Kelty Late Start Backpacking Tent – Lightweight Two Man Camping Tent Shelter with Quickcorners, Aluminum Poles, Waterproof Poly…
Best for
Best budget
Amazon rating
Amazon aggregate, one input among many in the Verdict Score
Based on 1 trusted source
Current price
$112.46
Updated May 18, 2026 · 1 min read
Sources behind this verdict
10 reviewers weighted by source trust
The consensus
What reviewers found
Synthesized across the trust-weighted source mix below.
Across the reviewers we read, the Kelty Late Start 2 is positioned as the easiest-to-pitch budget option in this pool. Cleverhiker.com (high-trust) singles out the "unparalleled speedy setup and breakdown due to the innovative quick-corner pole" system, which r/CampingGear threads back up: one high-trust commenter reports the tent at 3 lb 8 oz and usable down into the 20s°F, another describes solid performance in heavy Appalachian dew at low-60s temperatures. The most consistent complaint, surfaced in community discussion and outside-group feedback referenced in the signals, is rainfly ventilation in wet weather, with morning condensation noted by multiple users.
What reviewers liked
- Cleverhiker.com (high-trust) highlights the quick-corner pole system for fast setup
- r/CampingGear reports usable performance down to ~20°F
- Aluminum poles at well under $120 noted across retailer signals
- 4.7-star Amazon average (small sample)
Where it falls short
- Multiple reviewers cite poor rainfly ventilation and morning condensation
- Only 79 Amazon reviews, limiting sample size for verified-purchase signal
- Single-door, single-vestibule design less convenient for two people sharing
- No high-trust independent lab measurements in the supplied signals
Across the reviewers we read, the Kelty Late Start 2 is positioned as the easiest-to-pitch budget option in this pool. Cleverhiker.com (high-trust) singles out the "unparalleled speedy setup and breakdown due to the innovative quick-corner pole" system, which r/CampingGear threads back up: one high-trust commenter reports the tent at 3 lb 8 oz and usable down into the 20s°F, another describes solid performance in heavy Appalachian dew at low-60s temperatures.
The most consistent complaint, surfaced in community discussion and outside-group feedback referenced in the signals, is rainfly ventilation in wet weather, with morning condensation noted by multiple users. That's a meaningful con for shoulder-season trips. Beyond ventilation, reviewers describe it as a no-frills, sub-$120 shelter that handles three-season conditions for beginners.
The small Amazon sample (79 reviews) is worth flagging—the 4.7 average is encouraging but less statistically grounded than tents with thousands of ratings.
- [floor
- Imported
- Simple Setup
- Refined and refreshed for 2024, The Late Start by Kelty is the crown jewel of EZ living in the outdoors with 1 person 3 minute setup time, Quickcorner pole sleeves, and color coded buckle attachment points
- Jack-Of-All-Camping
- Durable 68D polyester fabrics in the tent bathtub style floor, flysheet are waterproof and built to last – roomy interior peak height up to 56 inches within a single door design, great for campgrounds or backcountry trails
- Waterproof Poly Flysheet
- full coverage rainfly in 68D Polyester / 1200 mm / C0. Additional guyouts provide ample air flow even in rough conditions while keeping your buns (and gear) dry and safely nestled inside
- Protecting Natural Spaces
- Kelty is 1 of 4 founding members of The Conservation Alliance, and has always strives to protect wild spaces. All tents are made with DWR/PFC Free fabrics and coatings, reducing waste and negative environmental impacts
- Nitty Gritty
- 1 door 1 vestibules (lots of gear storage with inner gear pockets to boot) featherlight stakes, 2 pole setup. 1P model: 19.7 sq. ft., 37 in peak. 2P model: 30 sq. ft., 43 in peak. 4P model: 56 sq. ft., 56 in peak
Mine weighs in at 3lb 8oz (3.48lb). I've used it in temps down into the 20's. Not a bad tent for the money. I still have it, and I use it as a " ...
The tent performed well. We camped late June '25 in the Appalachian mountains of SW VA. Heavy dew and temps in the low 60s. Never got cold with ...
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“Kelty Late Start 2 Tent Review (19 AWESOME Tests!)” · YouTube
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