Backpacker Magazine – 2010 Editors' Choice/Gear Guide

Gear Review: Kelty Gunnison Pro Tent

If you want a dependable three-season shelter that can handle light winter conditions, this is it.

by: Kelly Bastone

Tags:
• Gear
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• Tents
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Cold-Weather Bargain
Staff testers have long praised the Gunnison 2.1 for its low weight, spacious interior, and affordable price. So it’s no surprise we took an instant liking to this winterized version. The Pro has the same dome design and X-shaped hubbed poles as the original, but 10 percent less mesh than the three-season version (making it warmer) and fused seams (making it lighter than with stitching and tape).

And the two 10-square-foot vestibules offer plenty of space for cold-weather gear. The result is a tent that’s well-suited for summer use at high altitudes and winter camping in sheltered locales. “We stayed warm when temperatures dipped below freezing and never felt the gusts,” reports one tester, who camped at 9,200 feet in Idaho’s Sawtooths. She also praises the Pro’s space. “It offered plenty of room for two adults and a dog.” The 92-inch length let her 6’5” husband stretch out without complaint.

And in prolonged rain, it proved nearly condensation-free. If you want a dependable three-season shelter that can handle light winter conditions, this is it. $249; 5 lbs. 4 oz.

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