Backpacking tents · owner-verdict comparison

Kelty Late Start 2P vs Nemo Hornet 2P: what real owners say

Real owners rate these about evenly: 80% of 10 Kelty Late Start 2P owners recommend it, vs 79% of 150 for the Nemo Hornet 2P.

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

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 →

Nemo Hornet 2P

79%of 150 owners recommend
79% recommend · 11% neutral · 10% don't
Owners praise
  • Impressively lightweight, around 2 lbs for a double-wall tent
  • Held up well through rain, wind, and storms over years of use
  • Packs down very small
Owners complain about
  • Too tight and cramped for two people
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

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
Get the Nemo Hornet 2P if
  • ✓Solo backpackers wanting a roomy one-person shelter
  • ✓Weight-conscious hikers who still want double-wall comfort
  • ✓Long-distance thru-hikers needing durability over many miles
  • ✓Those wanting fast, freestanding, trekking-pole-free setup
Skip it if
  • Two adults sharing (cramped, sarcophagus-tight)
  • Taller campers over about six feet

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

What Nemo Hornet 2P owners say

“I have the nemo hornet 2P and I love it and it’s great in the wind. I highly recommend. Super easy to setup.”
— alicewonders12 on Reddit
“the next day my trail buddy and I rented a car and drove to Atlanta to go to rei to buy another tent (Nemo Hornet 2P) a little heavier but such an awesome tent. I loved it dearly and it kept me nice and dry for the rest of the trail.”
— cywnne on Reddit
“took out my nemo hornet 2p last night with my dog. It was super windy and with the frame bowing in. My dog was scared and ripped through the mesh to get out.”
— dec92010 on Reddit

Kelty Late Start 2P vs Nemo Hornet 2P: frequently asked questions

Is the Kelty Late Start 2P or the Nemo Hornet 2P better?

Real owners rate these about evenly: 80% of 10 Kelty Late Start 2P owners recommend it, vs 79% of 150 for the Nemo Hornet 2P.

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.

Who should get the Nemo Hornet 2P?

Owners point the Nemo Hornet 2P at solo backpackers wanting a roomy one-person shelter, and weight-conscious hikers who still want double-wall comfort.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Kelty Late Start 2P is heavy for its class, around 4 lbs for a 1-person tent (up to 6 lbs packed), which owners say undercuts its backpacking claims. For the Nemo Hornet 2P, it's too tight and cramped for two people.