Gear Guide 2009: Kelty Gunnison 2.1 Tent Review
This light, large, and affordable tent will appeal to almost any three-season camper.
Best All-Around
In politics, trying to be all things to everybody can be a liability. In tents, it leads to the Gunnison, a light, large, and affordable shelter that should appeal to the majority of three-season campers. The trick is a hubbed pole that shaves ounces while maximizing space-to-weight–and no costly materials like siliconized nylon. Some hubbed poles can be confusing to pitch, but color-coding makes the freestanding, double-wall Gunnison quick and easy. The combination of taut pitch and vents that encourage cross-breezes kept one tester dry and the tent free of condensation during the worst conditions: prolonged Northwest downpours. Dimensions–from the 58-inch width to the 10-square-foot vestibules–are all larger than average for a sub-five-pound tent. Testers’ only quibbles were minor: The tent is a tad bulky when packed, and the clips attaching the fly to the corners are awkward to unfasten. $190; 4 lbs. 14 oz. Kelty.com