User Review: Kelty Salida 2

Summary

This is a great quality tent for a person who needs a lightweight low priced tent.
The Salida 2 has just the right amount of features for the solo hiker or the cozy couple.

This is a great quality tent for a person who needs a lightweight low priced tent. The Salida 2 has just the right amount of features for the solo hiker or the cozy couple.

The simple crossed tent poles quickly snap to the tent with buckles. No tunnels to thread or pieces to tie. I can have the tent up in two minutes.

The self standing design means it's no problem relocating the tent to the perfect spot. No need to stake out the floor first.

The rain fly lacks air vents, but due to the ventilation of the mesh sides of the tent, it has never given me any condensation problems.

I've seen no leaks in multiple strong rain storms due to the factory sealed seams and good design of the rain fly.

The tent is strong and has stood up to strong winds and rains.

The headroom is enough for an average person. But the sides slope in a little, so two people would be uncomfortable sitting up facing the same direction.

The vestibule is small and the rain fly is low so it only has enough space for a backpack and hiking boots.

The zipper is way out there from the tent so you have to crawl out of the tent and stretch to unzip the fly. Or you could do what I did and tie a string to the zipper pull.

The tent has an oversized bag. No fussing around stuffing your tent in an undersized stuff sack. There is even enough room for a ground cloth or tarp.

The tent has corner mesh pockets to hold small items. And it has a mesh shelf at the top. I love that feature. Throw your phone up there and you have a night light.

I've used this tent for the last couple of years. Including at least a dozen rock climbing trips, a few kayaking trips, a handful of camping trips to the lake, and a week of hiking in the mountains. I bought it due to the size/weight/price/performance ratio was unbeatable.