Backpacking tents · owner-verdict comparison

Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 vs Kelty Late Start 2P: what real owners say

Real owners rate these about evenly: 75% of 24 Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 owners recommend it, vs 80% of 10 for the Kelty Late Start 2P.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2

75%of 24 owners recommend

75% recommend · 13% neutral · 12% don't

Owners praise

Owners report high overall satisfaction, with several calling it their favorite tent they've owned
Holds up well over multiple seasons of use, staying as good as new and keeping owners dry through heavy rain
Noticeably lightweight, including light components like the stakes, without feeling flimsy

Owners complain about

The 2-person (UL2) version runs tight, with some calling it more of a one-person tent and barely enough room for a dog, let alone a second person

Full owner report →

Kelty Late Start 2P

80%of 10 owners recommend

80% recommend · 20% neutral · 0% don't

Owners praise

Holds up for years of hard backpacking use without failing, owners report 5, 10, even 11 years of reliable service
Genuinely waterproof, owners say it's never leaked through torrential overnight rain
Quick, easy setup, even solo

Owners complain about

Heavy for its class, around 4 lbs for a 1-person tent (up to 6 lbs packed), which owners say undercuts its backpacking claims
Look and build feel cheap, with several owners comparing it unfavorably to a Walmart/Ozark Trail tent
Interior feels narrow and cramped, especially at the top and foot end, with too little room to spare

Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 if

✓Solo or one-person-plus-dog backpackers who want a roomy, comfortable setup
✓Thru-hikers wanting a proven, storm-worthy semi-freestanding shelter for the PCT/AT/CT
✓Backpackers prioritizing ventilation, with a mostly-mesh inner tent for hot climates
✓Owners who value a lifetime warranty and multi-season durability over years of use

Skip it if

Two adults expecting real elbow room in the 2-person size, especially over 6ft tall
Anyone camping regularly in wet conditions, since the fabric absorbs water and gets heavy when packed wet

Get the Kelty Late Start 2P 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

Skip it 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

What Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 owners say

“If looking at Big Agnes, I think the Tiger Wall is better. Slightly smaller, but much lighter.”
— adambl82 on Reddit

“There is no problem with ventilation in Tiger Wall since the inner tent is almost entirely mesh the amount of air coming through under the fly is plenty.”
— J-Nightshade on Reddit

“The big agnes will absorb water, sag, then weigh twice as much after you have to pack it up wet.”
— they_have_no_bullets on Reddit

What Kelty Late Start 2P owners say

“I've never had any issues.”
— @gunsofmasseffect4321 on YouTube

“it has worked great for 3-4 years”
— @realJohnLab on YouTube

“4 lbs for a 1 person tent is nuts”
— @SomeRandomGuy-1985 on YouTube

Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 vs Kelty Late Start 2P: frequently asked questions

Is the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 or the Kelty Late Start 2P better?

Real owners rate these about evenly: 75% of 24 Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 owners recommend it, vs 80% of 10 for the Kelty Late Start 2P.

Who should get the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2?

Owners point the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 at solo or one-person-plus-dog backpackers who want a roomy, comfortable setup, and thru-hikers wanting a proven, storm-worthy semi-freestanding shelter for the PCT/AT/CT.

Who should get the Kelty Late Start 2P?

Owners point the Kelty Late Start 2P at budget-conscious backpackers who want a durable, easy-to-pitch entry-level tent, and solo or 2-person backpackers who prioritize dry, leak-proof performance over ultralight weight.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 is the 2-person (UL2) version runs tight, with some calling it more of a one-person tent and barely enough room for a dog, let alone a second person. For the Kelty Late Start 2P, it's heavy for its class, around 4 lbs for a 1-person tent (up to 6 lbs packed), which owners say undercuts its backpacking claims.