Things Teri Loves: Kelty Gunnison Tents

August 4, 2014

I’ve been using a Kelty Gunnison tent for over five years. I have the three person model and I’ve used it for family camping and event style bike trips. On last year’s Idaho Family Fun tour, my then thirteen year old stepson and I shared the tent for a week of well, family fun. The tent is easy to set up — on the ride the teenagers were very fast and as a “reward” for getting into camp early they had the “privilege” of getting the tents up. When I rode into camp 30 minutes later, we were good to go. The tent has adequate mesh to allow for breathability but keeps you warm in cooler temps. It also includes a gear loft that I use to keep track of my glasses and other light personal gear. The very best part of the tent for us is the two doors and vestibules. The vestibules are very roomy and allow you to keep your various gear bags secure and easy to reach without invading your personal space. With the double door, no one has to crawl out over the other as you enter and exit the tent. This is a boon in the middle of the night when you need to go out to see the stars.  The tent also allows you sit up tall to change clothes without hitting your head. I am not particularly tall but Max is over six feet.

While not being ultra lightweight, the two person model weighs in at 5lbs 9oz and the model I have, the three person, is 6lbs 8oz. They are perfect for event rides where someone else is carrying your gear, but still light enough to take on a self-supported tour. The tent is sturdy and easy to pack up, fitting in the stuff stack that comes with it. If you are looking for an efficient and roomy tent, I highly recommend Kelty’s Gunnison series. 

Photos by Teri Maloughney

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CYCLO NOTES is brought to you every Monday morning by Adventure Cycling's Cyclosource team — Teri, Patrick, and Geoff.