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Kelty Late Start 2P

Kelty Late Start 2P

Scored on 10 verified owner verdicts, from 1,445 comments read across 2 communities
TL;DR
Most owners who've actually used the Kelty Late Start 2P for a season or more praise its durability, reporting years of reliable, leak-free service through heavy overnight rain and repeated trips. It sets up quickly and is seen as a solid value, especially for newer backpackers getting into the hobby, with a surprisingly comfortable interior for its footprint. A vocal minority pushes back hard, though, calling out the weight (around 4 lbs for a 1-person tent) as too heavy for true backpacking use, criticizing the narrow interior at the head and foot, and comparing its look and build quality unfavorably to budget big-box tents while questioning whether it's worth the roughly $140 price tag.

80% of 10 verified owners recommend the Kelty Late Start 2P, based on real owner verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube.

What 10 owners say
1,445 comments reviewed · scored on the 10 clearest verdicts
80%
Recommend
8 owners
20%
Neutral
2 owners
0%
Don't recommend
0 owners
Source
Score
N
Counted in the score
Reddit
80%
10
Reviewed, but not counted — and why
YouTubeiowner comments
47%
45
No clear verdictiSetup, tips & quirks
34

The headline score reflects owners (Reddit, enthusiast forums), independent lab tests, blogs with no affiliate links, and YouTube owner-comments when they line up with owners. YouTube is shown for perspective but kept out here — hover the i for why.

What owners like
  • Holds up for years of hard backpacking use without failing, owners report 5, 10, even 11 years of reliable service · 6 · 60%
  • Genuinely waterproof, owners say it's never leaked through torrential overnight rain · 5 · 50%
  • Quick, easy setup, even solo · 4 · 40%
  • Strong value for the price, seen as a solid entry point into Kelty's lineup for newer backpackers · 4 · 40%
  • Comfortable, surprisingly roomy interior for its size and 2-pole design · 4 · 40%
What owners flag
  • Heavy for its class, around 4 lbs for a 1-person tent (up to 6 lbs packed), which owners say undercuts its backpacking claims · 4 · 40%
  • Look and build feel cheap, with several owners comparing it unfavorably to a Walmart/Ozark Trail tent · 4 · 40%
  • Interior feels narrow and cramped, especially at the top and foot end, with too little room to spare · 4 · 40%
  • Feels overpriced at around $140 for what you get · 3 · 30%
Who it's for
A great fit if
  • Budget-conscious backpackers who want a durable, easy-to-pitch entry-level tent
  • Solo or 2-person backpackers who prioritize dry, leak-proof performance over ultralight weight
  • Beginners new to backpacking who want simple, no-frills setup and reliable weather protection
  • Backyard or short-hike family campers who don't need packed weight to be minimal
Look elsewhere if
  • Ultralight backpackers who count every ounce, since the ~4lb weight for a 1-person tent draws frequent complaints
  • Taller or broader-shouldered campers, since several owners found the length and width too tight
  • Buyers wanting a distinctive-looking or highly waterproof tent, since some call it plain-looking and complain the floor coating is thin

Synthesized from what Kelty Late Start 2P owners say — not a spec sheet.

Top quotes, sourced

1,445 reviewed · 55 shown
Sentiment
Community
Sort
Reddit— neutral

I can already set up my Salida in 3-4 minutes with one hand tied behind my back, so that's not a big deal to me. They're similar enough that I'd just buy whatever is cheaper.

YouTube▲ recommend

I've never had any issues.

YouTube▼ don’t recommend

4 lbs for a 1 person tent is nuts

YouTube— neutral

I loved the ease of setup and aluminum poles. I didn't like the condensation issue and the misleading color of the fly.

YouTube▲ recommend

it has worked great for 3-4 years

YouTube▼ don’t recommend

That's little more than a Walmart tent from Ozark Trail....I wouldn't pay 60 bucks for that and pity ANYONE they suckered for $140.

YouTube▲ recommend

It has NEVER leaked on me and my dog, Rocky.

YouTube▼ don’t recommend

It is really narrow at the top . They could have put in a bit more fabric and made it wider

Reddit— neutral

I have a Kelty Late Start 6 person tent and I really like it. It's surprising spacious for a 2 pole tent

YouTube— neutral

It's a nice no frills tent. Good color, but the rain fly could be larger. Mine doesn't leak either.

YouTube▲ recommend

I love my late start, has been through torrential down pours and never a drop. Great product.

YouTube▼ don’t recommend

it is an overweighted, hideous looking, lack of space, cheap quality and overpriced tent.

YouTube▲ recommend

Oh yeah, I have a couple of Kelty's now and they are aging, but still do not leak! Love them.

YouTube— neutral

I thought for the price point, the tent was fine.

YouTube▼ don’t recommend

The floor doesn't have a heavy enough coating to be really waterproof.

YouTube▼ don’t recommend

The last Kelty tent I bought for the scouts didn't last long.

YouTube▲ recommend

I actually like the colors of this tent.

YouTube— neutral

It's an ok tent

YouTube▲ recommend

I like this one

YouTube▼ don’t recommend

Since when has $140.00 for a tent become budget friendly?

Reddit▲ recommend

Been using Kelty for backpacking for years and they've been pretty durable and easy to setup from my own personal experience.

YouTube▼ don’t recommend

Another heavy Ugly, sweat lodge, thats just Embarassing.

YouTube▼ don’t recommend

Can't say I'm too impressed, its very run of the mill.

Reddit▲ recommend

Kelty](https://www.amazon.com/Kelty-Late-Start-Backpacking-Tent/dp/B07ML4F9HR/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&linkCode=li2&tag=tenthacker-20&linkId=379a05ee090c21da51bf4ec4c975f462&language=en_US) is a decent option. At 4 lbs. 8 oz.

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Common problems & things to know

Practical notes owners raise — setup, quirks, and issues to watch for. They don't say whether the person likes the product, so they're not counted in the score, but they inform the pros, cons, and who it's for.

Redditⓘ good to know

Our tent is the Kelty Late Start 2p; there are other tents out there for 1 person if you need, but Kelty isn't a bad place to start your search. If you are in the market for hiking boots; go to REI and get fitted by their shoe staff.

Redditⓘ good to know

It’s a 27 mile hike which will take us 3-4 days to get though. We will be in CO for a good two weeks total though, camping for the majority of that time. Has anyone had any experience with the Kelty late start 2p / 3 season tent? Is this going to be sufficient in getting me through a trip like this?

Redditⓘ good to know

After this season I had to retire my old REI tent. I then spent way too much time hemming and hawing about what to buy. Finally decided on a Kelty late start 2. Can't wait to try it out this spring/summer. #dirtsleeper #skynapper

Redditⓘ good to know

If you’re not backpacking but rather driving to the site or canoeing in, maybe the Kelty tent would be better. For bike packing, I’m not so sure but generally smaller is better so better so just go with whichever has the smaller pack size.

Redditⓘ good to know

Let me know how it works in spring. I've only used the Salida in fall.

Redditⓘ good to know

In my opinion, Kelty is the best bang for your buck camping gear company out there. My Grand Mesa 2 gas held up great in some poor weather, but I do wish the pole structure offered more interior space. The pre-bent poles in the Late Start models will help with that, but I've always been curious as to how much.

Redditⓘ good to know

I know it weighs in at around 6lbs packed, which is considered heavy for most, but if I can keep my pack under 15lbs total I'll be happy. I've never done any backpack camping before, so me and a friend are going to start small by doing like a four mile hike out into the woods, camping for a night, and hiking back out.