User Review: Kelty Riverbend 2

Reviewed April 16, 2004 by Steve

Rating:
Design: 3-season, freestanding w/ vestibule
Sleeps: 2
Weight: 6 lbs. 10 oz.
Price Paid: $129 + $50

Kelty doesn't make this tent anymore. Shame... It's a good tent. If you can find one, buy it! I originally bought the tent as a Streamside 2, which Kelty made for REI. It had aluminum poles instead of the fiberglass ones for the Creekside Kelty normally made (or did I get them backwards?). Anyway, after seeing the newer Riverbend models, I realized the footprints were exactly the same. So, I ordered the Riverbend 2 fly to make a conversion. So, then I had a converted Streamside/Creekside/Riverbend tent!

Anyway, getting to the review. Most of the features are top quality and can't be beaten. This is an excellent tent. The visability is remarkable on a clear night with the fly off, particularly as the netting is black. This helps day vision also. It's roomy, with more room at the shoulders and head. The vestibule could possibly be bigger, but is functional. My last tent didn't have a vestibule at all. The fly is a bit noisy in rain, due to the fact that it is flatter on top to make headroom wider. It thuds like a drum much louder than my more sloped tents. It would be nice to have some visibility when the hatches are battened down, so to speak. My Eureka Timberline tent is great for rain because you can partially unzip the ends and watch it rain. The Kelty is meant for serious business and you are definitely secured down. I do like the little windows and the ventilation chimney. All in all, it's a great tent, particularly if you are packing and a storm comes up. For campground camping, I might suggest something with more of a view, but the ventilation is good with this tent, view not-withstanding.

Save & Share

Where to Buy

Sorry, we couldn't find any online retailers selling the Kelty Riverbend 2. You may want to check pricing and availability directly at these sites:

Retailers: Do you sell the Kelty Riverbend 2? List your site here.

Similar Tents

Compare
See how the Kelty Riverbend 2 stacks up against the competition: read more tent reviews or more about Kelty.

Contribute
Have you used a Kelty Riverbend 2 or a similar product? Write a gear review.

Discuss
Still have questions? Answers? Opinions? Join the converstation in the Trailspace Forums.