 sq ft for the kelty and 9 sq ft each for the REI half dome. I obviously did not stake out either tent in my house, but the kelty vestibules definitely seemed larger. These vestibules would leave plenty of room for backpacks and probably the proverbial kitchen sink as well.
Next I will address the design of the tent. The kelty uses a plastic, but reasonably sturdy appearing hub for the tent poles whereas the half dome uses a metal one. On the Kelty tent, the rainfly and tent body are connected to the tent poles using plastic Jake's Foot connectors. On the half dome they are connected through the more traditional metal grommets. The entrance doors on both sides of the Kelty are smaller and more in the center of the tent than for the REI half dome. With the rainfly on, this made it slightly more difficult for easy entrance & exit with the Gunnison. This may theoretically also mean the Gunnsion would offer more protection from the rain getting in and out of the tent, but I obviously did not get to test this theory. I also am not aware of problems with the half dome in this regard. The overall tent body and rainfly of both tents seemed very similar in regards to material. The vents and netting also seemed reasonably comparable and I can only guess that ventilation in both tents would be reasonably similar.
For me, I ultimately chose the half dome over the gunnison but it was a tough call and I liked the gunnison's design as well. My biggest issue with the tent was the plastic hub and the plastic Jake's foot connectors. These are used in other tents as well. They may work great, but I personally prefer the metal hub and grommets of the half dome. I also liked the size and position of the doors much more in the half dome. The gunnsion was a little more spacious and had larger vestibules, but I felt this difference was not too dramatic.
In summary, I felt the Kelty Gunnsion 2.1 is a spacious tent with large vestibules at a decent price. It is a great option for tall individuals. I personally do not like the Jake's foot connectors or the plastic hub as they do not appear very rugged. However, I do not have any evidence that this would ever be a problem in the field longterm. I would have preferred doors that were a little larger and less centered. However, this may not be as much of an issue for smaller individuals and may be advantageous in rain. My preference would also be for a lighter tent, but for the space and money I dont think you can find a better deal. If you were wanting a lighter two person tent that would also be good for taller people, I would check out the big agnes emerald series or the the big agnes copper spur series. However, the improved weight is offset by smaller space and higher price.
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Kelty Gunnison 2.1 TentThe Kelty Gunnison 2.1 Tent is the redesigned Gunnison 2 tent with added features and durability. The Gunnison 2.1 Tents color-coded clip construction makes setup easy. Internal storage pockets keep your gear organized and off of the floor. Side wall vents and a mesh ceiling allow for ventilation, keeping you cool. The seams on the floor of the Gunnison 2.1 Tent are taped, keeping water from seeping in. The Kelty Gunnison 2.1 Tent is a versatile and spacious tent for a couple or a crowd.
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