User Review: Kelty Lounge 4

The Kelty Lounge 4 appeared to offer what we were looking for in a car camping tent (as viewed from the pictures on the web anyway): a reasonably priced tent with enough space to stand up while you get dressed, aluminum poles and a rain fly.

Out of the box it was easy to set up and since it was a full moon last night, we enjoyed our first use of the new tent looking thru the mesh ceiling at the night sky. However, a mild summer rain started this morning prompting us to engage the rain fly, at which point the design flaws became apparent.

Despite offering a modest vestibule in front, the rain fly doesnt cover the back of the tent! as the rain came down, the water started to seep in at the seem along the exposed back wall. Unbelievable! Why not cover the back wall? This obvious design flaw is deceitfully concealed in the frontal view images of the product on the web... having spend enough rainy nights in tents to know that you need a full fly if you want to stay dry, we never would have bought this tent had we known the back wall was thus exposed.

What a pity, this otherwise decent tent would have probably rated four stars if it had a full fly, as it is roomy and airy with copious mesh panels on the top of the tent. The Kelty Lounge 4 would have much to offer if you camp where it doesn't rain, otherwise we suggest you avoid this one (or buy an additional shelter under which to pitch this tent).